Last week Vix had a post on one of her local walking tours and it made me think about all the places, small towns, old factory towns with oodles of old buildings, and communities that really need more good people, singles, professionals, artists, families etc. to rejuvenate them. With so many people working from home, and doing as good and thorough a job as ever, if not more so, will there be a change in how people live and work, and some exodus from the old living hotspots as people leave for more affordable places with more character? Vix commented that what people look for now will likely change-grocery stores in walking distance, good neighbors as two examples. I'm happy to say I have both, though there are still some pills around (those leaving disposable masks and fountain pop cups in the park!)!
For us, we are thinking where should we live when we retire. My daughter is thinking where can she find a home that works for her life now, but also for a future family. In our town there is a massive old factory that is slowly being renovated into a multi-purpose use building-apartments, a hotel, an event center, shops, and restaurants are all supposed to be part of it. I'm sure all will be expensive, at this sits right on the river, close to the ever improving downtown area, walking distance to parks and the marina, bars, restaurants, but will be a pittance compared to what is going in St Paul and renovations in the last 20 years in Minneapolis. The way life has changed, forced to change, in a years time is startling. Things we were told were a no go in the work, education and commerce world were thrust upon society at breakneck speed. What will be kept when the world is healthy again? What will people value most? It's got me thinking, and I'm putting that out there while I think about how to maximize my use of time, resources, and money.
Time
- We enjoyed our daughters concert on Sunday.
- I took long walks with the pup on both Saturday and Sunday, and Sunday, did little or nothing productive but rested, read, and relaxed.
- Tired new bread recipes for no knead French bread and cider bread. French bread a win, cider bread not.
- Made a big lasagna-DH has been wanting lasagna for a while and was very happy to have it.
- I got both DH and myself signed up for the MN Vaccine connector and sent the link, and offered to help anyone that needed. This does not register a person for the vaccine, but helps alert when the person come sup on the roll out/priority list, plus, an opportunity to opt into short notice vaccine opportunities if there are late cancellations and a surplus on a day in our area. As both of us could get to the health clinic or pharmacy distribution within 10 minutes in town, and 20 the next town over, we both said "yes" we could be contacted on short notice.
- DD1 joined us for dinner last night. We only saw her briefly a week ago Tuesday as she has been gone the last two weekends and it was nice to catch-up with her.
- We had a family group chat, started by DD2, about a new Netflix documentary that one of her professors is part of. I like that we can connect as a family on little things, even though we are far and wide apart.
- Used up an old hard cider in a beer bread on Saturday I also baked at the same time as a hotdish to be efficient with the oven. As said above, sadly, was not a hit, but tried.
- Used two separate bottles of cleaning products that were tucked in the back of the bathroom cabinet to clean on Saturday, using up remains. I saved one of the spray bottles to refill with concentrate of the same Spic and Span product.
- This could fall under all three categories when I saved a car trip by getting this weeks minimum grocery items when I went to the library for curbside pick-up on Tuesday. I may have spent more than if I drove to Aldi, but I was already on the west end of town near two large stores and to drive to Aldi would have been a 30 mile extra round trip.
Money
- Used the library for books, including book club book, and did curb side pick-up
- Bought only the groceries we needed last Thursday
- I bought only what was on our list when I popped into the store on Tuesday night after the library pick-up. ( I have $4.31 to spare towards my $350 budget challenge)
- Did a benefits review in preparation for next years' benefit enrollment through work, when the rotation to revisit short and long term disability next come sup. We can only add or change when the benefit opens. It's always good to reevaluate what coverage you have and need in case of the worse.
I wonder about how this past year will change things too. Sounds like it was another good week overall for you. Sorry there was some waste. I know it's kind of a pet peeve for both of us.
ReplyDeleteAll of my time has been spent wither deep cleaning and decluttering or out walking. I have also been using up lots of partial bottles of cleaning products while deep cleaning. Money spent this week was $24 at the grocery store for a few things I needed for this week's menu plan. I did have to spend $200 for labor on our AC repair. Luckily it was still under warranty. Also spent $90 for parts to get our vehicles repaired, but again lucky that my husband and nephew can do the work or it would have cost who knows how many hundreds in a shop. That's it for me!
The unexpected repairs is reason one for trying to be money thrifty. I remember the days when something broke, and we had no choice but to charge the fix. It's probably the reason my daughter is being cautious on buying a house-she sure can't afford a lemon on the hosue, or appliances and other hosue systems.
DeleteI think you're right about this pandemic showing just how much change IS possible even when the powers that be shout long and loud about how it can't be done - teleworking being one of the main things. And while I love living in the country, there's an awful lot to be said for living within walking distance of amenities isn't there!
ReplyDeleteMaybe also with all our walking as our only real escape, what constitutes living within walking distance will also change.
DeleteI think a lot of people will be reassessing their lives after the last 11 months - not a bad thing really! Thanks for the shout-out! x
ReplyDeleteI know how productive most people have been working from home, but also where the work has suffered-knowing the difference and for when people need to be in a room, and when we can just get on with it is the key. The joy of gathering for simple things will take on more meaning-live music, happy hours, brunch!
DeleteSounds like you made good use of your time, money and resources.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how many things will change due to the pandemic. My husband thought he was going back to the office in June, but now they are thinking the end of the year possibly.
My kid is excited about Trilith studios in Georgia with a work, play, live development, so he is checking into it more. Seems like many of his friends are wanting that sort of life with everything in walking distance.
Things sure are different.
No doubt when we go back, there will be a lot more telework as a regular function. We have all the tools to do so, which makes people like me, who have long and expensive commutes. If I can cut my travel down to the office to 2-3 times in a two week period, that will be a game changer.
DeleteWe are certainly at a turning point. I hear such mixed reports of people working from home...some have thrived on it whilst others have found it to be a great invasion of their private space and are now job hunting. Strange times indeed. Arilx
ReplyDeleteI've mixed reaction. I feel like I am never truly off work as there my computer sits, and at any time I might get called on something. I've not been taking my flex day, since there is no where to go anyway, so now I routinely work 20-30% more hours than technically my salary is based on. It's not sustainable-and my own fault to an extent.
DeleteTimes have definitely changed from one year ago and who knows what the future holds. We live rural and too far away from a grocery store to walk,, but we may not stay here forever and so the future isn't known and could change.
ReplyDeleteI think it is more when a move might be imminent, what are the factors in choosing the where. Maybe it's not walking distance to shopping, but perhaps better WIFI, and delivery routes. It might have people rethinking what jobs they accept or for employers, how to attract top candidates if geography is less a criteria if they can telework. I really wonder about the future of education. Some students whose families would have never selected remote learning, have kids who are thriving-if there continues to be a both and for public education.
DeleteI think a lot about what will change vs stay the same. With work, our company has been (IMO) conservative in the tech space, saying they will adopt a 3/2 model (3 days in the office, 2 at home) should people want that flexibility. Our current return is slated for September, but I work in a large open space & don't see that realistically happening until 2022. For me, international travel is now an absolute deal breaker, regardless of how that impacts our financial goals. It's amazing to have that removed & see my life without it.
ReplyDeleteAs for frugal things, our normal of stretching meals, selling things on eBay & FB marketplace, avoiding waste, using grocery store rewards & Ibotta/Fetch. Nothing crazy - just the basics.
I won't repeat myself from previous responses but I think work, education, housing, and commerce will be the main rethink individuals and society may be doing. I'm happy to hear how your International travel might be curtailed for the long term-especially if there has been learning that what you've been doing is just as effective.
DeleteLast June, a kid carrying my groceries out was talking. He wistfully said, "I will just be glad when things are back like they used to be." Realistically, I said, "Things will never be the same." I think he was shocked and sadder. He said nothing. But, I think older people were better at accepting things at the first of the lockdowns. The young have not yet experienced the dramatic changes in life that us older people have seen. I feel for them. However, some are thriving.
ReplyDeleteWhile past generations were so much more impacted by thing like wars, and rations, and the economy, the hidden enemy and the no end in clear sight is hard for young people I guess it always has been that way when young people have had dramatic changes in their lives.
DeleteI was reading an article about selling real estate recently and the newest trend since the pandemic has changed. Where just recently everyone wanted an open concept for entertaining, now that more and more people are working from home (especially in homes with 2 or more people working from home) that private work spaces are wanted/needed. I guess that is just one of hundreds of changes that we are seeing/will see.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt. Yesterday I was on a meeting with someone whose spouse also worked form home. It was so loud and obnoxious-apparently they both were trying to work in the same space with meetings at the same time and we could hear her every time she spoke if he didn't have his mic on mute.
DeleteIsn't that frustrating when one potato takes out the bag. I always transfer my spuds to basket, so I can find those buggers. But every once in while I get burned. I would love to have a grocer close enough to walk to. My mother in law was walking a 1/2 mile pulling a small cart to get groceries. She wanted the workout. We forbid that and told her to walk around the block from now on. Sheesh.
ReplyDeleteIt was dumb that I didn't do that-but I will find a basket of some sort the next time I am out and about and do so. It was a bad waste of potatoes. I do have a grocer store in walking distance and it is nice for the odd item-but of course, it is the most expensive place to shop.
DeleteIt's an ill wind that blows nobody good. It is hoped all events including the trying ones can teach us lessons from which we may grow.
ReplyDeleteI often take a hit on the head to get the lesson.
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