I am reading a book right now that talks a lot about the ‘new normal.’  The author writes about when things happen in our lives that permanently change what was previously normal for us. Life changing events like the death of a spouse, birth of a child, an accident, a job loss or pay cut. The new normal can be a change for the good or more often than not, a change that we think of as bad in our lives. I would bet that nearly everyone reading this post has gone through at least one new normal event in the past year. I have probably had more new normal’s in the past year and a half than I’d had in the previous five years combined.

The new normal for many of us that I’d like to discuss here is about money. I can’t name one friend, co-worker or family member that hasn’t been affected by the current economic situation in some way, shape or form. But through all of the bad, I have been amazed at the things that we’re all doing now and at how it feels like we’re starting to understand that, together, we can all get through these tight times. We’re clipping coupons and proudly proclaiming how much we’ve saved by using them. We’re getting to know each other better in car pools and breakrooms over packed lunches. We’re growing gardens. . . and sharing the food that’s coming from those.  

So I guess on the one hand, the new normal that we’re all faced with is bad – we have less money to live on. But I prefer to believe that this new normal will in the long run be good for us as we have found ways to adapt and are better people for it. I hope that we all return to a more comfortable, confident in our economy state of mind, but I hope that the lessons of getting by with less and sharing what we have to help others do the same never leaves us again.

What are some things that you’ve learned and would like to share about the new normal?