Life can get really complicated, really fast! Some times we can get over-whelmed by our various responsibilities. Every now and then you just need a bit of encouragement to get over the hump. Here are a few reminders on how important it is to maintain your quality of life and guard it against all the things that living can bring.

“If you don’t set a baseline standard for what you’ll accept in life, you’ll find it’s easy to slip into behaviors and attitudes or a quality of life that’s far below what you deserve.” Anthony Robbins

“The quality of life is more important than life itself” Alexis Carrel

“It’s obvious that the key problem facing humanity in the coming century is how to bring a better quality of life — for 8 billion or more people — without wrecking the environment entirely in the attempt.”
Edward O. Wilson

“We have to shift our emphasis from economic efficiency and materialism towards a sustainable quality of life and to healing of our society, of our people and our ecological systems.” Janet Holmes

“The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.” Vince Lombardi

Researchers have worked on answers to this question for years. This publication discusses six of the most important of these family strengths. It also provides activities that may help build or improve these strengths in your family.

As you read about each of these family strengths, decide where your family is already strong. Then identify one area where you want to be stronger. It is probably not a good idea to work on several areas at once, as the family might get overwhelmed. Work on developing one identified area at a time. In addition to using the exercise in this publication, you might invite family members to suggest ways to build in the area that you are working.
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Family Strength 1: Caring And Appreciation

Families are strengthened by expressions of caring and appreciation. Even when a family member makes many mistakes, members of strong families find ways to encourage and support each person. Strong families notice and share positive aspects of each other. For example, they pay attention to another person’s polite behavior or something nice he or she did or said. They notice the talents, skills, achievements, special qualities, and characteristics that make the other person unique. You might show appreciation by writing short love notes about one of these things, and put the note under the person’s pillow, or in a backpack, briefcase, or purse. Write something like “Emily, I’m proud of you for working so hard on your homework. Love, Dad.” Giving time is an important way of showing caring and appre ciation. Children want parents to be available – to have time, to show interest, to do things with them, and to talk with them.

A strong family finds that opportunities for quality time occur as they spend quantity time together. Eating meals together, sharing joys and defeats, working together, making treats together, and watching movies or playing games are examples of shared activities. Some families even schedule one evening every week for special family activities.

Physical expressions are good ways of showing affection, love, and appreciation. Small children often like to snuggle with their parents. A quick pat, a hug, a kiss, a handclasp, or an arm around the shoulder can say a lot to people of all ages.

Consider making gift certificates for each other. Be sure to follow through and do what the certificate promises. Good manners and everyday courtesy to a child or a spouse lets the person know that he or she matters. Ask children and other family members to do things rather than demand that they do them. Compliment good behavior. Thank family members for their efforts. Ask for opinions. Listen to comments. Avoid saying anything that is critical or unkind.

Family Strength 2: Commitment

Members of strong families are committed to the family. They value the things that make their family special. Even when times are hard, they work on problems together.

One way to build family commitment is to practice family traditions. A family tradition is any activity or event that occurs regularly and holds special meaning for that family. The tradition may be as simple as stories and prayers before bedtime, Saturday morning pancakes, or as elaborate as an annual big vacation. Because these traditions have meanings that are special to the family, they create feelings of warmth, closeness, and specialness. Traditions can build a feeling of stability and safety for family members.

One way to build family loyalty and commitment is to compile a family history. Ask older relatives to talk about their lives. Their stories contain a glimpse of their personalities and strengths. Learn about your family’s heritage. Discover what country your ancestors came from, when they lived, how they lived, and what they did for a living. Find books, magazines, tapes, films, or pictures that relate to the countries your ancestors lived in and the things people did in those countries.

Family Strength 3: Communication

Strong families communicate. They talk. They share themselves. They share their feelings, hopes, dreams, fears, joys, sorrows, experiences, growth, and needs. They take the time to listen and respond to what others have to say. There are a number of things that can improve family communication.

Make time to talk. It is especially important to talk about feelings. You may decide to turn off the TV so the family can talk. Talk about feelings and experiences while driving in the car, while sharing household chores, or before bedtime. You can encourage family members to share by saying, “Tell me more.” “Wow. That must have been exciting (frightening, etc.).” “What was the best part of the day for you?”

You might try playing a talking game. Write down on small pieces of paper questions about topics important to your family. Questions might range from “What age would you like to be and why?” and “What animal would you like to be?” to more serious questions like “Do you think it is ever all right to tell a lie?”

Make the questions appropriate for the ages of the family members. Place the questions in a box and have each person draw out a sheet of paper and respond to the question. This game can be played at dinnertime or during special times set aside for talking.

When your family has a problem, make suggestions that are kind and helpful. Try to suggest actions that you or others could take to improve the situation or solve the problem. If you criticize another person’s actions without helping that person come up with an alternative, he or she may feel frustrated and helpless.

Be a good listener. Listening to what others say and feel is one of the most powerful ways of showing love. To be good listeners we often must set aside our lectures and really try to understand from the point of view of the other person. The goal is simply to hear, understand, and accept the other person’s feelings and views.

The other person may feel understood if you say to him or her, “It sounds like you feel [describe what you think the person feels]. Is that right?” The other person can then say if he or she was correctly understood. Real acceptance and understanding take patience and active listening. Other ideas on effective listening are available in Extension Circular HE-682 in this series, “Being Understanding: A Key To Developing Healthy Children.”

Family Strength 4: Community And Family Ties

Strong families draw on other people and institutions for support. If they have a hard time dealing with a problem, they are willing to seek outside help. Strong families also tend to be closely involved with the schools, churches, and local organizations that promote the well-being of the community and the individual

Ties with relatives, neighbors, and friends are especially important. Busy schedules can make it hard to spend time with people outside the family. But relationships can sometimes be kept up by having family members write brief notes. Or the family can make it a special point to visit with certain people.

Helping people in need – in our own extended families, in our neighborhoods, and in our communities – can be very rewarding. A family might choose an elderly person or couple who need help with raking leaves, caring for a lawn or garden, or cleaning or repairing a house. They might read to someone. Or the family might just visit.

Parents can teach their children to become involved citizens. Look for a local, state, or national issue in newspapers, magazines, television newscasts, or radio news. Find out which public officials would be interested in the issue. Write a letter to a city commissioner, school board member, legislator, or even the President! Let each family member, even younger ones, compose his or her own original letter. Save the replies to the letters in a scrapbook.

Family Strength 5: Working Together

Strong families make decisions, solve family problems, and do family work together. Everyone participates. Parents are the leaders, but the children’s opinions and efforts are invited, encouraged, and appreciated. For example, a toddler can be involved with you in grocery shopping. Explain that you need a helper when you shop for groceries. Decide which simple food items the helper can choose, such as cereal or fruit snacks. When you get to the right aisle, give the child a few moments to make a decision. An older child can be taught to use the information on product labels to make decisions. Provide plenty of encouragement for their efforts.

Making real decisions is good practice and can help children grow up to be responsible adults. Children need opportunities to make decisions, to participate in family decisions, and to observe the parents’ decision-making process and results.

Children are more apt to carry out their responsibilities if they have some choice as to what those responsibilities are and can see how these particular tasks help the family. Teenagers are more willing to go along on a family vacation if they help decide where to go and what to do. Youngsters are more likely to accept limitations regarding purchases if they have an awareness of the family’s financial situation.

Letting children take part in decision-making says to them “You are important, and what you have to say counts.” Many families have found that a family council improves communication and decision-making. The family council is a meeting that gives every member of the family the opportunity to express opinions and ideas, offer compliments or complaints, and most importantly, be listened to.

Family Strength 6: Flexibility And Openness To Change

All families develop habits, routines, and a set of rules. These patterns are ways to deal with day-to-day life. Some of the more obvious patterns are who cooks, washes dishes, does the laundry, or fixes the car. Other less obvious patterns include: Who has the right to make what decisions? How are differences of opinion handled? How are anger, affection, or other emotions expressed?

Many families find it helpful to have a chart of household tasks and to rotate the assignments. Parents can set the example of flexibility by offering to help out a child who has an unusually heavy load of homework or other activities.

The development of a stable family pattern is necessary to deal with all the things a family must face, decide, and accomplish in daily life. But a family must also be able to adapt to new needs and circumstances.

There are a number of common changes most families face. Children get older. Adults switch jobs or retire. Families are reshaped by birth, adoption, marriage, divorce, sickness, and death. Families move to different communities. Family relationships are most likely to remain healthy and strong if family members adapt to these changes.

Summary

Spend some time together identifying your family’s strengths. Then celebrate them. From that foundation of existing strengths, choose additional strengths that you can add to your family. Become involved in activities that will help your family build those strengths.

written by H. Wallace Goddard, Extension Family and Child Development Specialist, Department of Family and Child Development, Auburn University.

Professional financial advisors and money managers will tell you that while risky, investing in bonds, futures, mutual funds, and the stock market can reap amazing rewards. The only trick is having enough money to create lucrative returns on your investments. If you’re not a high-roller with lots of distributable cash, betting on the market might not be an ideal approach.

So how can an average man with an average salary begin to acquire and keep more money? The following list offers 5 tips that can help fatten your wallet:

# Invest In Your Talents
Before you think “I have no talents.”, take inventory of your aspirations, goals, and hobbies. Everyone has something they love doing. Whether it’s reading books, making music, or volunteering to tutor kids at a local school — there are monetary benefits tied to your abilities.

Many businesses are willing to pay for services and talents that you may find second nature. If you’re a great motivational speaker, a graphic artist, or have superb mathematical skills — the possibilities are endless. Consider promoting those talents to an organization that’s willing to pay for them, or start your own organization and sell your strengths to others.

# Live Beneath Your Means
One of easiest ways to secure your place in financial bondage, is to spend extravagantly. If your yearly salary is $30,000, you probably shouldn’t purchase that shiny new 2008 BMW 335i Coupe, no matter how good your credit may be. Keeping what you have is one of the best ways to grow your wealth. If you have monthly bills, continue to pay them on time, until they are completely paid off. Any extra money should be applied to food, fuel, and health expenses until you have saved at least 6 months worth of your current salary.

You don’t have to pinch pennies, but being less needy and greedy can keep a lot of cash in your pocketbook. A man earning $35,000/year with virtually no debt, is a lot better off financially than a man who earns $75,000/year, but owes $120,000 in credit card and other debt.

# Stop Dreaming
Unless you are truly investing in one of your raw talents, becoming the next international Olympic star sprinter at age 38 isn’t likely to happen. Instead, you should focus on genuine goals that can be supported by your experiences, your skill set, and your current bank account. If you don’t have the money or background to chase a pie-in-the-sky dream, shrink it down to more manageable ambitions.

Working towards your life goals is a good thing, but throwing money after an impractical project will only fuel future financial problems. If you wish to make a business out of your hobby, consider applying for a small business loan. Though this creates more debt, your new business venture can potentially reverse your fortunes, turn a profit, and recoup those short-term expenditures.

# Spend Wisely
Once your wallet begins to fill with monetary abundance, spending it can be fun. But keep in mind that it takes money to make money. You must have some, in order to generate more. Once it’s gone, it may require an even higher level of energy and sacrifice to get it back. Overspending on material possessions like fashion, electronics, automobiles, jewelry, and luxury travel won’t give you the financial leverage you need to generate extra wealth from your current capital.

If you must spend large sums of money, consider long-term investments such as houses, mutual funds, securities, or viable business ventures — all of which have the potential to reap high rewards down the road.

# Diversify Yourself
When you look at successful businessmen and businesswomen, you’ll notice one important commonality — they are all diversified. They have managed to venture into more than just one business environment and this helps expand the number of revenue producing sources.

Source

Stuff 4 Better Living! I thought it would be fitting to start with a list of tips that you can try to incorporate into your life and hopefully begin to improve your quality of life !!

This list is very general. With this and any information or advice you receive, always view it through the lens of your unique situation

At Work

1. Delegate Tasks — One of the easiest ways to reduce stress and be happier is to delegate some of your smaller tasks when possible. Make a list of your tasks and decide what you need to do yourself and what you can delegate to others. With fewer things to worry about you’ll be able to better concentrate on the more important aspects of your life.

2. Make Friends at Work — Although, conventional wisdom says that your work and personal life should be kept separate, but most people find that having friends at work makes going to work more fun. If work stress is getting to you, or you just want company for a break, a work friend can be a great way to make your work environment a happier place to be.

3. Personalize Your Workspace — You’ll be a lot happier to spend hours at your desk if it’s a pleasant place to be. Add pictures of friends and family or get some nice desk accessories to improve your space. Be careful to stay within the office rules and politics and stay tuned with your overall office environment.

4. Find a Job You Love —While this may be easier said than done, having a job you enjoy can make a big difference in your overall happiness. You spend a good portion of your day at work, so shouldn’t it be something you enjoy? Think about what you don’t like and do like about your current job and what you would really like to do. Be patient though, securing a new job can be quite a stressful tasks… especially if you don’t have one or your current one is a downer.

5. Get Outside —A little fresh air can make a big difference. Take some time out of your day and  go outside.

6. Sit Up Straight —Many times, the key to feeling more energetic and productive is to act the part. Stop slouching in your chair and sit up straight. Not only will it help your posture (not to mention reduce back and neck stress) but it will also help you feel more alert.

8. Keep Your Desk Clean —A chaotic desk can make completing even the simplest tasks an ordeal. Take a few minutes each day to tidy up papers on your desk. It will help you work more efficiently and reduce the amount of time you spend looking for those important documents.

9. Don’t Procrastinate —If you have a task that needs to get done, don’t put it off. Get the least desirable of your tasks out of the way as soon as possible, while you feel energetic. You’ll feel a lot better after it’s taken care of, and you’ll be able to focus on other tasks without the worry in the back of your mind.

11. Say No — Saying no can be a difficult thing to do. It can make you feel guilty or that you aren’t meeting the expectations of others. Often, in order to maintain sanity, no is the only answer. If you’re too busy or already have other commitments just say no- you don’t have to please everyone and you’ll save yourself a lot of stress.

14. Schedule Around Energy Levels — If you always experience a post-lunch slump in energy then don’t schedule an important meeting or your most difficult tasks for that time. Work with your body’s natural energy highs and lows as much as possible. It will make you more productive and reduce the amount of stress you feel at work.

15. Ask for What You Want — Think you deserve a raise? Want to work from home a few days a week? Then don’t be afraid to ask. Many people fear the rejection of their requests so much they never bother to ask. It’s true, you might not always get what you want, but it’s better to know where you stand than to waste your time wondering.

17. Don’t Hide Behind E-mail — E-mail is a great tool for work but there are some things that are simply better discussed in person. Make the effort to go into a coworker or boss’ office to discuss things in person.

18. Protect Your Private Time — It can be hard to balance work and personal time. But in order to be a happy and healthy person you need time to yourself outside of work. Schedule times when you will be completely work free – no e-mail, cell phone or PDA and do something you truly enjoy doing.

19. Ask for Help — Sometimes we simply have more than we can handle. There is no shame in asking for help if you truly need it. Let your boss or coworkers know that you’re in need of help and see if something can be worked out to lighten your load.

20. Control Interruptions —While we all love getting the occasional forwarded e-mail or coworker that stops by to chat, these kind of interruptions can make it very hard to get work done. You cannot eliminate interruptions, but you should do your best to control them. Set aside blocks of time where you don’t check e-mail and let calls go to voicemail so that you can complete the work you need to with fewer interruptions.

Around the House

22. Stay Organized —If you’ve ever spent several frantic minutes searching for your keys on your way out the door or looked everywhere for that hammer just to hang up a few pictures, you know that being disorganized can eat up a lot of your time. Clean out closets, under sinks, and even your basement and put items you want to keep in boxes or bins with labels so that you’ll be able to find the items when you need them.

23. Get Rid of Unwanted Items —Inevitably, we all collect “stuff” as we go through life. But sometimes this stuff simply becomes clutter and we need to figure out what is worth the effort to keep and what is simply crowding our space. Go through your old items and get rid of anything you don’t want or things that you haven’t used in the past year. You’d be surprised how little you miss these things, and there will be much less sitting around gathering dust.

24. Plan the Night Before —Tame your hectic mornings by taking a few minutes before you go to bed to lay out the essentials for the next day. Pick out your clothes, fix lunches, and put your important things in one place. It will only take a few minutes and you’ll help to make starting your day much more relaxing.

25. Don’t Let Things Pile Up —It’s easy just to throw all the mail into a pile on the table to take care of later but this process can easily get out of hand and before you know it there’s weeks worth of papers. You can save yourself time and trouble by creating a sorting system to manage your incoming papers, deciding what’s important to keep and what can go to the recycle bin before it becomes an unmanageable clutter.

26. Fix-Up or Rearrange Your House —Sick of your same old living room or the squeaking screen door? You don’t need to move. Sometimes just fixing up or rearranging things around the house can make your space seem like new. Take pride in your home and fix up little things around the house. Embrace your inner interior designer and try moving your couch to the other wall, or changing out the curtains. Have some Feng Shui fun and discover the “lucky places” in your home. Improving your surroundings can often have a big impact on improving your mood.

27. Cook Ahead — If you find yourself constantly eating out because you don’t have the energy to cook every day after getting home from work, then you could save money and eat healthier by cooking meals ahead of time. Take one day a week and cook several meals for teh week ahead and freeze them. That way, you’ll simply have to take dinner out before you leave for work and it will be waiting for you when you get home.

28. Schedule Time for Projects —There are always lots of little things that need to get done around the house, but finding time to do them can be hard. Schedule a specific time to do these kinds of tasks so they don’t pile up and stress you out.

29. Clean House Bit by Bit — Cleaning a messy house can be a big task. Help yourself out by cleaning your house bit by bit. You can start by cleaning one room at a time, or to be more proactive, always take a few items with you each time you leave a room to put away. You’ll save time, and won’t feel overwhelmed by cleaning the whole house at once.

30. Program Your Thermostat — You can save a lot of energy and money by getting a programmable thermostat. Adjust the settings so that the heat goes down when you leave for work and comes back up shortly before you get home. There is no sense in paying for heat that you aren’t there to enjoy. This is not only greener, but can also save you quite a bit in utility costs.

31. Sun Dry Clothes — While this isn’t a year round practical option for many people who live in colder climes, in the warm months sun drying clothes can be a way to save on the energy that would have been used by your dryer. Instead of paying for your dryer to do the work, let the sun do it instead completely free of charge. Plus you can enjoy some fresh air in the process!

33. Do Less Laundry — Do you really need to wash the shirt you wore for 2 hours at dinner? Before you throw that shirt into your laundry hamper, take a second look. Does it really need to be washed or could it go for another wearing? This little action will save time, energy, and help your clothes to last longer.

34. Wash Your Car — Skip the trip to the carwash and wash your car at home. Get some helpers and this can be a great way to bond with family and get you outside for some good clean fun.

35. Recycle — One of the easiest ways to live greener is by recyclinginstead of simply throwing everything away. Many communities have curbside recycling programs which make it no more difficult to recycle than to take out the regular garbage. If your community doesn’t offer this service find out where local recycling centers are located. For some recyclables, such as aluminum cans, you can actually get money back for the items you recycle. Find a local Freecycle so that you can recycle locally and save on gas!

36. Maintain Your Car — Keeping your car well maintained not only increases its life, but can also save you money on gas and repairs in the long run. Make sure to monitor your tire pressure, under filled tires can cause your car to use more gas and be less efficient.

38. Get a Water Filter — If you’re worried about the quality of your water, get yourself a good water filter. Bottled water might seem like a good solution, but it’s considerably more expensive and also creates a lot of waste. So get your water from the tap (you’re paying for it anyway) and the filter will take out any impurities you might be worried about.

39. Bring the Outside Inside — Nothing spruces up a room like bringing in a few plants. Find plants that won’t aggravate any allergies or that may be poisonous to any humans or pets. They can add life to a room and provide you with a little bit of nature even when you can’t get outside.

40. Re purpose Old Items — Just because you’ve lost a use for an item in it’s original purpose doesn’t mean it’s garbage. Experiment with using items around the house in creative ways. Turn your old ice cube trays into places to store jewelry. Have a wine rack you don’t use? Turn it into a magazine rack. Look around your house to figure out your own solutions for reusing items and creating less trash.

41. Plant a Garden — Having a garden can be a very rewarding experience. You don’t have to go full scale. You can begin with just a few plants in pots if you don’t have the space or time to maintain a large garden. Packets of seeds or young plants cost very little and can produce lots of fresh fruits and vegetables for you and your family. Tomatoes, peppers, and lettuce are great plants to start with.

42. Learn to DIY — Almost anything you can pay a service person to do you can learn to do on your own. Hemming your own pants, changing your own oil or doing your own taxes can all be things you can learn to do on your own. Not only does this save money, but you will gain the confidence and satisfaction of knowing you did it all on your own.

44. Use Less — The easiest and most simple way to save money and resources is simply to use less. When you brush your teeth, make sure to turn off the tap. When you leave the room, turn out the lights. These are simply solutions that will reduce your monthly bills and save energy.

45. Take Care of Your Things — So you’ve finally found the perfect sweater/couch/pair of shoes, don’t let your intrepid purchase fall apart before its time. To make sure your purchase lasts as long as possible make sure to take care of it appropriately. Mending holes, taking care of stains and putting things away where they belong will help prolong the life of your favorite things.

47. Buy Classics — One way to reduce the stress of what to wear is to buy simple, classic clothes that you can mix and match. Classics are also an investment, as you won’t have to get rid of them before they wear out because they’ve gone out of style.

Finance

48. Schedule Bill Paying — Schedule a time each week to sit down and take care of your bills. If possible, set up your major bills to all be due on the same payment schedule. This will save you time, and will allow you to not constantly worry if bills have been paid or not.

49. Have a Yard Sale — Yard Sales can be a great way to make some extra money from items that you no longer want or need. Make the small investment to place an ad in the local newspaper (save money by sharing the cost with neighbors who would also like to have a sale). Whatever you don’t sell you can donate to a local charity or thrift store.

50. Make a Budget — The first step to feeling secure financially is to make a budget that can help you pay for everyday needs, as well as take care of debts, and save for the future. The best way to create a budget is to figure out how you’re spending your money right now. Track all of your expenses for a few months down to that morning cup of coffee. Then, figure out how you can make changes to best suit your needs. Be realistic about your changes and it will be much easier to stick to your new spending plan.

51. Save Your Change — While a few pennies may not seem like much, a whole jar full of them can add up quickly. Make a habit of putting your change in a piggy bank or jar and taking it to the bank periodically. It can be a helpful way to have extra money for treats and personal expenses from money that might have just ended up in the couch cushions or the cup holder of your car.

52. Create an Emergency Fund — One way to set your mind at ease is to make sure you always have a cushion for emergency expenses. An emergency fund can help protect you from going into debt should any misfortune befall you such as unexpected car repairs or illnesses. How much should you save? This is up to you and depends on your income and the amount of debt you have, or whatever makes you feel secure.

53. Keep Separate Accounts — Separate accounts can help you save money easily and simply for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it helps to have an account solely for holiday expenses or for a college fund. You can set up a main account that automatically places a set amount into each account so you don’t have to worry about transactions. Create checking or savings accounts with compound interest, and you can make money on those accounts.

54. Eliminate Credit Card Debt — Credit card debt is a common financial hang up for millions of people, and can cause a great amount of stress. Help reduce your credit card debt by paying as much as you can on it each month, even if it means going without a few other things. You can also help yourself by transferring your debt to a card with a lower APR— there are many cards available that have low or zero APR for the first few months you hold the card. This can give you a chance to make payments on the card without incurring any new interest.

55. Educate Yourself About Finances — The more you know about finances – including budgeting, investments and insurance – the more confident you’ll be in making decisions that affect you financially. Take a class or read a book about an area you’d like to learn more about. Take advantage of Investopedia’s free information and you’ll save money even further!

56. Live Within Your Means — Keeping up with your neighbors can be a very expensive endeavor and one that leads some people to financial ruin. Learning to live with what you have is an important step in making yourself more secure financially. A plasma screen TV is great, but only if you can truly afford it. When you are considering making a large purchase, think about how many hours you will have to work to pay for the item- expensive items might require an entire months worth of work to pay for. Is impressing the neighbors really worth a month of your life? Learn to overcome the temptation to buy things you can’t afford and you’ll appreciate it later.

57. Pay Yourself First — One of the easiest investment strategies is to always pay yourself first. Decide on the amount you can afford and make a payment to yourself- either to you savings, IRA, or other retirement accounts. You can have this amount automatically deducted from your account so that you’ll never miss it, and never be tempted to use it for something else. By making your financial security a priority, you’re setting yourself up for future financial success.

58. Pay In Cash — It’s easy to overspend if you’re always paying with plastic. Paying in cash gives you a visual representation of every dollar you are spending. You can also help limit your spending by only bringing a certain amount of cash with you when you go shopping.

59. Evaluate Your Priorities — An important step in financial happiness is figuring out what is important to you. Take stock of where the majority of your money goes – it could be that you are making investments in things that are not as important to you as others. Be honest with yourself in what you truly value and what you can and can’t live without spending on.

60. Plan for the Future — The sooner you create a plan for your financial future, whether it’s retirement, saving for a house, or your child’s college education, the sooner you can start working towards it. Set some goals for yourself both in the short term and the long term and create a plan that will help you keep on track to those goals. The better your plan is the less stress you will have in thinking about your future.

61. Cut Back on Treats — It’s hard to resist giving yourself the occasional treat, but consider how much you spend on things like coffee, soft drinks, and candy over the course of a month. It can add up very quickly. You can cut back on these expenses without completely depriving yourself. You might find that the money you save can buy you a better treat in the long run.

62. Keep Good Records — Keeping good records is essential to keep track of how much money you are spending and how much money you are making. Keeping track of your expenses can prevent you from overdrawing your account and will also help you track where you money is going. It’s also useful come tax time when you are trying to prepare those pesky forms. Keeping track in the first place will save you a lot of time and stress in the long run.

63. Realize Money Can’t Buy Happiness — Studies have shown that those with large amounts of money are no happier than those with less. While money can help reduce the day to day stress of paying bills, no amount of stuff is going to make you happy if you aren’t already happy. Put more time into worrying about relationships and your personal goals than money.

64. Pay Bills Online — Save yourself time and stamps by setting up bills to be paid online. Most bills that are due each month can be set up to be paid automatically from your account so you won’t have to worry about writing checks or making sure that bills are paid while you’re away.

65. Invest Wisely — Knowing what to invest in and how much to invest can be a complicated and delicate endeavor. Try to make sure your assets aren’t all in one basket, and avoid investing too heavily in company stocks (if something were to happen to the company you might not only be out of a job, but out of your investment as well). If you’re unsure about where to invest, try getting some professional advice to learn how to secure your future.

66. Look at What You Already Have — Before you rush out and buy new stuff go “shopping” in own your closet or on your bookshelves to see what you already have. You might be surprised at what you have – books you never got around to reading or clothes hidden in the back of your closet. Rediscovering something you already have can be just as great at getting something completely new.

67. Buy Used — Many thrift stores and garage sales can be a great source of low-cost gently used items. This can be a great way to save money, but can also provide a fun treasure hunting excursion.

68. Research Big Purchases — While the flashy cars and appliances on TV may be very appealing, it’s best to do a little research before making any large purchase. Many fancier products have more parts that can break, which can translate to more repair costs over the life of the product and the cheapest products might not always be the best investment over long term either. They are probably cheap for a reason. Do some research online or in consumer testing magazines to find out what products have proven themselves to be the best for your money.

69. Make Use of Free Community Resources — Most communities are full of places you can go for free entertainment and education and you should take full advantage of them when you get the chance. Many libraries offer free or low cost movie rentals, as well as CDs, books on tape, and the standard paper bound books. Community parks can offer many free and reduced cost recreational programs. Give your local libraries and parks a chance, you will save money and get the chance to meet others in your community.

Goals and Beliefs

70. Keep Visual Reminders — Goals, whether saving for a vacation or losing weight, can sometimes seem far off, and you might forget the reason you’re going without to reach that goal. Keep visual reminders around the house to help you remember what it is you’re working towards. When you get the impulse to order those new shoes take a peek at that sunny beach and remember what you’re saving for.

71. Never Stop Learning — Whether you’re seeking to advance in your career or to simply explore your interests, learning new things can be a wonderful way to keep life interesting. Learning something new doesn’t always that you need to take a formal class. It can be as simple as picking up a newspaper and reading all the stories, not just the ones that interest you. Learning new things can open you up to new possibilities and ideas you hadn’t previously considered, and this practice could expand your outlook on life.

72. Volunteer — Studies have shown that we live longer and happier lives if we spend time helping others instead of just thinking about ourselves. Take an opportunity to help out in your community. You can volunteer for an after school program or to help clean up a local park. Giving to your community and others around you can help you to make new friends and feel needed and valued.

73. Stop Worrying — Many people find it difficult to stop worrying, and worrying too much can start to take a toll on activities such as work or time with family and friends – not to mention give you wrinkles. Much of worrying is about problems that aren’t immediately solvable. Take a step back and stop worrying about them for a while – you might find a solution where you least expect it.

74. Do a Good Deed — Do something nice for someone around you- helping your neighbor carry in groceries or a few simple words of unexpected praise. Doing good for others can help you to feel good about yourself, and makes the people around you happier as well.

75. Analyze Your Commitments — It’s easy to fall into patterns of doing things simply because they are habit, but that no longer make sense with your present goals and desires. Analyze your weekly schedule and see if there are any things that you simply aren’t getting any joy from anymore or that don’t suit your goals for the future. Cut back or quit doing these activities to leave you more time for things you really want and need to do.

76. Accept Your Weaknesses — Nobody is perfect. As soon as you learn to accept that there are some things that you just can’t do, you’ll be happier with yourself and better able to focus on all the wonderful things that you can do.

77. Take the First Step — Making changes in your life can be a scary prospect, even if they are ones you are looking forward to. You’ll never get where you want to be by standing still, so push yourself to take that first step in the direction you want to go.

78. Be Grateful — So you don’t live in a mansion and drive a fancy sports car. It’s easy to get caught up in lamenting the things that you don’t have. Take a moment to reflect on all the things you do have. You might find that you are richer than you thought. Focus on these things that you can be grateful for each day.

79. Don’t Take Things Personally — Criticisms aren’t always meant as an attack on you as a person. Learn to take criticism as a learning experience and use it to become better at whatever you are doing. If someone is truly being unkind, just remember that their words probably have more to do with what’s wrong with them, than what is wrong with you.

80. Always Do Your Best — Putting your best foot forward in everything you do will help you make the most of your time and effort. For example, if you want to lose weight you need to get up off that couch first. Or, if you want to make more money, learn first how to ask for that raise.

81. Focus on the Good — Bad things happen to everyone at some point in their lives but that doesn’t mean that you have to dwell on them. You will be happier and healthier if you try to concentrate on the things in your life that are positive.

82. Put Your Money Where Your Goals Are — Sometimes the motivation to start working towards a goal can be as simple as investing money in that goal. Take the initiative to sign up for that language class or join that gym. Once you’ve made the initial investment you won’t want to waste your money and will give yourself the motivation to start working towards your goal.

83. Find Beauty in the Everyday — Often schedules are so packed and life is so hurried that there is little time to slow down and appreciate the world. Take a moment to reflect on the simple pleasures in your life which you might have otherwise taken for granted.

84. Mean What You Say — While it may be tempting to say things you don’t mean to placate others or because you are angry try to make everything you say as true as possible. When you are honest and say what you mean, your words will have more value, and others feel that you are worth of their trust.

85. Don’t Make Assumptions — Our intuitions and first impressions can be a valuable tool but they’re not without flaw. Many people have gotten themselves into pretty embarrassing situations by making assumptions. Take the time to ask questions and delve deeper before you make a judgment.

86. Find a Cause — Having something that you are truly passionate about can be a great way motivator. Find something that excites or engages you and let it inspire your goals and your life.

87. Keep Your Perspective — It’s hard to keep perspective when life hits you with an obstacle that seems insurmountable. In reality, few things in life are truly insurmountable. Give yourself time to deal with your problems, but also make sure you look at the bigger picture.

88. Set Deadlines for Yourself — So you’ve come up with a great plan for your future, but how does it practically fit into your life? Set deadlines for yourself to accomplish certain goals by so that you can keep yourself on track.

89. Monitor Your Progress — Planning for things far in the future can sometimes be discouraging if you still have a long way to go. So concentrate on how much you’ve accomplished already instead of how much you still have left to go.

90. Keep Balance in Your Life — Don’t let any one aspect of your life take over. Try to strike a balance between work, home and personal interests.

91. Keep a Journal — Keep a journal of your accomplishments and even about your troubles. A particularly good ordinary day can be something worth writing about. When you’re feeling bad about life you can look back on these good days as a reminder that things aren’t always horrid.

92. Take Your Time — Don’t rush into anything that could make your life more difficult down the road. Take your time to make important decisions and don’t let others rush you into situations you’re not comfortable with.

Romance

93. Be Accountable — One of the most important aspects of a healthy relationship is trust. Part of trusting someone is knowing that they will stick to their commitments and be where they say they will be. Your relationship will be happier and healthier if you make sure to always be accountable for the promises you make to your partner.

94. Listen — By listening more than talking, you become both more receptive to your partner’s feelings and ideas and you give yourself more time to think of a response. Couples who can communicate clearly with each other have a much better chance of overcoming problems and staying together.

95. Let the Past Go — The past will always influence who you are and how you perceive life, but it shouldn’t hold you back from having the relationship you want. If you’ve been hurt by past partners or your current partner, sometimes the only way to find happiness is just to let it go. You don’t have to forget, but learn to forgive and move on.

96. Give Compliments — Compliments can be a simple but powerful way to improve your relationships. Let your partner know the things you like and admire about them- no matter how small.

97. Say Thank You — It’s important to make a partner feel appreciated in a relationship. It can be as simple as saying thank you. If your partner cleans up around the house or does something nice for you make sure he or she feels that you are grateful.

98. Be Yourself — It might be hard to do, but put aside what others think of you, and just be yourself. You will get much further in life and be so much happier in just being yourself, and the best part is that you won’t be just like anyone else in the world!

99. Make Contact — You’ve probably already heard that touching of any kind – including hand holding – can make you happier because it boosts endorphins, which improves your mood. A little contact can also reduce stress and make you more relaxed.

100. Turn off the TV — You and your special someone might enjoy watching a TV together, but sitting and watching TV together doesn’t grow relationships. Turn the TV off occasionally and spend some time just talking and focusing all your attention on each other.

101. Be Willing to Compromise — Inevitably, there are going to be times when you and your partner won’t agree. Work to find a middle ground that you both find acceptable.

102. Be Creative — Relationships are a balance of security and adventure. It’s nice to know your partner will be there day and night but your relationship can also fall into a rut. Try to keep things interesting by surprising your partner with special dates or gifts that you can your partner can enjoy.

103. Don’t Lay Blame — When there’s a problem it really doesn’t matter who’s at fault, so don’t start pointing fingers (pointing a finger at someone else points four fingers back at you!). Just start working towards a solution, a practice that helps to build a more solid relationship.

104. Make Dates — It’s important to make time in your busy schedule for your significant other. Even if you live together, make dates to spend time with each other free from other distractions.

105. Be Independent — Being with your sweetheart can be great, but make sure you’re making time for your own life and interests as well.

106. Spend Time, Not Money — Anyone can purchase expensive gifts or lavish dinners. It’s not that these things aren’t nice, but you don’t need to spend exorbitant amounts of money to have meaningful experiences. Sometimes, a simple night in of playing board games or a picnic in the park can be much more romantic and memorable than anything money could buy.

Socializing

107. Explore Your Surroundings — If you’re bored of the same old places in your routine, get out and explore your city. Chances are that there are tons of parks, restaurants and shops you didn’t even know about and you’ll get to know the place where you live even better.

108. Embrace Your Inner Child — Who says you have to act your age?Reconnect with the fun loving, innocent, without-a-care in the world part of you. Take a break from your responsibilities to enjoy a childlike activity. Get dirty, blow bubbles, go to the playground – anything that can help you feel fun and carefree.

109. Play a Sport — Playing a sport can be a great way to get some exercise and make new friends. It’s not always necessary to join a formal team. An informal neighborhood get together at the park can be just as beneficial for your health and social life.

110. Enjoy Seasonal Activities — While you might be longing for the beach come mid-January, try to make the most of the changing seasons and the special kind of activities they offer. Build a snowman, go sledding, or enjoy the changing of the leaves. Let the world around you entertain you, free of charge!

111. Create a Babysitting Exchange — Want to get out but can’t afford to pay for a babysitter? Set up a babysitting exchange with some friends or neighbors. In exchange for watching your kids, they can watch yours and allow you to go out knowing that your children will be well taken care of and at no additional charge.

112. Pick Up a Hobby — If you’re pondering how to spend your Sunday afternoon, perhaps it’s time to pick up a new hobby. Hobbies can be a great way to release stress and possibly meet people with similar interests.

113. Learn Something New — No matter how much you know there’s always something that you don’t. Take an art class, learn to cook something new, learn to ride a horse. You’ll keep your mind active and be happier in the process.

114. Send Letters — While phone calls and e-mails might be quicker, there are few things that make people feel as good as getting real honest to goodness mail. If you’re feeling extra creative you can construct your own cards or postcards to send. Letters let the recipient know you were thinking of them, and gives them a tangible reminder of your relationship.

115. Make Time — While it may seem like a no-brainer, many people forget to make room in their lives to spend with friends and family. Schedule time to meet with your loved ones for dinner, game nights, or perhaps just over coffee.

116. Give Personal Gifts — While store-bought gifts are nice, homemade gifts can be much more unique and personal, and also easier on a tight budget.

117. Help Out — One way to connect with friends and neighbors is to offer to help them out. You might shovel the walk of your elderly neighbor or bring soup to a sick friend.

118. Be Confident — Everyone has flaws, but that shouldn’t stop you from being confident. Your confidence will make you more attractive to potential friends and mates and make you social interactions more fulfilling.

119. Organize Group Meetings — Organize group activities like book clubs, pub meets, or potluck suppers. That way you can catch up with multiple friends at once, give friends a chance to meet each other, and perhaps make a new friend yourself.

120. Use Dead Time to Connect — Stuck in a traffic jam or waiting in line at the doctor’s office? Don’t just waste the time sitting there. Use it to connect with those you care about. Give friends and family a call or take the time to write letters. Just remember to hang up that cell phone when that traffic gets moving again, otherwise you could complicate your life with an accident.

121. Keep an Open Mind — You won’t make any friends if you’re a shallow, close-minded person. People may not always say things you agree with, but learning to at least hear them out can be a great step towards turning an argument into a productive and engaging debate.

122. Have Family Dinners — Meals are a great time to get together your friends and family. Eating together has been linked to better nutritional intake and children who eat family meals often get better grades and have better outlooks on their future.

123. Get Involved in the Community — There are plenty of opportunities throughout the year to participate in a variety of community events. Becoming more active in your community can give you a greater sense of pride and also help you to meet and connect with others in your area.

Health and Diet

124. Exercise — Exercise can help you feel great in the short and long term. It releases powerful endorphins that uplift your mood and can be a great boost to your self-esteem. Exercise also helps keep your weight in check and helps prevent many diseases. You don’t need to join a fancy gym. Just get outside and take a walk, rent a workout video, or go dancing.

125. Get More Sleep — The majority of us don’t get nearly enough sleep. Lack of rest can affect many aspects of life, not to mention making you cranky. With busy schedules it can be hard to get to bed, but try to stick to a bedtime that will allow you to get enough rest to be at your best.

126. Care for Your Appearance — For most people, having a positive outlook is closely related to looking good. Take care of your appearance, and you don’t have to spend money. Style your hair, brush your teeth, wear a dab of perfume or cologne – this can be enough to make you feel confident about your appearance and give you a positive outlook on your whole day.

127. Meditate — Meditation can help reduce stress and help you relax. One of the benefits of meditation is that you can practice it anywhere – on the bus, work, or at home. Meditation can help provide a sense of stability, calm and peace and can be as simple as taking the time to breathe deeply. Take the time to add meditation to your daily activities.

128. Quit Smoking — Quitting smoking is the single best thing you can do for your health. Smoking can lead to a number of diseases, cancers, strokes as well as chronic lung problems. If you need help, see your doctor for medications or solutions to help you quit. If you’ve never been a smoker, don’t start!

129. Smile — Becoming happier can be as simple as just smiling more. Smiling feels great and also lets others see your happiness and encourages them to smile as well. So you not only smile when you’re happy, but smiling in itself can make you happier and feel better. Try it next time you’re feeling down.

130. Drink More Water — Drinking enough water everyday can prevent dehydration, clean out the body, promote healing and help you be more alert and look better. How do you know if you’re getting enough? The average amount recommended for adults is eight 8oz glasses. If you have trouble getting that much water try keeping a glass of water near places you’ll be sitting for a long time or adding a splash of lime or lemon to give your water a little flavor.

131. Schedule Time for Yourself — It can be hard with so many commitments to work, family, and day to day life to find time for yourself. But it’s important to set aside at least a few minutes for yourself everyday. Go somewhere where you won’t be bothered, take a walk, read a book, or do something you enjoy. You’ll be happier and better able to take care of your other commitments when you’re done.

132. Ride a Bike or Walk — Ride your bike or walk to work or to run errands and you’ll get fit, save gas, save money and improve air quality. Before you commit to a daily biking routine do a test run when you’re not pressed for time so you won’t be late when it counts.

133. Eat Less Meat — Meat can be one of the most expensive things to buy at the grocery store and eating too much of it can also have consequences to your health. On average, people who eat less meat weigh less than those individuals who eat meat more frequently. This doesn’t mean you have to cut out all meat, but you should exercise moderation when adding meat to your diet. You can also help yourself by choosing leaner cuts of meat or low fat options such as fish when you do eat meat.

134. Plan Meals — Planning meals can help you balance your nutrition and also help you to not waste food. By planning meals then sticking to the plan, you’re not only guaranteed to achieve your goal, you eliminate the uncertainty about meals and the need for on-the-fly judgments about what, when, and how much to eat that are a prime contributor to weight gain in people living stressful, chaotic lives.

135. Eat Breakfast — Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. It’s tempting to skip breakfast when you’re in a hurry or if you’re trying to lose weight, but people who skip breakfast often eat more calories throughout the day. Eating breakfast revs up your metabolism early in the day so you actually burn more calories. Plus, skipping breakfast can make your body feel starved, actually causing you to put on more weight. If you’re in a hurry, grab a whole wheat English muffin or a yogurt and a piece of fruit on your way out.

136. Read Labels — Food labels give you information to help you make healthy food choices and compare similar foods. Reading food labels can help you to control portion size, keep track of the fat and calories in each food, and make sure you’re getting the right amount of vitamins and minerals.

137. Get Some Sun — Sunbathing, when not done to the point of crispness, can actually be beneficial to your health. The sun helps in the production of vitamin D, an important factor in fighting cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. You don’t need to spend hours in the sun, a few minutes a day will suffice to give you the benefits, and getting out in the sun can help elevate your mood as well.

138. Eat Slowly — Studies suggest that when you eat slowly you can actually eat less and feel satisfied. Put down your fork in between bites, take time to talk to your dining companions, and savor every bite.

139. Work With Your Doctor — Your doctor is there to help you live longer and healthier. One of the ways you can do this is by having regular check-ups and having preventative screenings for conditions for which you might have a high risk.

140. Relax — Everyone experiences stress in their day-to-day life but chronic stress can lead to health problems. It’s important to take a step back and make sure you’re taking time to relax as well. Take a walk, read a book, or take a long bath, anything that helps you slow down and relax.

141. Shop the Farmer’s Market — Get fresh fruits and vegetables from your local farmer’s market. These will be locally grown, and many times you can get organic products much more cheaply than at the grocery store.

142. Find a Partner — Working out or watching your diet can be a lot more fun if you find someone to do it with. Finding a workout partner, for instance, can help motivate you not to skip your classes or help you do that last set of reps. It’s also a great way to spend time with a friend or relative and get in shape at the same time.

143. Exercise Moderation — Everyone needs to indulge from time to time, but just make sure it’s an indulgence and not a habit. Treats such as sweets and alcohol are fine, just as long as you can enjoy them in moderation.

144. Dance — Dancing can be a great way to lift your mood, socialize and get exercise all at the same time. Can’t dance? Sign up for a class with a friend or if you’re just too embarrassed, stick to dancing around the house when you’re alone. Just get moving!

145. Learn to Laugh — Laughing can help lower physical and emotional tension, not to mention simply make you feel happy. A good laugh can positively affect your psychological, social, and spiritual health.

146. Allow Yourself to Feel — Repressing or denying feelings of sadness or anger can lead to even more stress. It’s ok to have feelings, and you should let them out. Vent them to someone you trust or write in a journal, and then learn how to express negative feelings so that you don’t hurt anyone. Just getting negative feelings off of your chest can help.

147. Park Far Away — While trekking across the parking lot may not be the most desirable pastime, it’s still exercise. And it will save you the time and stress of circling the lot looking for that elusive close spot.