#housing #YoungAdults #HighCostOfLiving #HousingPrices #parents
If you are a young adult, do you believe you will have a better life than your parents?
In decades past, and, perhaps, still today, parents’ goal was to give their child(ren) a better life than they had.
But, young folks today, in large numbers, don’t see that as a possibility.
Many of them still rely on help from their parents to get through daily life.
Remember last week, we talked about the cost of going to work? Now, we will examine one of the effects.
Perhaps this problem began as home prices really started to accelerate back in the 1970s. Many children who grew up in relatively affluent towns could not afford to live there on their own as adults. They could not afford the home prices or apartment rentals.
So, if they wanted to stay close to home, they moved to nearby towns and cities that were not nearly as affluent and had more affordable housing options.
Perhaps, they thought, someday they’d have enough money to move back to the town in which they grew up. Maybe, they could even inherit mom and dad’s house when they died. This was when living at home with mom and dad was, shall we say, less desirable.
Today, young people are really feeling the squeeze. The jobs they can get, even with a college education, don’t pay much more, figuring for inflation, than they did back in the 1970s.
But housing costs during those decades have ballooned. Housing that was unaffordable in the 1970s is completely out of reach today for young folks.
Even housing in the less affluent towns has become more difficult for young folks to buy, or even rent.
Add to that the rising cost of everything else: food, fuel, day care, education etc., and starting a life in one’s 20s today without help is nearly impossible.
Many in that age group are postponing marriage, children and other life expectations (at least their parents expect them) because of costs. Never mind that some of them are already burdened with student loan debt.
Today’s employers are not seeing young people coming into the workforce in droves because they can’t live on what they will be paid.
Companies are expanding and relocating to new environs, thus creating jobs. But few of the jobs they are creating will go to people who already live in those places. They will go to people who will move to those locales because of the jobs, which brings increasing property values that aggravate the problem.
As an aside, American retirees moving overseas to less expensive countries are pricing the young locals there out of some of their markets.
For many young people today, getting ahead financially is a somewhat foreign concept. How to survive, day to day, is a more pressing matter.
There are signs that wages are rising, contributing to inflation and creating an economic chicken-and-egg roller coaster for everyone.
So, starting an adult life is hard today. The idea of finding a first apartment, or house, that is affordable, then trading up over time may be foolhardy thinking.
A combination of public and private solutions to this problem are in demand right now. Perhaps the catalyst to solving this problem may lie in an idea no one has yet conceived.
Still, it’s vitally important for young people to cultivate and maintain optimism. You are the future. You, and your cohort, may be the ones to solidify that future for your whole generation.
Peter
Category Archives: Uncategorized
IT CAN COST YOU TO GO TO WORK
#employers #employees #jobs #work #wages #salaries
You have a full-time job making, to use a number, $7 per hour.
Multiply that by 40 hours, and your weekly pay is $280.
If you live, to use a number, five miles from your job, you will travel 10 miles per day, back and forth to work.
If gasoline, to use a round number, costs $3 a gallon, you will spend $150 a week in gasoline to get back and forth to work. Subtracting that from your $280 salary, that leaves you with $130.
Multiply $130 by four weeks (a month), you’ll have $520 left for food, rent etc.
If your rent is $1,000 a month, you won’t make it.
We’ve not even figured in wear and tear on your car from commuting, any medical needs you may have – much less discretionary spending. If you have children who must be cared for while you work, you can’t afford that.
Politicians of many stripes make a big deal about people sitting home collecting government benefits while not working. Most everyone who is able would like to work – if not merely for the money, but to get out and about, meet people etc. But, most workers do not want to be taken advantage of by an employer.
The good news in today’s labor market is that hourly wages are going up because people are “choosing” – that’s the term many politicians use – not to work, and companies are trying to entice them back, or keep the workers they have.
The point of this discussion is that people, by and large, are not lazy. They want to work. But they also want that job to cover their necessities. When that doesn’t happen, people are less likely to want to work.
Chances are, if your job pays $7 an hour, you do not have the option to work from home. You have to go someplace to work.
Even in professions like teaching, salaries in some places make it difficult to work and otherwise take care of yourself and your family.
Regarding teaching, we won’t even discuss the harassment, political hassles etc., that add stress to an already undercompensated job.
In short, the economics of going to work are not cut and dried. Everything depends on what you make, where you live and whether you can meet your expenses with what you make.
Employers who long for the days when workers were plentiful, and would work for whatever they would pay them, keep dreaming. Those days are gone, particularly as the U.S. cracks down on immigrants.
Work is desirable for most people, and most employers like to have hiring options. But the math has to work not only for the employer, but also the employee.
It’s difficult to find the sweet spot, in which employees are paid appropriately to live, employers are making money and all is well with the world.
Today’s world is not that simple. For those who believe it is (some politicians believe that people will come back to work those menial jobs when their savings run out), you are living in a fantasy world.
Remember, if you are working at a $7 an hour job, you probably don’t have savings to rely on anyway.
Again, the good news is the job market is getting wise to the situation. More employers are offering more enticements to get workers back. Some assurance that paychecks won’t dry up if another pandemic, or some other disaster, hits, would also be helpful.
People want to work. Employers want workers. The numbers have to jibe on both ends to keep everyone happy.
Peter
You have a full-time job making, to use a number, $7 per hour.
Multiply that by 40 hours, and your weekly pay is $280.
If you live, to use a number, five miles from your job, you will travel 10 miles per day, back and forth to work.
If gasoline, to use a round number, costs $3 a gallon, you will spend $150 a week in gasoline to get back and forth to work. Subtracting that from your $280 salary, that leaves you with $130.
Multiply $130 by four weeks (a month), you’ll have $520 left for food, rent etc.
If your rent is $1,000 a month, you won’t make it.
We’ve not even figured in wear and tear on your car from commuting, any medical needs you may have – much less discretionary spending. If you have children who must be cared for while you work, you can’t afford that.
Politicians of many stripes make a big deal about people sitting home collecting government benefits while not working. Most everyone who is able would like to work – if not merely for the money, but to get out and about, meet people etc. But, most workers do not want to be taken advantage of by an employer.
The good news in today’s labor market is that hourly wages are going up because people are “choosing” – that’s the term many politicians use – not to work, and companies are trying to entice them back, or keep the workers they have.
The point of this discussion is that people, by and large, are not lazy. They want to work. But they also want that job to cover their necessities. When that doesn’t happen, people are less likely to want to work.
Chances are, if your job pays $7 an hour, you do not have the option to work from home. You have to go someplace to work.
Even in professions like teaching, salaries in some places make it difficult to work and otherwise take care of yourself and your family.
Regarding teaching, we won’t even discuss the harassment, political hassles etc., that add stress to an already undercompensated job.
In short, the economics of going to work are not cut and dried. Everything depends on what you make, where you live and whether you can meet your expenses with what you make.
Employers who long for the days when workers were plentiful, and would work for whatever they would pay them, keep dreaming. Those days are gone, particularly as the U.S. cracks down on immigrants.
Work is desirable for most people, and most employers like to have hiring options. But the math has to work not only for the employer, but also the employee.
It’s difficult to find the sweet spot, in which employees are paid appropriately to live, employers are making money and all is well with the world.
Today’s world is not that simple. For those who believe it is (some politicians believe that people will come back to work those menial jobs when their savings run out), you are living in a fantasy world.
Remember, if you are working at a $7 an hour job, you probably don’t have savings to rely on anyway.
Again, the good news is the job market is getting wise to the situation. More employers are offering more enticements to get workers back. Some assurance that paychecks won’t dry up if another pandemic, or some other disaster, hits, would also be helpful.
People want to work. Employers want workers. The numbers have to jibe on both ends to keep everyone happy.
Peter
WHO IS ALLOWED TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX?
#ThinkOutsideTheBox #JobParameters #jobs #employers #employees
Think outside the box.
Have you ever been encouraged to do that at, say, your work?
Did you then ask yourself: do they really want me to think outside the box?
Most employees are in a box called their job. Certain duties are prescribed within that box.
Your boss(es), in most cases, want you to stay within that box. If you go rogue, and do something outside that box, you may get punished.
As an employee, your goal may be to do the best job you can within your box, with the hope that you may be elevated to a different position that may allow more flexibility to think outside the box.
Of course, upper management wants managers to think outside the box and look for efficiencies or better ways to accomplish tasks that could add to the bottom line.
But as a low-level employee, in most companies, you are given a box (parameters) and not allowed in most cases to stray from it (them).
As employers, what do you think your company could be if everyone at every level were allowed to think outside the box?
Might you find a hidden gem of an employee deep in your organization? Does your business model allow for everyone to think outside the box? Do you and your managers have a monopoly on finding better ways to do the necessary tasks?
Some organizations certainly have a culture that allows creative thinking at all levels. Technology companies HAVE to have that to find the best ideas.
But those companies that make widgets, or simple things, might feel the need to put everyone who works there in a box for greater efficiency and attention to detail. If the employees are unionized, the contract may prescribe the box for each employee.
As an employee, you are astute to think about it when someone, say, your boss, encourages you to think outside the box.
Does he (she) really want me to do that? Does he (she) really want me to suggest better ways he (she) can better do his (her) job? Will those different ways be better for him (her) or me?
Certainly, if unsure about what the boss meant, it’s best to go about doing your job, within your box, to the best of your ability.
But, if you see a safe opportunity to offer a new idea, or to try something new that could be better, by all means go for it.
You may be surprised indeed at the reception you get, particularly if you feel your company’s culture would allow for it.
In summary, be wary when someone tells you to think outside the box at work. It could be a setup or ambush. Most companies have a competitive culture, in which managers are always looking over their shoulders. The words may sound encouraging, but try not to be fooled.
But, if employers really want their staffs to think outside the box, make sure the culture is clear and well established so that employees can feel safe doing so.
You may be surprised at the results you, and your employees, can achieve.
Peter
Think outside the box.
Have you ever been encouraged to do that at, say, your work?
Did you then ask yourself: do they really want me to think outside the box?
Most employees are in a box called their job. Certain duties are prescribed within that box.
Your boss(es), in most cases, want you to stay within that box. If you go rogue, and do something outside that box, you may get punished.
As an employee, your goal may be to do the best job you can within your box, with the hope that you may be elevated to a different position that may allow more flexibility to think outside the box.
Of course, upper management wants managers to think outside the box and look for efficiencies or better ways to accomplish tasks that could add to the bottom line.
But as a low-level employee, in most companies, you are given a box (parameters) and not allowed in most cases to stray from it (them).
As employers, what do you think your company could be if everyone at every level were allowed to think outside the box?
Might you find a hidden gem of an employee deep in your organization? Does your business model allow for everyone to think outside the box? Do you and your managers have a monopoly on finding better ways to do the necessary tasks?
Some organizations certainly have a culture that allows creative thinking at all levels. Technology companies HAVE to have that to find the best ideas.
But those companies that make widgets, or simple things, might feel the need to put everyone who works there in a box for greater efficiency and attention to detail. If the employees are unionized, the contract may prescribe the box for each employee.
As an employee, you are astute to think about it when someone, say, your boss, encourages you to think outside the box.
Does he (she) really want me to do that? Does he (she) really want me to suggest better ways he (she) can better do his (her) job? Will those different ways be better for him (her) or me?
Certainly, if unsure about what the boss meant, it’s best to go about doing your job, within your box, to the best of your ability.
But, if you see a safe opportunity to offer a new idea, or to try something new that could be better, by all means go for it.
You may be surprised indeed at the reception you get, particularly if you feel your company’s culture would allow for it.
In summary, be wary when someone tells you to think outside the box at work. It could be a setup or ambush. Most companies have a competitive culture, in which managers are always looking over their shoulders. The words may sound encouraging, but try not to be fooled.
But, if employers really want their staffs to think outside the box, make sure the culture is clear and well established so that employees can feel safe doing so.
You may be surprised at the results you, and your employees, can achieve.
Peter
MEMORIAL DAY, GRADUATION SEASON AND SUMMER
#MemorialDay #graduations #summer #vacation #recreation #happiness #sadness #anger
It’s Memorial Day, 2024.
It’s supposed to be a day we reserve to honor those who died serving our country, and many people in many places do just that.
It’s also the beginning of graduation season, when our friends and family end one journey, and, presumably, start another.
It’s also the unofficial start of summer, which signifies warm weather, good times, vacation and leisure. Or, if you are a student ending a school year, perhaps you are starting a summer job.
No matter your situation, Memorial Day often is seen as a start or an ending.
This begs a thought: what should I start, or what should I end?
The healthy thinking here is to look forward to many good things you can make happen.
Are you angry all the time, but can’t put your finger on why? Perhaps you should start new behavior that will end that feeling. There is so much good out there and so many reasons to be happy and optimistic. Perhaps you can start by looking forward to, say, jumping in a pool, lake or ocean for a good time.
That may begin to take your mind off what makes you angry.
Are you sad more often than you are happy? Why do you feel that way? It’s understandable, on Memorial Day, if you are mourning someone lost in battle. When one loses a loved one by any means, it is difficult, if not impossible, to get past.
In such a case, you have to think that your loved one is in a better place, even if he or she is not with you. Then, you have to focus on things that make YOU happy. As the trees and flowers are in full bloom, it’s often little things like that that begin to take the edge off sorrow.
In the past few years, life seems to have hit people harder than it ever has. Many people have lost good jobs, and can’t find a job that comes close to replacing what they have lost.
What hasn’t been lost, usually, is the motivation to succeed. As the world changes, we may have to put that motivation into something new.
The effects of the pandemic of a few years ago still linger. In fact, the disease is still around. Yet, we have found ways to deal with it, like vaccines, so that if it comes back to us, we are more likely to handle it better than we would have at the beginning.
Things are costing more, be they groceries, housing, cars etc. At the same time, in many cases, people are getting paid more. If you are getting paid more than you were a few years ago, it’s only logical that the things you buy are going to cost you more. So, ask yourself: is getting that raise worth paying a little more for groceries?
The cost of housing has been discussed in detail here, and there are no easy answers. Sometimes, to provide for oneself, one has to watch what he or she spends, and evaluate the importance of each of those purchases.
So, as you have a meaningful Memorial Day, think of the people or things that mean the most to you. Think of ways you can improve yourself, your life and pursue happiness. It’s not always easy, but it is definitely healthier to pursue happiness than to harbor anger and/or wallow in sadness.
Peter
It’s Memorial Day, 2024.
It’s supposed to be a day we reserve to honor those who died serving our country, and many people in many places do just that.
It’s also the beginning of graduation season, when our friends and family end one journey, and, presumably, start another.
It’s also the unofficial start of summer, which signifies warm weather, good times, vacation and leisure. Or, if you are a student ending a school year, perhaps you are starting a summer job.
No matter your situation, Memorial Day often is seen as a start or an ending.
This begs a thought: what should I start, or what should I end?
The healthy thinking here is to look forward to many good things you can make happen.
Are you angry all the time, but can’t put your finger on why? Perhaps you should start new behavior that will end that feeling. There is so much good out there and so many reasons to be happy and optimistic. Perhaps you can start by looking forward to, say, jumping in a pool, lake or ocean for a good time.
That may begin to take your mind off what makes you angry.
Are you sad more often than you are happy? Why do you feel that way? It’s understandable, on Memorial Day, if you are mourning someone lost in battle. When one loses a loved one by any means, it is difficult, if not impossible, to get past.
In such a case, you have to think that your loved one is in a better place, even if he or she is not with you. Then, you have to focus on things that make YOU happy. As the trees and flowers are in full bloom, it’s often little things like that that begin to take the edge off sorrow.
In the past few years, life seems to have hit people harder than it ever has. Many people have lost good jobs, and can’t find a job that comes close to replacing what they have lost.
What hasn’t been lost, usually, is the motivation to succeed. As the world changes, we may have to put that motivation into something new.
The effects of the pandemic of a few years ago still linger. In fact, the disease is still around. Yet, we have found ways to deal with it, like vaccines, so that if it comes back to us, we are more likely to handle it better than we would have at the beginning.
Things are costing more, be they groceries, housing, cars etc. At the same time, in many cases, people are getting paid more. If you are getting paid more than you were a few years ago, it’s only logical that the things you buy are going to cost you more. So, ask yourself: is getting that raise worth paying a little more for groceries?
The cost of housing has been discussed in detail here, and there are no easy answers. Sometimes, to provide for oneself, one has to watch what he or she spends, and evaluate the importance of each of those purchases.
So, as you have a meaningful Memorial Day, think of the people or things that mean the most to you. Think of ways you can improve yourself, your life and pursue happiness. It’s not always easy, but it is definitely healthier to pursue happiness than to harbor anger and/or wallow in sadness.
Peter
IT’S TOUGH BEING A YOUNG ADULT, LOOKING FOR HOUSING
#housing #HousingCosts #YoungAdults #BuyingAHouse #SellingAHouse
It’s not easy being a young adult today, trying to build a life.
As Bill Torpy, columnist for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, points out, the median price for a house in Atlanta today is $405,000. He discussed the perils of young adults and housing in his May 12, 2024, column.
If you are 20-something, married or single, can you afford $405,000 for a house?
With rents on apartments also skyrocketing, it’s no wonder many young people are still leaning on “the bank of mom and dad” for help.
There are a number of issues driving up housing costs.
In decades past, a young person could get an affordable apartment to live in until he or she was able to buy a house. After all, The American Dream included home ownership.
They would buy their first house and live there until they outgrew it. Then, they would sell it to buy a bigger house. They would keep trading up in housing size as needed, until they reached retirement age.
Then, they might sell their bigger house and trade down to a smaller one, perhaps in a retirement locale with the various amenities for older folks.
That pattern is more or less out the window today. Buying and selling real estate has become something of a cut-threat endeavor.
In those old days, a person starting out might offer a price for a house that was a bit less than the seller had asked. The seller, looking for a firm sale, would usually accept. Today, it’s more likely that a buyer will have to bid up from the asking price, and might still lose out.
The demand for housing today is way over what the supply is. Because people can’t make any more land, most property available for building has been spoken for. That caps the supply at a certain level, but the population has grown considerably from decades ago, and keeps growing.
Also in the housing mix are entities such as property management companies, hedge funds and real estate investment trusts that tempt sellers with cash offers, leaving many young buyers out of luck.
Meanwhile, apartments and condos are going up like crazy in some areas.
Often, new apartments mean high rent, and new condos can be overpriced and have high owner fees to maintain common areas etc.
Tiny houses, and housing made from shipping containers also have been trending. These are not an option if one plans to have a family, or even a spouse.
Something else is happening today. Many young adults want everything now. They won’t settle for a fixer-upper, or rooms they view as too small. Many want what they are used to – what their parents have. And, they want it now. They are unwilling to accept something less, and work up to what they ultimately want.
If you are young, and do not want to live with mom and dad for the rest of your life, flexibility is the key. Chances are, even if you buy or rent someplace that’s not exactly what you want, figure on making do until you can save enough to afford more. As you trade up, you may not get everything you want at each stage. But, with each stage, you may get something more.
It’s not always possible in some areas to find adequate, affordable housing. But, if you keep looking, you may run into something you can work with. By the way, try not to get too comfortable living with mom and dad.
Remember, too, that a house is a house. A home is what you make with the house you have.
Peter
It’s not easy being a young adult today, trying to build a life.
As Bill Torpy, columnist for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, points out, the median price for a house in Atlanta today is $405,000. He discussed the perils of young adults and housing in his May 12, 2024, column.
If you are 20-something, married or single, can you afford $405,000 for a house?
With rents on apartments also skyrocketing, it’s no wonder many young people are still leaning on “the bank of mom and dad” for help.
There are a number of issues driving up housing costs.
In decades past, a young person could get an affordable apartment to live in until he or she was able to buy a house. After all, The American Dream included home ownership.
They would buy their first house and live there until they outgrew it. Then, they would sell it to buy a bigger house. They would keep trading up in housing size as needed, until they reached retirement age.
Then, they might sell their bigger house and trade down to a smaller one, perhaps in a retirement locale with the various amenities for older folks.
That pattern is more or less out the window today. Buying and selling real estate has become something of a cut-threat endeavor.
In those old days, a person starting out might offer a price for a house that was a bit less than the seller had asked. The seller, looking for a firm sale, would usually accept. Today, it’s more likely that a buyer will have to bid up from the asking price, and might still lose out.
The demand for housing today is way over what the supply is. Because people can’t make any more land, most property available for building has been spoken for. That caps the supply at a certain level, but the population has grown considerably from decades ago, and keeps growing.
Also in the housing mix are entities such as property management companies, hedge funds and real estate investment trusts that tempt sellers with cash offers, leaving many young buyers out of luck.
Meanwhile, apartments and condos are going up like crazy in some areas.
Often, new apartments mean high rent, and new condos can be overpriced and have high owner fees to maintain common areas etc.
Tiny houses, and housing made from shipping containers also have been trending. These are not an option if one plans to have a family, or even a spouse.
Something else is happening today. Many young adults want everything now. They won’t settle for a fixer-upper, or rooms they view as too small. Many want what they are used to – what their parents have. And, they want it now. They are unwilling to accept something less, and work up to what they ultimately want.
If you are young, and do not want to live with mom and dad for the rest of your life, flexibility is the key. Chances are, even if you buy or rent someplace that’s not exactly what you want, figure on making do until you can save enough to afford more. As you trade up, you may not get everything you want at each stage. But, with each stage, you may get something more.
It’s not always possible in some areas to find adequate, affordable housing. But, if you keep looking, you may run into something you can work with. By the way, try not to get too comfortable living with mom and dad.
Remember, too, that a house is a house. A home is what you make with the house you have.
Peter
WILL OFFICE SPACE UPGRADES BRING WORKERS BACK?
#WorkFromHome #OfficeSpace #PersonalInteractions #jobs #employers #employees
Companies that require office workers face a dilemma.
Since COVID-19 forced many workers to toil from home, some workers don’t want to come back to the office.
Their employers who pay for the office space want more workers to come back, at least once in a while.
Some, like Cisco in its Midtown Atlanta offices, are resorting to upgrading their office space by focusing on improving indoor environmental factors, according to an article by Zachary Hansen in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The article was published April 14, 2023.
In fact, as a new Portman Midtown Atlanta office tower goes up, it may be the last of its kind for a while, Hansen writes in an article published May 13, 2024.
But, will those things entice workers back into the office? Many have gotten used to working from home, or somewhere else. The advantages – no commute, no buying lunch at work and other money savings, for example – outweigh the disadvantages – no office worker interaction, distractions at home etc.
That puts companies in somewhat of a bind. How much office space do they really need? Does having an office building, or office space in general, give a company an identity that makes it worth having? Is upgrading office space to entice workers back going to be worth the investment? Will workers respond by coming back into the office?
These are the decisions of the future, both for companies and their employees. If a company forces workers to come back into the office, will they quit?
If a worker has a great job he or she doesn’t want to lose, will he or she give up the freedom that working from home gives them?
Will being home, with young children, be too much of a distraction for workers? Will they then bear the expenses of commuting, day care etc.?
Of course, many workers dream of having these alternatives. Many workers HAVE to go to work at a specific location. They cannot possibly do their jobs from home. They must interact with bosses, customers, coworkers etc.
But, if there are choices available, is there a way a worker can have it all with some sort of hybrid work schedule?
As discussed here before, if workers can do their jobs remotely, they can essentially live anywhere. They don’t have to be in a high-cost, high-tax locale, even if their employer is.
They can live where they want and still have the job they want.
But, as a society, do we want to encourage such a solitary lifestyle? Of course, essentially working alone cuts down on arguments. You don’t have to sit at a lunch table with someone you don’t like, or with whom you disagree on just about everything.
Still, we all benefit from having personal interactions with people. Some service organizations who meet regularly, even if they don’t require regular attendance, encourage it because club members are deprived of the presence of those who are absent. They see that as a loss.
So, most people will make decisions about where and how they work based on personal preference, unless companies impose requirements.
We will all miss something if too many people do not interact with one another. The workplace is the easiest, and often the best, place to do that.
Peter
Companies that require office workers face a dilemma.
Since COVID-19 forced many workers to toil from home, some workers don’t want to come back to the office.
Their employers who pay for the office space want more workers to come back, at least once in a while.
Some, like Cisco in its Midtown Atlanta offices, are resorting to upgrading their office space by focusing on improving indoor environmental factors, according to an article by Zachary Hansen in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The article was published April 14, 2023.
In fact, as a new Portman Midtown Atlanta office tower goes up, it may be the last of its kind for a while, Hansen writes in an article published May 13, 2024.
But, will those things entice workers back into the office? Many have gotten used to working from home, or somewhere else. The advantages – no commute, no buying lunch at work and other money savings, for example – outweigh the disadvantages – no office worker interaction, distractions at home etc.
That puts companies in somewhat of a bind. How much office space do they really need? Does having an office building, or office space in general, give a company an identity that makes it worth having? Is upgrading office space to entice workers back going to be worth the investment? Will workers respond by coming back into the office?
These are the decisions of the future, both for companies and their employees. If a company forces workers to come back into the office, will they quit?
If a worker has a great job he or she doesn’t want to lose, will he or she give up the freedom that working from home gives them?
Will being home, with young children, be too much of a distraction for workers? Will they then bear the expenses of commuting, day care etc.?
Of course, many workers dream of having these alternatives. Many workers HAVE to go to work at a specific location. They cannot possibly do their jobs from home. They must interact with bosses, customers, coworkers etc.
But, if there are choices available, is there a way a worker can have it all with some sort of hybrid work schedule?
As discussed here before, if workers can do their jobs remotely, they can essentially live anywhere. They don’t have to be in a high-cost, high-tax locale, even if their employer is.
They can live where they want and still have the job they want.
But, as a society, do we want to encourage such a solitary lifestyle? Of course, essentially working alone cuts down on arguments. You don’t have to sit at a lunch table with someone you don’t like, or with whom you disagree on just about everything.
Still, we all benefit from having personal interactions with people. Some service organizations who meet regularly, even if they don’t require regular attendance, encourage it because club members are deprived of the presence of those who are absent. They see that as a loss.
So, most people will make decisions about where and how they work based on personal preference, unless companies impose requirements.
We will all miss something if too many people do not interact with one another. The workplace is the easiest, and often the best, place to do that.
Peter
YOUTH FACING FINANCIAL DISTRESS
#CampusProtests #youth #FinancialSecurity #GenerationalWealth #frustration
In generations past, parents always wanted their children to have it much better than they did.
Often, that was achieved. If parents worked at manual jobs, they wanted their kids to go to college, so they would not have to do manual jobs.
Many of today’s young people see no way they can have a better life, at least economically, than their parents.
That is, short of inheriting the wealth their parents accumulated.
Many of these young people come out of college with huge student debt. If they become, say, schoolteachers, there is hardly any way they can pay off that debt AND buy a house AND start a family etc., as far as they can see.
The protests on college campuses today seem to be over the war in the Middle East. But, author Scott Galloway, in his book, “The Algebra of Wealth: A Single Formula for Financial Security,” says young people are not seeing themselves as ever becoming better off than their parents.
That may lead to the frustration some students are expressing in the campus protests.
Galloway appeared on “Inside with Jen Psaki” on MSNBC May 5, 2024.
From another perspective, Nedra Rhone, “Real Life” columnist for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, writes that this year’s college graduates may have been deprived of both of a high school graduation ceremony because of the COVID-19 lockdowns of four years ago, and now perhaps of a college graduation ceremony because of the campus protests.
You have to feel for this generation, Rhone says. Her column on the subject also was published May 5, 2024
Financial security for young people – again, short of a big inheritance from mom and dad – is getting harder to achieve.
Today, unlike in decades past, going to work is a big cost in terms of commutes, child care etc. If the return paycheck hardly compensates for that, frustration can build. Working from home, if allowed, can ease that stress, but not everyone has that ability.
The good-paying jobs that result from expensive college educations don’t pay as well as one might think, when comparing the cost of living today with the cost of living their parents faced.
Housing costs are way up from decades ago, both in home prices and rents.
If one becomes a teacher, and, perhaps, marries another teacher, even both of their paychecks may not give them enough to house themselves and otherwise enjoy life.
We are not even talking about those who do not get a college degree. Of course, those who go into the trades – plumbers, electricians etc. – can do very well because they will always be in demand. But, surprisingly few kids are exploring that route. After all, the work can be hard and long. Many may have even watched parents work hard in trades, and don’t want to do that.
So, the frustration among young kids today may have been building over time. Some may feel quite hopeless, which may spawn mental illness.
They may find the jobs they WANT to do don’t pay enough. They either have to do something else they may not like, have a “side hustle” in their free time or try to scrape together a living with what they make doing what they like.
Some still lean on mom and dad for help well into their adult lives. How on earth, some are thinking, are they ever going to retire?
There is no better formula, perhaps, than to live below one’s means, if that’s even possible, and put the leftover money into savings. Each time one gets a raise, put that into savings, if possible.
There is no easy answer for this young generation. But, by all means, they should focus on optimism, relationships and finding less costly enjoyments in life.
Peter
In generations past, parents always wanted their children to have it much better than they did.
Often, that was achieved. If parents worked at manual jobs, they wanted their kids to go to college, so they would not have to do manual jobs.
Many of today’s young people see no way they can have a better life, at least economically, than their parents.
That is, short of inheriting the wealth their parents accumulated.
Many of these young people come out of college with huge student debt. If they become, say, schoolteachers, there is hardly any way they can pay off that debt AND buy a house AND start a family etc., as far as they can see.
The protests on college campuses today seem to be over the war in the Middle East. But, author Scott Galloway, in his book, “The Algebra of Wealth: A Single Formula for Financial Security,” says young people are not seeing themselves as ever becoming better off than their parents.
That may lead to the frustration some students are expressing in the campus protests.
Galloway appeared on “Inside with Jen Psaki” on MSNBC May 5, 2024.
From another perspective, Nedra Rhone, “Real Life” columnist for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, writes that this year’s college graduates may have been deprived of both of a high school graduation ceremony because of the COVID-19 lockdowns of four years ago, and now perhaps of a college graduation ceremony because of the campus protests.
You have to feel for this generation, Rhone says. Her column on the subject also was published May 5, 2024
Financial security for young people – again, short of a big inheritance from mom and dad – is getting harder to achieve.
Today, unlike in decades past, going to work is a big cost in terms of commutes, child care etc. If the return paycheck hardly compensates for that, frustration can build. Working from home, if allowed, can ease that stress, but not everyone has that ability.
The good-paying jobs that result from expensive college educations don’t pay as well as one might think, when comparing the cost of living today with the cost of living their parents faced.
Housing costs are way up from decades ago, both in home prices and rents.
If one becomes a teacher, and, perhaps, marries another teacher, even both of their paychecks may not give them enough to house themselves and otherwise enjoy life.
We are not even talking about those who do not get a college degree. Of course, those who go into the trades – plumbers, electricians etc. – can do very well because they will always be in demand. But, surprisingly few kids are exploring that route. After all, the work can be hard and long. Many may have even watched parents work hard in trades, and don’t want to do that.
So, the frustration among young kids today may have been building over time. Some may feel quite hopeless, which may spawn mental illness.
They may find the jobs they WANT to do don’t pay enough. They either have to do something else they may not like, have a “side hustle” in their free time or try to scrape together a living with what they make doing what they like.
Some still lean on mom and dad for help well into their adult lives. How on earth, some are thinking, are they ever going to retire?
There is no better formula, perhaps, than to live below one’s means, if that’s even possible, and put the leftover money into savings. Each time one gets a raise, put that into savings, if possible.
There is no easy answer for this young generation. But, by all means, they should focus on optimism, relationships and finding less costly enjoyments in life.
Peter
ANGER IS AN EMOTION WE SHOULD USE SPARINGLY
#anger #emotions #FomentingAnger #media #MediaConsumption
We all get angry at some point.
If you are never angry, you may be totally emotionless.
But, if you are always angry, it can inhibit rational thinking, decision making and personal interactions.
In other words, anger is an emotion we should use sparingly.
If everything in the world makes you angry, you may be wise to step back and ask yourself, “why am I so mad at the world?”
Then ask, “what can I do to make the world better, not only for me, but also for others?”
Certain media are designed to make people perpetually angry, perhaps to the point of rage, and fearful, perhaps to the point of paranoia.
People who consume such media believe many things that are actually true are not, and some things that will never be true are indeed true.
Of course, they have no evidence to support these beliefs. Their media tell them that things they really don’t want to be true are not, even if they are. And, things they want to be true are, even if they are not.
Therefore, anger is often created by some sort of truth-mangling.
Still, reality and truth can make one angry. One may lose a job. One may lose a business. One may lose a spouse, or someone else close to him or her.
Just because these things are real doesn’t prevent the anger. But, anger over real things allows the angry person the opportunity to mitigate that anger.
That can be easier said than done, of course, but at least the person is dealing with something real. The anger, therefore, is rational.
But, when one is angry over something that isn’t real, the anger becomes irrational, even though the angry person feels real anger.
Some people have no idea why they are angry. They somehow feel put upon, but, presuming no influence from media, they find it difficult to explain, using real terms, why they are angry.
If the angry person is also a strong person, he or she can sit back, take a breath and figure out why they are angry.
Is all the emotion spent on anger worth the expended energy, stress and lack of well-being, that results?
Some, who may not be as strong may need help from friends, family or even professionals if necessary.
No, we don’t have to be “nice” every minute of every day. But, the more we make the effort to be “nice,” the better off we will be.
Sometimes, the solution may lie in getting back to basics, i.e., love thy neighbor as thyself.
Those that think of others first, rather than themselves, often are happier people. They know that thinking of others, and helping others, eventually brings personal joy and reward.
So, if one’s first instinct in any interaction is to get angry, take a pause and ask: is this anger rational? If you can find no reason for it to be rational, try to calm yourself. You may find a sense of relief that you do not often experience.
Peter
We all get angry at some point.
If you are never angry, you may be totally emotionless.
But, if you are always angry, it can inhibit rational thinking, decision making and personal interactions.
In other words, anger is an emotion we should use sparingly.
If everything in the world makes you angry, you may be wise to step back and ask yourself, “why am I so mad at the world?”
Then ask, “what can I do to make the world better, not only for me, but also for others?”
Certain media are designed to make people perpetually angry, perhaps to the point of rage, and fearful, perhaps to the point of paranoia.
People who consume such media believe many things that are actually true are not, and some things that will never be true are indeed true.
Of course, they have no evidence to support these beliefs. Their media tell them that things they really don’t want to be true are not, even if they are. And, things they want to be true are, even if they are not.
Therefore, anger is often created by some sort of truth-mangling.
Still, reality and truth can make one angry. One may lose a job. One may lose a business. One may lose a spouse, or someone else close to him or her.
Just because these things are real doesn’t prevent the anger. But, anger over real things allows the angry person the opportunity to mitigate that anger.
That can be easier said than done, of course, but at least the person is dealing with something real. The anger, therefore, is rational.
But, when one is angry over something that isn’t real, the anger becomes irrational, even though the angry person feels real anger.
Some people have no idea why they are angry. They somehow feel put upon, but, presuming no influence from media, they find it difficult to explain, using real terms, why they are angry.
If the angry person is also a strong person, he or she can sit back, take a breath and figure out why they are angry.
Is all the emotion spent on anger worth the expended energy, stress and lack of well-being, that results?
Some, who may not be as strong may need help from friends, family or even professionals if necessary.
No, we don’t have to be “nice” every minute of every day. But, the more we make the effort to be “nice,” the better off we will be.
Sometimes, the solution may lie in getting back to basics, i.e., love thy neighbor as thyself.
Those that think of others first, rather than themselves, often are happier people. They know that thinking of others, and helping others, eventually brings personal joy and reward.
So, if one’s first instinct in any interaction is to get angry, take a pause and ask: is this anger rational? If you can find no reason for it to be rational, try to calm yourself. You may find a sense of relief that you do not often experience.
Peter
WHAT IS A “REAL ESTATE NOVELIST”?
#RealEstateNovelist #”PianoMan”, #BillyJoel #loneliness #relationships
“Paul is a real estate novelist.”
That lyric from Billy Joel’s song, “Piano Man,” begs the question: “What does is a real estate novelist do? Incidentally, CBS cut off its televised Billy Joel concert at Madison Square Garden on the evening of April 14, 2024, in the middle of his performance of “Piano Man.” Joel’s fans who watched were not happy with CBS, and said so on social media. As a result, it was rebroadcast in full on April 19, 2024.
So, is Paul, who is one of the regulars in the bar at which the “Piano Man” plays, a novelist who dabbles in real estate? Does he write novels about real estate? Or, does he sell “novel” real properties?
The song does not explain. The point of the song is that Paul is among the lonely people, mostly men, who hang out regularly at the bar just to drink and listen to the piano man.
Though the song doesn’t explain Paul’s gig, Paul can teach us a few things.
First, loneliness is common – some might say an epidemic — today among children and adults. The explosion of social media, the isolation of the pandemic a few years ago and a general malaise among many people over their lives have contributed to the increase in loneliness.
If you are feeling lonely, hanging out at a bar – even if everybody knows your name, as in the TV show, “Cheers” – may not be the best solution. Certainly, no one would criticize the occasional trip to the bar to hang out with friends. But, making it a habit can be expensive and harmful over time.
Also, even though Paul in the song is lonely, we can suspect that he may write novels, and, perhaps, dabbles in real estate.
Novelists, unless they have a big seller, generally don’t make a lot of money. Having multiple streams of income can help a person pursue his or her passion, and still make a living.
If Paul sells “novel” real properties, that could be very lucrative. “Novel” properties tend to be expensive. Commissions for selling them tend to be high. If that’s the case, even money can’t cure loneliness.
Let’s presume here that writing novels about real estate would not be a lucrative pastime.
The song says Paul never had time for a wife. Either he is busy pursuing his passion and side hustle, or he’s busy selling expensive properties.
If you are unsure what to do with your life, think of people like Paul. Perhaps you have a passion that may or may not pay your bills. If so, a side hustle may be necessary. There definitely is nothing wrong with multiple streams of income, regardless of your situation.
Whatever you pursue for a living, or as a passion, let it (they) not be a substitute for relationships, friends and other pursuits that ward off loneliness.
If you are having trouble meeting people, think of something you like to do and find an organization of people who like the same thing(s), with whom you could have friendships or relationships. There are many such organizations out there, regardless of what you like to do.
The key here is having in-person relationships, not online relationships.
Online relationships can have a place, but they should not be one’s primary social interaction.
We tend to tip piano players at bars. In fact, the pianists expect that you “put bread in my jar,” as the song says. But the song “Piano Man” can leave a tip for you. Pursue your passion, make a living and have multiple good friendships and relationships.
Play on, “Piano Man.”
Peter
“Paul is a real estate novelist.”
That lyric from Billy Joel’s song, “Piano Man,” begs the question: “What does is a real estate novelist do? Incidentally, CBS cut off its televised Billy Joel concert at Madison Square Garden on the evening of April 14, 2024, in the middle of his performance of “Piano Man.” Joel’s fans who watched were not happy with CBS, and said so on social media. As a result, it was rebroadcast in full on April 19, 2024.
So, is Paul, who is one of the regulars in the bar at which the “Piano Man” plays, a novelist who dabbles in real estate? Does he write novels about real estate? Or, does he sell “novel” real properties?
The song does not explain. The point of the song is that Paul is among the lonely people, mostly men, who hang out regularly at the bar just to drink and listen to the piano man.
Though the song doesn’t explain Paul’s gig, Paul can teach us a few things.
First, loneliness is common – some might say an epidemic — today among children and adults. The explosion of social media, the isolation of the pandemic a few years ago and a general malaise among many people over their lives have contributed to the increase in loneliness.
If you are feeling lonely, hanging out at a bar – even if everybody knows your name, as in the TV show, “Cheers” – may not be the best solution. Certainly, no one would criticize the occasional trip to the bar to hang out with friends. But, making it a habit can be expensive and harmful over time.
Also, even though Paul in the song is lonely, we can suspect that he may write novels, and, perhaps, dabbles in real estate.
Novelists, unless they have a big seller, generally don’t make a lot of money. Having multiple streams of income can help a person pursue his or her passion, and still make a living.
If Paul sells “novel” real properties, that could be very lucrative. “Novel” properties tend to be expensive. Commissions for selling them tend to be high. If that’s the case, even money can’t cure loneliness.
Let’s presume here that writing novels about real estate would not be a lucrative pastime.
The song says Paul never had time for a wife. Either he is busy pursuing his passion and side hustle, or he’s busy selling expensive properties.
If you are unsure what to do with your life, think of people like Paul. Perhaps you have a passion that may or may not pay your bills. If so, a side hustle may be necessary. There definitely is nothing wrong with multiple streams of income, regardless of your situation.
Whatever you pursue for a living, or as a passion, let it (they) not be a substitute for relationships, friends and other pursuits that ward off loneliness.
If you are having trouble meeting people, think of something you like to do and find an organization of people who like the same thing(s), with whom you could have friendships or relationships. There are many such organizations out there, regardless of what you like to do.
The key here is having in-person relationships, not online relationships.
Online relationships can have a place, but they should not be one’s primary social interaction.
We tend to tip piano players at bars. In fact, the pianists expect that you “put bread in my jar,” as the song says. But the song “Piano Man” can leave a tip for you. Pursue your passion, make a living and have multiple good friendships and relationships.
Play on, “Piano Man.”
Peter
WHAT ‘;SHOULD BE’ AND WHAT ‘IS’ IN LIFE
#marriage #divorce #children #HowLifeShouldBe #dreams #goals
The song came out in 1971.
The lyrics talked of marriage, divorce and how we were all taught about what life “should be.”
Carly Simon’s “That’s the Way I’ve Always Heard It Should Be” had an eerie melody and profound lyrics.
During that decade, most people were told to go to college, get a career, settle down, get married and have children.
The lessons date to when parents of those young people were young themselves. Though they may not have gone to college, their parents taught them to get a good job, settle down, get married and have kids.
Some in the 1970s rebelled at such a life. They went off to “find themselves.” They actually fought, so as not to become like their parents.
Even though their parents likely gave them a good upbringing and a memorable childhood, they did not want to become like them.
They felt such a life was confining, too routine and even prisonlike.
They wanted to be “free.” They wanted to see the world. They wanted to explore new things.
Certainly, some, as Simon’s song points out, did what they were taught. But, the result was lots of fighting, even divorce.
It’s often difficult for some people, young or older, to figure out who they are and what they want.
For others, there was no question.
For some of those indecisive folks, they’ll know who they are and what they want when it comes to them. It’s as if they are waiting for a message from above to guide them.
For the more decisive, it’s a matter of doing what one needs to do to get what one wants. Often, that can take time and lots of effort. Plus, much like for the indecisive, things have to go right along the way. Good fortune comes to those who prepare to receive it.
The lesson here is not to necessarily dismiss what your parents taught you, but to compile those teachings with a body of your own thoughts.
Sometimes, some things will just feel right. Other times, that right feeling has to be created.
Another important lesson is to enjoy the journey of life. You probably won’t remember how you were at the end of the journey, but you will certainly remember the milestones along the way.
A third lesson is to prepare for your entire life. Decisions one makes when he or she is young will benefit – or not – what happens to him or her in later years. Every thought or action should involve thoughts of how that thought or action will impact one’s future.
So, as the Simon song laments, don’t necessarily be what you always heard you should be. Find what pleases you. Create goals and a path to get to them. Things may happen for a reason you don’t know at the time, so react properly to them to stay on, or get back to, your path to success.
Your path always may not be in a straight line. Some of those twists and turns can be beneficial. Regardless, they should always be memorable.
Peter
The song came out in 1971.
The lyrics talked of marriage, divorce and how we were all taught about what life “should be.”
Carly Simon’s “That’s the Way I’ve Always Heard It Should Be” had an eerie melody and profound lyrics.
During that decade, most people were told to go to college, get a career, settle down, get married and have children.
The lessons date to when parents of those young people were young themselves. Though they may not have gone to college, their parents taught them to get a good job, settle down, get married and have kids.
Some in the 1970s rebelled at such a life. They went off to “find themselves.” They actually fought, so as not to become like their parents.
Even though their parents likely gave them a good upbringing and a memorable childhood, they did not want to become like them.
They felt such a life was confining, too routine and even prisonlike.
They wanted to be “free.” They wanted to see the world. They wanted to explore new things.
Certainly, some, as Simon’s song points out, did what they were taught. But, the result was lots of fighting, even divorce.
It’s often difficult for some people, young or older, to figure out who they are and what they want.
For others, there was no question.
For some of those indecisive folks, they’ll know who they are and what they want when it comes to them. It’s as if they are waiting for a message from above to guide them.
For the more decisive, it’s a matter of doing what one needs to do to get what one wants. Often, that can take time and lots of effort. Plus, much like for the indecisive, things have to go right along the way. Good fortune comes to those who prepare to receive it.
The lesson here is not to necessarily dismiss what your parents taught you, but to compile those teachings with a body of your own thoughts.
Sometimes, some things will just feel right. Other times, that right feeling has to be created.
Another important lesson is to enjoy the journey of life. You probably won’t remember how you were at the end of the journey, but you will certainly remember the milestones along the way.
A third lesson is to prepare for your entire life. Decisions one makes when he or she is young will benefit – or not – what happens to him or her in later years. Every thought or action should involve thoughts of how that thought or action will impact one’s future.
So, as the Simon song laments, don’t necessarily be what you always heard you should be. Find what pleases you. Create goals and a path to get to them. Things may happen for a reason you don’t know at the time, so react properly to them to stay on, or get back to, your path to success.
Your path always may not be in a straight line. Some of those twists and turns can be beneficial. Regardless, they should always be memorable.
Peter