As life in Australia slowly returns to normal – or at least to the “new normal” – having conquered the first wave of COVID-19, there does appear to be some light at the end of the tunnel. Businesses are opening up again and our economy is slowly reviving. While we have a long way to go on our road to recovery, in a post Coronavirus world there are a few things we may need to do differently. Here are 5 tips for the way ahead that will see you not only survive but thrive.

The Australian Government’s Coronavirus SME Guarantee Scheme is set to help small and medium sized businesses impacted by COVID-19 with new initiatives and investment. The Government will be guaranteeing 50 per cent of new unsecured loans up to $250,000 . What’s more, with non-bank lenders like Prospa on board, business owners could have access to lending much faster.

For many Australian homeowners financially impacted by COVID-19, pushing pause on mortgage repayments has been a helpful option. For others, extending their loan term or reducing repayments has provided some much-needed financial and personal relief. But as we start to see an improvement in the current situation – and some definite “light at the end of the tunnel” – now is a great time to reassess your financial situation and put in place some plans to get back on track financially.

Your debt may well be costing you more than just the interest you’re repaying! Research shows there’s a clear link between your financial health and your mental health, with some studies reporting a higher risk of mental health problems amongst people who have debt. Having just acknowledged Mental Health Awareness week in October, it’s a good time to remind ourselves of the importance of maintaining good mental and financial health.