The Economy: Doing My Part

The daily news keeps telling us that the economy is in bad shape and we, the consumer, are not spending. Understandably, with our investments losing money, people losing jobs and all else that is being reported. But to get things back on track, we do need to shop and support our retailers — especially the independent, family-owned businesses — and our economy.

I recently embarked on a complete bathroom renovation. Perhaps not the brightest move at this moment in time, but something that I have needed to do for a long time. I just decided to bite the bullet and take the big girl step. I have a house that was built in the 1920s that had a bathroom that probably was last updated in the 1960s. It had really ugly orange tile, a cheap vanity that my husband (now an ex) attempted to renovate but left the job undone midway, and old plumbing. The old gavanized pipe plumbing had gotten so calcified that the cold water feed to the commode and the sink was blocked, and the pipes ran under the floor, so it was not an easy fix without taking up the floor. If I had to take up the floor, then I might as well redo the whole thing. After all, I had had my fill of living with ugly orange tile – nearly 30 years!

I did the responsibile thing and had several estimates for the job. They all came in at relatively the same price range. My choice was a small local contractor who came highly recommended by a neighbor who rides the train with me. 

The job began on the first day as I went off to the NYIGF. In the morning, I left a house with an ugly orange bathroom; I returned in the evening to a house with a former bathroom taken down to the studs. In the driveway, all that was left were a few shards of ugly orange tile. It was a shock and a thrill. Over the intervening weeks, I have seen it all come together bit by bit. It’s a good thing that I have been traveling to various trade shows a lot. This is the only bathroom in the house, so while it has been under construction, I have had to do without certain things — brushing my teeth at the kitchen sink and other inconveniences. 

The job is nearly done and I am thrilled with the result. I still have some shopping to do, to replace my shower curtain and source a few extra accessories. Any regrets? Yes, I didn’t take any "Before" pictures. 

What a shame. However, I did collect a few of the orange tile shards. Perhaps I will make a mosaic out of them to memorialize what was in now what is. What is, is clean and contemporary with a bow to the past – white subway tiles and black accents.

I’m doing my part to help the economy along and support small local business. Are you? You need not make a move on the scale of a home renovation, like I have. Just look to your independent smaller retailers who serve your community and that support your community. They are your neighbors and your customers.