By Kristine Gill Now that the hoarding phase of stocking up on toilet paper is over, and the realities of physical and social distancing and the coronavirus pandemic are really setting in, you might be wondering whether it’s still safe to buy those new shoes you wanted. Or maybe you’ve been contemplating an even bigger purchase: say, a new car, or even a new home. Taking the plunge on a major purchase as the pandemic unfolds is still uncharted waters, even for many finance experts.