The Biggest Challenges Facing Us Right Now (And How You Can Prepare For Them)

After an incredibly difficult year, it felt like we were all able to take a deep breath during the summer. Good news finally started rolling in, we started going outdoors and seeing friends and family again, we even went on vacation for the first time in what felt like forever. But with the fall in full swing and the winter on the way, we are all turning our attention to the myriad stresses and potential problems that crop up before we can break for the holiday season. 

We also do not need to tell you that this winter will be more difficult than most. If you want to make sure that you are well prepared for whatever is coming our way this winter, here are some of the biggest challenges that we will all be facing and some tips for how to face them.

Housing Prices Are Still High

There were a lot of articles written about the housing market bubble over the summer and with good reason. Anyone looking to buy a new property found themselves in an incredibly crowded marketplace and faced being priced out of their dream property. As we head into the winter there have been signs of easing, but there are experts out there who believe that this bubble is not going to pop anytime soon. If you are hoping to move house, make sure you stay up to date with the latest market news and give yourself enough flexibility to avoid being forced into a purchase.

Cybersecurity Is Paramount

When the world went online back in March 2020, cybercriminals everywhere started getting excited. The statistics surrounding the cybercrime boom during the pandemic are simply staggering, and the experts have warned that this is an epidemic that is not going anywhere. It is so important to make sure that you are taking the proper measures to protect your information and your money. 

Do as much research as you can to avoid taking any obvious risks and think about areas where you might be vulnerable. For example, credit card fraud has always been an issue, but it is more important than ever to be prepared. There is a lot of discussion on the credit freeze vs lock issue, and Tally has put together a guide to help you stay safe. With Tally’s app, your credit card payments are managed by them allowing you to make one payment a month. 

COVID-19 Is Still Out There

Without wanting to put too much of a downer on things, one of the biggest worries for a lot of us as we head into the winter is that Coronavirus is still very much out there and has the potential to play merry havoc with any plans that we might have. The Delta variant’s impact on the US was an important warning sign for a lot of us that we still need to be taking sensible precautions. Make sure that you follow government guidelines and wear a facemask if you are worried about heading to indoor areas where there is going to be a crowd.

Extreme Weather Conditions 

The only thing that has consistently bumped the pandemic off the front page over the last eighteen months has been the climate crisis. We have all seen reports from around the world with signs of global warming that are impossible to ignore. As the world’s leaders try to create a plan to address the situation, a lot of people are left worrying about whether an event like February’s ice storm in Texas could leave them in a very difficult situation. 

If you are in an area that is likely to face extreme weather conditions this winter, you need to start taking steps now to protect your property and your family. Make sure that your heater is up to the task and has been inspected recently. Invest in double glazing and find out if you can add insulation to your property. Walls, basements, and roofs are often the areas that need the most attention in the winter months. 

The Cost Of Energy Is Going Up

We are all doing our best to keep an eye on our budgets right now, and one of the issues that will make that particularly tough this winter is rising energy bills. It has been reported that retail prices for energy in the US are at or near multi-year highs as we head into the winter. If you are worried about your energy costs, think about looking for a different supplier that could offer you a better deal. Good insulation will go a long way towards cutting down your bills. You should also try to budget ahead for the higher costs of the winter months by planning your expenses.