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Lately I’ve noticed a trend that I haven’t seen in a long time. Because of the slowing economy, it seems that most people are giving a lot of thought to where they spend their hard earned money. This is an amazing ‘perk’ shining from the darkening clouds of hardship. You see, when there is lots of money coming in, it is very easy to forget its value. Not only do we waste money on things we don’t need, there is no incentive to search out a better deal, or maybe even find an alternative to spending money at all.
I guess the one thing I am hearing the most, is that people are appreciating the simpler things in life. The old couch in your family room doesn’t look quite so shabby anymore, when so many people you know are out of work. Lack of extra spending money leads to families preparing home cooked meals and enjoying them together. What a concept, huh? Instead of a night out at a club, friends are taking turns hosting parties at their homes. Maybe we will all learn some important life lessons through these lean times. Hopefully, we will not forget those lessons once the economy turns around.
A few ideas to help cut spending: use coupons, plan menus and grocery shop from a list, shop at thrift stores, use the library or swap books and magazines with friends. In general, just pay more attention to what you are spending money on. For me, it is very important to support companies that offer American Made products, and local businesses whenever possible. I tend to take a long time deciding on a purchase, making sure that I will get lots of use out of it. I hate wasting money. One of my husband’s pet peeves is throwing away spoiled produce. I am really working on that one!
Sometimes it is the downtimes that open our eyes. Let’s get back to basics and focus on what’s really important in life. That would be love and life itself.
Do you have any money saving ideas that are working for you? Any areas you just can’t budge on? Let us know your thoughts!
Brandofthefree.net Always Made in the USA and 100% Organic
Yesterday we talked about two of the top five signs that your budget is causing too much anxiety-disrupted sleep pattern and drinking more than usual. We have three more to cover. Hopefully you will pick up some tips to help calm the storm inside of you.
Sign #3: A sense of panic. Stress can cause our bodies to naturally tense up. You may feel tightness in the chest, dizziness or difficulty in breathing. Please check with your physician if you experience shortness of breath, chest pain or any of the mentioned symptoms to be sure there is no medical issue.
The fix for this one is really cool. Grab a bottle of bubbles and blow through the wand. You can only create a bubble if you are not blowing too hard or too soft. The key is to normalize your breathing. A slow, deep, cleansing breath in through the nose and out through the mouth will help. So will visualization. Imagine breathing in a beautiful healing color and exhaling a stressful color. Go ahead and try it; it may work for you!
Sign #4: Snapping at your kids or significant other. Loved ones always get the brunt of our heightened stress and anxiety levels.
Do a self check on this one. If there is lots of chaos in your house, you may need private time to unwind. Otherwise, find ways to reconnect. Family recreation and exercise is always a healthy and fun distraction from anxiety and stress, and you will become closer as you interact!
Sign #5: You’re drinking way too much coffee. It’s natural to turn to caffeine when you feel that you need a lift. However, the extra caffeine may cause you to become agitated, and can also keep you awake at night.
Remember that giving up caffeine can cause headaches. Start slowly by using a half decaf blend or just cutting the amount of cups per day. Maybe herbal teas at night will soothe you into a restful night slumber.
Hope these tips gave you an idea or two that will help you through these stressful times. Some things are out of your control, as in the stock market, economy or even your job security. Focus on the things that are in your control and you will feel the anxiety levels drop back down.
Think happy thoughts and focus on the positive. We are all in this together!
Brandofthefree.net
Are you sitting there wondering if your job is safe? Or worse yet, have you already been painfully downsized, and now searching for new employment? Take solace in the fact that you are not alone. People are feeling out of control and feeling the effects of “money stress”.
The key is that you don’t allow the stress to control you. I came across the following five signs that money, as it relates to your budget, is causing way too much anxiety. Do any of these signs sound like you? If so, there are simple steps to take to overcome that uncomfortable feeling and take control.
Sign #1: You can’t sleep. A disrupted sleep pattern is one of the most common signs that you’re too worried, whether sleeping too much or too little. You may have trouble falling asleep or wake up during the night and can’t fall back to sleep. Or maybe you plain don’t want to get up in the morning.
Your bedroom should be your relaxing haven for sleep. Watching news might seem like the perfect way to end your day, however, it adds to your stress and does not promote relaxation. Follow a routine that includes a shower or candlelit bath time, reading, soft music, and maybe some romantic time with your spouse. With a relaxing routine, your mind and body are readied for sleep. Hmm..I’m getting sleepy already!
Sign #2: You’re drinking more than usual. Maybe you are asking “What would be more relaxing than a few drinks”? Although you may fall asleep quickly after consuming alcohol, you’ll be more likely to wake during the night, which will disrupt your REM cycle. You will not get the benefits of that deep sleep that your body needs.
Exercise is a better option. Through exercise, endorphins are released in your body, reducing pain and inducing euphoria. That leads to a sense of well being.
Check tomorrow’s blog for Signs 3-5.
In the meantime, think happy thoughts and focus on the positive. We are all in this together!
Brandofthefree.net
While researching the top lists of trends for 2009, I came across an article on ‘Recessionary Living’. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08359/937311-28.stm It is very interesting to me that there is always a silver lining in the dark clouds of any situation. While we all basked in the warmth of so called job security and a stable economy, we forgot common sense, loyalty, and the long lost art of discipline. Vast amounts of our hard earned money flew in many directions, with hardly a thought about where that money was landing and what/who it was funding or supporting.
Many people are excited that we are in ‘The Era of Change’. Hopefully, that change will happen within each one of us as we are enlightened. The REAL change that matters the most will be the changes that we make as individuals.
Consumers are starting to realize the importance of quality vs quantity. Maybe instead of a closetful of clothes that support sweatshop labor, you can focus on a few items that are made in the USA, not only because the quality is superior, but you will also be supporting jobs in America; you will be supporting your neighbors’ jobs and the companies that hire them.
Maybe, just maybe, we will understand that all the “things” won’t make us happy. Real value comes from the relationships in our lives and how we interact with the world around us. We can all grow in this area. How can we use our money to make things better, not only for ourselves, but also for our country and the world around us?
Only you can answer that question for your particular situation. For me, I find that making that extra effort to find products that are American made and organic make me feel that I am contributing in a positive way. I try to support local companies as much as possible, and not just the cookie cutter stores popping up everywhere you look. Call me old fashioned, but don’t you find it odd that no matter where you go, there are the same exact stores, usually placed alongside the same exact stores? I am not saying that these stores are bad; I believe our economy thrives with diversity and an open market. However, Old Town areas and unique fashion boutiques add character to any community.
Keep your eyes and ears open to ways of supporting a better world. Change always starts with yourself!
Check out http://brandofthefree.blogspot.com/2008/04/change-starts-with-you.html
Brandofthefree.net Made in the USA and 100% Organic
There is such a buzz in the air. As a nation, we feel the wave of change as we witness our first black president take office. Although we have many differences of opinion, I believe we can all agree that we want what is best for this country.
For a long time we have let our differences tear us apart. Sometimes it feels that we are not the United States at all. Instead we feel disjointed, looking for flaws and mistakes in our leaders instead of supporting the men and women who serve our country. There have been mistakes made by every elected official. You know that is true, because they ARE human, right? There is no such thing as a perfect human being. But there are human beings who make a commitment to themselves to make this world a better place, whether they are serving our country through the government or military or through raising unselfish, fruitful children who will help build communities and strengthen this great nation. We need to respect and honor all forms of service, especially when lives are put on the line.
As Martin Luther King, Jr. stated in his famous ‘I Have a Dream’ speech,
“But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred”
He goes on to say, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
These words are very powerful and really made me stop to think. We have a great, beautiful country. Let’s all be a part of building it into the Model Nation that it should be!
Please read the complete MLK speech. http://www.usconstitution.net/dream.html Brand of the Free Apparel - Model Nation T-Shirt
brandofthefree.net Made in America and 100% Organic
I guess the one thing I am hearing the most, is that people are appreciating the simpler things in life. The old couch in your family room doesn’t look quite so shabby anymore, when so many people you know are out of work. Lack of extra spending money leads to families preparing home cooked meals and enjoying them together. What a concept, huh? Instead of a night out at a club, friends are taking turns hosting parties at their homes. Maybe we will all learn some important life lessons through these lean times. Hopefully, we will not forget those lessons once the economy turns around.
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