It ws decided a few weeks ago (not by me) that we would close the shop from Wednesday to Wednesday. The owner is on holiday and decided that it would be easier for staffing if he closed the shop. In other words, after the debacle at Christmas, and his solution (making us take one of the weeks off out of our holiday entitlement because one of his staff (again not me), had made a fuss about coming in for some of the time despite us being given time off as a bonus.
Stamps, stamps, stamps…
The result is that we are now being directed when to take holiday and I am no longer paid for working on Wednesdays (normally my day off). To be honest, I can’t be bothered to argue about it as I have less than a year to go. At that point my small works pension and my Old Age pension will combine to produce an income approximately equal to my current part-time shop job. That’s the advantage of my pitiful career trajectory – retirement will not see me any worse off than when I was working. If I can actually find a part-time job after I retire I will actually be better off as a retiree.
Meanwhile, we had the AGM of the Numismatic Society last night. Eighteen men of a certain age gathered together to mutter and raise hands as the Treasurer read his report and the Secretary read his report and the Chairman gave his annual address The age range is from 45-85, with more at the top end of the scale than at the bottom.
Display of old relics at Flintham Show
Fears about being in a dying hobby are well-founded. Cigarette card collecting used to be a big collecting area. These days, despite a large stock, we sell very few cards and the collectors are mainly in their eighties. Card collecting continues, with football and other gum cards (such as Star Wars and Batman) still having a following. Pokemon cards have a strong following too, as do many other sorts of card that we don’t deal with. Old dogs and new tricks spring to mind, but as most of the young people do their business online they don’t need a shop.
There were, as I recall, ten collectors shops with coins and medals when I moved to Nottingham 35 years ago. Now there are two, one of which is mainly a jeweller these days.
That’s how it’s going. Collectors generally find eBay a great place to buy (as I do) and they just don’t bother coming into shops these days, a trend I saw starting over 20 years ago. I’m one of the last remnants from the old days, already halfway between dinosaur and fossil . . .
Silver Coin Set
“Eighteen men of a certain age gathered together to mutter and raise hands…” Oh, this cracked me up! The times are indeed changing. I’m far from young, but I do a lot shopping online. This includes groceries, which are delivered to my doorstep. I love it. If I never had to go into another big box store in my life, that would be just fine with me. Little shops, on the other hand, are another matter, and I am sorry to see them go.
It is tricky – I don’t always get what I want, I don’t get to see the bargains and there’s little room for treats and random purchases.
But it’s convenient, I’m happy with being a hermit and I’m lazy, which tends to make up for the downsides. 🙂
A sad reality. Even bookshops are dwindling
Thirty or 40 years ago I researched bookshops with a view to buying one. I was surprised, even then, at how little some made and found that they were often run more as a hobby by someone who had a working partner – a bit like me struggling in antiques whilst Julia paid the bills.
The Buggles may need to write a second version of “Video Killed The Radio Star”.
It would be interesting – even within their own sphere streaming seems to have taken over, and vinyl is making a comeback. Cassettes, 8 tracks and even CDs are in the dustbin of history.
Part-time work after retirement is not a bad idea. It helps keep one engaged in the world and helps supplement the pension.
I am seeing many things transition into new forms and ways of doing things. The pandemic seems to have accelerated the process.
Yes, everything is changing. I am even thinking of engaging with modern technology, as it might make life easier.
Well, the dinosaurs lasted a lot longer than humans are likely to survive so it no bad thing being one.
I’ve always wanted to make it to 85. Now this is only 20 years away I’m having second thoughts about my lack of ambition . . .