Financial Planning To-Do List through Quarantine
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The coronavirus pandemic has given people across the world a lot of time to mull over several aspects of life. Financial planning is one such facet that needs to be revisited during this period of quarantine so that investors can take the necessary steps for improvisation. People should also take advantage of the several relaxations currently being offered while decluttering and modifying their portfolio.
Here are some steps that can be taken towards achieving this goal:
1. Take up online financial planning classes or read books
The quarantine has financially disrupted the lives of many. One way for people to bring back their finances on track is by gaining knowledge regarding the enhancement and maintenance of their portfolio. There are several online courses and programs for this purpose. Some of them are, ‘The QuickBooks Master Class’, ‘Stock Trader’s Ultimate Handbook Bundle’, ‘The Ultimate Microsoft Excel Certification Training Bundle’, ‘Introduction to Life Insurance and Retirement Savings’, ‘Personal and Family Financial Planning’, etc. These courses will allow one to understand the current position of their finances and teach them how to formulate and manage profit and loss statements, balance sheets, as well as customizable reports. They also provide a better understanding of the market, thereby enabling the enhancement of the stock portfolio. It is significant to understand all these functions, particularly during this time, when personal savings and income are depleting, and revenue from business operations is going down by the day. Understanding the gravity of the present state of affairs can allow individuals to formulate an expenditure and savings plan, which will prevent the possibility of an unfavourable financial situation in the future.
2. Remove unnecessary expenditure and boost emergency funds
Several monthly costs and subscriptions automatically get deducted from bank accounts and credit cards every month. However, at this time, many of these services, like travel plans, fitness classes, library and magazine subscriptions, etc., can be completely unnecessary. Most of these have been deferred due to social distancing and quarantine norms. People need to relook their expenses and cut out everything that is not urgent or necessary right now. They can then redirect this money to their emergency funds. In the wake of a pay cut or job termination due to the coronavirus crisis, an emergency fund will be useful in meeting day-to-day expenses, medical costs, etc. Individuals are advised to maintain an emergency fund that is equivalent to anywhere between 6 and 8 months’ worth of their salary. This fund is especially necessary for those people who do not get paid sick leaves. Another thing to note is that the emergency fund must be kept in accounts that can be easily accessible. In times of crisis, one should be able to withdraw money without any constraints and limitations.
3. Invest in life and health insurance
The quarantine has made people realize that just like financial markets, human life too is unpredictable. The biggest concern, when faced with an unfortunate situation like the lockdown, is one’s financial ability to cover healthcare costs. Any health problems under this scenario can be dealt through with a simple solution. Individuals must ensure that their existing health insurance covers medical costs that can arise due to Covid-19. If the current policy does not cover this, then try and look for riders and add-ons that include this provision. In addition to this, one can also invest in a life insurance policy to make sure that their family remains economically stable and secure in case of an unfortunate event.
4. Reap benefits of relaxation in loans
Owing to the economic measures being taken by the government amid the pandemic, many banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) are offering relaxation in terms of interest rates on debt. People can take advantage of these benefits. For example, at present, interest rates on federally-held student loans are being waived off. Though the individuals still have to make loan repayments, the total instalment will be reduced to only the principal amount. This scheme can be effective to pay off loans while saving a considerable amount of money. People must actively monitor all communication from banks and NBFCs and look out for advantages they can benefit from.
5. Organize financial documents
This is another important task that must be undertaken during the quarantine. Investors tend to keep piling up documents in physical and electronic forms, without reviewing them for years. This might be the best time to revisit these. First of all, try to avoid any duplication of documents to avoid confusion. Secondly, those investments that have been either discontinued or matured can be archived. Thirdly, physical documents must be stored in order of usability. Those documents that are required every month like bills and utilities must be available upfront. Those associated with yearly transactions like property tax, income tax returns, etc., should be maintained separately. Medical and insurance records and bills should also be stored carefully to ensure easy accessibility in the case of any emergency.
6. Execute fundamental financial planning
The quarantine has given people the gift of time, and investors need to spend some of this on their portfolio. Following the basic financial planning process can be a great way to start. The first step is to formulate a budget, which has also become mandatory in these tough times. Next, investors must review their debt-repayment strategy and make necessary changes to meet the current requirements. Estate planning is another essential aspect that should be reviewed right now. For those who have not yet started, this should be the time to create a will and ensure your estate plan is in order. This also includes updating the names of nominees on all accounts, adding medical directives in the case of emergency hospitalization, setting up a trust for minor children, etc. While it is possible to emerge out of wrong investment decisions, one might not get the chance to recover from the loss caused because of incomplete estate planning.
To sum it up
With a struggling economy, the significance of financial planning, saving, and investing is more important than ever. The tasks mentioned above are helpful not only to ease off a person’s financial burden but also to prepare people for any unfortunate event. However, it can sometimes be difficult to understand and evaluate these tasks on your own.
You can reach out to financial advisors and leverage their professional opinion and knowledge to formulate strategies that can boost your portfolio and improve your overall financial stability.
