Image Credit: Vanessa Garcia

By Doug Collins

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: These tough decisions are no holiday

Apr 29, 2022 | 6:58 AM

CANADIANS HAVE SOME TOUGH decisions to make about their plans over the next few months.

Do they save their money to hedge against rapidly-rising prices or do they get out of the COVID-19 slump and take a vacation to kickstart their lives.

Many economists and analysts are suggesting that, with 6.7% inflation and a forecast of high rates in the foreseeable future, people will spend less and put things like income tax refunds into rainy day funds as a hedge against rising costs which likely will be with us for a long time.

Governments are spending way more than they can afford, and with no sign of that coming to an end, some economists suggest a recession is looming.

Everyone and his dog wants money – for our struggling health care system, to help the homeless, to fight crime, to help producers. And sadly, these needs are very real.

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We are going to get some sort of very costly dental care program without first solidifying funding for our current system.

And the list goes on.

Seniors have been particularly hard hit over the past three years with no sign of relief as they try to make ends meet. But on the other side of the coin, these same people are so tired of the pandemic and its restrictions that they are anxious to get out and start to do something enjoyable.

Small businesses and those associated with tourism have their fingers crossed that the masses will spend at least some part of their savings on leisure activities. After what has been a devastating time for the business community, those potential holidayers will make or break the future of those who had been hoping brighter days were ahead.

There are ways to keep some money aside and get out and about. One of the most popular is camping, assuming you can book a spot. Relaxing, out in the great outdoors, it’s a great way to relax if you enjoy that kind of activity.

Fishing trips, short trips instead of long ones. You can plan day trips to hundreds of interesting places right nearby. You may not be able to take the big cruise or the trip across the country, but short “staycations” can be just as enjoyable if planned right, and easy on the pocketbook.

And let’s face it, those short trips will probably benefit local businesses more than long-distance holidays.

If you can be satisfied with curbing your expectations, you may indeed be able to have your cake and eat it too.

I’m Doug Collins and that’s One Man’s Opinion.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.