WHEN THE FINANCIAL FALLOUT FROM THE PANDEMIC hit home for her last March, Meghan Fernandes was terrified. The 29-year-old mother of three lost both her jobs—first, her position as general manager of an ice-skating rink near her home in Little Falls, New Jersey, then her part-time gig as a furniture sales rep—which cut her family’s income by a third. They’ve stayed afloat managing on husband Mike’s salary from his job at an international shipping company, plus unemployment benefits, while doing everything they can to save money. Fernandes has set up tight budgets, taken scissors to her credit cards, stopped ordering takeout, slashed spending at Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts by 75 percent and mastered the art of home haircuts for stepson Zack, 15, and sons Colton, 5, and Hunter, 2.
It’s…