Tips to make life happier…with little or no money

It’s the weekend, but without a job and having no spare money it may well be a long time since you did very much and went out on a Friday or Saturday night and had a good time. Here are a few suggestions to make the weekend a bit brighter

There is a saying often seen on Facebook, that …Laughter is the best medicine, but when you have no money, cannot make ends meet and must choose between eating or heating or even cannot pay your rent or mortgage there is not much to laugh about …but laughing is good for your health, your blood pressure and immune system.

If you can't remember the last time you had a good laugh, then it's time now. If you have a home computer of your own, there are opportunities for cheap entertainment, such as free movies and instead of spending money on take a ways, why not a bring and share with friends?

Spend time with your friends, if you do not become an unemployed bore feeling sorry for yourself, your friends care about you and want to be with you. Don’t make the mistake that I did when my circumstances changed dramatically of being embarrassed about such things as your change in appearance, having no money for outings and so on and things such as worn out carpets and furniture ...have a pamper session with friends, swap things you do not need or use for things that your friends have and you do need …

Don’t let your friends and family go because of your situation, life is short and unexpected and you may well find it too late to pick up with them at that time you see in the future ..one day when things improve …time with friends relieves tensions and while they may have jobs and an income, they may need you too…friendship is give and take .

Be positive, positive people not only enjoy life more but have lower blood pressure and better health. While to have no income and employment is indeed a serious worry, try not to get depressed. While indeed we need a roof over our heads, life can be lived without a full sky TV package, do not be ashamed to use any help there that can help you cope through a very difficult time such as a food bank, take some pressure off, you are not the only one needing help …. what has happened to you has happened to thousands of others too …be sure to claim anything that you may be entitled to in benefits.

…. Appreciate what you have…. simple things can be those that make us happiest ….

Valerie Hedges