Can We Be Happy Without Money?

As a child, I learned what it was like to live on a budget. You know, using coupons, taking vacations rarely, hardly seeing your parents because they were working 9 am to 5pm for someone, other than themselves. If you have ever been in a situation similar to the one I have described then you know that money can, will, and does help. However, there is a fine line when it comes to money and happiness.

When you have known what it like to live a life with a limited or strict supply of money you know how much stress it can add to your life and those you love. When your child’s birthday is coming up, and you want to give them the experience of having a “bowling birthday party” (for example) but you know that it was way out of the families budget how do you feel? It is not to say that you are a bad parent because you cannot provide, but you must be able to explain this to your child accordingly. Make sure you still plan something fun, yet thrifty so they have a memorable birthday. On the other hand, wouldn’t it be nice to not have to worry about finances at that moment? The stress that spending money we don’t necessarily have places on our bodies is enough to have worry over.

There is a difference between having money to spend wisely, and having money to spend on items to compensate for other areas that may be lacking in your life. If you are the type of shopper who likes to go to the department store with only one item in mind, yet leave with 20 items you did not plan for, then this is the opposite of why we need to be financially sound. Buying unnecessary items that you did not plan for does not bring happiness. I will repeat this because this is the most important sentence of this blog post; buying unnecessary items that you did not plan for does not bring happiness. 9 times out of 10 we will leave with 20 items instead of 1 simply because we do not have the money. Yes, it is true that more affluent persons will not spend their money as a person who is limited. There is a certain sense of knowing we should not spend or cannot spend that makes someone who is struggling financially spend even more. We do not want to feel or appear as if we cannot have something we want. A person who is living comfortably rich does not have this same need to feel adequate to others. A person who is living a completely rich lifestyle (being physically healthy, mentally sound, financially stable, eating properly, and reducing stress when applicable) has an even easier time of handling spending habits.

On the other hand it is easier to live a life where money is substantial for situations like the following: being able to buy your child the book they want from the bookstore without thinking twice, why? because reading will only help a child grow, and because there can never be too many books on the shelf as long as they are all being read!, being able to go for a massage when the pressure is really “on” in your life, why? because without managing stress by unwinding however suitable for you, you will eventually crash and not be able to work as you would like to, being able to send yourself back to school or being able to put your child through college with ease is something every parent should feel they have the ability to do. These are just a few of the reasons why we do need money. As long as we are putting our financial energy into places that have a deeper value than material items then we know we are not compensating for something that is lacking from our lives. We are taking stress out of our lives by earning a comfortable salary. Although salary may not be enough, there are many places to invest the salary we do earn. Places like real estate, affiliate programs, internet marketing, and much more are places that can help us earn a stable income and lead a completely rich lifestyle.

Article by Sara Dawn
Health Coordinator @ NYW
Nutrition Specialist

Source link: nurtureyourwealth.com

Choose A Happier Life

Choosing things comes pretty naturally to us humans. I can choose chocolate ice cream over strawberry any day, and choose blues over browns without hesitation.

But can we really just simply choose a happier life? If you mean a life that’s simpler, less stressful, and more meaningful, then yes, I believe that we can make those choices.

Life is usually what we make it. And while there are things that none of us can control -- rainy weather, sky high gas prices, cranky bosses, nosy mother-in-laws -- there are many things that you are in charge of. These are the things that help you lead a happier life.


Choose Consciously Make an effort to decide that YOU choose how to spend your time, money, energy, and spirit. As long as you accept the consequences, and make the choice with your eyes open, you’ll feel more in control. Consciously choosing your TV time, or surfing time, is a lot different than just realizing you spent 4 hours clicking channels.

Set Priorities If the annoyances of life are living your life for you, you’re never going to win the foot-race of life. You’ll simply run out of time, devoting it to things that you chose in the moment, instead of what you really wanted the most. Don’t put what you want right now above what you really want in the long run.

Nurture It: Protect It What you focus on in your life will flourish. If you focus on problems, lack, hatred, guilt, and self doubt, that’s what you’ll find growing in your garden of life. Instead plant seeds of change, conviction, courage, and choice. No, it’s not just about thinking positive thoughts -- but it’s a heck of a good place to start!

Be Consistent Anything that you do consistently, day after day, week after week, adds up. Good results or bad results are the product of repeating the same behavior over and over. If you consistently save, you’ll have money in the bank; if you consistently over-spend, you’ll be in debt. Choose what you want, and take one small step, consistently day after day, and see what happens.

Stop Reading, Start Doing We live in an amazing world of information. Most people have access to more choices and information than they’ve ever had. Even our children are faced with decisions based on their broader ability to receive information. But. information without action is useless. Put the information you already have to work in your life.

Stop Analyzing, Start Living A lot of psycho-babble teaches us that we need to know the “why” about our behavior before we can address it. And the “why” can sometimes help correct a problem, or give you motivation for action. But most of what we all do on a daily basis is not the product of some deep dark psychological reason. It’s habit. Change your habits, and you’ll change your life. Change your attitude and you’ll change your life. Change your environment and you’ll change your life.

Ask For What You Want It’s time to stop expecting other people to read your mind. Think about how frustrating it is for you when someone expects you to know what they are thinking. It’s just a set up for failure. Be willing to ask concisely, pleasantly, and honestly for what you want and need in your life.

Article by Kathy Gates

Timeless Ways to Live a Happier Life

How we achieve happiness can be different for each one of us. Our passions, expectations, life experiences, and even our personalities all contribute to the level of happiness we experience in our lives. Some find happiness in their careers while others prefer the bliss found in their marriages or other intimate relationship.
No matter how you define happiness for yourself, there are certain universal and time-proven strategies to bring, and sustain, more happiness into your life. The following 14 ways to live a happy life can be adapted and even customized to fit your needs. Over time, these strategies will become positive and life-changing habits that will begin to bring more happiness, joy and peace into your life.


1. Notice What’s Right
Some of us see the glass as being half-full, while others see the glass as half-empty. The next time you are caught in traffic, begin thinking how nice it is to have a few moments to reflect on the day, focus on a problem you have been trying to solve, or brainstorm on your next big idea. The next time you get in the slow line at the grocery store, take the opportunity to pick up a tabloid magazine and do some “guilty pleasure” reading. Take all that life throws out you and reframe it with what’s right about the situation. At the end of the day, you will more content, at peace and happy. Take the time to begin to notice what’s right and see the world change in front of your eyes.

2. Be Grateful
How many times do you say the words “thank you,” in a day? How many times do you hear these same words? If you are doing the first thing, saying the “thank yous,” the latter will naturally happen. Learn to be grateful and you will be open to receive an abundance of joy and happiness.

3. Remember the Kid You Were
Do you remember how to play? I’m not referring to playing a round of golf or a set of tennis. I’m talking about playing like you did when you were a child – a game of tag; leap frog, or street baseball when the bat is a broken broom handle and the bases are the parked cars. One way to find or maintain your happiness is to remember the kid you were and play!

4. Be Kind
There is no question that by merely watching acts of kindness creates a significant elevation in our moods and increases the desire for us to perform good deeds as well. Kindness is indeed contagious and when we make a commitment to be kind to ourselves and to others we can experience new heights of joy, happiness and enthusiasm for our lives.

5. Spend Time with Your Friends
Although an abundant social and romantic life does not itself guarantee joy, it does have a huge impact on our happiness. Learn to spend time with your friends and make the friendships a priority in your life.

6. Savor Every Moment
To be in the moment is to live in the moment. Too often we are thinking ahead or looking ahead to the next event or circumstance in our lives, not appreciating the “here and now.” When we savor every moment, we are savoring the happiness in our lives.

7. Rest
There are times when we need the time to unwind, decompress, or to put it simply, just “to chill.” Life comes at all of us hard and fast. Time, as do the days on the calendar, keeps going forward at its own natural pace, which is not always the pace we would choose. Fatigue, stress and exhaustion may begin to settle in on us faster than we may think, or notice. The best remedy for this is indeed rest.

8. Move!
The expression a “runner’s high” does not infer an addiction, but a feeling or a state of mind – a state of euphoria. There is no question exercise, or any physical exertion, elevates your mood and enhances a more positive attitude as well as fosters better personal self-esteem and confidence. Indeed, one way to increase your happiness is to move!

9. Put on a Happy Face
Sometimes we have to fake it until we make it. I’m not suggesting that we not be honest, real or authentic, but I’m suggesting, sometimes, we just need to put on a happy face and keep moving forward. Researchers claim that smiling and looking like we are happy will indeed make us happier. Studies further show that if we act like we are happy then we can experience greater joy and happiness in our lives.

10. Pursue Your Goals
The absence of goals in our lives, or more specifically avoiding to pursue our goals, makes us feel like we are stuck and ineffective. The pursuit of goals in our personal lives, in our relationships, or with our careers, is the difference between having a mediocre life or a life full of passion and enthusiasm. pursue your goals and watch your happiness soar.

11. Finding Your Calling
Some find meaning in religion or spirituality while others find purpose in their work or relationships. Finding your calling may be much more than accomplishing one simple strategy for increasing your happiness, but having a sense of purpose – of feeling like you are here for a reason – can perhaps bring the greatest joy of all

12. Get into the Flow
Flow is the form of joy, excitement and happiness that occurs when we are so absorbed in an activity we love that we can loose ourselves and time seems to stand still. What creates flow is unique to each one of us. To find and sustain true happiness in our lives, we must get off the sidelines and get into the flow.

13. Play to Your Strengths
One way to achieve flow is by understanding and identifying our strengths and core values, and then begin to use these every day. Once we aware of our strengths and we begin to play to your strengths we can better incorporate them in all aspects of our lives.

14. Don’t Overdo It
Know when to say when. What gives you joy and happiness the first time may not work the second time. Too much of a good thing may begin not to feel as good if the “thing” becomes more of a routine, or an expectation. Set healthy and reasonable boundaries for yourself and don’t overdo it.

Article by Alex Blackwell