Happiness Can Be Found All Around Without Breaking the Bank

Seems to be no matter what the state of the national, global or local economy, money is always tight. Everyone always wants more than they have & can always find ways to spend it faster than ways to bring it in. Sure there are a few lucky people out there who are set for life & able to fulfill all the whims that pop into their heads whenever they want, but for most of us, money isn't coming in an endless supply.

So what are we to do to stay happy, healthy & sane? Take advantage of all the simple pleasures in life.

Depending on where you live, there may be a plethora of free or low cost ways to spend your time & enhance your outlook on life. One of the best investments you can make is in a membership to your local museum, zoo or aquarium. Not only are you supporting your local community resource, which typically is a nonprofit, but you are educating yourself on a great topic. Become the expert. Most of these sites host events and lectures exclusively for their members or supporters. This can be a great place to meet people with similar interest. The conversations can be quite entertaining & the price is right! Volunteering or getting involved in a local interest club can also be a wonderful way of helping others while spending an afternoon on the cheap feeling great.

Of course the Internet is a wonderful place to gain knowledge for just the cost of your Internet connection or a trip to your local library or coffee bar. Escape is just a click away when you log on. Feel like taking a trip but realize you can't afford the cost of the ticket or even the time off work? Virtual visits cost nothing & while you might not get sand in your luggage, you also won't have that looming pile of laundry to do as soon as you return or have to deal with the security lines at the airport. Simply gazing at a few beach shots or browsing through a website can take you miles away will never leaving your chair. Plus then you can be really informed for when you are able to afford that vacation & know exactly where you want to go.

Clean out your closets. Not just the ones that house your clothes, but also those other ones around the house... the dreaded anything & everything closet! You would be amazed at what you might find if you are like most people. Old box of family photos can bring back a flood of memories & don't cost a think to reminisce over. Stack of board games left from by gone days? Play them. Host a game night & have friends & family bring snacks or a drink. Make sure to take pictures to add to that box of photos you found. Amazing how many ways you can recreate games with just a bit of imagination. Candyland might not seem like the ideal game for a few grown ups to play, but if you add on a few extra rules, the fun may be endless. Try a truth or dare round every time you land on red. Get creative, reinvent the rules & make a few unique memories. Old toys can have plenty of new life with just a little effort.

While you are cleaning out those closets, if you do end up in the one that holds your clothes, try them on. Do they still fit? Do they still fit your life? If not, start getting them out of your house. Donating to a charity retail store or selling them on eBay or Craigslist are ideas, but what about a clothing swap? Invite friends, hopefully of similar sizes, to come over for a BYOClothes party. Again share cost by having each person bring a snack or drink. Have fun going through the clothes that are no longer someone else, but may be just what you want. Impromptu fashion shows and laughter may ensue!

Not feeling as social? Spend sometime outdoors. Everywhere in the world has a place that you can venture to and find a bit of peace of mind. Sitting on a park bench watching the birds fly or people watch from a bus bench. If you are lucky enough to live close to a park or beach, enjoy it. Nature changes daily, do you notice the changes? Or do you honor the passing of the seasons simply by flipping the pages of a calendar? Create a habit of enjoying some nature. Care for a plant, feed the birds, or just walk and feel the breeze. All are gifts that can be ignored or enjoyed.

The real challenge is to see what is already in your life with an optimistic perspective. You can look at the same object anyway you choose. An empty cardboard box can be a fort in a child's eyes or a nuisance to be recycled in an adult's. Others may see it as a challenge to fill the box with items to be donated. They may be inspired to release useless items in their life to give to those who can use them. So open your eyes. Get creative & be thankful for all we have rather than dwell on all that we want or might be missing out on. I dare say there is more available than we are aware.

Sometimes the best things in life are indeed free. Just have to see & act on the possibilities around you.