A COVID Winter
Winter is once again on the horizon and this frigid season will have a different feel than years past. The country is in the midst of a virus pandemic and some of our habits and behaviors will change. This isn’t necessarily a good or bad thing, but a reality of the world we live in. If we make smart decisions, if we stay safe and embrace some unpleasant rules, and if we focus on what really matters to us, we can make the end of 2020 great.
Winter Travel
Both the Thanksgiving holiday and the Christmas season result in family trips and gatherings. For some, it is the only time of year to see certain family members and it creates a feeling of togetherness. This is one of the many reasons why this is sometimes referred to as the happiest time of the year. Some people will decide to remain home and continue to converse with loved ones through phone and video chats, while others will still make the journey to another city for a family reunion. I do not bring this up to pass judgement. People are free to make any decision they chose to and take any risk they want to. What people do not have the right to do is endanger others. That being said, if you decide to travel, remember to be considerate and courteous to others. Wear a mask when it is required, even when you don’t believe in them. It is not about control but about respect. Wearing a mask on a plane will make others around you more comfortable and is scientifically proven to help prevent the spread of COVID. What you do in your home and in your property is your choice, but when in public respect the local rules and regulations.
The other aspect of travel for many individuals involves moving to a winter home. These snow bird locations, commonly found in Florida, provide a refuge to people who are tired of long winters. People of all ages fly south to avoid the cold, but this habit is more common for retired or elderly individuals. I am not against people commuting, individuals have worked hard to earn enough money to live where ever they want whenever they want. However, it is important to be realistic with the times. This means do not travel too much or in excess. For example, travel to and from your winter home but do not fly home for every little event. Just take what you need and stay where you are. If you typically fly home for a birthday, holiday, or family event, skip it this year. There is no need to travel too much. In the end it is up to you to take whatever risk you feel is appropriate, but remember your decisions can have dramatic effects on others this time around.
Cold Weather Costs
We are so accustomed to waking up in the morning, getting dressed, and preparing ourselves for a full day at the office; however, many of us still work remotely. The days of worrying about a snow storm delaying our commute, for the time being, seems to be a distant memory. This fact should raise some questions about whether we need to spend as much money making our commute easier. How much money do you spend on snow removal a year? Do you pay for a parking spot in a downtown garage? These are just simple things to think about as we enter the cold season. If you and the kids are not leaving the house why do you need to pay a company to plow your driveway? It could be a great way to save some cash and teach the children responsibility. If you do not need to go to work, you can wait until the storm passes and clear the snow yourself or make your kids do it. A little hard work and a little exercise never killed anyone. The same concept applies to your comfortable and high priced downtown parking spot. Why pay a monthly fee if you only go to the office once or twice a week. Is it really work the cost? The practicality of these decisions is clearly based on each situation, but it never hurts to give it some thought.
While you are thinking, consider the costs of maintaining a commercial office. You have to pay to heat it, you have to pay to power it, and you have to pay to maintain it. Think about ways to cut costs. A simple smart thermostat might pay dividends. Combine its use with a schedule and you might only need to power and heat your office a day or two a week. You can lower the temperature the other 5 days and save on heating and electric costs. Maintenance contracts like snow removal and trash removal can also be updated and adjusted to fit your current needs. Take a look and see if you are leaving free money on the table.
Shopping
It seems to happen earlier and earlier every year, but we are already hearing about and seeing advertisements for Black Friday. The busiest shopping weekend of the year results in large lines and large crowds. This is exactly the situation we want to avoid. So how do we make the most of the deals and keep ourselves safe? The answer is simple, just modernize. Practically every company now has an online marketplace and most even offer free delivery and curbside pickup. We no longer need to go to the store to get the best deals, we simply need to pull out our phone or log onto our computer. Most major realtors are already preparing for a huge spike in online business. So why join a dangerous situation when you do not have too. Avoid the stores and shop online. It is safer, easy to do, and far less frustrating then driving around the city looking for the hot item. Finally, make sure not to overdo it. It is easy to overdo it when buying online, so keep an eye on your budget.
Years from now, we will all talk about the crazy summer of 2020. We will remember it differently and have contrasting opinions on whether we did the right thing. Just make sure you do not make any choices you will end up regretting. Finally, remember to not worry too much, relax, and enjoy the moment no matter what challenges we face. It is important to always look toward the future.