People who feel abundant are content with who they are, not what they have. Here are some tangible ways to stay connected and feel peace in this daunting times.
Everyone is watching their money, from people with six and seven figure incomes to those barely making it. There are ways to navigate in the world happily and in peace, with very little money.
What To Do With That Extra Time
Don't sit around the house and wait for the phone to ring. Now, more than ever, create a routine and stick to it. Get up, shower and dress.
Action Plans
- Set aside a certain amount of time for job hunting. Read the newspaper, update resumes, make some phone calls and hunt for work on the Internet. After a certain amount of time, stop and make sure to get out of the house.
- Find an elderly neighbor and help them with errands.
- Volunteer at a shelter or any other local, civic organization volunteer them. Often when people volunteer on a regular basis, they are offered paid employment .
- Go to the library and read up on skills to improve upon. Now is the time to take advantage of that most precious commodity, extra time.
- There are a lot of classes, lectures, seminars and workshops that are offered free at the library and guidance centers. Everyone's taxes paid for these classes. Now is the time to cash in.
Live Like Kings And Queens
- Instead of going out to lunch, invite friends over for pot luck. Eating this way, instead of spending loads of money at a restaurant will provide a lot more food that everyone can take home. Everybody will also have a lot more fun, because no one is around to tell them to keep it down.
- Have "ethnic" cooking nights, "never tried this recipe before" nights, "my favorite recipe" nights.
- If everyone is experiencing being unemployed and/or laid off, all the more reason to get together to share networking tips and deepen friendship.
- Try eating vegan/vegetarian once or twice a week. Tofu is very high in protein and is less expensive than fish, chicken or meat. It can be made into delicious entrees and even desserts. To find recipes on the Internet, type in vegetarian cooking, vegetarian cuisine, vegetarian recipes and tofu recipes.
- Have a clothes swap. Clean and press clothes that don't fit or that will honestly be never worn again and have everyone else do the same. Everyone will come out with something "new" and get rid of stuff that has been lying in their closet for years. The basic rule of thumb for getting rid of clothes is get rid of anything that has not been worn for a year. Don't try to diet down into something to keep it. This is the time to unload baggage and make a fresh start in one's home and thinking. Donate whatever is leftover to charity.
Have Fabulous, Fun Nights Without Spending A Mint
- Have "Disco Night" at someone's place that's large enough to accomodate a large group. Make it alcohol free so no one has to worry about driving and children can attend. This will make it fun for the whole family. Get some great dance music from the '60's,'70's, '80's or whatever people like. Make a theme, have everyone bring some party food, dress in the clothes from that era and have a blast!
Be Grateful
Every morning, when first arising, take ten deep breaths and think of people and things to be grateful for.
Remember, being and feeling abundant comes from within and not from possessions.
The copyright of the article How To Feel Abundant In Lean Times in Personal Budgeting/Finance is owned by Cindy Ming. Permission to republish How To Feel Abundant In Lean Times in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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