Discussion: The end is a way down the road

I’m sure the protocol for some treatments will change, but the need/desire for health care, including dental isn’t going to decrease significantly in the long term. You are right that it is going to be extremely busy for months once offices can open again, especially if the all clear comes towards the end of insurance years.

You do have an opportunity to try out what your life might be like post retirement, granted with the cloud of your business consuming some life energy. I practiced retirement for quite a while before doing it.

We've talked about that! This is a great test of what a truly terrible retirement would be like. No travelling, high stress, constant family concerns, virtually no outdoor activities, no restaurants, no get-togethers with friends or family, and tons of work-related issues consuming our time and energy. If we survive it with our psyches intact, real retirement can only be better.

Agreed, a good dry run in extremis. The days are just packed!

Most retired folks claim (at least initially) that they are busier than when they are working. As a recently retired person, I get it; you take on more (including things you wished you could have done before) and you're schedule fills fast.

I certainly became busier when I retired even though on the surface I gained 60 hours a week (work plus commute).

Much of that was because I became less protective of my free time. A big part is that I took on more things that took more time than I expected.

But, while I am busier, I have a wide open schedule most of the time and very few deadlines.

Bent, I hope you and your business get the support you need to get through to the other side of this. It is frustrating to hear about bailouts getting planned for massive corps (with gov't lobbyists), while small businesses struggle.

In a show of solidarity and self sacrifice I haven’t brushed my teeth once since this thing started. And with gas as cheap as it is, I know where I’m going to get them all pulled when the time comes! Join me, friends!

Lol! 'Bent hates pulling teeth so he'd probably refer you out. But if you'd be interested in breaking a tooth off right at the gum, he'd be happy to build you a new one when he stops being "non-essential".

The government has given us the tools we need as a small business to get through the 6 months that we're budgeting for the practice to be closed. (Although the dental office will be borrowing money to get through the last few months unless the wage subsidy is extended.) Using a combination of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, Canada Emergency Business Account (a $40,000 interest-free government loan), pandemic insurance and the current office bank account, 'Bent should be able to keep all his staff earning close to their usual income, and they will remain employed rather than being laid off. If it goes on longer than 6 months, I'm not sure what we'll do. We'll have to decide how much debt the business should take on. 'Bent and I won't have any income from the business for the foreseeable future but we’ll dip into savings until things turn around.

It’s been a huge relief as the programs are announced.
A lot of work still to come to get everyone and everything set up.
Those of you with kids, apologies in advance for the deficits we’re going to leave them with I’m afraid.