How to be happy in a recession

Take care of yourself. Get enough sleep, exercise, and nutrition. Gretchen Rubin, creator of the Happiness Project blog and author of the forthcoming book by the same name, has studied ancient texts as well as recent research on her quest to become happier. The first step, she says, is to take care of your own body by getting enough sleep, exercise, and nutrition.

Become more charitable. “If you’re feeling impoverished … a way to counteract that feeling is to do something generous,” she says. It’s a way of convincing yourself that you have something to give, adds Rubin. Signing up to be an organ donor or giving blood are two easy (and free) options. People also feel happier amid an atmosphere of growth, says Rubin. If your salary is frozen, then learning Photoshop or building a garden can generate a feeling of personal growth.

Spend more time and money on enjoyable activities, from traveling to cooking to studying Mandarin, suggests M. P. Dunleavey, author of Money Can Buy Happiness. Research shows that people are at their most satisfied when they feel engaged and challenged. For Dunleavey, that meant buying ice skates recently.

Invest in relationships. Dunleavey also recommends investing in relationships, another positive influence on happiness levels. Buying a train ticket to visit a friend or putting $30 into a “romantic weekend away with hubby” fund can be valuable investments in your well-being, she says.

Focus on what you’re grateful for. Sonja Lyubomirsky, professor of psychology at the University of California–Riverside and author of The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want, suggests cultivating a sense of appreciation through something like a gratitude journal, where you write down three to five things for which you are thankful. If you lost your job, think of other dreams that have come true, such as living in the city you want or marrying the right partner. “It’s not trivializing what’s happening but trying not to focus on it all the time,” says Lyubomirsky.

Live within your means. Removing the stress and anxiety that comes with an economic downturn results from living within or below your means.

Five Steps after a layoff

The February 25 issue of the Wall Street Journal (Family Money column) lists five things to do if you're laid off:

1. Stay covered-maintain insurance coverage through COBRA, a spouse, or other insurance provider
2. Calculate your minimum expenses-
3. Count your cash-
4. Look for other income-don't forget to apply for unemployment compensation as soon as you can
5. Manage your 401(k)-don't tap it unless you have no other choice.

Sites recommended by Matt Bell

restaurant.com-sign up for restaurant discounts
kingdomadvisors.com
everydaysteward.com
savingforcollege.com
fidelity.com-search for myplansnapshot
annualcreditreport.com

Relief from credit card obligations

An excerpt from MSN.com:

If you are in a financial jam and need a bit of relief from your credit card obligations:
Stop using the card and adding to the balance due. You don't want your card issuer to think you're taking advantage of the situation.
Call the customer-service number listed on the back of your card.
Explain your situation calmly. If you've had a good payment record in the past, emphasize that to the customer-service agent. Ask to be considered for the company's forbearance or relief programs. It's really as simple as that. "If you think you're going to have difficulty staying current with your payments, reach out to your card issuer," said Bank of America's Riess. "If customers believe they're having problems, we want to try to help them."

Money.Purpose.Joy Workshop on Feb 21 at 9am

Most of you have seen the announcements for the workshop to be hosted by Matt Bell at St. Paul's By-the-Sea. It is hard for us to convey in those inserts what this workshop is really about. Here's a description from the host:
"The economy has its ups and downs. But that doesn't mean your personal finances have to go along for the ride. Utilizing God's timeless principles to orient your use of money around his purpose for your life will put you on solid financial footing. This workshop will help you clarify your purpose and teach you the practical, biblical essentials for using money to fulfill that purpose. The result will be a financial life marked by freedom and even joy in tough times, good times -- at all times. Your instructor will be Matt Bell, author of "Money, Purpose, Joy" and the upcoming "Money Strategies for Tough Times"
I am counseling a lot of people that are having tough economic times right now. I am having them myself. And I'm sure many of you are too. I've learned that the by-product of tough times is a high level of anxiety, and for some, outright fear. Not one of us is immune to the effects of this economy-if you aren't suffering from it now, you will be soon, no matter if you are on a government pension or living off your investments or even if you have a trunk of gold buried in the back yard. While we cannot help you pay your bills, we do want you to overcome your fears. That is why we are bringing this workshop to you.
This workshop is designed to provide you with the knowledge to understand and live a financial lifestyle that is pleasing to God, and thereby experience the peace (and freedom from anxiety and fear) that comes with that lifestyle. Its about changing our attitude toward money and becoming the steward that God intended each of us to be and about reaping the rewards that comes with that commitment. Its about learning to do what you can do to help yourself while at the same time recognizing that God will provide for you. I'm just beginning to learn that when you've done those things you will quit worrying.
The question each of us has to ask is, "Is it worth three hours of my time and $25 (if that amount is affordable to you-if not Penny will provide you a scholarship) to maybe, just maybe, learn something that will change my life or the life of my children and their children forever?"
Penny and I invite each of you to join us at the workshop. If you want to go, contact Jerri Moats at the church office (249.4091) and make a reservation. You will receive a copy of Mr. Bell's book so that you can read it before the workshop if you would like to, although advanced reading is not required. I hope you will be there.