Ways to Enjoy Life Without Spending Money
It happens to all of us — something goes wrong in our lives, and in an attempt to console ourselves we suddenly end up at a department store cash register, drowning away our sorrows to the happy sound of the price scanner.
While a small self-pity purchase might be okay every once in awhile, continuing to follow such patterns can lead to a serious hole in the wallet. The better thing to do is to learn how to replace the desire to spend with another enjoyable task that doesn’t involve money. Just as the dieter learns to take a walk instead of reaching for a piece of pie, the overspender needs to learn replacement habits as well!
Here are several ways to enjoy life and feel better without spending money:
Just like the dieter, take a walk or engage in other exercise such as yoga. You’ll burn calories and have the time to think about what’s bothering you.
Volunteer your time. Volunteering is a great way to turn the attention away from yourself and onto another important cause. It can also help put unimportant purchases into perspective.
Sign up for Internet freebies. You can find all sorts of things for free online, including lots of product samples and other goodies. Just go to Google and type in “free stuff” and you’ll be occupied for hours at a time!
Listen to your favorite music. Turn on your radio or MP3 player and blast your favorite music. If you want to indulge just a little without going overboard, allow yourself to purchase one or two new songs to download.
Organize your coupons. If you clip coupons (great for saving money!), spend some time organizing them or planning future deals. Focusing on a task that will save you money in the future is an easy way to get your mind off other things in your life and focus on the positive.
By implementing these tips, you’ll be able to cut down on your expenses and find other activities you enjoy.
“If you would be wealthy, think of saving as well as getting.”
-Benjamin Franklin
