If you’re optimistic that the rain will stop soon, I admire your optimism, but you’re kidding yourself. The financial pain will continue for some time. I would suggest we are barely at the starting line, and it’s not a 100-yard race, but a marathon. When the economy is good, it’s wonderful to live next to an economic powerhouse. However, when the US is the basket case of the world, it will continue to impact us here in Canada. When the President states that his “gut” tells him it’ll be mostly done with by Easter, you know we’re in trouble.

You and me following the rules and take preventative measures that don’t resolve anything when others aren’t. We are at the mercy of the selfish and the stupid: Florida golf courses are packed, as are Florida beaches. Mardi Gras in New Orleans is in full swing and 50,000 people were at Disneyland closing night a week ago that likely infected 500 people, who then infected 2,500, who then infected 12,500 and so on. We’re in this boat together, but around a third of the people are rowing in the opposite direction and that gets us nowhere.

If you’ve read part of the Money Tools book you’re likely to be a lot more ready and prepared than the average person. Here is one more, and we’ll talk about the banks’ offers to help and how that can boomerang back on you next week:

In the last two days most large retailers stopped taking returns. We talked about that last fall that most retailers really want to cut down returns. Whether the corona virus is a valid reason to stop returns or not is for far greater minds than me to decide. But you need to make sure you don’t buy anything that you are not 100% sure you will use and keep. When you pay – you’re an owner. Personally, I will not buy one single thing that isn’t food, coffee, or absolute essential. So in a plummeting economy this will make things worse – so much worse – if people follow that advice. You cannot return that sweater that doesn’t fit your partner no matter what the sale price, the light fixture that falls apart when you open the box, the towels that aren’t a good colour match, the Chinese made toy that doesn’t work, or area rug that doesn’t fit. I found this out first-hand yesterday at Walmart and Lowe’s! Don’t buy don’t buy don’t buy! One store manager admitted it’s great to know what they sell stays sold! As I said, you decide if it’s logical and right or overkill. But it is what it is – we’re in a new retail environment. So be careful out there or the lesser amount of money you have and spend will go towards things you can’t use or don’t work!