A Change in Economic Priority
Over the past year as the economic meltdown hit, it forced many people to change their economic priorities. Too many individuals were programmed to “spend” money in order to “buy happiness.”
Now with their income levels down because of a layoff, or due to a psychological shift in spending patterns promoted by the media … people are spending less. They are feeling “deprived” since they can not “buy their happiness” anymore. This is wrong!
How many times in your life have you visited a foreign country, or even here in the United States, where people live in abject poverty, but have a happy attitude toward life?
So, we find most Americans overspending to “buy happiness.” At the same time, those unable to “buy happiness” – are happy.
I need your help … here is a list of activities anyone, or any family can do that will be frugal, yet provide a fulfilling time. When done reading this list, please send me what you or your family have been doing to “enjoy” life so I can add it to this list …
• Walk a dog … even if you have to borrow one.
• Write someone an “old fashioned” letter.
• Watch a thunderstorm.
• Donate blood.
• Hug someone.
• Call a senior citizen neighbor to say hello.
• Start a gratitude journal–every morning or evening, write down five things for which you are grateful.
• Read all those books you’ve been collecting while drinking all that tea that has accumulated in your cupboard.
• Get Skype and call friends all over the world.
• Write a poem, or at least read one.
• Continue to make charitable contributions.
• Watch It’s A Wonderful Life or Love Actually or some other super feel-good movie.
• Make a game out of cooking dinner for a week using only ingredients found in your pantry or freezer (adding fresh vegetables).
• Have a book swap party.
• Write a letter to a soldier.
• Exercise.
• Join Netflix and watch hundreds of movies.
• Teach a teenager how to balance a checkbook.
• Listen to music.
• Make a hobby out of finding free weekend activities and planning outings with family friends.
• Feed someone’s parking meter.
• Pay a true compliment to someone who annoys you.
• Visit monuments and museums in your area.
• Discover a new park. Go for a hike.
• Teach a young child how to hit a baseball.
• Your ideas??