5 IMPORTANT TAKE-AWAYS FROM CURRENT PANDEMIC.

Hi everyone!

I hope you are staying safe and healthy. It's has been and interesting few weeks for the world at large. It has not been easy but we can do this! Hang on to your faith and let's keep pushing forward. I don't know about you, but this pandemic has taught me some well needed lessons that I'll cherish forever! Of course it's not like me to keep important life lessons to myself, so on today's post, I'm sharing my 5 takeaways from this unprecedented time in our lives. I hope you take some lessons away as well. 

In a blink of an eye the world came to a screeching halt, causing everything to come to a standstill and in a lockdown. It has affected the world financially, physically, psychologically, and emotionally, just to name a few. People are dying, getting sick, schools are closed, companies are laying off employees, businesses are shutting down, and parents having to work from home and home school their children, families struggling to pay bills, putting food on the table and staying indoors. Life as we knew it has changed suddenly and indefinately.

The uncertainities are very unsettling with COVID- 19, to be honest but through it all, I've come to the realizations that there are lots of lessons to be learnt from this pandemic. Great lesson that if taken seriously will help us all deal better with the next unexpected life changing events.

FINANCIAL LITERACY/DISCIPLINE:

I'm not a financial adviser and I'm not claiming to be doing all 5 lessons, but analysing the current situation opened my eyes to the  importance of being disciplined financially.  Finanacial literacy is an important knowledge to have in our day to day lives because understanding how money works helps us manage it better. It helps us plan for unplanned circumstances such unexpected events and emergencies. Not to mention the peace of mind that comes with having a financial plan.

EMERGENCY FUND:

Learning to set aside a certain amount of our income for rainy days is crucial. Emergencies such as car breaking down, needing a furnace replaced, fixing leaky roofs are all unexpected expenses that can arise at any given time. Right at this moment we are facing the biggest emergencies of them all and although we may have not be able to stop it, those who had emergency funds in place are far less stressed out. They have some funds to sustain them for now. I always say, we cannot prevent emergencies from happening, but being prepared really does help and alleviates some unwanted stresses.

It's not too late if you do not have an emergency plan. Don't feel overwhelmed, start by analyzing your income, spending habits, and break them down into categories so you know how your money is being spent. Eliminate unnecessary spending (memberships, eating out alot, ect) and create a tangible budget that includes all your necessary expenses plus savings. 

Stop impulse buying, stop wasting money buying things to impress people you don't even like, just to prove a point. After all important expenses have been paid set aside as much or as little as you can afford for emergencies. It adds up over time and in the event of an emergency, you'll be glad you did.

BE PREPARED TO ACT:

Being prepared to act in any given situations is a must. With all that's going on, you'll be surprised to know a lot of businesses and individuals who we were prepared are taking some boss moves. People who understands investments and stock markets are taking advantage of the drop in stock prices to invest in stocks, mutaul funds, and real estate. So those who were prepared and have knowledge and understanding will definately gain from this unfortunate situation the genuine way. It's important to always be ready, if you're not ready this time, plan better and take full advantage the next time around with your disposable income and or if you have extra money you've saved to spare.

SELF DEVEOPMEN/LEARN NEW SKILLS:

I always talk about the importanance of adding value to yourself and it's easier now more than ever! There are tons of self development podcasts, books, ebooks, online courses and Google and YouTube are just a quick search way! Of course you have to do your due diligence to ensure that the information is from a reliable source, but more often than not, you'll get answers to your questions through Google, YouTube and Pinterest.  All you need is a computer, smart phone, Wifi and the willingness to dedicate yourself to learning that new skill. Now more than ever is a great time, with many of us being home more than usual, use it to your advantage and prepare yourself to win again once everything is back to normal. It'll help you possibly get multiple streams of income, so when you lose one income you can rely on the other skills to get you through it.

ENJOY YOUR OWN COMPANY/FAMILY:

Imagine being one of those people who needs constant affirmation from others to be happy? Imagine needing validations from others? And imagine being at odds with those you live with and having to be quarantine with them for weeks on end? It'll not be easy to say the least. 

Make yourself happy regardless,  use the extra time to reconnect your spouse and children. Do something with your children that you have not done before. Take off your serious hat and goof around with them. Likewise, you and your spouse can plan and rehash on current and future plans to make sure you're both on the same page. Spend quality time, with family, value  family time and keep them close. 

Lastly, there's so much that can be accomplished just by changing your mindset, stay focused and don't let this pandemic derail your goals and plans. Use the opportunity to be couragous instead of letting it affect every aspect of your life. Enjoy your family and make a come back plan to win like NEVER before once this pandemic is over and done with it.  I believe this is truly a test and you know what they say “Tough times don't last, tough people do!" We will get through this together!

Share in the comment section below some of the lessons and or skills you have learned though this difficult time?

It is well with us! Medaase and S.M.I.LE.! 

S - See

M - Miracles

I - In

L - Life

E - Everyday

XX

EMELIA