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COVID Strategy: Stay Calm and Safeguard Your Financial Plan
As we’ve seen in the first quarter of 2020, a crisis can strike at any moment. When this happens, naturally we want to protect what is most important to us. This includes our health, our finances, and our family. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, all three feel endangered.
Protecting Your Health
As the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, it is important to implement strategies to maintain a strong mental state. Here are some best practices to ensure peace of mind:
- Follow the advice of health experts and government authorities by practicing social distancing and or self isolation. Find more information here.
- If you feel ill, consult your doctor as to whether you need to be tested for COVID-19.
- Stay connected and maintain your social networks. To combat the effects of isolation use video conferencing apps like Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp to check in regularly with family, friends and associates. In times like these having the right mental state creates the foundation for strength moving forward.
Safeguard Your Finances
Another way to feel more secure is to ensure that your finances are as protected as possible so that you can confidently weather the storm.
Follow these tips:
Cashflow & Budgeting
Re-evaluate your cashflow based on your current total income and your required expenses to live. Focus spending on essentials for now. If you lose your job or your income takes a hit, make yourself aware of all the government programs that will be available to you. You can find information on these types of programs here.
Your Investments
It is not uncommon for markets to drop during times like these. The good news: we have recovered from many market corrections. Rather than making fear-based decisions, speak to a financial advisor who will help you understand what is happening in the market and how it may impact your plan. Reach out to a FORTAX Private Wealth Advisor to set up a virtual meeting.
Insurance Coverage
Another way to feel more secure is to implement safeguards that will protect your long-term goals. Are you prioritizing your insurance coverage so that you can keep calm during a crisis?
Disability insurance provides financial protection by replacing a percentage of your income if you are unable to work because of an injury or illness.
Critical illness insurance offers flexible protection by paying a lump sum that you can use however you like, should you be diagnosed with one of the covered illnesses or conditions. You can use it to replace your income so you can focus on recovery, reduce debts to alleviate financial stress, or cover the cost of additional help for you and your family.
Yet, while many Canadians have life insurance, they often skimp on critical illness and disability insurance. Too many simply don’t have the funds to cover expenses if they can’t work because of a serious illness or a prolonged recovery period due to an injury.
The cost of protection could be less than $40 a month, especially if you purchase insurance while you are young, when it’s most cost effective, and you can protect your productive working years.
Contact your FORTAX Private Wealth Advisor today to set up a virtual meeting and find out how affordable this important form of financial protection could be for you and your family.