<p>While it may feel a bit like impending doom, there is a chance we may once again be asked to stay at home more often over the days and weeks ahead.</p><p>I’m no fortune teller, but I do think that a second round of restrictions may look a little bit different for most of us than it did in March and that gives me hope. However, all of us should be thinking ahead to prepare for yet another hiccup in our routine. In fact, the majority of these suggestions would be wise for any potential change in routine or household finances.</p><p>Prepare to work at home</p><p>There’s a possibility that if you’re not already, you may be working from home again. It’s wise to take inventory of what you already have at home and make a list of what you may need. Ask if you can bring home items from your workplace to make working from home more comfortable and productive. At a minimum, clean up your home office and make the space as pleasant as possible.</p><p>Prepare your school environment</p><p>If you have school-aged children at home, you may already be endeavoring through virtual or hybrid learning. Now’s a good time to fill in the gaps of any missing school supplies and/or rethink the places in your home where your students learn. Take advantage of holiday sales to replace any technology pieces you lack and be ready just in case your school makes the call to stay home for a season.</p><p>Stock up on essentials</p><p>My guess is that you have plenty of toilet paper. But you may lack other items needed for staying at home for an extended period of time. Think through those necessities you use on a daily basis and consider purchasing one extra. There’s no need to fill a room with packages from floor to ceiling. But, minimizing your time shopping can save both time and money in days like these.</p><p>Check your internet connection</p><p>In our household, having multiple devices running on the same internet connection has made our service glitchy at times. If you’re like us, you may want to consider making a call to your service provider to see if there are any problems that could be handled with an outdoor appointment. In the spring, a wonderful technician came and updated some of our connections, making a world of difference. You may also want to call and check for any rate or plan changes that could increase your speed and possibly reduce your bill.</p><p>Make a list of projects</p><p>If you do end up having extra time on your hands due to canceled events, you’ll want to make the most of every minute. Begin brainstorming a list of potential projects you’d like to tackle at home. Break up the tasks by an approximation of how long you think it will take you to complete the goal. Keep separate to-do sheets of five minute, 30 minute, and two hour or more jobs. When you need a break from your daily tasks, pick one and complete it.</p><p>Hang on to your Christmas cash</p><p>If you’re lucky enough to have a grandma who gives you an envelope for Christmas this year or a boss who hands out a bonus, don’t be too eager to spend it all. It may be wise to sock back that extra dough for a potential rainy day. I always recommend everyone have at least $1,000 to $2,000 in an emergency fund (more if you’re debt free). But in uncertain times like these, it might be wise to save a bit more. Even if you simply put back a percentage of any gifted money and spend the rest, you won’t regret it.</p><p>Make your health a priority</p><p>Last, but certainly not least, take measures to improve your health and wellness. Eat nutritionally dense foods. Exercise. Sleep. Take your vitamins. Go for a walk. Talk to a friend. Meditate, read or daily engage in practices that increase calm and reduce anxiety. Many of these steps don’t require you to spend exorbitant amounts of cash and can be done from your own home. You’ll strengthen your immune system and overall sense of well being. Both of the above might help you fend of illness but will also help you cope with yet another change in reality.</p><p>The past nine months have been filled with twists, turns, and the unexpected. Evaluating what we learned is the best way to prepare for the future, even if it still seems like uncharted territory.</p>
