By Raditya Tantra, Undergraduate business student at the University of Washington.
The global coronavirus pandemic has altered the way we handle our finances. We save more. We spend only on essentials. We stock up. These buying patterns are not only present in Seattle, but all over the United States and the world. With the panic-buying tactics seen in previous months, it is worth asking: is money truly everything during this difficult time?
It's a question that challenges American work culture. Americans believe in constant hustle and hard work, but this has been changing over recent years. Millennials believe in a healthier work-life balance. By default, the global coronavirus pandemic has increased support for this belief. We work from home. We dive into personal development. We exercise to stay healthy. As members of a volatile economy, our finances are a major prism that we make all decisions through. With more time than ever to ourselves, it's worth reflecting on the things that really matter to us.
Yes, being productive is important to sustaining the bigger economic picture. And yes, personal development benefits everyone within our community. But shouldn't we take a step back and determine who needs help the most? Especially during a time of global economic crisis? Some people are desperately hungry. Some people cannot afford medical treatment. Most people are living paycheck-to-paycheck. These are the 'overlooked' who are most affected by this global pandemic. Now is the time to stop, reflect, and offer help to those who need it the most.
Mayo is an app that facilitates help between people in the same space. You can offer or ask for help from your community, wherever you are. All is but a few taps away. The fulfillment of helping others is a truth we believe in. You never know how you can change someone’s day by making them smile, laugh, or love. The world is going through a very stressful time now. It seems inevitable that we will be more reflective and empathetic moving forward. A little goes a long way. You can start today by downloading Mayo.
