I caught an interesting segment on The Today Show yesterday that highlighted an article from Women’s Health magazine. Discussing ways money can buy you happiness, the magazine’s Executive Editor, Lesley Rotchford, went on to pinpoint a few alternatives to the way we spend our hard-earned cash. Below are just a few of the switches she recommends making for a more fulfilling purchase.
1. Quit splurging on expensive spa treatments and opt for a vacation instead. Sure, a quick massage or pedicure might feel great at the time, but the rewards are only short-lived. Vacations not only improve short-term happiness, but the benefits continue long after you’ve unpacked your suitcase.
2. Spend money on makeup, not clothes. Studies have proven that cosmetics, even those bought from a bargain bin, tend to satisfy our needs more than a clothing purchase can. Experts believe that the psychological effect of adding a little bit of luxury, however small it may be, can lift your spirits when you use it frequently.
3. Spend money on others, rather than yourself. Expansive studies have proven that generosity affects individual happiness in more ways than any other spending habits. But even if you don’t have the cash to dole out, charity work has the same effects. Find one that means something to you and put your time in.
It got me thinking of other ways that money can buy happiness, and I hope it does the same for you. What are your secrets to a happier life?
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