5 common financial mistakes to avoid during a crisis

The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is playing havoc with finances for many households. Fran Hughes CFP®, Head of Financial Solutions at Nexia Perth offers five ways to limit the impact at this challenging time.

With Australia recording a spike in the unemployment rate of 6.2% due to the coronavirus, it’s only natural that households feel under enormous financial pressure and face uncertainty about their future. Perhaps you were one of the reported 718,710 without a job in March 2020. In a bid to avoid an economic crisis, the Australian Government’s response was a $320 billion stimulus package announced early in the pandemic and now flowing through to small business owners and households.

The JobSeeker payment of up to $1,162 per fortnight (including the Coronavirus Supplement of $550 paid from late April 2020) may be providing some financial relief. The JobKeeper payment of $1,500 per fortnight is now being paid to small business owners to retain staff and keep Australians working.

In an ideal world, the financial boost should be enough and assumes that everyone was financially prepared for tough times. But in times of crisis, it can all be a little overwhelming.

Here are 5 common financial mistakes to avoid during a crisis and help you get to the other side with minimal money stress:

1. Not paying attention to the household finances

According to a study by Deloitte Access Economics[1], a worrying 14 per cent of Aussies struggle to pay their bills (including rent, mortgage, utilities and credit cards). The study found that 26 per cent are spending more than they earn and live from pay cheque to pay cheque. Taking time to pay a little more attention to your household budget will help you stay afloat financially and not fall into unnecessary debt.

Start by listing all discretionary spending and reduce non-essential spending as much as you can. Identify those recurring direct debits to subscription services you no longer use. Perhaps home cooking will do rather than Uber Eats. Schedule a payment plan with essential providers such as utilities and rates. Discuss holiday repayment options with your bank or landlord.

Try using a spreadsheet or budgeting app to make it easier to track your spending during this time. You’ll quickly get a true picture of your financial health.

2. Not building up emergency funds

The Deloitte study also found 13.4 million Aussies don’t have emergency savings to fall back on if they are out of a job. While we could not have predicted a pandemic, it certainly has exposed the financial vulnerability of not ‘saving for a rainy day’. A general rule of thumb is keeping aside three to six months of living expenses.

With banks letting borrowers hit pause on their home loan repayments, and as many as 375,000 individuals applying for the repayment relief, saving any excess surplus into an emergency fund to cover delayed repayments will see you in a stronger financial position.

3. Making emotional investment decisions

Share market volatility has seen global markets bounce around, resulting in lower investor confidence. With markets falling as much as 37%, you may be thinking of abandoning your long term investment strategy and cashing in your portfolio. However, share markets have proven that a recovery follows a crisis. The Global Financial Crisis of 2007 and the Black Monday Crash of 1987 are good examples. So it makes sense to stay the course with a quality investment strategy whilst reviewing it regularly in line with financial goals.

4. Assuming your estate is in order

Half of Australians do not have a will[2]. Of these, 34 per cent said they ‘haven’t got around to it.’ Without a valid will, your estate affairs end up in chaos. In light of the current pandemic which can have fatal consequences, setting up your estate affairs should be high on your list. A simple will can be drafted up by a lawyer for as little as the cost of smart TV.

5. Not seeking professional advice

In times of financial crisis, it might seem more affordable to take a ‘Do-It-Yourself’ approach to save on costs, rather than seek the advice of a financial advice professional. During COVID-19 crisis, the Australian Government eased the rigid regulatory requirements to allow more access to professional advice. Working alongside a subject matter expert such as a financial planner, may help you achieve a better financial outcome as well as putting your mind at rest about the future.

Speaking with a financial planner can help guide you to make smart money choices. 

[1] Source: Financial Consciousness Index (FCI) by Deloitte Access Economics.

[2] Finder Media Release, 10 million Australians don’t have a will, 4 October 2018, https://www.finder.com.au/press-release-oct-2018-10-million-australians-dont-have-a-will