But for those who have lost jobs or have seen their income substantially cut back, the focus is a little more dire. They may be concerned or frustrated by the process of signing up for unemployment benefits and stressed about whether or not those funds will be enough for them, Liu says. And if someone didn’t have an emergency fund or a budgeting system in place before, Viktorin says that will undoubtedly be a focus for them now.
Plus, the general sense of uncertainty about when this whole thing will end makes it difficult to really plan for the future or to even know what’s feasible. Perhaps that’s why Viktorin says her conversations with clients recently have been a little different than usual. “Some people may be so emotionally wrapped up in what this means that they might be paralyzed in what they should or shouldn’t do,” she says, adding that her job these days feels more like a combination of friend, psychologist, and financial planner. “You are in the eye of the storm,” she often tells her clients, “but I can help you see above and around the storm.”
In general, here’s how experts recommend approaching your finances right now:
Giving financial advice is hard when you don’t know the full extent of someone’s individual situation. So it’s really best to talk over your concerns with a financial advisor of your own, if you can. But, in general, here’s what our experts suggest.
1. First, take a moment to pause and think.
When you first start thinking about how the coronavirus pandemic might affect your financial security or something sudden happens, like you lose your job or need to deal with a medical crisis, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and freak out. That’s why it’s crucial to sit down and take a few deep breaths before making any huge decisions, Viktorin says. “Take this moment and be mindful of how you’re feeling, and go back to what your goals really are,” she advises.
2. If you don’t already have one, make a long-term financial plan.
Once you’ve had time to calm down and reflect on your goals, think back to your long-term plan—or take this as an opportunity to make one for the first time. “Our clients that have been working with a trainer for at least a couple of months already, they have a plan that they’re working toward and they see the big picture,” Liu says. “They’re exponentially more calm than people who don’t have a plan.”
But that definitely doesn’t mean it’s too late to get one going now. Although this is best done with the help of a financial advisor if you have access to one, there are plenty of things you can do on your own. For example, you can start by thinking about your must-have expenses, including things like rent, food, utilities, and an emergency savings fund.
Then take some time to identify your short- and long-term financial goals, which might be classic things like sending a child to college, paying off debt, or saving for a vacation (remember traveling?) or retirement, Viktorin says. Once you have your goals in mind, you can start creating a budget system to keep track of your expenses, but remember that it might take a while to find one that works for you.
