Lots of our habits are bad for us. We keep them anyway, until they start being bad for our wallets. Here’s a list of things you probably should have tried a long time ago but you now have extra incentive (junior’s future, your retirement, or… um, rent?). The way to enjoy the recession (yeah, I said “enjoy the recession”) is to remember that in more flush times these things would be considered “achievements” and not “sacrifices.” Check it out:
Quit smoking. Live longer. Stop hacking away and making people hate you in the movie theater. Your date might actually kiss you without trying not to gag…
Drink less booze. You’ll be a lot more clearheaded and productive. Your doctor will like you better. If he/she doesn’t then question his/her motives and get a new doctor.
Cook at home. You can dazzle your friends and be generous for the cost of eating your own selfish little portion at a fancy restaurant. Actually know what’s in the food and spare yourself the extra fat, salt, MSG, and whatever it is that gets your gastric system in a knot (we all have allergies, some people are just in denial. . . I’m just sayin’).
Go to the library. Just gotta have every book that comes out? No you don’t. Haven’t you ever read something and asked yourself, why did I just make this author 10 cents in royalties? (I have: Sexual Personae; The Club Dumas, The Bell Curve; The Reader, The Wisdom of Crowds; Against All Enemies . . . . Ok, some of these weren’t terrible enough to begrudge the authors their dimes, but certainly enough to begrudge the $17 that I shelled out to the publisher, bookseller, et al). If you still want to buy it after reading (Team of Rivals!) then it’s well worth the cash – but try to get a used copy and cut down on solid waste. Bonus: you now have an excuse to interact with that cute librarian.
Walk to work. If you can. If there are no highways or bodies of water cutting you off from your place of business, and it’s walkable in less than an hour at a relatively leisurely pace, then you can. At least in one direction. Chances are you don’t get enough exercise. Or enough fresh air/sunlight etc. Chances are your biggest excuse for both is “lack of time.” Well, if you add up the typical commute time incidentals (gassing up, parking, waiting in traffic, waiting for trains, buying tickets/passes etc., chances are, you’re not adding as much time to your commute by walking as you might think. And you’re getting in a workout. It’s also a lot of fun – if you like the city you live in (I did assume I’m addressing city dwellers on this one). Think this only saves a bit of subway fare? You’re forgetting the unused gym membership. . . .
At least take the subway. Can’t/won’t walk? At least take public transportation. You can read (or sleep) on the train and it’s usually a lot faster than driving in rush hour. You’ll help ease urban congestion and reduce your carbon footprint. Do it for your kids!
Think “our neighborhoods, ourselves.” Ever heard of a “staycation”? It’s a vacation you don’t leave town for. If you live in or around a cool city (as I’ve almost always been lucky enough to do) or near great natural beauty, this is a no-brainer. But even if your locale offers nothing much to explore, you can still enjoy a staycation by finally dusting off that old guitar or crocheting kit or the teach-yourself-French CD or the ever growing reading list that has nothing to do with your work. Or, you can do something with your garden other than paying the landscaper to enjoy it in your place! Which me reminds me…
Grow your own vegetables. Be like FLOTUS even if you have flabby arms.
Broaden your social horizons. There’s no social adhesive like a common enemy. No matter whom you blame for your money woes –greedy investment banks, Henry Paulson (or George Bush), Tim Geithner (or Barack Obama), stupid people who can’t manage their money or figure out how much house they can afford, or even yourself (some people always find a way), you probably think it sucks. Almost everyone you know is likely with you at least on this point. So go head, share a cup of disgusting free office coffee with the guy who always bitches about everything you find cool. He probably agrees with you that the office coffee (and staycations) really suck.
Write a recession-related blog entry. It’s a great excuse to procrastinate on stuff you really need to do.
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