Thanksgiving 2020, the holiday when no matter what you do, it's wrong. 

The CDC is strongly advising that you celebrate the holiday at home, with no one else attending, outside of those who already live there. They warn that with more than 1 million new COVID-19 cases reported over the last 7 days in the US, the safest Thanksgiving is at-home.  The CDC adds that (quote) "Travel may increase your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. Postponing travel and staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others this year."

If you DO choose to attend a Thanksgiving event elsewhere, they suggest you "bring your own food, drinks, plates, cups, and utensils" and "use single-use options, like salad dressings and condiment packets" rather than those likely being handled by everyone at the table. Even then, they advise mask wearing and social distancing.

If you DO choose to host an event with others traveling to attend, they suggest you "limit the number of guests, and have an outdoor meal, while asking guests to bring their own food and drink."

How many will follow the CDC guidelines is anyone's guess, as so many have reached the point of 'COVID fatigue', and are seemingly ready to partake in the usual holiday activities regardless of the circumstances. 
Sadly, the results may be worse than anyone could have comprehended.

(CDC suggestions here.)

Meanwhile, another article, from UC Davis School of  Medicine, suggests staying home is exacerbating the onset of Seasonal Affective Disorder, also know as SAD.

This disorder typically affects only 5% of people in a severely measurable way, but after nearly a year of stay-at-home requirements, a much larger percentage of the population is likely to suffer its affects.

Symptoms of SAD include: 

• feeling depressed nearly every day,
• losing interest in activities you once enjoyed,
• having low energy,
• insomnia,
• changes in appetite or weight,
• having difficulty concentrating,
• and thoughts of suicide.
  
  

Mental experts suggest says to battle the onset of this disorder include:

• embracing the holidays at home by decorating or cooking,
• exercise,
• light therapy or exposure to sunshine,
• watching comedies,
• maintaining social connections through phone calls or on-line zoom calls,
• and paying-it-forward by doing something nice for someone.
  
  

(read the article here)

Combining all of these factors, with the upcoming Christmas holidays, a fragile business climate, and the uncertainty of what 2021 holds, has created a virtual whirlwind of emotional and economic turmoil.  During all of this, most families are struggling with their finances as well. 

Smart families are planning their next steps, including debt resolution or bankruptcy choices.
If you already feel your financial situation is out of control...contact us for a FREE CONSULTATION for debt resolution and/or bankruptcy at (731) 423-1888. The law office of T. Verner Smith has helped thousands overcome financial problems, and can help you too. Call today!  

Unless Congress acts soon, millions of unemployed Americans will lose benefits by the end of the year. A federal program that pays benefits to self-employed, freelancers, contractors, and gig workers is also set to stop after December. Nationwide there are over 13 million people in that program. In addition, there are roughly 10 million more whose unemployment benefits will also be coming to an end soon.  (story here)  While those are facing approaching deadlines, the rest of the nation is still uneasy as coronavirus cases continue to skyrocket and the future of the job market is delicate. 

West Tennessee is still feeling the effects of the past year, as the state reports the hotel industry is down nearly 50%, and the restaurant and bar industry is struggling to survive. When you take a look around the Jackson area, and realize how many businesses fit into those two categories alone...it's easy to understand why so many are affected.   

Even those who do qualify for unemployment in Tennessee are finding a one to two month delay is not unusual. In a recent news story (here) spokesman Chris Cannon said, "the state has received nearly 1 million claims...that's more than a decade worth of unemployment in the last seven and a half months."

All of the experts agree that with colder weather comes an increase in coronavirus cases. Combine that with many Tennesseans likely losing their government benefits in the coming weeks or having to wait months for them to process...and the start of 2021 looks dismal. 
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Smart families are planning their next steps, including debt resolution or bankruptcy choices.
If you already feel your financial situation is out of control...contact us for a FREE CONSULTATION for debt resolution and/or bankruptcy at (731) 423-1888. The law office of T. Verner Smith has helped thousands overcome financial problems, and can help you too. Call today!  

In a recent article, American Bar Association President Judy Perry Martinez was quoted as saying, "a tidal wave of legal needs is coming." 

She is referring to new and unanticipated legal challenges caused by the coronavirus crisis...including:

• diminishing unemployment benefits,
  
• safeguards against being evicted or foreclosed upon,
  
• and shelter from debt collectors.

She is 100% correct. The numbers are inarguable. The crisis has plunged over 115 million people worldwide below the poverty line, including 8 million Americans.  To put the number '8 million' into perspective, that's a million more than the entire population of Tennessee.  8 million people who, just a year ago, were not classified as 'in poverty'.....who are NOW below the poverty line. 

Couple that with the fact that 90% of U.S. landlords have attorneys, while 90% of tenants DON'T...and the writing is on the wall. 

EVERYONE who has been affected financially by this crisis, is in a negative legal position unless they start making the right moves NOW to be prepared.

The government isn't going to come to the rescue. People who are 'owed money' will do everything they can to get it, and unfortunately, through no fault of their own - millions of American families - and tens of thousands of Tennessee families are unprepared to fight both financially and legally.
 
Fighting for your legal rights - is what we do.

Smart families are planning their next steps, including debt resolution or bankruptcy choices.
If you already feel your financial situation is out of control...contact us for a FREE CONSULTATION for debt resolution and/or bankruptcy at (731) 423-1888. The law office of T. Verner Smith has helped thousands overcome financial problems, and can help you too. Call today!