Things Don’t Always Go As Planned
Earlier this year I wrote an article about how I was readjusting my budget to afford an unintentional splurge–tickets to see Rick Springfield. This was before the coronavirus happened, and not surprisingly, the concert has been postponed to next year. I later found out that Rick Springfield was no longer going to be playing with Chicago (the opening act) and I had to decide whether I still wanted to have front row tickets to Chicago or scrap going to the show altogether.
Throughout these last few months, cancellations have been a common theme with clients and friends alike. Because of the pandemic, plans have been put on hold. Everything from vacations, traveling to see relatives, celebrating birthdays, and even going to a concert. I understand your disappointment and I’m right there with you. All of my plans this year have been canceled or postponed by this pandemic. Every single one.
For some, this has been an opportunity to save the dollars that they would have otherwise spent. If you’re going through financial hardship or have other cash flow issues, perhaps this has been a little bit of a blessing that your expenses in some way have been reduced. This is a great opportunity to review your spending plan and see if any of these habits of reduced spending (making food at home, exercising at home or outside instead of having a gym membership, etc.) can be incorporated permanently.
For others, if your cash flow is fine, and you have funds that were earmarked for experiences (instead of stuff) then a delay is not life changing. You know you’ll just use these funds at a later date, so the best thing to do is to continue your good financial habit of saving instead of spending. Keep these dollars in your short-term goals account for the next adventure when we’re finally free to safely move about the country again. Just think, with these extra dollars, you can experience more and tip your servers well!
For me, I got credited back a big chunk of the ticket price of the concert since it included a meet and greet with someone who wasn’t going to be there. I still have front row seats, premiere parking and a VIP lounge, so looking ahead to next year after this whole pandemic is over, I’ll still be so excited about going to a show. I decided I’ll go anyway, even without Rick Springfield playing. I’ve put the refunded money in my newly created “Splurge” short-term savings goal account and save it for another adventure.
