5 Ways to Plan for an Uncertain Future

The future is always a question mark. Anything can happen. And if the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that life can change in the blink of an eye. While you may not be able to predict the unexpected, you can ensure you’re prepared. Don’t let life catch you off guard—plan ahead today for a brighter tomorrow.  

Financial Planning

Saving a dollar versus spending a dollar every day can make a significant difference. Buying that five-dollar caramel frappuccino may not feel like an extravagant purchase, but over time those frappuccino’s can eat away at your potential savings. Getting your finances together means taking a closer look at where your money is going. Surely there’s a place to save a dollar or two. See which subscriptions you can cut, where you’re spending the most and what habits you can adjust. For example, keep your five dollars in your pocket and make coffee at home instead. Any amount that helps you get ahead can go toward securing a better future. 

Start a Side Hustle

For many, work is a way to make money. Which means your passion may reside outside of what you do for a paycheck. But that doesn’t mean your hobbies can’t be monetized. Whether you love baking or working out, turn your passion into a side hustle. Thanks to the power of wifi, investing in yourself isn’t hard to do. Create a social media page (Instagram, Facebook or TikTok) to begin promoting your skills. If you want to share your baked goods with the world, start taking photos of your work then offer special deliveries to your followers. If you like exercising, start an online class and charge for exclusive training tips. The world is at your fingertips—you just have to invest in yourself and your future. 

Learn New Skills

Whether you’re looking for a new job or want to score a promotion, beefing-up your resume is a good place to start. The competition can be stiff in some job markets. Learning new skills and taking training programs can help you stand out. Depending on what you’re looking for, there are plenty of tutorials and courses available online for little to no cost. Just do a basic search online to get started. 

Network

You’ve probably heard it time and time again: “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Forming connections with people in your industry can lead to opportunities. You never know when you may need a job or a recommendation. Join networking events in your industry, interact with others on online forums like LinkedIn and build relationships with your colleagues. A new contact could mean a leg-up in the future. 

Create a Plan B

World events, starting a family, moving to a new place—chances are you’ll experience a lot during your lifetime. You probably have an image of what you want your future to look like. However, it’s important to prepare for the unexpected and pivot when necessary. For instance, during the COVID-19 quarantine, many brick-and-mortar businesses were forced to close and move their services online, and some were more equipped than others. 

You never know what life will throw your way and you’ll want to be as prepared as possible. Get creative, expect the unexpected and change your plans if necessary. You can do this!