Satisfaction Tip: Make Your Own Gifts
If you’re already used to recycling and upcycling gifts, then you’ve probably got a crafty streak inside you. Maybe you’ve always been really good at making great gifts for friends and family, and need some more ideas. I like to make my own gifts sometimes – I find that I save money, and I put a little more personality into what I’m giving. So what can you make? A mason jar filled [...]
Unplug – Literally!
Maybe you’re trying to cut down on your bills this summer, and they still seem a little high. Or maybe you’re one of those lucky few who can work from home and turning off the air conditioner sounds like a death wish. You can still cut down on your bills by literally unplugging some appliances around the house – not only will you save some energy, you’ll save some money, too. A few [...]
Satisfaction Tip: Put Your Kids On A Media Diet
It feels like it’s every other day that we're reading about another study on how childhood obesity is on the rise in America. TV, gaming, and the Internet have led our kids to a much more sedentary lifestyle, meaning the weight's gone up while activity has gone way down. A leading group of pediatricians have pinpointed the consumption of all kinds of media as the culprit. So, what do you do? Much like [...]
Watch Out! Media Advertising Is On The Rise
While we think of advertising as a realm mostly relegated to television, magazines, billboards – all the types we've been so used to for a long time now – the game is changing with the Internet. Advertisers are now infiltrating your social networks, your search patterns, and targeting you in a way never done before. Viral advertising all over the Web can snare you into buying stuff you don't really need. In 2010, [...]
A Quick Grocery Store Guide
Groceries are a necessity of life, but going to the store can leave you stressed out and off-budget. Fear not! As long as you go in with list in hand, you'll do fine. But what about when you get there? Here are some other things to be aware of on the budget- and eco-friendly fronts as well. Look at the layout We're all aware of how stores get you to spend more [...]
Satisfaction Tip: It Only Takes A Minute To Be Mindful
When we get caught up in busy lives surrounded by mixed messages, it can be difficult to take time out to appreciate the world around us. For those of us whose minds tend to go a million miles an hour, it can be very difficult to sit and meditate. But there's a way to at least have a moment of mindfulness during the day, and it really only takes a minute. In fact, [...]
Satisfaction Tip: Cook For Yourself & Family
One of the best ways to save money and involve the whole family in one activity is to cook your own food. And by cook, I mean getting your hands dirty in the kitchen with some fresh ingredients! It's not only very calming and mindful, it's also a learning experience – you learn about yourself and food at the same time, all while saving money. One-pot wonders When I was a kid, [...]
Media Viewing Is Increasing
These days, it's too easy to find video content anywhere – not just on television. The Internet and smartphones have joined in on our viewing choices. Think about it: with the advent of DVRs, people can now just record shows and luckily skip over the commercials so in the end they can watch more. It's become so easy to look up videos on your smartphone these days, and YouTube is everywhere on the [...]
Budgeting Tip: Keep A Budget Journal (or Spreadsheet)
We all know that taking a shopping list with you to the store will help you keep your budget on track, and some of us keep a satisfaction journal to remind us how to stay satisfied in our lives – but what about keeping track of your finances? Have you ever kept a journal or started a spreadsheet to keep your budget in check? Maybe it's time you should! Whatyouseeiswhatyouhave With the [...]
The Dalai Lama Gives Us A Lesson On Satisfaction
I was lucky enough to spend some time last year in Tibet, the home of the Dalai Lama, and I was able to see the palaces where the historical Dalai Lamas used to live. The beauty of the Buddhist artwork was absolutely inspirational, as was the kindness of the monks I met there. It was a magical place. Upon arriving home, I thought about the compassion and kindness of the current Dalai Lama, [...]
