America – and the world, for that matter – is trying to get back to some sense of normalcy. There’s no doubt the events of the past year or so disrupted and affected numerous aspects of our daily lives, including our budgets and spending habits. According to a recent survey, 64% of Americans agree.¹
entertainment systems, and streaming services. As a result of the economic shutdown, less money was spent on leisure and business travel, dining out at restaurants, gym memberships, designer clothing, entertainment, transportation, and luxury items.
It should come as no surprise that budget items in most households may have gotten out of whack and significantly shifted around – not necessarily by choice, but because families were forced to adapt their routines and financial habits to get through a catastrophic event.
It’s important to note that in 2020, the top wealthiest 25% of Americans cut their consumer spending more than any other income group during the height of the pandemic. Most of the drop in their spending came from reduced buying of goods or services requiring in-person contact such as hotels, transportation, and food services. But spending on landscaping services and home swimming pools did not fall.³
No doubt you’re feeling like most Americans who are more than ready to jump start their lives again. However, things may continue to be a little out of whack for a while. In the meantime, there are ways to start enjoying life again and still be responsible with your personal finances. Consider these tips to help you plan wisely and keep your spending in check as we transition to our “new normal.”
FIVE WAYS TO GET YOUR FINANCES BACK ON TRACK
-Splurge within your boundaries. First, live a little. We just experienced a global pandemic and survived unimaginably stressful situations. Not being able to share a meal with friends at a favorite restaurant or travel to celebrate holidays with loved ones took its toll on everyone. So go ahead and splurge a bit – just do it strategically and within your financial boundaries. Set a dollar limit upfront for your splurges, then stick to that limit as you spend time and money on things you’ve missed.
-Review or create your budget. Carefully review your financial situation – what you own vs. what you owe creditors – to help set budget guidelines for living within your means. Start by reviewing your paychecks to determine your exact take-home income and the amount of money you can budget to spend each month (this is especially important if you experienced a significant change in wages, changed jobs, or your employment status changed in the last year or so). Make sure you are taking full advantage of any tax or employer benefits you’re entitled to, such as matching your 401(k) contributions, and update your employer’s records to reflect any changes
you want made.
-Decide what expenses in your budget are permanent vs. those that may be temporary. Some of the changes that affected your lifestyle during 2020 may be permanent while others may be more transitory in nature. For example, perhaps you’ll be working remotely, part time, or as a contractor going forward instead of returning to your previous place of employment. This major lifestyle change likely would affect pre-pandemic budget line items such as clothing, childcare, transportation, food, entertainment, and household expenses. If you’ll be working from home only until your place of employment fully opens up again, you’ll need to anticipate changes in your expenses and reflect that transition in your budget. You can find more helpful information in our article, “Exploring Your
Work-Life Balance Options in the New Normal” on our website.
-Consider new expenses that need to be incorporated into your budget – and curb old spending habits where possible. Perhaps your job situation in the new normal presents the opportunity for extended travel. Or maybe you would rather enjoy quality time with family and friends around your beautiful new inground pool and outdoor bar and grill rather than spending so much time entertaining and hanging out at expensive, crowded restaurants. Decide what experiences are important to you based on your current lifestyle, then add to and reduce your budget expenses accordingly. Allow for adjustments as your personal, financial, and professional situations change over time.
-Strive to be a better money manager. Let’s face it – most of us didn’t exactly develop or practice the best spending habits during the pandemic. Many of us bought what we wanted (mostly online) without thinking twice. It made us feel good, and our spending sprees helped us through the bad times we were experiencing. But reality probably hit hard when our monthly credit and debit card statements arrive – and some of us may still be paying for our indulgence.
Bottom line, we could all strive to be better managers of our money. Not only will that help us keep our spending in check for today, it also will better prepare us financially for the next challenge that comes our way.
MOVING FORWARD FINANCIALLY
Regardless of what your lifestyle looks like in the new normal, it’s important to address all your financial planning concerns so you can make informed decisions about your future. We can help. Our team of advisors not only can answer your questions about cashflow and budgeting for short-term goals, we also can assist with planning for long-term goals pertaining to your retirement. Contact Commerce Trust today.
1 Megan Leonhardt, Your Money Mindset, “64% of Americans changed their spending habits during the pandemic – here’s how,” e://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/29/
americans-have-changed-their-spending-habits-during-the-pandemic-heres-how.html, September 29, 2020.
² Statista, “Percentage of annual U.S. consumer spending by income quintiles 2019,” https://www.statista.com/statistics/247420/percentage-of-annual-us-consumerspending-
by-income-quintiles/. January 20, 2021.
3 Bloomberg, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-06-18/richest-25-of-americans-cut-spending-the-most-during-pandemic, June 18, 2020.
4 Kelly Anne Smith, Forbes Advisor, “How to Budget in a Post-Covid World,” https://www.forbes.com/advisor/personal-finance/how-to-budget-after-covid/, updated June 23, 2021.
The opinions and other information in the commentary are provided as of August 17, 2021. This summary is intended to provide general information only, and may be of value to the reader and audience.
This material is not a recommendation of any particular investment or insurance strategy, is not based on any particular financial situation or need, and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified tax advisor or investment professional. While Commerce may provide information or express opinions from time to time, such information or opinions are subject to change, are not offered as professional tax, insurance or legal advice, and may not be relied on as such.
Data contained herein from third-party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed.
Commerce Trust is a division of Commerce Bank.
entertainment systems, and streaming services. As a result of the economic shutdown, less money was spent on leisure and business travel, dining out at restaurants, gym memberships, designer clothing, entertainment, transportation, and luxury items.
It should come as no surprise that budget items in most households may have gotten out of whack and significantly shifted around – not necessarily by choice, but because families were forced to adapt their routines and financial habits to get through a catastrophic event.
It’s important to note that in 2020, the top wealthiest 25% of Americans cut their consumer spending more than any other income group during the height of the pandemic. Most of the drop in their spending came from reduced buying of goods or services requiring in-person contact such as hotels, transportation, and food services. But spending on landscaping services and home swimming pools did not fall.³
No doubt you’re feeling like most Americans who are more than ready to jump start their lives again. However, things may continue to be a little out of whack for a while. In the meantime, there are ways to start enjoying life again and still be responsible with your personal finances. Consider these tips to help you plan wisely and keep your spending in check as we transition to our “new normal.”
FIVE WAYS TO GET YOUR FINANCES BACK ON TRACK
-Splurge within your boundaries. First, live a little. We just experienced a global pandemic and survived unimaginably stressful situations. Not being able to share a meal with friends at a favorite restaurant or travel to celebrate holidays with loved ones took its toll on everyone. So go ahead and splurge a bit – just do it strategically and within your financial boundaries. Set a dollar limit upfront for your splurges, then stick to that limit as you spend time and money on things you’ve missed.
-Review or create your budget. Carefully review your financial situation – what you own vs. what you owe creditors – to help set budget guidelines for living within your means. Start by reviewing your paychecks to determine your exact take-home income and the amount of money you can budget to spend each month (this is especially important if you experienced a significant change in wages, changed jobs, or your employment status changed in the last year or so). Make sure you are taking full advantage of any tax or employer benefits you’re entitled to, such as matching your 401(k) contributions, and update your employer’s records to reflect any changes
you want made.
-Decide what expenses in your budget are permanent vs. those that may be temporary. Some of the changes that affected your lifestyle during 2020 may be permanent while others may be more transitory in nature. For example, perhaps you’ll be working remotely, part time, or as a contractor going forward instead of returning to your previous place of employment. This major lifestyle change likely would affect pre-pandemic budget line items such as clothing, childcare, transportation, food, entertainment, and household expenses. If you’ll be working from home only until your place of employment fully opens up again, you’ll need to anticipate changes in your expenses and reflect that transition in your budget. You can find more helpful information in our article, “Exploring Your
Work-Life Balance Options in the New Normal” on our website.
-Consider new expenses that need to be incorporated into your budget – and curb old spending habits where possible. Perhaps your job situation in the new normal presents the opportunity for extended travel. Or maybe you would rather enjoy quality time with family and friends around your beautiful new inground pool and outdoor bar and grill rather than spending so much time entertaining and hanging out at expensive, crowded restaurants. Decide what experiences are important to you based on your current lifestyle, then add to and reduce your budget expenses accordingly. Allow for adjustments as your personal, financial, and professional situations change over time.
-Strive to be a better money manager. Let’s face it – most of us didn’t exactly develop or practice the best spending habits during the pandemic. Many of us bought what we wanted (mostly online) without thinking twice. It made us feel good, and our spending sprees helped us through the bad times we were experiencing. But reality probably hit hard when our monthly credit and debit card statements arrive – and some of us may still be paying for our indulgence.
Bottom line, we could all strive to be better managers of our money. Not only will that help us keep our spending in check for today, it also will better prepare us financially for the next challenge that comes our way.
MOVING FORWARD FINANCIALLY
Regardless of what your lifestyle looks like in the new normal, it’s important to address all your financial planning concerns so you can make informed decisions about your future. We can help. Our team of advisors not only can answer your questions about cashflow and budgeting for short-term goals, we also can assist with planning for long-term goals pertaining to your retirement. Contact Commerce Trust today.
1 Megan Leonhardt, Your Money Mindset, “64% of Americans changed their spending habits during the pandemic – here’s how,” e://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/29/
americans-have-changed-their-spending-habits-during-the-pandemic-heres-how.html, September 29, 2020.
² Statista, “Percentage of annual U.S. consumer spending by income quintiles 2019,” https://www.statista.com/statistics/247420/percentage-of-annual-us-consumerspending-
by-income-quintiles/. January 20, 2021.
3 Bloomberg, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-06-18/richest-25-of-americans-cut-spending-the-most-during-pandemic, June 18, 2020.
4 Kelly Anne Smith, Forbes Advisor, “How to Budget in a Post-Covid World,” https://www.forbes.com/advisor/personal-finance/how-to-budget-after-covid/, updated June 23, 2021.
The opinions and other information in the commentary are provided as of August 17, 2021. This summary is intended to provide general information only, and may be of value to the reader and audience.
This material is not a recommendation of any particular investment or insurance strategy, is not based on any particular financial situation or need, and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified tax advisor or investment professional. While Commerce may provide information or express opinions from time to time, such information or opinions are subject to change, are not offered as professional tax, insurance or legal advice, and may not be relied on as such.
Data contained herein from third-party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed.
Commerce Trust is a division of Commerce Bank.
