Has the COVID-19 pandemic got you feeling stressed or afraid for the future?

I get it – we’re all stressed out, especially as cases are still climbing. We’ve been in pandemic mode all year, and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight! Since we’re all suffering pandemic fatigue, we need to take comfort and have fun wherever we can.

For starters, today is National Happy Hour Day! If you’re unfamiliar, happy hour is a term commonly used when restaurants and bars offer drinks and food at reduced prices. It’s believed to have originated by 1913 by the Happy Hour Social for the United States Navy.

(Not so) Fun fact: Some states have banned restaurants and bars from doing this to prevent binge drinking and alcoholism. Examples? Alaska, Indiana, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Utah, and Vermont!

If you’ve decided that going out for happy hour is too risky this year, that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate. You can whip up a few cocktails and appetizers in the comfort of your own home! Here are a few ideas:

  • Shake up your vodka and tonic. Add a little of your favorite flavored liqueur, or a homemade fruit syrup to the base recipe. You can truly make this your own.
  • Americano cocktail. Stir Campari and Vermouth over ice, and top with club soda and an orange twist garnish
  • Tom Collins. This is simply gin, simple syrup, and soda water over ice.
  • Not a drinker? Serve a delicious mocktail like orange juice and ginger ale, or make virgin pina coladas!

Don’t forget the appetizers:

  • Make a custom charcuterie board. You can whip this up yourself with whatever you have on hand! Take your favorite cheese and crackers, pair it with nuts and fruit that you’ve cut and arranged in an attractive way on a plate or board.
  • Deviled eggs. This is a super easy classic, and you can make super-interesting variations by checking out recipes online. Did you catch my email about a week ago where I waxed poetic about this delicious treat?
  • Get lazy. Don’t feel like whipping up anything? Keep it simple by buying a premade appetizer from the grocery store – just heat and serve. You can take it a step further by serving chips and dip, or hummus and flatbread.

You can play it however you want, and after a year like this (where we feel like life’s gone completely off the rails), it’s important to create moments where we feel like we’re in control of our lives. That goes for your financial future, too.

That’s where we come in. If you haven’t talked to us about your dreams and goals yet, what are you waiting for? Give us a call at 513-563-PLAN (7526) or book online – we’re excited to uncover what we can do for you!

Regards,
Nikki Earley, CFP®