(NYTIMES) - The pandemic swept many people into uncharted financial territory. Whether your bank account bulged or dwindled during the long months of lockdown, now is the time to take stock of your financial situation and decide your next steps. "We've been getting a lot of clients who say, 'I really need to think about this now,' " said Ms Pam Capalad, a certified financial planner based in New York City. "Either the pandemic was a wake-up call and it really turned their finances upside down, or people got through it okay and now they're saying, 'I need to figure out what is next for me.' " Depending on your financial situation and priorities, what you do now will vary. But there are several ways to put yourself in a better position financially for whatever comes next. Here's how to get started. First, don't rush it The trauma of the past year has been extraordinary, and for many people, their initial impulse may be to plunge in and make travel plans and purchases to make up for lost time. "People feel like life was stolen from them, and an increase in spending often comes along with that," said Mr Brian O'Leary, a private wealth adviser. But if there was ever a time to re-evaluat...