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## Bring Your New Puppy Home—Without the Chaos I guess when introducing a puppy to a multi-pet household it can be quite exciting, emotional and sometimes a bit of a chaotic scenario. Not only do you have to take care of the new little furry addition to your family, but you also have to consider the resident dogs and cats in your home. **PawBridge** helps create a plan to calm down the introduction of the new puppy in your home. With the help of **PawBridge** you create a nice structured introduction to all pets in your home. Our SaaS platform helps you manage your first days with your puppy in the best way possible, helping you to create a smooth transition into your home for your new family member. No more Guesswork on Introductions. No more struggles on Managing various Pets in your Home. This is how you manage the resource guarding, jealous behavior, litter box stress, and bedtime separation with confidence. ### Personalized Plans for Real Homes Every home has a different set up. Therefore, PawBridge will set up a customized schedule for your pets. With these custom made plans you can follow step by step your pets’ progress. The plan will also include behavior checklists and daily tips to help monitor your pets’ behavior and keep them on the right path. ### Keep Everyone on the Same Page Share your plan with others who are involved with your pets such as family members, pet sitters, trainers and veterinarians. Assign tasks and log the interactions of your pets including their meals and walks, as well as take notes on their behavior. ### Reduce Stress. Build Trust. Create Harmony. A smooth transition of your animals into each other’s company is the foundation of long-lasting, harmonious relationships. Introducing your new puppy to your resident dogs and / or cats with the help of PawBridge’s thought-through Introduction Plan is the perfect start for your pack. Your home is already full of love. Let’s make room for one more—peacefully. **Start your personalized puppy introduction plan today.**

**The Digital Hearth: Why Remote Work is the Catalyst for a Better Office Culture** The COVID-19 pandemic was supposed to be a temporary crisis for remote work, but it has turned into a permanent revolution. Because of it, many companies and their employees are struggling to create and maintain the key elements of traditional office culture in a purely digital workplace. These elements are often lost in the virtual space and do not support the same kind of collaboration as in-person interactions. A number of negative aspects to traditional office cultures have been entrenched in companies for decades. Many companies attempt to build a strong culture. Unfortunately, most focus on a culture based on presenteeism (i.e. that being visible at work equals being most productive). Such cultures place a premium on long hours of commuting to and from work each day, constant availability to colleagues and managers, and forced participation in often inauthentic “team building” activities. Such a culture can make employees feel that they are under constant scrutiny and thus breed stress and reduce morale. However, cultures of trust and autonomy are very powerful in boosting both the morale and the productivity of employees. Employees are allowed to work in the manner that is most productive for them and are judged on the quality of their work as opposed to the hours that they spend at their desks. By opening up their offices to the best global talent, companies can experience a much richer and more diverse corporate culture. Every employee will have an equal opportunity to contribute to the success of a company and this, in turn, will drive much greater levels of innovation and growth. There is little value in a corporate culture that revolves around the likes of a company beer night or other events that look to bring employees together for reasons that are not relevant to their work. Instead, companies must look to create environments that encourage the very best employees from all over the world to join their ranks and contribute to the growth and success of the organization. And the only way to do this is by adopting a more remote and hybrid style of work, which will provide a more democratic and fair way of working for employees around the world. A common argument against remote work is that when employees are not in the same location as their colleagues, there is less face-time between employees and, therefore, less opportunity for interaction and collaboration. This, however, is a false argument. There are certainly times when all employees are not located in the same place, but there are also times when some employees are in the office while others are remote. So, instead of a series of cubicles in a sterile office, remote work leads to the best of both worlds: a productive workforce and the occasional face-time with colleagues in the office for intense brainstorming, team building, and to celebrate employee success. The future of the office is not a physical space of work, but rather a virtual community of people who work towards a common goal. The culture of the future of work will be a healthy, productive and inclusive one of all employees.

# Home Espresso Bar on a Budget With HomeBarista you can have a home espresso bar that serves up the same variety of cafe-quality espresso beverages at a tiny fraction of the price that you would pay in cafes. ## Start with the Essential Equipment **Espresso Machine ($80-200)** Don’t spend thousands on an espresso machine. There are great entry-level models available for between $80-$200 that will perform well for a beginner. In fact, there are even stovetop Moka pots that you can use to make espresso like-style shots of coffee. These devices are typically priced around $20-$30 and are a great option for those on an extremely tight budget. **Grinder ($50-100)** If you are purchasing a grinder to go with your new espresso machine, do not feel like you have to spend thousands of dollars. As with many pieces of equipment, the quality of the burrs is the most important aspect, and in this regard the Baratza Encore grinders have some of the highest quality burrs on the market for a price that is a fraction of what most high-end grinders use. For this reason the Baratza Encore is an excellent choice for beginners to start making espresso at home. **Milk Frother ($15-30)** Also there are handheld frother/milk splitters which are also good at frothing milk for lattes and cappuccinos, these are usually very reliable for frothing milk to the correct consistency, and can cost as little as $15 for a very good basic frother, also some espresso machines have integrated steam wands which can also be used for frothing and heating milk for latte style drinks. ## Build Your Accessories Collection Gradually - **Tamper ($10-15):** Essential for proper extraction - **Scale ($15-20):** Helps dial in consistent measurements - **Shot glasses:** Use small glasses to measure your espresso shots. Any glass will do. - **Milk pitcher ($10):** A milk pitcher, whether stainless steel or clear plastic, is used to both steam and pour milk as latte art ## Source Quality Beans Affordably - Buy whole beans in bulk from local roasters (Often times they are cheaper per pound than what you find in grocery stores in bags). - Look for "seconds" or day-old deals at bakeries and some coffee roasters. They will sometimes sell off these coffee beans at a discounted price to make room for newly arrived green coffee beans. - Join a coffee subscription only after finding beans you genuinely love - Store the coffee beans in an airtight container (e.g. a tall cylindrical container) in a dark location (e.g. a cupboard). ## Money-Saving Tips 1. **Buy used equipment** – Look for used coffee makers on Facebook Marketplace, eBay and at estate sales for a fraction of what a brand new machine would cost. 2. **Watch for holiday sales** – Watch for sales around Black Friday and then again post-Christmas in the retailers after holiday sales. 3. **Start off with minimal items** – Allow yourself 3-4 months to get used to your new coffee maker before spending money on cool add-ons such as a latte art pitcher or a bottomless portafilter. 4. **Practice making latte art on coffee that you can afford to throw away, and then serve your favorite coffee to your friends and family.** ## Sample Budget Breakdown | Item | Cost | |------|------| | Entry-level espresso machine | $150 | | Burr grinder | $70 | | Handheld frother | $15 | | Tamper | $12 | | Scale | $18 | | **Total** | **~$265** | ## Final Thoughts Your grinder and your technique with the current equipment you have is far more important than buying a different machine for a lot of money. Home baristas have perfected the use of very inexpensive and modest equipment to make some of the finest shots of espresso you will have ever tasted. By focusing on the grind size, shot weight, and total extraction time, you will, by consistently practicing your technique, be able to find the best tool to continue to make these types of shots.

# 10 Ways to Manage a Tight Budget for the Month I don’t like to make a budget because I have very little money but making a budget helps so much more than eating only ramen night after night. Here are 10 tips to help you stay within your tight budget. **1. Track every single dollar (yes, really)** Tracking your money can help you cut back on waste when you see it with your own eyes. This can be particularly powerful for people who unknowingly spend lots of money on things like coffee throughout the month. Using a tool like Mint or creating a simple spreadsheet to track your spending can help you see the areas in which you can cut back and save. **2. Give every dollar a job** Assign every single dollar to jobs. The money you have to spend during the month can be categorized for use in various areas like for rent, for food, for savings and more. When all of the money is utilized this way, this is called a zero-based budget. **3. Cut the "invisible" subscriptions** There are some subscriptions that are worth to spend money every month, and there are also the ones that aren’t. So the best thing you can do is go through your bank account and make a list of all the subscriptions that you are paying for. After that you just have to go through the list and decide which ones you are actually using. Most of the people stop using their streaming services after three months, so it’s probably a good idea to cancel them after that time. **4. Plan meals for your wallet** Buying foods on sale can save you a lot of money. Planning your meals based off of the items on sale for the week is a great way to save money on your groceries. Also, buying in bulk is a great way to save money. However, you must make sure you have enough room in your pantry to store all of the items you purchase in bulk until they go bad. **5. Use the cash envelope method** Divide your money into physical envelopes. This is especially powerful for people who have a hard time tracking money for certain categories of spending. Think of categories like dining out, gas, or other things where you feel like you spend way too much money. Set up a cash envelope for yourself with the amount of money you can afford to spend for the month in that category. Put the cash in the envelope and then only spend the money that’s in the envelope. When the money is gone, you’re done for the month. **6. Negotiate your bills** Negotiate the best rate for your bills: Whether it is your cable, your Internet, your phone, your car insurance, your health insurance, etc. call and threaten to leave and see if they can offer you a better rate. It doesn’t matter whether they say yes or no because you were in the exact same position before you made the call. **7. Build a tiny emergency fund first** Building an emergency fund is easier than you think, even if you only have $500 to start. Try building up your tiny emergency fund to avert disasters from becoming financial catastrophes. **8. Automate your savings** Set up your savings to automatically transfer on the day you get paid. By moving the money to your savings account as soon as it hits your checking account you will take it before you can spend it. **9. Find one "budget buddy" habit swap** Find one “budget buddy” habit swap to support your new budget. For example, stop buying coffee every morning and start making your own instead. Pack your lunch instead of buying it every day for work. **10. Review and adjust weekly, not just monthly** Life is unpredictable. We must check on our budget a few times throughout the week to figure out if any extra money is going to turn into an over-spend by the end of the month. --- **The bottom line?** A tight budget doesn’t have to mean a poor existence. The bottom line is to become more intentional with the money you have and your existence on this earth. Work on becoming more intentional by starting with one or two of the items listed above, building a new habit and then layering more as you become more intentional. Progress over perfection. You've got this. 💪

# Stainless-Steel Insulated Water Bottle This stainless steel insulated water bottle is designed to keep you hydrated for hours on end. This water bottle is made from high quality 18/8 food safe stainless steel that is not only durable, but also stylish enough to bring to the gym, to and from work, on long hikes or just to throw in your bag for daily use on the go. The double-walled vacuum insulated interior keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot for 12 hours. A durable powder coat on the exterior is non-scratches and non-slip for easy use and keeps the product looking new. The stainless steel insulated water bottle does not have condensation on the outside, unlike some of the plastic insulated water bottles. This makes it perfect for travel and to take to work by carrying it in a bag. Leak-proof lid: Leak-proof and easy to use while on the move. This insulated bottle has a leak-proof lid which has been designed to travel with you. Whether you are walking, driving or in the gym the leak-proof lid is perfect for taking your bottle with you. Large opening: Large opening for easy filling of ice, cut up fresh fruit or your favorite sports drink. The bottle has a large opening that is ideal for adding ice or for filling with a sports drink such as Gatorade or powerade. Compact and ergonomic design: The bottle is designed to be compact and ergonomic making it easy to hold and placing in cup holders in cars and also in the pockets of most backpacks. This eco friendly stainless steel water bottle is designed for life on the go! It is rust resistant, BPA free and is ideal for the athletes, students, health conscious professionals as well as well as the outdoor enthusiasts. Save money in the long run by not having to continuously purchase bottled water. Reuse your bottle over and over again. This item is available in many different colors to suit your style, and a range of sizes to suit your needs.

[Your Name] [Your Phone Number] | [Your Email Address] | View [Your LinkedIn Portfolio] [Date] [Hiring Manager Name or Search Committee] [City Government Department] [City Hall Address] **RE: Application for Policy Analyst (Job ID #12345)** Hiring Manager, I am writing to apply for the Policy Analyst (Job ID #12345) position currently available in the Office of Policy and Management at City Hall. As a dedicated public servant and policy researcher I have been following the various efforts being undertaken by the municipal government to address growth in the city. Most notable is the ongoing effort to address affordable housing by rehabilitating and redeveloping various city owned properties in a sustainable manner, which is consistent with my focus on policy in the context of municipal government, affordable housing, and sustainable transit. I bring a strong background in analyzing both legislative frameworks and developing effective municipal strategies utilizing data to ensure effective implementation. I am seeking a position in which I can utilize my MPP and four years of policy research experience to serve the public good in a Policy Analyst role. In my current role as a Policy Associate for a think tank/non-profit that focuses on urban planning and development, I conduct quantitative and qualitative research to evaluate urban development initiatives and assist in their implementation. I currently am leading an impact analysis for a project that looks at the effects of a proposed zoning modernization for a section of the city. As part of this work, I compiled and analyzed a variety of data, including information regarding census tracts, economic development forecasts, and surveys of stakeholders. The results of my analysis have been translated into a clear and concise policy brief. My policy brief was used to assist in the securing of unanimous approval by the city council of a $X million pilot program. I strive to create clear and visually effective memos that allow city leaders to make the very best informed decisions possible in order to meet the goals of the department and the broader municipality. Experience in policy development often takes place in a vacuum, separate from other city functions, and also includes interaction with organizations and groups outside of government. As a policy professional, I can ensure that proposed policy initiatives will comply with all applicable laws as I work with a variety of organizations and function with a number of different departments and individuals. In addition to facilitating working groups of city staff from departments involved in particular policy initiatives, I hold public town hall meetings to gather input from stakeholders, including community organizations, business, and the general public. The information gathered from these individuals is then used to form policy recommendations. I am very familiar with the local government structures as well as the current state and federal legislative trends affecting municipal government policy and operations. I am currently available for new opportunities and would like to speak with a City that is going through significant growth and is addressing the social equity challenges that growth can bring. Given my experience as a Policy Researcher and as a Policy Associate at a large consulting firm, I would bring a high level of technical skill to support the Department of Municipal Policy as well as data visualization skills and very strong stakeholder management skills. I would be a very valuable asset to the Department’s Municipal Policy efforts and look forward to discussing my application and how I can support the City’s strategic goals for Municipal Policy through my urban policy experience and skill set. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, [Your Name]

To make your own coffee at home like you would get in a café does not have to be expensive. Set up your own home espresso bar and make your favorite coffee drinks in your own home café. Determine what your priorities are and stick to your budget. A good starting point for building a home espresso bar is to purchase a new espresso machine for the price of $300-$800 (refurbished machines also available). Consider whether you are going to be drinking mostly milk-based drinks, or if you prefer straight espresso. Also, whether you are going to be purchasing new or used, and if you are in the market for a manual or semi-automatic machine. If there is one purchase you should splurge on for your home espresso bar, it is your grinder. Ideally, your grinder should have the ability to produce a fine enough grind for espresso and be able to repeat that grind time after time. There are many grinders available that can do this, including manual, semi- and fully automatic models. I would recommend starting with an entry-level espresso grinder and spending your money here as opposed to elsewhere. This is because even a poor quality espresso grinder will significantly outperform a blade grinder or even pre-ground coffee for that matter. Even a low-end espresso grinder will do a fine job for milk-based espresso drinks, and will be likely the best purchase for your home espresso bar even if it costs more than your machine. Next, there’s the espresso machine. You can find a multitude of models at affordable prices. These models can vary between manual, semi-automatic and stovetop moka pots. A manual lever espresso machine is perfectly able to make great shots of espresso, if you are willing to practice making them. A semi-automatic espresso machine is perfect for a beginner, as it does half the work for you. Also look at refurbished or secondhand espresso machines. Many people return items after only a short time, or they get tired of using them and want to sell them. By doing some research, you can find many used models for a fraction of the original price. Make sure to check if there are any replacement parts available, if there are any leaks, if the pump and/or boiler are in good working order, etc. Other pieces of equipment to start service with include a tamper, a scale, a milk pitcher, and a knock box. The tamper will be used to ensure that your ground coffee is properly compacted in the portafilter. The scale will be used to measure the correct amount of coffee for your shot of espresso, as well as to measure the correct amount of milk and water for your milk based coffee drinks. The milk pitcher will be used to froth and steam milk, and the knock box will hold your used coffee grounds until you are able to throw them away. It is unnecessary to spend money on distribution tools, automated tampers, and tamping mats. These tools are meant to make tamping easier for you, but with a little practice, you can learn to properly tamp your coffee, and get great shots of espresso with just a basic tamper. Of course, using the freshest coffee beans will also greatly improve the flavor of your espresso. We recommend searching out local roasters who can supply you with beans that have been roasted in the last few weeks. Also, store your coffee beans in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. In terms of roasting level, for a budget espresso setup, we recommend starting with a medium to medium-dark roasted bean. These are generally the easiest to get dialed in as they are less prone to being under extracted than very light roasts and have more body and depth than very dark roasts. Finally, set up your Home Espresso Bar in the most functional space in your home. Ideally this will be close to an outlet as well as your sink. Set up a tray, shelf or cart in a corner of your kitchen that can hold your Home Espresso Bar equipment and supplies. This should include space for your espresso machine, burr grinder, containers for storing your coffee beans, your scale, demitasses and other supplies to prepare and clean up after milk-based espresso drinks. Microfiber cloths will come in handy for quickly wiping down the steam wand on your machine as well as the countertops after use. But to get that all going with budget espresso equipment you need to remember that there is an initial learning curve when getting to set up a home espresso bar. But after that you will pull perfectly made shots of espresso all the time. Make sure you get the best equipment for your budget and grab yourself some of the freshest coffee beans and you will be set. Also make sure you clean the machine and descale it every now and then to keep it running properly.

Don’t believe that creating a home cafe with an espresso bar will have to cost an arm and a leg! It is quite possible to design and create a beautiful little coffee bar in your home for the sum of $500 or less. ### 1. The Core: Machine & Grinder Prioritize your budget on the grinder. The machine is a necessary investment, but the grinder is where most people are willing to cut costs with subpar blade grinders or very cheap burr grinders. Don’t be that person. Look for a good. * **The Grinder:** The grind of your coffee is far more important to the taste of your coffee than the machine you use to force the water through it. In order to get the best grind for the money, avoid the cheap blade grinders and look for a good burr grinder. For under $200 there are some excellent electric grinders, such as the Baratza Encore ESP or the Fellow Opus. There are also some excellent manual hand grinders on the market, including the Kingrinder K6, which comes in at under $100. * **The Machine:** A 15-bar pump espresso machine can cost anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars. However, there are a large number of under $500 machines on the market, many of which have received good reviews. A simple and cost-effective option is the De'Longhi Espresso Espresso/Cappuccino Maker, EC155 or Stilosa ($125). This well-regarded machine includes a decent steam wand that is effective at creating lattes and cappuccinos. The Stilosa is a more compact design that can fit on the back of a counter. Another great option is the Breville Bambino ($250). While the price of this machine can fluctuate and is often on sale for less, it is far superior to other entry-level models on the market in terms of design and the performance of the steam and pump. ### 2. Essential Accessories (Under $50) There are just a few very affordable add-ons to help your home-based espresso bars improve the quality of their shots. * **A Digital Scale:** Coffee made with espresso is very precise, and a good scale is one of the few pieces of gear needed for espresso that can be found for very little money. Any simple digital scale (for about $15) with 0.1 gram accuracy will work for weighing coffee for espresso. The scale can be used to weigh the grounds as well as the liquid shot of espresso itself. * **A Non-Pressurized Basket:** A Non-Pressurized portafilter is essentially a single-wall portafilter. It does not have a pressurized chamber like a pressurized portafilter, and it is typically less expensive (around $10). Using a Non-Pressurized basket to pull your espresso allows you to achieve true, rich espresso while using your pre-bought pre-ground coffee, and your pre-bought coffee grinder. The Non-Pressurized basket is used with all group style espresso machines, and is loaded much like a normal basket, with grounds filled to the top in a smooth, rounded fashion. * **A Spring-Loaded Tamper:** Even the lowest cost espresso machines need to have the coffee tamped. This makes sure that the coffee doesn’t have any channels in it that can affect the taste of your espresso. The lowest cost type of tamper is a spring-loaded tamper, and you can find spring-loaded tampers made of stainless steel for as low as $6.50 for a high quality unit. ### 3. Styling Your Station By choosing some of the right items you can turn your espresso machines and espresso grinders into a stylish coffee bar made to serve up coffee from home to rival your favorite local coffee shop. * **The Space:** Clear a small section of your kitchen counter or repurpose an inexpensive utility cart (like the IKEA RÅSKOG). * **Organization:** Utilize all of the available space of your new Espresso Bar with items such as a ceramic mug to hold a spare portafilter or small wooden tray on which to place your steam wand cleaning solution. Place your tools in a nearby drawer or repurpose another small area of your kitchen to hold your cleaning supplies. Glass jars with wide mouths are excellent coffee bean storage containers because they allow you to easily view the color of your current coffee bean supply and keep it fresh for a long time. * **The Vibe:** Add a small potted plant, a menu chalkboard, and hang your favorite mugs on wall hooks to complete the coffeehouse aesthetic. It’s a total game changer when you spend your money wisely on a burr grinder and a entry-level espresso machine! Affordable espresso at home is a reality!

**Harmony at First Sniff: Introduce Your New Puppy Without the Chaos** **Subheadline:** New puppy! The arrival of a new puppy in a home with other pets can be fraught with problems of growling and a few noses being scraped along the way but with PackHarmonizer you can bring harmony to your multi-pet household in days by following a simple step by step guide. *** **Body Copy:** Bringing a new puppy home to your family can be a very happy time for all your pets. But for many families, the first weeks with a new young puppy can also be a very stressful and anxious time, especially for older pets. Many natural defences can surface as a puppy plays with older pets, causing them to growl at the young interloper, or even be badly scratched on the nose by a pet that feels threatened or frightened. Never guessing how to introduce the new puppy to your other pets can lead to problems with first encounters with your new puppy. **Introducing your new Puppy to your Pack with PackHarmonizer – The First Smart SaaS Platform For Introducing Puppies To Existing Pets.** The first step into your home for your new puppy should be through the front door, not through a growl or scratched nose. The new puppy’s first weeks in a multi-pet household can be a really tense period. However, with the right tools and step-by-step guidance, you can turn your pack into a harmonious one in no time. That’s why we created **PackHarmonizer** - a platform designed by certified veterinary behaviorists to support you through the integration process. With **PackHarmonizer**, you can introduce your new puppy to your existing pets without the anxiety of growling, tail swishing, hair standing on end or the worst scenario of all - a scratched nose. **How PackHarmonizer Welcomes Your New Pup:** * **Customized Integration Roadmaps:** A customized day-by-day socialization plan for your new puppy based on breed, age and temperament of the other pets in your pack. * **Real-Time Behavior Translator:** The behavior-detecting AI of the PackHarmonizer’s video analysis instantly recognizes the behavior displayed in your video clips of interactions between pets. Whether your Pug is playing with your Chihuahua or your older dog or cat displays signs of aggression in the video, you will know immediately and be able to guide your puppy’s socialization for a calm, happy household. * **Daily Micro-Training Missions:** The animals in your pack can complete a series of 5 minute long training missions on a daily basis. These will enable the animals in your pack to develop mutual trust between them, to prevent them from becoming aggressive towards each other over resources (such as food, toys, attention from their owners, etc.), and to develop boundaries for each animal in the pack. * **On-Demand Expert Support:** Our team of certified animal behaviorists are available to answer any questions you have regarding the socialization of your new puppy to the rest of your pack. Don’t let those crucial first weeks become a source of household anxiety. Protect your pets’ peace of mind and give your new puppy the safest and warmest welcome possible. *** **Call to Action:** **[Start Your Free 7-Day Trial]** *Create your custom pack profile in under 2 minutes. No credit card required.*

**Thrifting Goes Mainstream: The Spectacular Rise of the Second-Hand Fashion Economy** **THRIFTING — ONCE A SUBCULTURE, NOW MAINSTREAM — CONTINUES TO RISE TO THE CHALLENGES OF THE FASHION INDUSTRY AND THE GLOBAL ECONOMY IN NEW YORK** The global second-hand apparel market is projected to reach $350 billion by 2027. Growth in the second-hand apparel market is expected to be three times faster than growth in the global apparel market as a whole. More importantly, the second-hand clothing market is growing at a rate three times faster than the global apparel market as a whole. For 20- and 30-somethings, buying second-hand is allowing them to build a wardrobe of high quality, individual items that do not have to cost the earth financially or otherwise. “I like to buy second-hand because it allows me to have a unique wardrobe that doesn’t cost the earth—literally or financially,” said 22-year-old fashion student Maya Lin. The growth of the second-hand apparel market is largely being driven by new technologies. A wave of new ‘peer-to-peer’ online market places have been launched in recent years, which allow users to buy and sell new and used goods to other users. Sites such as Depop, Vinted and Poshmark have grown in popularity, particularly with younger generations, as they allow users to clear out space in their wardrobes and make some money from items they no longer want. For some, the sites have become a way to make money on the side. In addition to these platforms, there are also a number of online market places that specialize in used clothing. But established retailers are beginning to feel the strain and it seems they are slowly starting to join the party. H&M launched a pre-loved fashion pilot earlier this year in NYC and other international cities, and this week Gucci launched a collection of pre-loved items. Whether or not it will induce the same sort of revolution that reselling second-hand clothes online has done is yet to be seen but it’s definitely a positive step. Second-hand shopping is also better for the environment. As fashion is now moving into its third era – that of sustainable products made to last – the industry is grappling to come to terms with how it’s been producing items for so long and the huge amount of waste it’s been generating. But extending the use of clothes by just nine months can have a significant impact on emissions – for an item of clothing reduced by 20 to 30% for carbon, water and waste by extending its use by this length of time. The fashion industry currently generates around 10% of the world’s total carbon emissions; and it also produces a huge amount of waste in the form of old clothes that are no longer of use to their owners. The second-hand market is not without its problems. In particular, the environmental impact of shipping items around the world is causing a lot of concern. In addition, some sites are charging very high prices for used clothing. On the other hand, there is an increasing problem of low quality fast fashion ending up in thrift stores, with many of these items proving to be difficult to resell. All in all, second-hand fashion has reached a tipping point and what was previously perceived to be an economical and environmentally-friendly way to shop for clothes has gone mainstream. It has developed into a full-blown trend that is currently undergoing a cultural shift. It’s no longer just cheap to shop second-hand, it’s also environmentally-friendly – and we look good while doing it.

Housing affordability in urban areas is a subject that has gained the attention of many urbanists, policymakers, and housing economists. As urban areas around the world experience rapid growth in employment opportunities, the cost and quality of decent and affordable housing have increased dramatically. Urban housing affordability is measured as the relationship between potential householders’ income and the costs of housing (whether rental or owned) expressed as a percentage of their gross income which can be used to pay rent and/or mortgage repayments and other service charges. The concept of affordability has recently been extended by an increasing number of studies, in addition to cost, also to include location, quality, accessibility and security of tenure and social inclusion, and how these determine the affordability of urban housing. In order to understand these changes and how affordability is produced, a number of key structural factors are identified. A primary factor contributing to the decline in affordability of housing in urban areas across a large number of countries is a supply–demand imbalance that exists in many cities. Restrictions on the use of land for housing and lengthy approval processes for new construction combined with limited availability of land for development means that many cities are failing to build sufficient housing to meet demand. The urban real estate market has in recent years become a location for the flow of global capital and as a result there are now a large number of property investors, as well as a culture of short-term rental, which is placing further pressure on affordable housing in many markets. There is a considerable body of evidence about the increase in the affordability gap between rising housing costs and stagnating wages of low- and middle-income households. Various groups of households are in greater danger of being affected by lack of affordable housing than others. Not only low-income households but also middle-income households are under pressure, often because they are tenants rather than homeowners. Affordability issues particularly affect younger people, new migrants and low-wage workers in essential services, as they have limited opportunities to access homeownership. The evidence on the relationship between spatial inequality of housing costs and lack of affordability of housing in close proximity to employment centers, public transport nodes, schools and health care services is mounting. As households save on their direct costs of housing they face increased costs of commuting and are excluded from a variety of opportunities that cities offer to their residents. A number of strategies have been discussed to deal with affordability. Supply side measures, such as zoning, density, and the approval process, are often contrasted to demand side measures, including housing vouchers or rent subsidies, and measures to regulate rent, such as rent control or inclusionary zoning. Other strategies include public housing, community land trusts, and even taxation of vacant and/or speculative housing. While many current affordability strategies are based on a single measure, a more effective way to deal with current affordability challenges in urban areas is a combination of supply side and demand side measures. Moreover, a combination of measures dealing with the production of the market and measures dealing with social equity. The rest of this paper will critically review the current literature on urban housing affordability. First, a critical assessment of the definitions and of the indicators to measure urban housing affordability will be presented. Then the main causes of the problem of urban housing affordability will be explained for. The consequences of the problem for households with different incomes as well as for other groups in society will be described as well. Finally, an assessment of the current supply- and demand-side measures as well as of combinations of measures to deal with the problem of urban housing affordability will be presented. The ways in which the problem of urban housing affordability is produced in urban economies and in their political space will be summed up.

# Urban Housing Affordability: A Literature Review Affordable housing in urban areas has become a major problem and a number of countries are dealing with it. There are many definitions of the problem but at its heart it is about the cost of housing in relation to the income of households. Economists, urban planners, politicians and researchers from a variety of social science disciplines have all looked at the problem and written about it. Most of the research is about particular countries but there are a number of studies that look at a number of countries. The issues that affect different countries are often similar and the root causes of the problems can be identified as a lack of supply of housing, pressures on housing from demand, and inequality in housing markets. Affordability of housing has, since time immemorial, been viewed from the angle of the so-called ‘30% rule’, that is, housing costs should not exceed 30% of the income of households. In the years that followed this simple ratio-based rule was consistently refined in various studies. Today’s views on the affordability of housing as a multidimensional concept for evaluating housing needs are based on a wealth of research. A key variable here is the so-called ‘residual income’ after deduction of the costs of housing from the total income of a household. Geographically different costs of living, and, last but not least, differences in the quality and location of the available stock of housing, are all variables that are used by researchers today. In addition, in an increasing number of studies, the authors describe the ‘trade-offs’ between, on the one hand, the costs of and requirements for housing, and, on the other, the costs and requirements for a number of other basic needs, for example, for transport, health care and education. Instead of looking at the theories about the reasons for unaffordability of housing in urban environments, it can be more productive to discuss the various approaches, in general, that can be used. Approaches range from a purely supply oriented view (e.g. costs of construction, restrictions on supply in planning regulations, limited availability of land) as used by for example Glaeser & Gyourko (2018), to a more financialized and politicized approach which includes the views of theorists, as well as of political economists, of the financialization of housing, of the increased role of capital in the ownership of housing, and of the effects of speculation, in which housing is increasingly treated as just another commodity (for example Rolnik, 2013; Aalbers, 2016). Drawing from the range of perspectives presented within the body of literature under review here, in a synthesis of theoretical interpretation and empirical evidence, of research methodology and findings presented, Urban Housing Affordability: A Literature Review, seeks within the body of the review itself, to provide outline of current knowledge, of housing market research, on the nature of the urban housing unaffordability challenge that is being encountered, to highlight key gaps in current knowledge and to identify within the scope of the challenge as it is being met, scope for future research.

# The Second-Hand Fashion Boom: How Thrifting Became Big Business The second-hand fashion market has exploded in recent years and the industry is becoming a huge business that is having a huge impact on how people buy and consume clothes. Resale apparel is expected to hit $350 billion by 2027, almost tripling in the last five years to reach an unprecedented high point for the second-hand fashion market. As well as thrifting for individual garments in physical stores, second-hand fashion can now be bought online through resale platforms available on the internet. Platforms such as ThredUp, Poshmark, Depop and Vinted offer their customers the chance to browse through second-hand items online. These can be accessed through the platforms’ websites as well as through their apps. Items can be sorted, items can be filtered, users can receive recommendations and users can even receive services such as item authentication. Items can also include information about the seller in the form of ratings and feedback from previous transactions. "Second-hand shopping is no longer just an afterthought of the old way of buying and selling. The way that younger generations are shopping for clothing today is preferred to be second-hand and the main reason is that it's going to last longer and not create as much waste, said Maria Chen, a retail analyst. Chen said the majority of Gen Z and millennials are saying that they want to buy stuff that's going to last and not create waste and second-hand is a really great way to do that. Of course, it is also important to remember that not all second-hand purchases are created equal. While buying and selling existing clothing does extend the life of an item that has already been made, the fashion industry remains one of the world’s largest polluters. Garment production requires massive amounts of water and generates massive amounts of carbon, and there are few signs that the industry is cutting back on either front. For this reason, the greatest environmental benefits of resale are likely to be felt when we buy and sell garments that would otherwise have been discarded long before the end of their natural lifespan. While these digital marketplaces can enable fast fashion to continue to dominate the way that people shop for clothes, larger brands are now beginning to realize the value of the second-hand market, launching their own resale platforms where customers can continue to buy and sell products from the brand even after they have been used for years. Retailers such as Levi’s, Patagonia and even some of the more luxury brands such as Gucci are now launching their own “recommerce” platforms in a bid to continue to engage with customers throughout the entire lifecycle of a product. Additionally, second-hand stores and online resale platforms are becoming increasingly attractive to consumers as prices for new goods and services continue to rise in the face of high inflation and other economic pressures. The used clothing trade also has its challenges. In the global online trade with used clothing a large portion of the products being sold are being fake. A large portion of these fake products are even being made of new materials. A lot of money is being spent to improve the verification of products so that customers can be guaranteed a high quality service. For the resale industry, who are concerned about the presence of counterfeiting within the market, startups have begun to develop technology which will allow for the quicker and more accurate authentication of goods. Although some fear that resale will only fuel fast fashion and increase consumption within the industry, currently there is a lot of investment taking place within the sector with venture capital funding for resale startups hitting a record high last year. It appears that sustainability is going to be the driving force behind the growth of second-hand fashion and that the retail industry is now going to start to see a number of online marketplaces for the resale of new-to-you products open up. Expert predictions are that this new way of shopping for clothes is going to become the norm and that Generation Z shoppers will be at the forefront of the movement to shop second-hand.

The way we approach long-term retirement planning is changing due to climate change. Gone are the days when long-term retirement planning would primarily focus on your savings rate, returns on your investment, inflation and your longevity. Retirement planning today has to take into account the increased health risks to retirees due to higher temperatures, the impacts of extreme weather, the increased cost of your homeowners’ insurance and regional instability. One of the factors that is increasingly important to consider when planning for retirement is where you will live in retirement. The ideal retirement location today can become more expensive, less safe or even flip in value and become a money loser as the climate changes. It is also important to consider the costs of living in retirement, access to health care and the proximity to children in your retirement planning. Considering the impacts of climate change in these regards can help to identify and mitigate some of the negative impacts. In addition to expected return, retirees and near retirees must consider the risk of climate change when selecting investments to hold in their retirement accounts. While there are many fossil fuel companies that are ‘fossil fuel reservists’ or ‘stranded assets’ and therefore carry risk, there are also many risks associated with companies’ supply chains and the impact of climate change policies on all companies. But there are also huge opportunities for return associated with a range of renewable energy solutions as well as assets which are focused on climate change adaptation and the growth of new sustainable technologies for construction and industry. This person’s comments highlighted how climate change may affect healthcare costs as heat-related illnesses, increased air pollution, exposure to natural disasters and changes in diseases that affect older people could all require extra funding, and the importance of having money set aside for emergencies, such as alternative power sources, as well as a good health insurance policy. Planning for retirement in the face of uncertainty can be a very challenging task. However, by being informed of the uncertainty that climate change brings to all geographic locations and by being flexible, planning a strong and diversified retirement portfolio, and building a plan for retirement that can weather financial and environmental surprises, retirees and future retirees can build a plan for retirement that can address many of the challenges posed by climate change.

# The Future of Work Is Remote: Why Office Culture Must Evolve As we come out of the COVID-19 pandemic, one thing is clear: the traditional office culture as we have known it for decades is a thing of the past. No more rigid schedules, no more requiring employees to physically be in the office at certain times of the day. By clinging to these outdated management philosophies that are rooted in a desire to control employees, companies are in danger of losing the very traditions that make them unique. First, work done remotely is more productive according to studies. A study conducted by a Stanford University economist, Nicholas Bloom, found that employees who worked from home were 13% more productive in office time when they worked independently. This is because there are two main reasons why employees are more productive when they work from home: 1) the time that would have been spent commuting is saved; and b) employees are less likely to be distracted by co-workers when they work from home. As a result, many employees report higher job satisfaction as well as better work-life balance when they work from home. A study from the Remote Work Database found that in 2023, employees who worked from home part-time had a 33% lower turnover rate for reasons other than wages. Furthermore, employees who worked from home part-time reported the same work quality as employees who worked from home 100% of the time. Therefore, as long as an employee is able to complete his or her work and meet expectations, it does not matter whether or not that employee is physically present in the office. Many people with families have children at home during traditional business hours. Many people with disabilities are able to work remotely and avoid the physical and sensory barriers to work that are present in most traditional offices. If we force a return to mandatory attendance in the office for long hours each day, we risk taking a step backwards for many marginalized groups and reverting to a model of work that favors people who do not have caregiving responsibilities, who do not have disabilities, and who do not have long commutes to work. Furthermore, by allowing employees to work from home, a company can save a lot of money in two ways. First, by not having to commute to and from work each day, employees can save money that would have been spent on things like gasoline, public transportation, lunches on the go, and even work-out clothes. Second, by not having to maintain as much office space, a company can save money that would have been spent on rent or a mortgage and on utilities and maintenance for that space. By allowing employees to work from home, remote work could transfer a great deal of wealth from urban centers with corporate campuses to local economies and allow workers to spend their commutes and the money they saved from not having to buy business attire and other work related expenses at local restaurants and other local businesses and shopping centers instead. Most chance innovation occurs when employees happen to be working together in an office, but that does not mean to have to keep forcing all employees to spend time and money commuting to an office every day in order to work for a company. Such occasions can be reserved for when they are really needed, and employees can otherwise work independently for the rest of the time. There are companies such as GitLab and Automattic that have fully distributed workforces, i.e. all employees work remotely for life, and yet they have managed to create cultures in which all employees are able to communicate with each other as and when necessary. These companies have work spaces around the world, but none of them are physical offices that are used on a daily basis by employees. They are merely hubs that can be used from time to time as needed. In place of expensive, restrictive offices, we need to redefine what our offices are for. Our offices should be optional. They should be for the rare occasions when we really need to be face-to-face with each other to get work done. Routine work can be done from anywhere. Intensely focused work can be done from anywhere. That’s how we’re going to get the best work out of our employees. And, let’s be honest, that’s how we’re going to be able to compete for the best employees. Companies can no longer expect to attract top talent if they do not offer flexibility. The rigid office culture of the past was never about being productive. It was about control. It’s time to let that outdated model go.

Stainless-Steel Insulated Water Bottle - The Hydration Bottle for the Active. The Stainless-Steel Insulated Water Bottle by S’well is the perfect hydration bottle for the very active individual. Take your new hydration bottle with you on your daily adventures, to and from work on your daily commute or to the gym with you as your new fitness buddy. Our Stainless-Steel Insulated Water Bottles are the ultimate in drinkware! Made from the highest quality food-grade 18/8 Stainless Steel. Our bottles are 100% BPA-free, and are rust-resistant ensuring they last for years to come. Our Bottles can withstand bumps, scrapes and drops along the way and will keep the temperature of your hot or cold drinks for up to 24 hours. This is all achieved by the Double-Wall Vacuum Insulation that keeps the interior of the bottle at the perfect temperature whilst the exterior stays sweat-free meaning no more water marks or droplets of water slipping from your hand and running all over the place. With everyday life becoming busier than ever, the Stainless-Steel Insulated Water Bottle has been designed with the user in mind. With the bottle being 100% leak proof, meaning your drink will not leak from the bottle whilst in your bag, the airtight lid also helps to keep your drinks fresh for longer. The large mouth hole allows for very large chunks of ice to be added to the bottle and the bottle itself is easy to clean. To top it all off the integrated carry loop means you can take your drink with you wherever you go. Eco-friendly stainless steel insulated water bottles that are as durable as they are stylish. Chose from a wide variety of colors to suit your personality and enjoy your perfect sip of fresh, sustainable water, anywhere you go.

# Bringing Home Puppy? Make the Introduction Stress-Free. There is so much excitement in bringing home a new puppy to add to your pack of pets. So much to look forward to, so many fun adventures with your new furry family member. But for so many pet parents, the actual moment of bringing home a new puppy to an already established home with resident pets can be one of the most nerve wracking and anxious times of their lives. **PupIntro** takes the guesswork out of multi-pet introductions. Our platform for introducing a puppy to resident pets provides step by step instructions on how to best introduce the new puppy to your current pets. We have worked with animal behaviorists to develop a system that guarantees success with you and your pets. We have thousands of users who have introduced new puppies to their resident pets using PupIntro. ## How It Works **1. Tell Us About Your Pack** Describe your current pets and your new puppy. We create a PupIntro based on the species, size, energy level, and personalities of your pets. **2. Follow Your Daily Plan** We’ve laid out a step by step guide for you to follow each day with your new puppy and current pets. Each day of the PupIntro process will have the most relevant information to help your puppy’s introduction to your current pets stress free. You will learn about scent swapping, how to use neutral territory for introductions, and how to set up and supervise interactions between your pets. **3. Track Progress & Adjust** Every interaction your pets have with each other will be logged by the PupIntro system. This allows for the introduction to be altered in real time as needed by your pets. If everything is going well, however, the PupIntro can proceed at a faster pace. Every step of the PupIntro program will be supplemented with video tutorials and information from certified animal behaviorists. This includes information and guidance on what to do should any problems arise during the PupIntro process with your pets. **4. Celebrate the Win** We love to celebrate with you and thousands of other pet parents who have brought their new furry family members home to their current pets with less stress and fewer setbacks than they ever thought possible! ## Why Pet Parents Trust Us - Developed with certified animal behaviorists - Developed with certified animal behaviorists - Personalized plans for dog-to-dog, dog-to-cat, and multi-pet households. - 24/7 access to troubleshooting guides and community support - These procedures were developed by certified animal behaviorists to ensure that you are doing the best for your and your pets' needs. Introducing the new puppy to the other pets in your home can be a challenging time for both the new puppy and the resident pets. Help your new puppy have a great start and give the other pets in your home the patience and preparation they deserve. Introduce your new puppy to your resident pets with a PupIntro. **Start Your Free Trial Today** *No credit card required. Cancel anytime.*

# Climate Change and the Future of Retirement Planning Climate change is transforming the world of retirement planning. New factors must be taken into account by financial models of retirement, and the number of factors that need to be taken into account has increased exponentially in recent years. Physical and economic climate change variables that were previously unforeseen now have to be taken into account when making decisions about retirement planning. Financial planners are now also factoring in the location’s risk of climate related disasters and will weigh that risk equally to the state’s cost of living when considering locations such as a future retirement location. For example while Florida has no state income tax the entire coast is subject to various levels of potential flooding, declining property values and increasing frequency of natural disasters. Arizona has areas of flooding and high insurance costs as does California. Some areas of these states are also at risk of wild fire and possible long term decline in property values. However, healthcare costs could also increase as the effects of heat, new diseases and a generally less healthy climate start to affect older people who are already sensitive to environmental stress. Medical costs are increasing in many countries, as populations are living longer and the mix of health problems that affect older people is changing. Investments in portfolios will also need to be reconsidered. As climate change can potentially destroy companies in sectors such as agriculture, real estate, insurance and energy, there are also corresponding opportunities in the sectors of renewable energy and climate adaptation. Thus, investments that apply environmental and social screens or ESG strategies – once the plaything of “do-gooders” and niche investors – are becoming mainstream investment instruments. Higher energy costs to cool, fewer water sources and the failure of older infrastructure during natural disasters all can drive up the real cost of living in retirement. In contrast to previous generations of retirees for whom a certain amount of money was needed to sustain them through their golden years, subsequent generations of retirees will require a greater amount of money to support themselves. So retirement planning is now an inter-disciplinary activity and retirees have to assume the role of risk managers. When developing a financial plan for retirement it is not sufficient to focus on potential returns, on the effect of compound interest and on high growth. Also the returns on other investments such as shares and property can be seriously affected by environmental science. As a result retirees need to take account of this too.

This is a 350-word personal statement for Industrial Design programs. *** My interest in Industrial Design began with a simple product, a vegetable peeler that I played with at my kitchen table as a child. The peeler was an ergonomic design with a soft rubber grip that had little ribs on it. It was much better than the old fashioned metal peeler that would slip out of your hand causing cuts. It really made me think about objects and how they are made and how they can be improved to better fit the human form. This was the first time I really thought about Industrial Design and it is a perfect combination of Art, Engineering and Humanity. In the past, I tried to involve myself in activities between the realms of art and science, like designing, building and exploring things, as well as painting, drawing and even sculpture. Thus, it was really satisfying to discover industrial design. It is an art and also science – a combination of human needs and engineering. Industrial design is focused on form and function, and one of the designer’s main goals is to reach a maximum balance between the two and to design products which are not only good-looking but also good to use, durable, easy to clean and maintain, reasonable in price and also eco-friendly. I am drawn to many different areas of design including design that enables people with disabilities to be as independent as possible. However, other areas of design of interest include the design of medical equipment, design of furniture for the workspace, as well as the design of packaging that is sustainable in nature so as not to create as much plastic in our world’s oceans. At its core, great design democratizes access to products and services, enabling most people to have access to products and services that allow them to live their lives in the most comfortable and productive ways. I want to develop the technical skills required to design, create prototypes of, and bring to market the best products to fulfill these goals. I am also very interested in Industrial Design at the Wentworth Institute of Technology because the major is centered around a studio environment where students focus on user-centered design. I would enjoy collaborating with and learning from my fellow students, working in a workshop environment where ideas can be put into practice in order to create the best design possible. I feel that through the study of Industrial Design, I would have the opportunity to transform my curiosity and creativity into a career of creative problem solving and purposeful production.

How climate change is going to fundamentally change managing your retirement finances as a mathematical problem of growing your money over time, under the assumption of a safe geography and average historic returns from your investments. Rethinking long-term retirement planning in light of extreme and unpredictable weather events caused by Climate Change first requires retirees and advisors to consider a host of previously unforeseen variables, not least of all a radical redefinition of so-called ‘geographic safety’ or in today’s parlance ‘sustainable retirement destinations.’ Rather than focusing exclusively on previously favorable locales, advisors must be willing to entertain all manner of heretofore unexplored retirement destinations now deemed potentially more sustainable in the face of catastrophic weather events, including that caused by Climate Change. What this translates to for the long-term planning of retirees is an examination of so-called ‘climate gentrification’- or the significant impact which Climate Change is predicted to have on local real estate values- as well as significantly increased cost of obligatory homeowners’ insurance where written at all. In many instances, the very increased costs of obligatory insurance which have been caused by Climate Change will, in themselves, be of a sufficient sum to have the effect of raising the required cost of retirement savings significantly. Thus, the locations which in the past have proved to be the very best sites for successful retirement planning must be viewed in an entirely new and, of necessity, far more cautionary light than previously. Second, climate change will change the investment approach of retirement savings. A long time, the common diversification approach, based on historic market returns, has been the standard method for retirement savings. In the future, however, financial advisors will have to take into account so-called transition risks as well as physical climate change impacts on investments, in order to protect the assets of their clients and avoid “stranded assets”. In the future, the term “green retirement” will no longer only be a synonym for sustainable retirement provision, but also a fiduciary obligation. Finally, the increase in temperatures and poor air quality associated with climate change has the potential to significantly increase healthcare spending on health care for older individuals as it will worsen the effects of normal aging and increase the costs of treatment above historical trends. Retirement as we know it will be no more. And for good reason! As people stop working to live, retirement will include all the dynamics of life – especially the climate! Thus, not only will we have to save enough money for retirement, we’ll need to invest intelligently in a portfolio of assets that can weather all types of global economic storms as well as create enough wealth to enable us to live a great life of leisure, while at the same time protecting our retirement assets during these tumultuous times. So, yes, sustainable, green retirement will be the only kind of retirement in the future. We must all do our very best to be as environmentally conscious as we can in order to create the best retirement for ourselves and the planet.

Subject: Introducing Four Days a Week for Next Quarter Hi team, I am excited to share with everyone that we will be transitioning to a four day work week for next quarter. The management team and I have been exploring ways to make work healthier, more focused and sustainable. We believe that with being very intentional with respect to meetings and deep work, and allowing for lots of flexibility, we can actually be even more effective at Meeting customer and partner needs and at building a great place to work for each other. The new schedule will allow employees to have a better work-life balance, reduce fatigue and prevent burnout, and have more time to complete in-depth work, be more fully present while at work, and be as productive and as effective as possible in all aspects of their role. Teams will be briefed by Team Leaders and Managers within the next few weeks on specific details relating to individual schedules as well as plans around covering absent team members and maintaining appropriate levels of customer service. Additionally, each Team will be provided with specific guidance on scheduling meetings and workloads as well as metrics by which to measure success relative to the four day work week. We are running this as a pilot and will monitor and review feedback and analyze performance and service metrics to ensure the changes introduced are working effectively. Your input is critical to our success and we hope, together, we can make this change work. Thank you to all of you for your care, flexibility and continued commitment to work in the best way for you and your customers. We are all very excited by this change to a better way of working and look forward to learning and continuing to improve together. Keep an eye out for a follow-up email in a couple of weeks with more information on the transition to 4 days and a chance to pose any questions you have on the matter. Best, [Your Name]

**10 Tips for Managing a Tight Monthly Budget** No one likes the feeling of discovering they are in some kind of financial horror movie and opening up their bank account online to find the numbers have plummeted whilst they weren’t looking. But having a tight monthly budget does not have to mean instant ramen for the rest of your life. Breathe a sigh of relief as we look at 10 real ways you can stretch your budget and have some cash left over in your bank account! ### 1. Track every single penny If you don’t know where to start with saving money then doing a spend analysis is a great place to start. This is also known as tracking your spending and involves you recording every payment that you make throughout the month. Yes, this can be painful, especially if you have been spending money in places that you rather not admit but by doing a spend analysis you will soon get a handle on where your cash is going and be able to make changes to increase your savings. ### 2. Embrace the "50/30/20" rule (loosely) So in reality most people would find the “50/30/20” rule far too tight and would split their monthly money into 70% for their needs and 20% for their savings, with 10% left over for their occasional wants. This still has to be worked out using a budget, but at least you have a loose framework to work to. ### 3. Cancel the subscription vampires Cut subscription services that cost too much money. Even monthly services that seem affordable can pile up in cost quickly. Many services can be very difficult to cancel once you start them. Go through your list of current subscription services and cut any that you haven’t used in months or more. ### 4. Cook at home (seriously) Never buy food from restaurants because it is going to destroy your budget. Try to plan out your meals for the week and have leftovers for free lunches. ### 5. Use the 48-hour rule 48 Hours is a Long Time to Wait for a Purchase to Go on Sale. See something online that you need to purchase immediately? Put it in your shopping cart and walk away from your computer for 48 hours. By then the impulse to buy should have worn off and you will have long since forgotten about your online purchase. ### 6. Shop with a list Plan your shopping before you go to the store, and only buy what is on your list. If you write your list before you go shopping for groceries, you can help stop yourself from buying too many items, especially unhealthy snacks. Additionally, you will not buy items that you do not need. ### 7. DIY your entertainment Dinner and a movie doesn’t have to break the bank. Go for a dinner of potluck style meals with your friends and family. Alternatively have a night of playing board games or do some research to see what free events are happening in your local community to keep yourself entertained without reaching into your wallet. ### 8. Auto-save first Make the transfer of money first – even $10 to start. Set up an auto transfer online to move that to your savings account every pay day. If you don’t see it in your checking account you won’t miss it. ### 9. Negotiate your bills Negotiate your bills for services such as your internet, phone and insurance. Many of these companies will offer you a better rate just to keep you as a customer. ### 10. Forgive yourself There will be months where you end up overspending but that doesn’t mean you have to throw the baby out with the bathwater. You can forgive yourself for your financial failures and go back to being a financially responsible person the next day.

I got inspired by Industrial Design because of my fascination for objects and how they can influence our lives in many ways. Already now there are so many objects that make our lives easier and even more enjoyable. Some objects can even solve problems that we haven’t even thought of before. Also more and more objects are made in a sustainable way. And then there are the objects that are just fun to use. What I find most fascinating is that objects can be functional and beautiful at the same time. Already now I think about objects and why they are made the way they are and how they could be improved. Industrial design is a combination of Creativity, Problem Solving, Technology and Human Understanding. I enjoy the part of design where I come up with ideas, sketch them, make models of them and test them. The research part of design is also important. Studying the users and their needs and then designing products that meet those needs. For me Design is more than how something looks. It is how something works, how something is made, how people use things in their lives and how things affect the world. Industrial designers have the challenge of creating innovative designs whilst trying to make products more sustainable for future generations. Studying Industrial Design will allow me to investigate sustainable materials and methods of manufacturing, in addition to specialized design areas such as sustainable design and user-centered design. My interest in ergonomics will also enable me to look into to how designers use digital tools to design more efficient products that improve human interaction and overall user experience. By studying Industrial Design I hope to be able to make better products by becoming more competent at translating my ideas into physical objects. This will mean getting better at sketching, at making prototypes, at using computer-aided design packages, at getting my ideas across to others and at presenting my finished designs. It will also mean going through the entire design process from research through to finished product, gaining experience of working with others, of receiving feedback on my designs and of pushing my ideas to their full potential. My goal as a designer is to make meaningful, thoughtful products that help to make people’s lives a little better on a day to day basis. I think that the Industrial Design major would be a great fit for me because of the creative nature of the major and because of the vast amounts of practical applications that there are for designers of industrial products. With Industrial Design I hope to allow my imagination to run wild while designing products, and to apply those designs to real-world problems, helping to create solutions that can have a real and positive impact on people’s lives in a very practical way.

Subject: Exciting News: Transitioning to a Four-Day Work Week Next Quarter! Dear Team, Great News! We will be transitioning to a 4 day work week for next quarter with the 4 days being Monday thru Thursday with Friday’s off. You will continue to receive the same compensation, be entitled to the same benefits, and be expected to perform at the same level of work. You will simply be working smarter instead of longer! As stated above, this change is aimed at making sure that we are able to maintain our well-being and thus our work-life balance. In short, we will now be a rested and energized team, that is creative and productive as always. As for the extra days off, this will give everyone ample time to attend to family and friends, indulge in hobbies, to rest and recharge, and to pursue their personal passion projects. As a team we will work together to establish a set of guidelines to ensure that everyone can make the new schedule work for them. Over the next few weeks we will publish out a number of best practices around schedule optimization, meeting best practices and more. We will also be hosting a Q&A this Thursday at [Time] where we will go through all of the new details and work through any last minute details and last minute concerns that you may have. This is going to be a great journey that we will face together. Your feedback is essential as we continue to refine the changes that we will make to continue to optimize our transition to the 4-day work week schedule. As always, thank you for all of your hard work and continued dedication. It is great to be able to recognize your efforts by making this change. Wishing you all a more balanced, productive and fulfilling future at work. Warm regards, [Your Name] [Your Title]

Dear Hiring Committee, I am very interested in the newly posted Policy Analyst position with the City Government and would enjoy the opportunity to bring my skills to work in this capacity with your team. As someone interested in public service, I have come to realize that the local policy arena is one where ideas are translated into very tangible realities affecting the daily lives of citizens on a very grassroots level - from the quality of housing stock and the repair of streets and public spaces, to programs supporting economic development, public safety, and environmental sustainability, and access to basic services for residents. I have experience of dealing with complex policy issues in previous roles, carrying out analysis and producing work of high quality. My previous experience has also given me the ability to be able to gather and to carry out qualitative and quantitative research, to analyze legislation and administrative rules as well as to be able to assess the performance of programs and to produce clear written work for a variety of different audiences. In my previous work I have tried to ensure that all of the written work that I have produced is of high quality, is of use to the person reading it and has been written taking into account who the intended audience is. This can include the production of policy memos as well as the production of briefing notes for senior managers as well as the production of summary notes of stakeholder feedback. In working with cross-functional teams to develop policy and identify problems and solutions to those problems, I have gained a wide range of knowledge and skill. In addition to policy development, I have experience utilizing data analysis tools to examine trends, and measure the effectiveness of programs and policies. The best policy analysis is that which is conducted with the needs of residents at the forefront, and in conjunction with community partners. Effective policy also seeks to take into account the different impacts that any given policy may have on different populations, striving to be as equitable as possible. My work as a Policy Analyst will strive to bring a commitment to equity, transparency, and inclusive governance to City Government. I am particularly interested in this job because as Policy Analyst for the City Government, the translation of ideas into improvements in a particular neighborhood and the municipal policy will be put into practice through the strong services of the City. I shall use my analytical skill to strengthen the services of the City and increase its operational efficiency. I shall support the implementation of the long-term community goals by conducting research, doing budget and program analysis, coordinating interdepartmental efforts, doing public outreach, writing reports and making policy recommendations to the elected officials and to the City’s senior staff. I am extremely organized, complete work on time, and complete all projects thoroughly. I gather a large amount of information from various sources and complete a synopsis for the recipient of the information. I am flexible in my work environment and can handle and complete a variety of work in many different situations. I am able to manage a large amount of work at one time and continue to complete quality work, while continuing to complete work for specific tasks. Thank you for your time and consideration with my application for the Policy Analyst position in the City Government. I am excited at the prospect of bringing my skills to bear in developing policies that will have a positive impact on the lives of the residents of this City and, in doing so, assist the City Government in becoming a more effective, responsive and equitable organization. Sincerely, [Your Name]

# Personal Statement: Industrial Design Design is my way of perceiving the world and the things in it. As a kid I would try to take apart appliances that stopped working, in the hopes of rebuilding them into an even better product (most of the time the end result would be really poor, but that was not the point in the first place – the point was to deconstruct the item and understand the design that created it in the first place and how all of the different parts function in unison). As I grew up I developed more and more interest in design and today, as a grown up, I can say with absolute certainty that I want to be an Industrial Designer. Industrial design is a problem solving medium. Designs are created with the intent for people to perceive them and interact with them on a physical level. This leads to a common misconception among many that designers only focus on how things look and that they only create things with visual aesthetic value. However, the visual aspect of a design only makes up a small portion of what the full design actually is. The majority of the design focuses on how the object will function and how it will interact with the user. Because of this, designers have the ability to affect the lives of millions of people without ever being recognized for their work. Often the designs that have the greatest impact are those that have been so seamlessly integrated into our lives that we use them without even realizing it. A simple door handle, a chair, or even a tool to make a task easier are all examples of designs that fall into this category. One area of focus of my current design work is to look at poorly designed products of everyday use and to try and redesign them. Recently I have started to create ideas for a new water bottle that doesn’t have any harsh edges and is of an adequate shape for comfortable use. I have also started to think about how to redesign a peeler for use in the kitchen that is more ergonomic for the user. Along with my current design work I have started to teach myself how to use CAD design software and have started to create prototypes of my designs using items such as cardboard and foam. I have come to realize that along with successful designs there are many designs that fail but each time a design fails it teaches the designer something about design and why that design didn’t work. This is a delicate balance between trying to find out the needs of users and trying to work within the constraints of materials and of manufacturing as well as trying to make sustainable designs. Industrial design is a diverse and very wide subject with many areas where a versatile individual can be of use. An industrial designer needs to have the mind of an engineer, the communication skills of a story teller and the observer of human behavior of an anthropologist. I intend to develop my skills in all of these areas in order to be able to create designs that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also effective within a range of limitations (cost, materials for production, methods of production etc.) and also environmentally friendly. Industrial Design at university will provide me with the opportunity to develop my design skills even further. Industrial Design is a very creative subject and with the help of experienced tutors and the feedback of my peers I aim to develop into a very skilled designer. The use of workshops and a variety of different materials to create prototypes of designs will also be extremely beneficial in my quest for design excellence. As well as creating good designs I also aim to be able to put my design ideas into practice using my instincts and creative skills to create designs that are not only of high quality but also effective and practical. I look forward to continuing my personal growth in the field of industrial design. I will strive to become an knowledgeable and skilled designer who creates sustainable and functional designs for real world problems.

With many companies still deciding how long to keep their employees working from home, there are strong arguments that it is time to put the clock back and bring employees back to the office to boost productivity, increase collaboration and retain staff in tough labor markets. However, I am not of this view and believe that employers should now be focusing on developing flexible future ways of working which incorporate the benefits of remote work, whilst making best use of time in the office. The biggest advantage to people of working from home is that they are able to be more productive at work. They are not required to commute to work each day. This allows them to save a significant amount of time each week, which can then be used to complete more work. Many people find that they are distracted while they are at work, whether it is because of the people that they work with or because of the location where they work. While working from home is not ideal for everyone, there are many people that find it to be ideal for completing their writing, analysis, coding, design and other work. This is because they are typically able to work in a much quieter environment than they would if they were working in an office. For these people, working from home is often the most productive place for them to be. While it is true that some people may not be as productive while working from home as they would be in an office, this is typically not the result of the remote work environment itself. Instead, it is usually a result of the manager not giving the remote worker enough structure and accountability in order to get the same amount of work completed as an office-based worker. However, this is easy to fix as long as the manager sets clear goals for the remote worker and regularly checks in with him or her in order to measure his or her progress. When a manager does this, it is easy to ensure that the remote workers are held to the exact same level of accountability as the rest of the workers in the office. Second, employers can allow their employees to search for jobs all around the world, and have the opportunity to work for the best company for them. This contrasts sharply to the old model of work, where people were lucky enough to live near expensive business districts with cutting edge offices, and then had to commute to and from work every day. People living in less salubrious locations were often forced to work in second-rate facilities with less than ideal schedules. Third, and perhaps most importantly, by allowing employees to work from home, remote work can help support employees’ well-being and create work environments that are better suited to supporting employees with family responsibilities. Employees’ daily commutes to and from work can be a major drain on their time and money. As a result, many employees are already exhausted when they arrive at the office, only to be expected to remain there for long hours of focused work. In addition, much of what happens in the modern workplace is designed to create the appearance of hard work, and so employees are under constant pressure to keep up a good front. By allowing employees to work from home, employers can help reduce the demands that work places on employees, and create work environments that are better able to support employees in balancing their work responsibilities with other responsibilities. As a result, employees are likely to be more productive, better focused at work, and more loyal and engaged at work. While it is true that some aspects of the office culture cannot be replicated online, that does not mean that the office should be the central hub for employees to complete work. While employees are at the office, they can receive one-on-one mentorship, participate in brainstorming sessions, receive training, and build relationships with their team members. In addition, employees can attend team retreats and specific days of collaboration. Adopting a hybrid work model will have the same effect of fostering a strong office culture without placing a huge burden on employees. Moving forward, businesses should instead focus on making their company cultures as effective as possible. For many jobs, the norm of work in the future will be work from home, and the future of the office culture will be to create a culture that supports work in the most flexible, trusting, inclusive, and intentional collaborative environment.

Subject: New Four Day Work Week - Starting Next Quarter Hi Team, BIG NEWS HERE AT F45 HQ. As we head into the new quarter we will be transitioning to a FOUR DAY WORK WEEK for all employees. The four day workdays will allow us to improve the Work at Work initiative’s goal of ensuring that WorkNet team members’ overall quality of life is going up while their creativity, productivity and job satisfaction are going up too. **Here's what you need to know:** The four day one of the four-day work week will begin on the first of the next quarter. We will work four days a week, Monday through Thursday, and we will be off on Fridays. We will still be considered full-time employees and we will maintain the same salary and benefits that we have now. **What this means for you:** - Hours: The hours that we work will be adjusted to 9 AM–6 PM in order to ensure that we still work the same number of hours over the four days of the week. - All PTO, Holidays and Benefits will remain the same. - Client-facing teams will need to work out how best to cover for all days of the week in order to maintain their service standards. —as currently. — Team meetings & major collaboration will be scheduled within the four days of the week. - All Team meetings and key collaborations will be set within the four days of work. — Full-time employees will continue to receive the same salary and same benefits and this is NOT be a reduction in pay and benefits. **Next steps:** Department Leads will work with each department individually to create a plan for transitioning their teams to the 4 day work week model. Throughout the first quarter we will be soliciting feedback from all employees in order to make any necessary changes to ensure the goals of the 4 day work week model are being met. Any questions or concerns should be sent to your manager or to me directly. This is not a cut in salary or benefits – it’s a change in schedule. We hope that the management team are as confident that this change will be good for the business as we are that it will be good for all employees of the business. Your hard work and flexibility in trying to make this all work is not going to go unnoticed and I am super excited to be moving in this new direction of our company’s growth. Best, [Your Name]

# Cover Letter for Policy Analyst Position Dear Hiring Manager, I am writing to apply for the Policy Analyst job posting for the Policy Division of [City Name]'s [Department Name]. As someone with public policy research experience and an interest in helping to improve urban governance, I would love to be considered for the position and become involved with the variety of projects the City is working on and how they affect the daily lives of the residents of [City Name]. As a Public Policy Analyst at the New York City Department of Homeless Services, I currently am responsible for analyzing policy and procedural issues at the Department and conducting data-driven research to provide program-specific recommendations to Department leadership and City Council. Recently, I completed an in-depth analysis of New York City’s affordable housing initiatives and provided Funding Recommendations to increase program efficiency by 15%. The report was used by the City Council to inform their decision to seek additional funding for affordable housing initiatives. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy/Public Administration from the University of Connecticut. In my prior work experience, I have applied my quantitative and qualitative research skills, as well as skills related to budget and program analysis and evaluation to a variety of policy-related projects addressing issues including transportation equity, environmental sustainability, and economic development. These projects have involved collaboration with a variety of stakeholders including community organizations, government officials, and residents in order to develop policies that are responsive to the needs of all individuals in a community. I am excited about the City of [City Name]’s innovative approaches to addressing affordable housing needs and would like to be a part of the team that develops and implements new programs and models to increase the supply of affordable housing in our city. I have a number of skills that make me an ideal candidate for this role. Not only am I very organized and able to analyze information, but I am also very experienced at presenting information to all different audiences. I am very good at being able to summarize a great deal of complex information and have experience presenting findings to city councils, community boards as well as senior management within city departments. Furthermore, I have a great deal of experience at building up a consensus with regard to recommendations, particularly in situations where there are many competing interests and views. I would look forward to discuss my application for this position in order to examine how my skills, experience and commitment for public service could satisfy some of the needs of the Department. I appreciate your time to review my application and I look forward to speaking with you further about the Policy Analyst role and how I can contribute to serve the citizens of [City Name]. Sincerely, [Your Name] --- *Note: Replace bracketed placeholders with specific details relevant to your experience and the position you're applying for.*

# 10 Tips for Managing a Tight Monthly Budget Living on a tight budget can be extremely stressful and stressful; however, by following a few very simple habits and planning a few things in advance, you can find that your money goes a lot further. ## 1. Know exactly where your money goes See where your money has been going for the past month or so (don’t forget those seemingly insignificant daily coffee, snack, purchases; occasional takeout delivery purchases, etc). Make sure you stop wasting money there. ## 2. Make a simple budget Make a simple budget. Take note of your income and put down your fixed expenses (such as your rent or mortgage) and then your flexible expenses (such as the money you spend on going out for dinner). Don’t feel pressured to make a very complex and thorough budget. ## 3. Separate needs from wants As you track where your money is going be sure to categorize your spending into needs and wants. Your needs will consist of your fixed expenses like your Rent, groceries, utilities and your transportation to and from work for your job. Your flexible money will go to your wants like the takeout or dining out that you enjoy to relax, your various subscriptions that you’ve signed up for such as a magazine or newspaper that arrives every week at your house, a streaming service that allows you to watch all of the TV shows that you’ve ever wanted to see and so on. ## 4. Plan your meals Cooking at home a few more times a week can have a big impact on your monthly budget. By tracking your food expenses it will become clear where you are going wrong. By planning your meals in advance and sticking to a shopping list you can save yourself from having to purchase last minute, more expensive meals from restaurants. ## 5. Use cash or spending limits Try using cash in areas where you tend to overspend like for example groceries and entertainment. As soon as the money in your wallet is gone that’s it, the money will not reappear. ## 6. Cut unused subscriptions Cut unused subscriptions. Look at your bank and credit card statements for any unwanted subscription services that may have lapsed but are still being charged. Subscription services such as streaming services, apps, gym memberships, or monthly boxes are very common these days and often people forget that they signed up for a service and just keep getting charged. ## 7. Build a small emergency fund Saving even a small amount each week such as $5 or $10 can create a buffer before you know it, preventing you from reaching for your credit card at the worst time. ## 8. Shop smarter Compare prices on goods similar to the ones you usually buy and look for generic products instead of brand name products. Look for coupons on items you already buy and purchase those items on sale. Avoid shopping when you are bored and try to avoid shopping when you are feeling any strong emotions as these are when you are most likely to make impulse purchases. ## 9. Find free entertainment In place of expensive entertainment, there are many activities that one can participate in that will not put a large strain on your finances. For example, you can check out the free community events in your town or city. Also, be sure to check out the free resources at your local library. You can also find local parks to visit as well. Lastly, have a game night at your house and have your friends bring a dish to pass and you can have a great time of entertainment for your friends and family without having to spend a lot of money to have a good time. ## 10. Review your budget often Your budget is a living document. It must change as your life does. Set aside time every week to review your finances, identify areas for improvement and make any changes needed to help you reach your financial goals. Tracking your spending on the tightest of budgets is not going to be easy but it will be worth it. Keep up the good work and remember to always be honest with yourself. Allow yourself to have the occasional treat and reap the rewards of your hard work.

**Introduction** Affordability of housing in urban areas has become one of the critical issues of development of cities all over the world. What initially had been a problem of several hyper-globalized cities affecting mainly low-income households soon has geographically and demographically spread to more locations and to middle-income households in cities all over the world. More and more people are moving to cities, which are the prime locations of economic growth. The challenge of urban housing affordability has thus become a challenge to social equity, to public health and to economic stability. It is therefore urgent and crucial to analyze the structural causes for and the challenges of urban housing affordability for urban planners, for politicians and for economists. The issue of housing affordability has recently become a focal point of studies from a cross disciplinary perspective. These studies attempt to analyze the housing affordability crisis from various angles in an attempt to explain the root causes of the issue. In general, the economic approach of measuring housing affordability has been based on a simple formula that compares the cost of housing with the gross income of potential homeowners and expresses the results as a percentage, with a benchmark figure that indicates whether housing is affordable or not. This method of measuring housing affordability was first proposed by Sheil in 1966 when he suggested that any home that cost no more than 30%30 of a household’s gross income per year would be considered affordable. However, recently, a number of more complex methods have been proposed in order to measure housing affordability, including the residual income approach. This method does not only look at the relationship between the cost of housing and a household’s gross income and measures the residual income available to households for spending on other necessities after deducting the cost of housing from their gross income. These other necessities include food, clothing, entertainment, health care, recreational activities, savings and education. Another dimension of housing affordability that has been the focus of a number of recent studies is the spatial dimension. Although a house may be affordable in terms of its monetary value, it may not be located close enough to work places, shops and other facilities, which would result in increased expenditure by households on transport. The majority of the literature goes on to examine in greater detail the causes of the affordability deficit. This can be split into two broad areas: supply factors and demand factors. On the supply side, a traditional set of factors are explored that have throughout history acted to constrain new housing supply. These include a range of regulatory, historical, physical and attitudinal factors. Zoning is shown to restrict new supply in a number of instances, as does the legacy of redlining in certain areas. NIMBYism (Not In My Backyard) and other forms of opposition to development are also highlighted as key constraints on supply. On the demand side, the financialization of housing is shown to drive up prices in high demand locations. Housing is treated as a purely financial asset, attracting the interest of global capital. In low income areas, the pressure of financialized housing leads to processes of displacement and gentrification. The Review will begin by developing a critical analysis of the methods that currently are used for determining and measuring the stress that decent, affordable and suitable housing places on households. In the core of the Review a number of supply- and demand-side factors will be discussed that currently drive the global affordability crisis of housing. On the supply-side of the housing market a number of current and past restrictions that, combined, prevent the construction of new residential units to meet current demand will be elaborated upon, including the full range of current and past zoning laws, as well as the full range of past redlining activities in many countries around the world. In addition, other geographical- and other restrictions that also currently prevent the construction of new residential units to meet current demand will be discussed. Restrictions on the supply-side of the housing market create a deficit of affordable housing that is driven by financial pressures on the demand-side. The demand-side of the housing market has financialized to a degree that currently residential real estate is used as a form of investment that can generate returns at the speed and on the scale of other financial assets. Such a transformation of the nature and function of housing has given rise to processes of gentrification and of displacement of low- and moderate-income households in and of urban neighborhoods around the world. In the Review a critical assessment will be provided of the full range of current measures and policies that are developed and implemented by governments around the world in order to make housing more affordable for low- and moderate-income households, including measures such as inclusionary zoning, rent control, as well as social housing initiatives, for example.

# The Future of Work Is Remote: Why Office Culture Must Evolve As we come out of the COVID-19 pandemic, one thing is clear: the traditional office culture as we have known it for decades is a thing of the past. No more rigid schedules, no more requiring employees to physically be in the office at certain times of the day. By clinging to these outdated management philosophies that are rooted in a desire to control employees, companies are in danger of losing the very traditions that make them unique. First, work done remotely is more productive according to studies. A study conducted by a Stanford University economist, Nicholas Bloom, found that employees who worked from home were 13% more productive in office time when they worked independently. This is because there are two main reasons why employees are more productive when they work from home: 1) the time that would have been spent commuting is saved; and b) employees are less likely to be distracted by co-workers when they work from home. As a result, many employees report higher job satisfaction as well as better work-life balance when they work from home. A study from the Remote Work Database found that in 2023, employees who worked from home part-time had a 33% lower turnover rate for reasons other than wages. Furthermore, employees who worked from home part-time reported the same work quality as employees who worked from home 100% of the time. Therefore, as long as an employee is able to complete his or her work and meet expectations, it does not matter whether or not that employee is physically present in the office. Many people with families have children at home during traditional business hours. Many people with disabilities are able to work remotely and avoid the physical and sensory barriers to work that are present in most traditional offices. If we force a return to mandatory attendance in the office for long hours each day, we risk taking a step backwards for many marginalized groups and reverting to a model of work that favors people who do not have caregiving responsibilities, who do not have disabilities, and who do not have long commutes to work. Furthermore, by allowing employees to work from home, a company can save a lot of money in two ways. First, by not having to commute to and from work each day, employees can save money that would have been spent on things like gasoline, public transportation, lunches on the go, and even work-out clothes. Second, by not having to maintain as much office space, a company can save money that would have been spent on rent or a mortgage and on utilities and maintenance for that space. By allowing employees to work from home, remote work could transfer a great deal of wealth from urban centers with corporate campuses to local economies and allow workers to spend their commutes and the money they saved from not having to buy business attire and other work related expenses at local restaurants and other local businesses and shopping centers instead. Most chance innovation occurs when employees happen to be working together in an office, but that does not mean to have to keep forcing all employees to spend time and money commuting to an office every day in order to work for a company. Such occasions can be reserved for when they are really needed, and employees can otherwise work independently for the rest of the time. There are companies such as GitLab and Automattic that have fully distributed workforces, i.e. all employees work remotely for life, and yet they have managed to create cultures in which all employees are able to communicate with each other as and when necessary. These companies have work spaces around the world, but none of them are physical offices that are used on a daily basis by employees. They are merely hubs that can be used from time to time as needed. In place of expensive, restrictive offices, we need to redefine what our offices are for. Our offices should be optional. They should be for the rare occasions when we really need to be face-to-face with each other to get work done. Routine work can be done from anywhere. Intensely focused work can be done from anywhere. That’s how we’re going to get the best work out of our employees. And, let’s be honest, that’s how we’re going to be able to compete for the best employees. Companies can no longer expect to attract top talent if they do not offer flexibility. The rigid office culture of the past was never about being productive. It was about control. It’s time to let that outdated model go.

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