End of year post: there is champagne somewhere in the liminal space

And some financial planning.

Hello everyone! This is my last post for 2021 before I disappear into the festive season and the liminal space between December 25 and January 3 but I still had some thoughts.

This time, for many people, tends to be one for reflection whether it’s with family, friends, your partner, your pets or by yourself. This may not be the time you want to think about money but you’re here so we’re going to think and talk about it.

(Think of it as an extra credit assignment. You don’t have to do it but if you can, why not?)

If you’re in that liminal space looking for something to do, why not a little future planning? Nothing too strenuous but something that could make January less stressful, moneywise.

Take a look back

If you’ve been tracking your spending, now’s the time to see where you spent your money. Mine was on grocery delivery. I’ve reduced that a bit and put the money towards my emergency fund. I’ve also started getting rid of any subscriptions I wasn’t using. Sorry, coworking space, I love the idea but I never used it because of the pandemic.

Looking forward

I have a couple of financial goals for 2022. One is a medium-term goal, one is more long-term. The first is to save a year’s worth of emergency funds and the other is to pay down my mortgage as much as possible. I’ve been laid off before (working in journalism does that to a person) and since I don’t have another income to fall back on, I want to have that financial cushion. I’ll link to my article on how to plan and save for an emergency fund here.

Buddying up

I’ve got several friends with who I talk money all the time, whether it’s billing, saving, jobs and investing. I may not take their advice 100% of the time but it’s valued and appreciated.

I also booked time with a coach. I worked with Amy Rhoda Brown a couple of times this year when I need an unbiased ear or two. (Not sponsored)

That’s kind of it for the rest of the year (a whole 10 days). I did splurge on a bottle of champagne but with the state of Omicron in my province. *grumbles about the political incompetence of the provincial government*, I’ll probably end up drinking it by myself. Not the worst.

Take care of yourselves out there. Get boosted. We’ll talk money with a focus on retirement, taxes and taking care of you in the new year. Thank you for reading.

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This week’s readings:

Disgusting. Secret money. Elite Canadian families. And a corporate landlord accused of pandemic evictions (Toronto Star, paywall)

Written by me. The Latest On Canada’s Pandemic Benefits (& What To Do If You Don’t Qualify) (Refinery29 Canada)

The writer of “Succession” on money, men and what she really thinks of the Murdochs (The Economist, paywall)

Here comes the tax break, or why getting hitched should be about finance, not love (The Economist, paywall)