Valentine’s Day on a Budget
Holidays are notorious for being a call for spending and Valentine’s Day is no exception, but there’s no need to spend buckets of money to empress your honey. Follow these tips and you’ll have a successful Valentine’s Day without blowing your budget.
Check out the oddest of places- The dollar store may not seem like the ideal place to pick up Valentine’s gifts, but you may be in for a big surprise. I went to the dollar store with the intentions of just getting a gift bag, but I found so much more! I bought my Valentine’s cards (that were simple, but sentimental and half the price of regular cards), tissue paper, and some yummy chocolate for my roommates. At the checkout I even spotted single red roses! My roommate and I were in such disbelief that we had to ask and the cashier assured us that the roses were real! In the end, the dollar store may not seem like the first place you would want to start your shopping, but just because the items are inexpensive that doesn’t mean they’re of cheap.
Try the outdoors- If you’re having nice weather, try packing a picnic instead of eating out. You can still have multiple courses without going to a restaurant and paying big bucks for it. Make everything prior to your outing, pack it up and tell your honey that you two are going to go for a little outing. Not only will you get brownie points for surprising her, who wouldn’t want a homemade meal created by the one you love?! Also, if the weather isn’t the best where you’re at, an indoor picnic can be just as romantic! Set out a blanket and some pillows and sit by the fireplace or watch the rain fall.
Here are some super easy recipes to get you started:
Chickpea Salad
California Club Sandwich or Lobster Club Sandwich
Raspberry Cake Bars
Lunch anyone?- If you and your Valentine would rather eat out, lunch time specials allow you to dine for a deal. Restaurants will either throw in a free salad bar or soup before your entrée, or some places offer a two for special that may include an appetizer, entrée and a dessert to share. If dinner is a more feasible option, try looking up places that are offering Valentine’s specials. These can be similar to the midday menu in which they may offer a free dessert or other incentives.
In the end, Valentine’s Day isn’t about the gifts or the deals, but showing the ones closest to you that you care for them. So if nothing else, be sure to say the one phrase that costs nothing by means everything….I love you.
The Link Between your Things and Happiness
The recession certainly has made people view money and materiel objects differently, but one couple decided to change the way they live….permanently.
Tammy Strobel and her husband, Logan Smith started to downsize and give away items in their home, but when Tammy came across a challenge of living with just 100 personal items, a whole new version of downsizing came along.
Tammy and her husband moved out of their two bedroom apartment, sold their car and now ride bikes, and moved into a 400 square foot studio apartment. In addition, between her toiletries and her wardrobe, Tammy truthfully owns just 100 items.
Though this may seem a little drastic to some, turning to this style of simple living enhanced Tammy and Logan’s life drastically. Since there has been a cut in their living expenses and the money they spend, Tammy hasn’t found the need to work as often. This gives her more time to spend outside and volunteer, too.
That isn’t the most beneficial change this lifestyle has given them, however. Between selling their home and cutting their living expenses, Tammy and Logan have freed themselves from the $30,000 debt they once owed.
They, like many others through this recession, are finding out that less might actually mean more, especially more happiness. And a recent study agrees with this theory!
“New studies of consumption and happiness show, for instance, that people are happier when they spend money on experiences instead of material objects, when they relish what they plan to buy long before they buy it, and when they stop trying to outdo the Joneses,” stated an article from the New York Times.
Also, spending money on experiences means you’re more likely to spend time with friends or loved ones and are able to make memories, something you can’t exactly get from a trip to the store buying a new outfit.
In the end, you don’t need to make the extreme change that Tammy and Logan did, but cutting back may help financially and positively add to your health emotionally.
To read the full article click here.
And to find out more about the benefits of buying less, watch The Story of Stuff and visit their website .
Source:
The New York Times
A Free Way to Happiness
Giving isn’t as easy as it once was. Many charities in the community are asking for more help due to the bad economic times, but it is for that very reason that a financial gift isn’t always possible. However, the gift of your time is never frowned upon.
Many organizations need volunteers for all sorts of jobs. Also, since there are so many charities, it is nearly impossible to find an organization that won’t hold your interest or your heart. Volunteering doesn’t just bring joy to your life, it improves your community, brings happiness to those whose lives you’ve touched, and best of all it is easy and free for you.
Finding a place to volunteer at is easier than ever. Check out websites like http://www.volunteermatch.org/ and http://www.serve.gov/about.asp. These sites are easy to navigate through and were created just to help people find some place they would really enjoy volunteering at.
If you are unable to dedicate a few days to volunteering at an organization in your community, start in your own home and neighborhood. Try cleaning out your closet and dresser. Whatever you haven’t worn in a while and that’s still in good condition, donate to the Goodwill. You’ll be supporting this organization and may even get a tax write off.
Next, look around and see if any of your neighbors need help, especially if you have elderly neighbors. Offer to help someone wash their car, or see if they have any two person jobs that they couldn’t previously complete.
Overall, volunteering is easy and can be fun too. Look for something that peaks your interest and you can never go wrong!
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