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My Teen's First Job: Guiding Her to Save and Balance
2024-12-15
When my daughter embarked on her first job at the tender age of 14, it marked a significant turning point in her life. This experience not only transformed her but also presented unique challenges and lessons for both her and me. Let's delve into the details of how we supported her through this crucial phase.

Unveiling the Parenting Lessons in a Teen's First Job

Supporting Through Startup Costs and Rides

The adage "You must spend money to make money" truly held sway for our teenager. Before she received her first paycheck as a server for a local catering company, she needed to invest in work attire such as dress pants, a button-down shirt, and shoes. We, as her parents, decided to cover these startup costs, seeing them as an investment in her developing job skills. Additionally, we dedicated time to shuttling her to and from events. At first, we thought most events were nearby, but some were almost an hour away. This led us to realize that our family schedule didn't always align with her enthusiasm for working, causing her to turn down some opportunities. However, we made an effort to make things work by taking turns as her Uber drivers and coordinating carpools. She loved the excitement of working at parties, serving fancy appetizers, seeing beautiful brides at weddings, and interacting with coworkers during lulls. But there were also stressful moments, like after a wedding where drinks were spilled at the head table and guests were served the wrong entrées. She came home frazzled and upset, but we shared our own embarrassing work mishaps to show her that mistakes are a part of life and that what matters is learning from them.

Establishing a Savings Plan

Our daughter was thrilled to earn her own money and even more eager to spend it. Although we had emphasized the importance of saving, she was easily drawn to places like Target, DoorDash, and Starbucks. Her first paycheck disappeared in an instant. While we sometimes cringed at her impulse buys, we also understood the effort she had put into earning that money. We wanted her to enjoy her newfound purchasing power without squandering it all. After discussing options with her, we reached an agreement. She could keep most of her earnings, but a small percentage would be deposited into a savings account. This allowed her to have enough money for daily purchases using her debit card while gradually building up savings.

Learning the Importance of Work-Life Balance

As a parent, I'm known for nagging my teenagers about getting enough sleep, but my words often didn't have much impact. When our daughter wanted to work a last-minute shift on the same weekend as a soccer tournament, I initially hesitated but ultimately let her sign up. After a busy weekend of soccer games, outfit changes, and long car rides, she was clearly exhausted. Now, she is more intentional about prioritizing her activities, whether it's studying for an exam, working at her restaurant job, playing soccer, or spending time with friends. She realized that trying to do everything at once wasn't sustainable. Giving her the freedom to manage her work, school, and extracurricular hours taught her more about work-life balance than any lecture ever could. No matter what career she chooses in the future, she will be better equipped to handle the demands of a job.
A Lawyer's Journey: Quitting Job, Moving to Small Seaside Town
2024-12-15
After years of toiling away in the high-pressure world of law, Santiago Barraza Lopez found himself at a crossroads. Once a successful lawyer in London, he suddenly faced burnout and loneliness. But instead of succumbing to the stress, he made a bold decision - to quit his job and move to a small seaside town.

Discovering Peace and Purpose Beyond the Big City

Leaving the Comfort Zone

Leaving London was no easy feat. The high-paying job and the city's allure were hard to let go of. But Santiago knew that his mental health was at stake. He had reached a point where money couldn't buy him the peace and happiness he craved. After months of soul-searching, he took the leap and said goodbye to the rat race.

Eastbourne, the small seaside town he chose, was a world away from London. It offered a slower pace of life and a sense of community that he had never experienced before. At first, the transition was tough. He struggled with the new pace and the lack of hustle and bustle. But as time passed, he began to appreciate the simplicity and beauty of small-town life.

Embracing a New Lifestyle

Once settled in Eastbourne, Santiago started to focus on his well-being. He began therapy and a rigorous exercise regimen to make himself stronger and healthier. These changes gave him the clarity he needed to end his toxic relationship with his job and start fresh.

He also immersed himself in the local community. Joining the local rowing club and a volunteer group allowed him to connect with people on a deeper level. The sense of belonging and purpose he found was invaluable.

Finding Balance

On the professional front, Santiago struck a balance between work and personal life. He took on enough deals and clients to earn a living but also made sure to have time for himself every day. This balance was crucial in keeping him happy and healthy.

Although he knew that nothing is permanent, Santiago is happy for the time being. He has found peace and has been able to embrace his artistic side. Eastbourne has become his haven, and he has no regrets about his decision.

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White Stadium's Construction Timeline Delays Inaugural Season
2024-12-15
Photo By J. Alexander Dolan showcases the site of what was once expected to be BOS Nation FC's home stadium. However, due to various setbacks, the completion date has been pushed back to the spring or summer of 2026. The City of Boston shared this updated construction timeline during a public meeting on Thursday.

Construction Timeline and Delays

The construction timeline now unfolds as follows: from Winter 2024 to Early Spring 2025, the demolition phase will take place. This crucial step will clear the way for the subsequent construction phase, which is scheduled from Spring 2025 to Winter 2026. Finally, by Spring/Summer 2026, the construction is expected to be complete. It's important to note that the original plan was to have the stadium ready in time for the start of the NWSL season in March 2026. But permitting issues, transportation planning, and design changes have all contributed to these delays. When the Boston Parks Commission approved the demolition in August, the Mayor's Office stated that the city was working on signing the lease by early fall, with demolition starting soon after. An updated timeline from an October transportation meeting marked the start of demolition and construction in the late fall. Despite this, the partnership has yet to sign a lease, which is a necessary step before demolition can begin. City officials at the Thursday meeting assured that the lease and construction management plans are being finalized. Additionally, a live camera feed will soon be available on the city's website to provide real-time updates on the construction site.

Tree Removal and Planting Plan

The public meeting primarily centered around the city's tree removal plan. Before demolition can commence, 145 trees around White Stadium will be removed. Out of these, 30 trees are considered healthy and will be removed. The remaining trees are in poor condition, invasive, non-native, or causing structural conflicts. In an effort to offset the loss of these trees, the city plans to plant 500 trees in Franklin Park over the next ten years. Specifically, 67 of these trees will be planted within the project site on "day one". This shows the city's commitment to maintaining the ecological balance.

Residents' Concerns and Responses

Boston residents, park goers, and environmental advocacy groups have expressed strong opposition to the tree removal plan. Many believe that the removal will have a more negative impact on the current and future generations of park users compared to any potential benefits from the new trees. A BPS contractor has estimated that it will take about 50 years for the new trees to grow to a size equivalent to the ones currently surrounding the stadium. Team representatives were not available for comment during the meeting, and BOS Nation FC did not respond to requests for comment regarding their plans if the stadium is not playable when it enters its inaugural season. This lack of response has left many questions unanswered and has added to the uncertainty surrounding the future of the club.
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