Good things about a bad economy

December 20, 3:25 PMDC Family ExaminerRisa Sanders

Previous Next

1 comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the DC Family Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

The bad economy has helped me make progress on an early list of New Years Resolutions.  I usually make most of the same ones, year after year, with marginal success. This year, I seem to be making great strides, and I'm hopeful that as the economy slowly recovers, I can maintain my own hard fought efforts. Here's what I've been working on. I hope a few are helpful to you too.

Cheers, and Happy New Year!

1. Drink less coffee. My old habits included at least one stop a day, sometimes two, for a latte, or a double cappuccino. In order to save money (see below) my caffeine consumption is way down, causing my psyche, and body, to say "thank you".
2. Spend less money. At better than $3 apiece for a tall latte (plus, usually, a muffin for another $2), I'm saving over $50 a week just by not making coffee stops during the day. I pour what's left from my morning coffeepot into the darling, glossy, polka dot  thermos I just "had to have" but hadn't used in the two years since I bought it, and I have fresh, warm, cheap coffee all day long.
3. Exercise more. Exercise doesn't have to cost a thing. Now that I'm trying not to spend frivolously, I stay home more. This gives me the chance to take the dog for a walk, and actually use my elliptical.
4. Consume less gas. OK, gas prices are the best bargain in town right now, but still, I do care for the environment. Shopping and going out less, means less gas used and I feel good about helping Mother Earth.
5. Waste less. I buy smaller portions so there's less waste. To be honest, my family really groans about leftovers (Me? I love to pour barbecue sauce on nearly any protein and voila, a new meal). So, I buy less, waste less, and everyone's happy.
6. See my girlfriends more. Instead of meeting for breakfast, we're taking turns having one another over more often. It's more intimate, allows better conversation than a restaurant, and we're enjoying the chance to play hostess in a more casual, relaxed way. It's a good excuse to use those old bananas and make some yummy breads and try out some new baking recipes.
7. Spend more quality time as a family. Volunteering together, playing board games,going for walks, sightseeing in the city,  renting movies instead of running to the theatre, even hunting for great coupons and bargains together, can be fun. See my article on volunteering for more ideas, at http://www.examiner.com/x-1561-DC-Family-Examiner~y2008m12d18-More-great-things-to-do-with-teens
8. Do more writing. Staying home more has definitely given me the time to write. While the pockets of a freelance writer are rarely full, feeling productive is good for the soul.
9. Get rid of clutter. I notice I'm doing a better job of sorting through papers and keeping clutter to a minimum now that I'm home more. I like the feeling of calm that comes from being able to see the wood of my desk, and actually being able to find (and remember to use) all those wonderful coupons that are flowing in these days.
10. Be a better correspondent.  I'm taking the time to stay in touch with old friends and family. Less time at outside entertainment has left me more time to reply to emails, send cards, write letters and return phone calls.
11. Learn more about my city. There are many amazing, wonderful events in our community that are free, or cost very little. Rather than justs ordering theatre tickets, I'm paying more attention to what's available, reading the Post Weekend Section in greater detail, investigating local theatres, and trying new things. I feel more in touch with the city, more New Yorker shrewd and less dumbo suburban. See my current list of great bargains in the city along the right-hand side of my site.  It's been great!
12. Be more patient.  It doesn't take much effort to look around and see how desperate many members of our community are feeling and how agonizing their daily lives have become. It's not hard to feel grateful, and to keep what really matters in perspective. Who cares if I have to wait an extra few minutes for help with something? Or, if something doesn't taste exactly right, or if someone isn't very friendly in a store. Everyone's stressed, and sometimes giving a smile, making the first overture, offering to hold the door  a little longer,  giving a compliment, holding back the complaint, expressing appreciation for the effort, and giving a little extra courtesy, can make all the difference in someone's day. Usually we never know what the tiny thing is that makes a difference in someone's view of themself that day. This is a real chance to bring some civility back into our culture. Less of "me", more of "us".