HOW TO: BE HAPPY WITH LESS

Now I'm not gonna tell ya that money can't buy happiness, but I will tell ya that you can be just as happy with a lot less than ya have? Huh? Let me explain...


Step 1: Assume that your life is as good as it's ever gonna get.
Assume you'll never be richer, and you'll be a bunch closer to bein' content with what ya have, 'specially if you're not wishin' and hopin' and prayin' to get more.



Step 2: Know the truth.
Don't assume that more money would make you happier. As long as the bills are gettin' paid, there's not much difference on the happiness scale between the rich and the rest of us. Think about it.


Step 3: Make frugality fun.
In other words... Think Cheap! Figurin' out ways to save money can be as satisfyin' as spendin' it.

Step 4: Play The Glad Game

Think happy thoughts. People who thought about positive events in their lives for 8 minutes per day for 3 days felt better about their lives a month later, according to a study. And no, I don't know what study it was or who did the study or why 8 minutes and not 10... just do it!

Step 5: Focus on Doin'instead of Spendin'.

Focus on things you can DO instead of things you can BUY. Experiences bring more pleasure than possessions, and the good feelings last longer, accordin' to research... again, I don't know what research, just do it. It just seems more believable if you think someone has done research, don't it? Go for a walk, go swing on the playground, work in your garden, play with your hamster, etc.

Step 6: GO GREEN.

Ever time you refrain from buyin' somethin' that you don't need, make do with what you've got, or purchase somethin' used, think of the good you're doin' the planet. And besides, bein' Green in this day and time is very popular, and it makes people think you're smarter than you really are, trust me on this.

A wise person once said... "Embrace the sentiment that true happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you've got." And no it weren't me that said it, but it coulda been.

Outdoorsy Humor

How to Clean Your Pipes

Have ya seen Jamie Lee Curtis in that commercial that they show over and over again? You know the one where the one lady is tryin' to coax another lady into goin' swimmin'? And the first lady squinches up her face like she's smells somethin' unpleasant and starts rubbin' her tummy and says she can't go swimmin', with bowlegged women, no no sorry... she can't go swimmin' cause she's a bit irregular. You know that commercial of which I'm speakin'?

Well, I was a bit puzzled 'bout what they meant by irregular and all the talk about "Irregular Bowel Syndrome" (IBS as it's often referred to). Anything that ends in syndrome sounds serious to me, you too? What they're advertisin' is a product called "Activia", and you really can't just say the word, ya have to sorta sing it like they do on the TV... you know, Ac-tiv-ee-ah! I went and bought some of the stuff Monday, the strawberry flavored kind... it's a strawberry yogurt is what it is. Honestly I didn't know what they were talkin' about when they were talkin' about IBS. Well, let me tell you somethin'... I now have a pretty darn good idea of what it means now!

It tasted like any of them little yogurt cups, strawberry-like and yogurty, but what happens afterwards... well, just refer to the title of this blog. Bet you thought I was gonna help ya with your household plumbing, huh?

Ac-tiv-ee-ah!

It works... trust me. It's a good thing I live alone.