Deliverable Prototype

The planet is getting hotter. Winters are shorter and warmer then they used to be, and all over the globe there have been devastating signs of a climate crisis. Water levels are rising and ocean acidification is devastating marine life. All these massive droughts and floods aren’t normal… but you already knew that, right? [[>Yes.]] [[>No.]]

That’s good. But how do we fix the problem? That’s where things can get tricky. [[Let’s try to visualize something a bit closer to home.]]

Hm. [[Let’s try to visualize something a bit closer to home.]]

Part 1: Getting uncomfortable. [[>Next.]]

It’s a beautiful Saturday morning. As you stand admiring the little plants in your window sill, you look out and see your dad’s old boat sitting unused in the backyard. Ah, that boat brings back memories! Your dad left it for you when you inherited the house a few years back. While you love that old rust bucket, it’s become something of a hot topic between you and your partner Charlie. Removing the boat would open up space in the yard, giving your family some options. But it doesn’t look too bad, nothing you couldn’t restore if only you had some time. You promised Charlie an answer by today. What will you do? [[>Plant a garden. Gardening could be a fun activity to start with Charlie and Joey, plus it’s cool to cook with your own crops. But it’s definitely a commitment.]] [[>Buy a hot tub. They’re relaxing after long stressful days, but it’s hard to say if Charlie and Joey would like it as much as you would. It’d impress your friends though!]] [[>Restore the boat. Doing this would take a lot of time, space, and money, but it holds too much nostalgia to give up. You love this boat!]]

Charlie took some convincing, but they came around to it. They’re mostly just glad to see that space being utilized for something useful. [[With the boat settled, it's time to consider something else.]]

Charlie relents. It’s your boat, it’s your responsibility! [[With the boat settled, it's time to consider something else.]]

Charlie is thrilled with your decision, and Joey can’t wait to go pick out some seeds and a garden gnome. [[With the boat settled, it's time to consider something else.]]

As you sit down with your coffee, your eyes are drawn to all the cracks and chips on the outdated kitchen tiles. You know Charlie would love to redo the flooring for Joey’s sake (plus, even you must admit how ugly they are), but you can’t keep ignoring the dead light socket in the dining room. You can’t afford both, but they each need something to be done. Well, since you’re looking at it… The tiles are ugly and outdated, plus they’re starting to break down. That has the potential to harm your child as they grow roudier and more energetic. Even though you know you can’t ignore the faulty wiring of this old house, those tiles will only get worse with time so you need to do something. What will you do? [[>Use patches. Though not the most aesthetic choice, they are cheap and get the job done.]] [[>Just replace the broken tiles. This requires some work, but it’s a more permanent fix.]] [[>Replace the entire kitchen floor. While this definitely improves the feel of this important room, it also takes money away from a bigger investment. Damn if you don’t notice the way Charlie lingers in the flooring isle at Lowes though.]]

It’s become a fun little joke between you and Charlie everytime you pass tape at the store. “Hey look, they carry our tiles here!” [[Now that the flooring is taken care of, what about that dead dining room socket?]]

It’s not pretty, but it’s sturdy. That’s all that matters. [[Now that the flooring is taken care of, what about that dead dining room socket?]]

It was expensive, but worth it. It’s like a whole new kitchen now. [[Now that the flooring's taken care of, what about that dead dining room socket?]]

Sure the wiring is faulty at times, but it’s an old house - it’s nothing you haven’t already been dealing with. Besides, fixing a socket feels so unnecessary when these other expenses keep popping up. But still… it is a problem. [[>Put money aside. You take the money you would have used for the kitchen tiles and put it into a future payment for a complete electrical overhaul.]] [[>Fix problems as they arise. If a socket burns out, replace it. It’s cheaper and solves the immediate problem.]] [[>Worry about it later. You bring in a lamp from the other room. Hey, it’s free and you can see now.]]

Sure the wiring is faulty at times, but it’s an old house - it’s nothing you haven’t already been dealing with. Besides, fixing a socket feels so unnecessary when these other expenses keep popping up. But still… it is a problem. [[>Fix the problems as they arise. If a socket burns out, replace it. It’s cheaper and solves the immediate problem.]] [[>Worry about it later. You can just bring in a lamp from the other room. Hey, it’s free and you can see now.]]

While it’s not the most exciting choice, you can rest easy knowing that if nothing else, your home’s electricity will be taken care of for the foreseeable future. [[Let's skip ahead a bit.]]

That’s a lot of money to spend on one thing at one time. At least this way, you can have a little cake and eat a little bit too. [[Let's skip ahead a bit.]]

Charlie doesn’t look too happy during dinner-by-lamplight, but you aren’t miffed. Joey seems to like it, they say it’s like camping. [[Let's skip ahead a bit.]]

You can’t afford to fix all of it, but you can fix some of it. [[Let us skip ahead a bit.]]

The dining room looks pretty sad, maybe y’all can just eat in the kitchen instead? [[Let us skip ahead a bit.]]

A few months have passed, and there’s some good news: you got a promotion at work! Your monthly income has gone up and your savings look a lot healthier now. More money comes with more bills, but it’s nothing you can’t handle. The electrical renovation has been paid off, and life feels pretty good. Well it did, until you notice the leaking ceiling. It feels inevitable and you’ve known about a few minor leaks for awhile now, but it’s not too bad yet. Of course these kinds of things come up when you finally have some savings. You were planning on surprising Charlie and Joey with a vacation, but that leak has you concerned. You discuss it with Charlie, and they agree that something needs to be done. But what to do? [[>Replace it. This is a big renovation, but it will greatly increase the longevity of your home. Plus, you can’t get solar without it, and that’s something you and Charlie would like to consider.]] [[>Fix the leaks. Water damage can be expensive, but right now, you just want to fix what you need to.]] [[ >Forego repairs. The leaks aren’t that bad. Plus, we put a bucket where we need to.]]

A few months have passed, and there’s some good news: you got a promotion at work! Your monthly income has gone up and your savings look a lot healthier now. More money comes with more bills, but it’s nothing you can’t handle. Your new kitchen has become the talk of the town, and life feels pretty good. Well it did, until you notice the leaking ceiling. It feels inevitable and you’ve known about a few minor leaks for awhile now, but it’s not too bad yet. Of course these kinds of things come up when you finally have some savings. You were planning on surprising Charlie and Joey with a vacation, but that leak has you concerned. You discuss it with Charlie, and they agree that something needs to be done. But what to do? [[>Replace it. This is a big renovation, but it'll greatly increase the longevity of your home. Plus, you can’t get solar without it, and that’s something you and Charlie would like to consider.]] [[>Fix the leaks. Water damage can be expensive, but right now, you can only afford to fix what you need to.]] [[>Forego repairs. The leaks aren’t that bad. Plus, we put a bucket where we need to!]]

It’s another unfun choice, but it has to be done. Especially if you want to invest in solar at some point. [[A few days later...]]

The cost is manageable and you still have some left for a vacation. Maybe not the one you were envisioning, but it’ll be fun either way. [[A few days later...]]

You can always fix a leak later. Right now, you got a plane to catch. [[A couple days later...]]

It’s another unfun choice, but it has to be done. Especially if you want to invest in solar at some point. [[A few days later...]]

The cost is manageable and you still have some left for a vacation. Maybe not the one you were envisioning, but it’ll be fun either way. [[A couple days later...]]

You can always fix a leak later. Right now, you got a plane to catch. [[A couple days later...]]

As you’re going through the daily mail with Charlie, they find a letter from your bank promoting paperless statements. You’ve been seeing this kind of thing a lot lately, but you haven’t given it too much thought. Charlie seems open to it but you’ve always been a bit hesitant. Charlie asks if you’d like to read it, or just throw it away. [[>Read it and commit to going paperless. Many service providers offer discounts on paperless statements & billing, plus it’s convenient and good for the environment.]] [[>Hang on to it and take baby steps. You personally like to have a paper record because it puts you mind at ease, and you’re not too well versed in online navigation, but you admit that you probably don’t need every single record.]] [[>Stick to your preference for paper. You don’t trust the internet, plus you see no reason to change things now. You don’t get the hype.]]

As you’re getting ready for your trip, Charlie finds a letter from your bank promoting paperless statements. You’ve been seeing this kind of thing a lot lately, but you haven’t given it too much thought. Charlie seems open to it but you’ve always been a bit hesitant. Charlie asks if you’d like to read it, or just throw it away. [[>Read it and commit to going paperless. Many service providers offer discounts on paperless statements and billing, plus it’s convenient and good for the environment.]] [[>Hang on to it and take baby steps. You personally like having a paper record because it puts you mind at ease, and you’re not too well versed in online navigation, but you admit that you probably don’t need every single record.]] [[>Stick to your preference for paper. You don’t trust the internet, plus you see no reason to change things now. You just don’t get the hype.]]

You’re anticipating some trouble with the transition, but Charlie has always been good with these sorts of things and promised to help you through it. [[It's getting late. Time for bed.]]

It’s the little things that count. You don’t get it, but it seem to make Charlie happy! [[It's getting late. Time for bed.]]

You find that it’s too humbug to change the way you do things now. [[It's getting late, time for bed.]]

You’re anticipating some trouble with the transition, but Charlie has always been good with these sorts of things and promised to help you through it. [[It's getting late, time for bed.]]

It’s the little things that count. You don’t get it, but it seem to make Charlie happy! [[It's getting pretty late. Time for bed.]]

You find that it’s too humbug to change the way you do things now. [[It's getting pretty late. Time for bed.]]

A big storm is (text-style: "rumble")[looming] over your home tonight. Heavy rain with high winds whistle through the leaves as thunder rattles your windows. You curl up with Charlie and Joey beneath a thick blanket and you all enjoy a hot cocoa recipe Joey brought home from school. Storms can be scary, but it’s more fun if you stay up late and enjoy it together. Thank goodness for the roof, you think, as the rain pours down in heavy sheets. [[Good job.]]

A big storm is (text-style: "rumble")[looming] over your home tonight. Heavy rain with high winds whistle through the leaves as thunder rattles your windows. The storm lasted all night, and your home took a beating. You are horrified to find that a portion of the roof caved in over the living room. The furniture is ruined, the carpet will need to be replaced, and you are afraid to look at what else you may have lost. The new tiles seem to be mocking you as you spot the commemorative photo you took from your vacation sitting beneath a soggy yearbook. You have a sinking feeling knowing that you could have done more to prevent this. [[Well. No point dwelling on the past, right?]]

A big storm is (text-style: "rumble")[looming] over your home tonight. Heavy rain with high winds whistle through the leaves as thunder rattles your windows. The storm lasts all night, and you are saddened to see the state of your living room the next morning. There must have been a leak somewhere in the kitchen, but thankfully the floor is sealed and all the damage seems to be manageable. [[Things could have been worse.]]

Part 2: Some things to think about. [[Let's begin.]]

Part 2: Some things to think about. [[Let us begin.]]

Part 2: Some things to think about. [[Let's continue.]]

Some time has passed, and things have been going pretty well. Both you and Charlie have been working hard and you once again find yourself in a tempting position. Let’s just say you’ve come into a decent chunk of money, and you’re within arm's reach of making a lifelong dream come true. Yes, you’ve finally saved enough for a downpayment on your dream car BUT you’ve also been discussing a more serious investment in solar for awhile now, something that Charlie feels very strongly about. Well... You’ve wanted this car for as long as you can remember. It’s big, it’s cool, and you’ve finally reached a time in your life where you can very realistically accomplish this dream. However, Charlie has suggested that you consider an electric vehicle instead since it’s cheaper and saves a lot on fuel in the long run. You could… [[>Compromise and get an EV instead so you can afford solar. It’s not the dream, but even you can see past the intimidating upfront cost when it comes to the reduction of gas, maintenance, and electricity bills.]] [[>Lease the dream car. It’s not a permanent commitment and you can always return it if you ever need to. Plus, you can still afford a few solar panels to help negate some bills.]] [[> Buy it. Even though it’s a gas guzzler and you will never utilize its design, you’ve wanted it too much and for too long to let the opportunity slip. Yes, solar would be nice, but it’s just too much to ask for when weighing it against your dream.]]

Some time has passed, and things have been going pretty well. Both you and Charlie have been working hard and you once again find yourself in a tempting position. Let’s just say you’ve come into a decent chunk of money, and you’re within arm's reach of making a lifelong dream come true. Yes, you’ve finally saved enough for a downpayment on your dream car BUT you’ve also been discussing a more serious investment in solar for awhile now, something that Charlie feels very strongly about. Well... You’ve wanted this car for as long as you can remember. It’s big, it’s cool, and you’ve finally reached a time in your life where you can very realistically accomplish this dream. However, Charlie has suggested that you consider an electric vehicle instead since it’s cheaper and saves a lot on fuel in the long run. You could… [[>Compromise and get an EV instead so you can afford solar.It isn't the dream, but even you can see past the intimidating upfront cost when it comes to the reduction of gas, maintenance, and electricity bills.]] [[>Lease the dream car. It isn't a permanent commitment and you can always return it if you ever need to. Plus, you can still afford a few solar panels to help negate some bills.]] [[> Buy it. Even though it is a gas guzzler and you will never utilize its design, you’ve wanted it too much and for too long to let the opportunity slip. Yes, solar would be nice, but it’s just too much to ask for when weighing it against your dream.]]

Some time has passed, and life has finally started to feel normal again after the storm. Both you and Charlie have been working hard and you once again find yourself in a tempting position. Let’s just say you’ve come into a decent chunk of money, and you’re within arm's reach of making a lifelong dream come true. Yes, you’ve finally saved enough for a downpayment on your dream car BUT you’ve also been discussing a more serious investment in solar for awhile now, something that Charlie feels very strongly about. Well... You’ve wanted this car for as long as you can remember. It’s big, it’s cool, and you’ve finally reached a time in your life where you can very realistically accomplish this dream. However, Charlie has suggested that you consider an electric vehicle instead since it’s cheaper and saves a lot on fuel in the long run. You could… [[>Get just enough to help cut costs. You can negate some of your bills and still have your dream car on Lease. You can’t afford full solar right now.]] [[>Completely forego solar power. You think it’d be nice, but not necessary considering its cost. Especially when weighing this decision against your dream. Besides, your roof can only support a few panels anway; may as well invest where you actually can.]]

While you didn’t get exactly what you wanted, you are getting more excited at the prospect of getting an EV. You have no idea there were so many options. [[A new car is always exciting.]]

Time will tell if you ever have to give up your baby, but you’re enjoying it while you can. Even though you aren’t saving as much as you could be on electricity, you are saving a noticeable amount. [[A new car is pretty exciting.]]

This was definitely the right choice, you can feel it. [[A new car is pretty damn exciting.]]

While you didn’t get exactly what you wanted, you are getting more excited at the prospect of getting an EV. You have no idea there were this many options. [[A new car is always exciting.]]

This was definitely the right choice, you can feel it. [[A new car is pretty damn exciting.]]

You wish you owned it, but at last it’s yours. Too bad about the solar, but at least you got a couple to satisfy Charlie. [[A new car is pretty damn exciting.]]

This is, you think, the best decision you’ve ever made. [[A new car is pretty damn exciting.]]

Paying next to nothing for electricity is even better. You’ve adapted well to clean energy living and you’re surprised how quickly you came around to your EV - you still can’t get over how quiet it is as how sharp the acceleration feels! Anyway, Charlie has been watching the news and following discussions a lot closer lately. They recently suggested that your family try cutting back on meat consumption. But beef is your absolute favorite thing in the world (next to your new car (and of course, your loving family))! It’s hard to imagine dinner without it, but you don’t want to be dismissive of Charlie’s suggestion. After careful consideration... [[>You try your best to reduce meat consumption as much as possible. You agree to save it for special occasions/weekends. Besides, veggies are cheaper and some of them can come from your garden!]] [[>You try a little less hard. Meat is versatile and tempting, but you agree to cut back to 4 days out of the week.]] [[>Make no changes. Sorry, but thinking about dinner is what gets you through the day and it’s not something you’re willing to give up.]]

Paying less on bills AND (kind of) having your dream car feels great! Anyway, Charlie has been watching the news and following discussions a lot closer lately. They recently suggested that your family try cutting back on meat consumption. But beef is your absolute favorite thing in the world (next to your new car (and of course, your loving family))! It’s hard to imagine dinner without it, but you don’t want to be dismissive of Charlie’s suggestion. After careful consideration... [[>You will try your best to reduce meat consumption as much as possible. You agree to save it for special occasions/weekends. Besides, veggies are cheaper and some of them can come from your garden!]] [[>You try a little less hard. Meat is versatile and very tempting, but you agree to cut back to 4 days out of the week.]] [[>Make no changes. Sorry Charlie, but thinking about dinner is what gets you through the day and it’s not something you’re willing to give up.]]

Even better? You have your baby all to yourself! That’s mostly because Charlie doesn’t want to drive it, but that’s their loss. Driving feels therapeutic and just as good as you hoped it would, though the payments are causing you to be just a little worried. Anyway, Charlie has been watching the news and following discussions a lot closer lately. They recently suggested that your family try cutting back on meat consumption. But beef is your absolute favorite thing in the world (next to your new car [and of course, your loving family])! It’s hard to imagine dinner without it, but you don’t want to be dismissive of Charlie’s suggestion. After careful consideration... [[>You will try your best to reduce meat consumption as much as possible, no matter how painful. You agree to save it for special occasions/weekends. Besides, veggies are cheaper and some of them can come from your garden!]] [[>You try a bit half-heartedly. Meat is versatile and very tempting, but you agree to cut back to 4 days out of the week.]] [[>Make no changes. Sorry Charlie, but thinking about dinner is the only thing that gets you through the day and it’s not something you’re willing to give up.]]

Charlie is thrilled with their momentous victory, and promises to find some recipes they know you’ll like. Even Joey seems to be on board. Were you really going to risk a chance at having your kid eat more vegetables voluntarily? [[Let's skip ahead a few more months.]]

Charlie seems satisfied, and though you’re a bit less happy with the decision, you know that sometimes you have to make sacrifices. [[Let's skip ahead a few more months.]]

Charlie sighs, obviously disappointed. You believe that marriage is built on compromise; who says it has to be yours? [[Let us skip ahead a few months.]]

Charlie is thrilled with their momentous victory, and promises to find some recipes they know you’ll like. Even Joey seems to be on board. Were you really going to risk a chance to have your kid eat more vegetables voluntarily? [[Let us skip ahead a few months.]]

Charlie seems satisfied, and though you’re a bit less happy with the decision, you know that sometimes you have to make sacrifices. [[Let us skip ahead a few months.]]

Charlie sighs, obviously disappointed. You believe that marriage is built on compromise; who says it has to be yours? [[Let us skip ahead a few months.]]

Charlie seems satisfied, and though you’re a bit less happy with the decision, you know that sometimes you have to make sacrifices. [[Let's skip ahead.]]

Charlie sighs, obviously disappointed. You believe that marriage is built on compromise; who says it has to be yours? [[Let's skip ahead.]]

A pleasant spring has slowly turned into a sweltering summer. The days are getting hotter and everyone is affected. Afterall, a hot home is hard to function in. While you’ve been coping with fans, you think the discussion of centralized air is getting harder for Charlie to put off. It’s expensive, but it sure would be nice. You discuss and agree… [[>Let’s do it! We’ll purchase energy efficient units. You can afford the pricey units and installation thanks to all the money you’ve been saving with solar.]]

A pleasant spring has slowly turned into a sweltering summer. The days are getting hotter and everyone is affected. Afterall, a hot home is hard to function in. While you’ve been coping with fans, you think the discussion of centralized air is getting harder for Charlie to put off. It’s expensive, but it sure would be nice. You discuss and agree… [[>Buy individual units for the bedrooms only. It’s only getting hotter, and there’s no reason to suffer if you have the means not to. Unfortunately, you can only afford bedroom units and can only run them at night, but it will help.]] [[>Go for it, all in. It’s hot and you don’t care what the cost is. You run the AC all day so you can come home to a cold house.]]

A pleasant spring has slowly turned into a sweltering summer. The days are getting hotter and everyone is affected. Afterall, a hot home is hard to function in. While you’ve been coping with fans, you think the discussion of centralized air is getting harder for Charlie to put off. It’s expensive, but it sure would be nice. You discuss and agree… [[>Buy individual units for the bedrooms only. It’s only getting hotter, and there’s no reason to suffer if you have the means not to. Unfortunately you can only afford bedroom units and can only run them at night, but anything helps.]] [[>Go for it. It’s hot and you don’t care what the cost is. You run the AC all day so you can come home to a cold house.]]

Thanks to the savings you’ve accumulated through solar, you can afford this metaphorically life saving luxury. [[Your phone rings.]]

You do what you can with what you can afford. It’s not what you were hoping to buy, at least it’s something. [[The phone rings.]]

Your demand for the best will cost you, but at least you won’t have to worry about the heat anymore. It really does make a difference. [[The phone rings.]]

You do what you can with what you can afford. It’s not what you were hoping to buy, at least it’s something. [[Your phone rings, and it's on the landline.]]

Your demand for the best will cost you, but at least you won’t have to worry about the heat anymore. It really does make a difference. [[Your phone rings, and it's on the landline.]]

Just as life is settling down again, tragedy strikes. There’s a sudden death in the family and a funeral is quickly being organized. You hardly ever get to see your family since you’re the only one who lives out of state, so being there for the service is going to be expensive. Thankfully you have a decent rainy day fund thanks to all the smart financial payoffs. You tell Charlie the bad news and begin to make preparations immediately. Though the reason is sad, you’re looking forward to seeing some of your more distant family soon and having Joey meet their cousins for the first time. [[You're starting to see the fruits of your investments.]]

Just as life is settling down again, tragedy strikes. There’s a sudden death in the family and a funeral is quickly being organized. You hardly ever get to see your family since you’re the only one who lives out of state, so being there for the service is going to be expensive. While you’d love to bring Charlie and Joey for support and to meet your family, unfortunately you can only afford one ticket on such short notice. You tell Charlie the news and they try their best to console you, but they must stay behind as you fly out for the funeral. [[It's not the best situation, but at least you have some coverage.]]

Level 3: Coming Together. [[A few months pass.]]

Level 3: Coming Together. [[A few more months pass.]]

Level 3: Coming Together. [[Some time passes.]]

You and Charlie are sitting in the dark after the TV is turned off. Boy, the news is getting harder to watch these days. Joey is asleep and the house is very quiet. You can hear Charlie sigh as they gently take your hand. You both come from big families and it has always been part of the plan to follow that tradition. But given how things have been developing these past few years, the decision to move forward with having more kids feels a bit murkier than you both thought it’d be. You feel like you’ve been making some pretty great decisions lately, but even now you’re not too sure. If you were to have more kids, now would be the time. However... [[>You decide against it. Adding more children to the family would mean having to expand your home with expensive and lengthy renovations. The future also just feels so unsure.]] [[>Put it on the back burner. You don’t have to give up on the tradition, but you agree to wait and see. You can always convert the garage if you need to make space.]] [[>Carry on the tradition. Your childhood was filled with many siblings and large families, and you want that for your children.]]

You and Charlie are sitting in the dark after the TV is turned off. Boy, the news is getting harder to watch these days. Joey is asleep and the house is very quiet. You can hear Charlie sigh as they gently take your hand. You both come from big families and it has always been part of the plan to follow that tradition. But given how things have been developing these past few years, the decision to move forward with having more kids feels a bit murkier than you both thought it’d be. Things could be better financially, you think. The funeral was a real test on your financial situation and now you're worried about things you used to feel confident about. You don’t know how prepared you are for any more surprises. If you were to have more kids, now would be the time. However... [[>You decide against it. Adding more children to the family would mean having to expand your home with expensive and lengthy renovations. The future just feels so unsure.]] [[>Put it on the back burner for now. You don’t have to give up on the tradition, but you agree to wait and see. You can always convert the garage if you need to make space.]] [[>Carry on the tradition. Your childhood was filled with many siblings and large families, and you want that for your children too.]]

You and Charlie are sitting in the dark after the TV is turned off. Boy, the news is getting harder to watch these days. Joey is asleep and the house is very quiet. You can hear Charlie sigh as they gently take your hand. You both come from big families and it has always been part of the plan to follow that tradition. But given how things have been developing these past few years, the decision to move forward with having more kids feels a bit murkier than you both thought it’d be. Things really haven’t been going as well as you thought they’d be at this point, and if the suddenness of the funeral is any indication, you don’t know how prepared you are for any more surprises. If you were to have more kids, now would be the time. However... [[>You decide against it. Having more children would mean having to expand your home with expensive and lengthy renovations. The future just feels so unsure.]] [[>Put it on the back burner for now. You don’t have to give up on the tradition, but you will agree to wait and see. You can always convert the garage if you need to make space.]] [[>Carry on the tradition. Your childhood was filled with many siblings and large families, and you want that for your children as well.]]

It’s difficult to say it, but you both agree. Joey may be your only child but you want the best future for them that you can provide. If that means forgoing the original plan and the tradition, then that’s a sacrifice worth making. [[You love your family. Just the way it is.]]

It’s too big of a thing to outright say no to, so you and Charlie both agree to wait and see. You can always confront this decision again later. You have time. [[You love your family. Just the way it is.]]

You’ll make it work. Your parents made it work, as did your grandparents. To hell with the costs, all that worry will melt away the moment you hold your new child for the first time. Charlie doesn’t look as relieved as you hoped they would, but they’ll come around to it. [[You love your family, and you are trying to do well by them.]]

It’s too big of a thing to outright say no to, so you and Charlie both agree to wait and see. You can always confront this decision again later. You have time. [[You love your family, and you are trying to do well by them.]]

You’ll make it work. Your parents made it work, as did your grandparents. To hell with the costs, all that worry will melt away the moment you hold your new child for the first time. Charlie doesn’t look as relieved as you hoped they would, but they’ll come around to it. [[Your family is very important, as are your traditions.]]

You’ve had to make some of the most difficult decisions of your life recently, in fact, you feel like you’ve been having to make tough calls a lot lately. Well there’s one more choice coming up, and it’s possibly the most important one you will have to make. The election is right around the corner and your vote matters now more than ever. You’ve been following this election closer than any other, and while you definitely have your preference, you can see the merit in what the other candidate is saying. The first candidate is from your hometown, they share a lot of your personal values, and they are the representative for your traditional party. The second candidate, however, seems to be in direct opposition to some of your values, they come from a completely unrelatable background to yours, and yet they’re the only one talking about the big picture issues that you and Charlie have been discussing. You may consider yourself pretty set in your ways, but Charlie keeps urging you to consider both sides more carefully this time. You’ve thought about it a lot, and… [[>You recognize how things are, and you put aside your personal biases to support the candidate who’s looking at the big picture]] [[>You vote for “your guy.” You didn’t arrive to where you are today blindly; you know your values and it’s important that the person you elect reflects those same values.]] [[>You don’t vote at all. What difference will it make? You think it’s all a joke and what happens, happens. Don’t like it, well, we can try again in 4 years.]]

You’ve had to make some of the most difficult decisions of your life recently, in fact, you feel like you’ve been having to make tough calls a lot lately. Well there’s one more choice coming up, and it’s possibly the most important one you will have to make. The election is right around the corner and your vote matters now more than ever. You’ve been following this election closer than any other, and while you definitely have your preference, you can see the merit in what the other candidate is saying. The first candidate is from your hometown, they share a lot of your personal values, and they are the representative for your traditional party. The second candidate, however, seems to be in direct opposition to some of your values, they come from a completely unrelatable background to yours, and yet they’re the only one talking about the big picture issues that you and Charlie have been discussing. You may consider yourself pretty set in your ways, but Charlie keeps urging you to consider both sides more carefully this time. You’ve thought about it a lot, and… [[>You recognize how things are, so you put aside your personal biases to support the candidate who’s looking at the big picture]] [[>You vote for “your guy.” You did not arrive to where you are today blindly; you know your values and it’s important that the person you elect reflects those same values.]] [[>You don’t vote at all. What difference will it make? You think it’s all a joke and what happens, happens. If you don’t like it, well, maybe you can try again in 4 years.]]

You’ve had to make some of the most difficult decisions of your life recently, in fact, you feel like you’ve been having to make tough calls a lot lately. Well there’s one more choice coming up, and it’s possibly the most important one you will have to make. The election is right around the corner and your vote matters now more than ever. You’ve been following this election closer than any other, and while you definitely have your preference, you can see the merit in what the other candidate is saying. The first candidate is from your hometown, they share a lot of your personal values, and they are the representative for your traditional party. The second candidate, however, seems to be in direct opposition to some of your values, they come from a completely unrelatable background to yours, and yet they’re the only one talking about the big picture issues that you and Charlie have been discussing. You may consider yourself pretty set in your ways, but Charlie keeps urging you to consider both sides more carefully this time. You’ve thought about it a lot, and… [[>You recognize how things are, so you put aside your personal biases to support the candidate who’s looking at the bigger picture]] [[>You vote for “Your Guy.” You did not arrive to where you are today blindly; you know your values and it’s important that the person you elect reflects those same values.]] [[>You don’t vote at all. What difference does it make? You think it’s all a joke and what happens, happens. If you don’t like it, well, maybe you can try again in 4 years.]]

It’s tough, but some things are bigger than you. [[Things are getting rough.]]

You’ve been through a lot lately, and now does not feel like the time to compromise. You’ve lost a lot, why lose more? [[Things are getting pretty rough.]]

You’ve silenced your own voice. [[Things are getting pretty rough.]]

It’s tough, but some things are bigger than you. [[Things are getting rough.]]

You’ve been through a lot lately, and now does not feel like the time to compromise. You’ve lost a lot, why lose more? [[Life has not been kind.]]

You’ve silenced your own voice. [[Life has not been kind.]]

It’s tough, but some things are bigger than you. [[Life has not been kind.]]

You’ve been through a lot lately, and now does not feel like the time to compromise. You’ve lost a lot, why lose more? [[Life has not been kind.]]

You’ve silenced your own voice. [[Life has not been kind.]]

You just want to relax. You want to put on a movie and let all the troubling news and hard decisions go away. You work hard, all day, for too long. You want to escape from everything that’s going on around you. You’re happily married, your home is what you’ve made it to be, and honestly, you just want to relax. But disasters are never too far away. You’ve been given the warning signs, you’ve had your options laid out before you, and you have had time to think about it. As the years of living in this house culminate, molded and shaped by your choices... [[How prepared are you?]]

Thanks to your consistent investment in long term decision making, you’ve successfully negated the disaster that could have been. You sacrificed what you wanted to repair the roof, so there was no water damage. You were willing to put aside personal want in favor of functional solutions in order to save time and resources for the fixes that needed fixing. Since you took care of your electrical problems, even though they felt far and away at the time, your investment has paid off; even if you didn’t know it. Thanks to the strong foundation you’ve built for your home, there was no electrical fire. Your possessions and heirlooms are safe, and life is allowed to move forward. [[But the future still awaits.]]

To put it bluntly: disaster. There was an electrical short that went unnoticed as your home was patched and neglected in favor of things that ultimately did not matter. The expensive vacation didn't prevent the roof from collapsing; the dream car didn’t stop the fire from starting; none of these personal, short lived decisions did anything to save Charlie or your family’s home. As you stand in the cinders of what’s left, you know that the damages outweigh all the initial repair estimates of everything up until this point. The current cost of replacement is absolutely total. And some losses are simply irreplaceable. Without making an effort to secure your future, you have nothing to pass down to Joey but the regrets of your inaction. [[But the future still awaits.]]

Part 4: The future This is what it all comes down to, what everything has always been about. [[Let's take a look.]]

Do you hold on to tradition, believing things will always work out in the end? Do you make the tough decisions and sacrifices now for a better future? Will you stop thinking about you and start thinking about everyone else who deserves happiness and life just like you? It can be difficult to see the future when the present is so demanding, but you have to be willing to try if you want things to be better. [[We have to ask outselves...]]

Where will you stand when facing the murky future of this planet? [[>What I want doesn’t matter in the face of what’s to come. I want to do everything I can to preserve our chance for a future.]] [[>This is a problem, but it’s not for me to figure out. I’ll try, but I have my own plans.]] [[>Things will be fine. Nothing I do will change anything]]

[[Thank you.]]

[[Some things are bigger than us, and those things will not be fine. Most importantly: what you do can and WILL make a difference.]]

We need to take care of our planet like we would take care of our homes. We live here, we have dreams and families, but we have a problem, too. It’s true that the solution does not lay at the feet of the individual, but rather on the shoulders of society. If we want to pass down our home to our children, then we need to make sure it’s habitable. Do what you need to to make sure that happens, because we cannot afford a second home. [[With that being said...]]

Let’s do what needs to be done, so that our generation isn’t the last one to have dreams unburdened by an inhabitable world.

It can be difficult to take things seriously if you continue to only seek comfort in the now. We all have dreams. We all have a life we think we’ll live. The problems of the world can feel so far away or irrelevant, but one day, they will fester and grow and before you know it, it will be here, and it will be too late. If reefs dying and oceans swallowing far away islands don’t bother you, maybe it’s because those are threats you don’t feel afraid of. [[>I know you have your fears. I definitely have mine.]]

I’ve always wanted to experience that classic movie Christmas. It’s been a dream of mine for a very long time; relaxing on a cold snowy day, drinking something warm and comforting as I enjoy the tiny lights of the Christmas tree reflecting off shiny paper and ornaments. It’s small but it’s something I’ve always wanted… and it’s something I am very afraid of losing. So many people go on thinking that their hobbies and traditions are above sacrificing even though near generations will never know the same blissful dreams of a planned future like we had the illusion of hoping for. We will all lose something in the coming decades, but we don’t have to lose everything. [[With that being said...]]