Thursday, April 17, 2008

Designing My Life

Remember way back when I made my New Year's resolutions, I talked about "designing my life?" No?

Well, I've been doing some reading about what it means to be a Gen Xer (and a Gen Yer), and how we are different from the Baby Boom Generation. It's been eye-opening and empowering to read that I'm not the only person who seems to skip around from career to career, hoping to find something that I love, that gives me and my family the work/life balance that I (we) seek. Basically, I just want to find something to do that is meaningful, is flexible, is valued, and allows me to enjoy life.

So, I've been doing lots of brainstorming, in terms of what I want our life to be like, and came up with a brilliant plan! Here is some background:

My parents have talked for years about never being able to retire (Hi, Mom!). I know they have saved, but, like many people who were parents with young children in the 70s and 80s, probably haven't saved enough.

As I've discussed, we have bone-crushing student loans that most likely will prohibit us from ever owning any property.

SO, back to my brilliant plan. My parents should sell their house, and we should all find a lovely place to live together. I'm thinking somewhere in Oregon (hi, Femputer!). I want a well-planned city with a great climate where I can bike/walk to work year-round. My parents put down the down payment, Tony and I pay most of the mortgage payments, and we all live together.

It's kind of crazy. I know we will all get on each other's nerves, but it's kind of a win/win for us all. They will live very close to their grandson (which I know they will love, and I will totally love), they'll be close to us for when they are in greater need of assistance, we'll be able to live in a nicer home and a nicer climate, and be able to afford things we'd like, like private school for Hal, and maybe even Cable TV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What dreams do you have for your future?

P.S. Patrick and Krista, you should come, too!!!!!!

7 comments:

femputer said...

I love this concept of designing one's life, especially this: "Basically, I just want to find something to do that is meaningful, is flexible, is valued, and allows me to enjoy life." This is a huge priority for me, too. :)

I think your housing idea is brilliant. I do wonder why so few extended families live together in the US. Part of my family is Chinese and for them, living with the paternal family is the norm. And it really makes so much sense!

The only difficulty would be that most US homes are designed for nuclear families. It would be perfect if you could find a house with distinct areas so everyone would have their own bit of space and privacy.

Mrs.Kwitty said...

That IS a brilliant plan Lauren!

Funny, but I was tossing something similar around in my head the other day--after watching a TV program about some families in other countries, how they all live together and it's just assumed that the parents will continue to live with the children as they age. I know it was like that back in the day too, and somehow we have all gotten away from that, and its a shame really.

I wish you well with your plans and hope you do find that career and lifestyle that brings you all you hope for.

Smiles, Karen

Tizzalicious said...

I like your plans :)

My biggest dream is to get my shop to do so well that I can get out of disability, and abroad to be with my boyfriend full time :)

Lauren said...

In my singing travels, I've run across extended families living together, and my host family in Uruguay had grandparents living with them, as well.

I'll keep thinking through it, but I'm pretty excited about the idea. I've got to have a serious "talk" with my parents to see if it could really happen.

Mumsy said...

I know a lot of people who have done that--buy a house for everyone to live in. I know that's how it's done in a lot of other cultures.

My dream for the future is to have a washer and dryer. (Okay, I'll stop crying about it...)

Lauren said...

I know! I look it it this way, Lindsey: at least in my building I can do three loads of laundry at once! : )

Anonymous said...

You bring up a good point. Chef Hubby and I were just discussing how we are going to take care of his parents (my are gone) when it comes to the piont that they can no longer do it on their own. I think you'll need a big house and maybe not Oregon if you want to bike/ walk year round. It's quite rainy and chilly there.
My Plans:
TO RULE THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!
Okay, maybe not. I'm vying for the famous author where I'll make millions or become a pulitzer prize winning food journalist. What? It could happen.