Looking Ahead To 2021, What Will It Look Like To You?

December 4, 2020 Stu Q

This time of year can be hard on so many. Especially with COVID this year. Christmas should be a time of celebration and giving to others. Unfortunately, with so many being without jobs this year, it had put added stress on families. Even more so, the questions start rolling in. How will I pay for Christmas for my family? When will I be able to get past the added debt from the year? What will 2021 look like?

2020 Was Not Your Doing

As a finance manager in my everyday career, it is my job to plan for as many different variables as I can, but even I couldn’t plan for COVID. I couldn’t foresee the jobs losses, and loss in revenue. The same is likely true for you. You couldn’t have know this was going to happen, or know it was going to go on this long. So, what can you do? You can look ahead. The new year is right around the corner, and you have a new outlook on life.

2020 Is Almost Over, But It Is Time To Make A Change

Although you may have suffered hardships this year, the future is not set in stone. The new year may bring more issues with COVID, but it may not. Regardless, we have a new “variable” we can plan for. Just knowing there is potential for more hardship can equip you to take action in an attempts to mitigate any further issues.

Christmas Time Is About Time Together, Not Gifts

Christmas might be rough, especially if you have kids. The brands don’t necessarily care if you have lost your job, they will still advertise things like the new PS5 to you and your kids. They still want you to buy! It doesn’t mean you have to though. If you are worried about your family not having a good Christmas because there aren’t a lot of gifts, be honest with them (assuming they are old enough to understand). They have gone through their own stuff likely with school and other changes.

The moral of this is, don’t make things worse by going crazy at Christmas. Secondly, start looking to the future. The holidays will be here and gone before you know it. Start thinking about what’s next!