Cheap Things That Make You Happy

[Frugal Lizard]

Clothing flopping around on the clothes line in the sun.

[dignam]

Enjoying a cold beer on the porch on a warm evening with my gf and dog.  Bonus points for the cool neighbors that stroll by and chat with us a bit (which is saying a lot coming from an introvert).  Occasionally we can hear live music from the restaurant down the block.

Everything just comes alive when the warmer weather hits; such a stark contrast to the winters here.

[Josiecat22222]

A delicious plant based home cooked meal. Tonight was parmesan polenta with oven roasted broccoli, zucchini, red onions, bell pepper and tomato. It was  great

[mspym]

A lovely cup of tea, drunk while sitting in a patch of sun. Even fancy expensive tea is only 18-40 cents a cup!

[lemanfan]

Reading history books and learning fun trivia about history.  I especially like the sarcasm used by enemies and history writers about the once powerful and mighty.

One ancient Swedish king is know in Swedish as "Erik läspe och halte" which translates to something like "Eric, with a lisp and limping" or as Wikipedia writes it "Erik the Lisp and Lame".

Now I just learned about another king of old sometimes known as "Inge Bredarsle" meaning "Inge Broad Arse" or "Inge with the fat ass".  He killed another king known as Blot-Sven.  Sven is still a common name and "Blot" was the ancient pre-christian religious sacrificial ceremony.  This was partly a religious fight as Inge was christian and Sven followed the old faith.

Imaging being know a millennium later as "the one with the fat ass".  Perhaps we can think of what some of our current world leaders will be know as in a thousand years?

[Siebrie]

Seeing my dds' 2 guinea pigs in their hutch on the lawn in our backyard. They are fun to watch, the keep the grass short, they fertilize the lawn, and I have to clean their inside cage less often and provide less dry food.

[Valley of Plenty]

Hitting a new lifting PR!

Much like my net worth, I never get tired of seeing the numbers go up.

[rivendale]

Riding our bikes to the library!

[Dancin'Dog]

Inflation sure has made my list of "cheap things" a lot shorter, but I'm still happy.  ;~) 

[Josiecat22222]

Tiny green tomatoes forming on my plants- a harbinger of good things to come!!

[zolotiyeruki]

Finding out that the repair to our sprinkler system will be quick, easy, and cheap (just a few inches of pipe.  If I can find that small of a quantity).

[Serendip]

Plants taking off in the garden.

Seeds are phenomenal. Every year I am amazed..

[Metalcat]

So many visits with my friends and family!!!

It turns out, if you want people to prioritize spending time with you, just move away for months at a time, lol. When you come back, everyone wants to see you a whole bunch, and when you're leaving again, everyone wants to see you a whole bunch.

There's nothing like the fact that you won't be around for a long time to make everyone take it seriously that they can't let months fly by between visits because that will be a forced thing in not too long.

Life is just so much more fun and exciting when I get to spend a lot of time with awesome people.

[Frugal Lizard]

The Merlin Bird ID app. Watching the app identify all the individual species while I hear bird song from all directions.  Blue jays have a huge repertoire of different calls.

[Serendip]

It turns out, if you want people to prioritize spending time with you, just move away for months at a time, lol. When you come back, everyone wants to see you a whole bunch, and when you're leaving again, everyone wants to see you a whole bunch.

There IS something nice about only having intermittent access to people :)

[Josiecat22222]

first watermelon of the season.  It's so sweet and delicious.

[Freedomin5]

Ten years after starting our FIRE journey, we finally have enough time and data on the graph to see a clear exponential curve in our net worth tracking graph!

[MattL]

- Manually grinding my coffee beans in the morning
- My 1995 dropbar-converted mtb
- Friday evening pizza
- camping with my girlfriend.

[Malossi792]

Ten years after starting our FIRE journey, we finally have enough time and data on the graph to see a clear exponential curve in our net worth tracking graph!

That would definitely make me happy, but I think it's the opposite of cheap. :)

[GuitarStv]

There's a fraction of a second right after you unbalance someone while executing a throw where they are light as a feather in the wind and you know the throw in unstoppable . . . this fraction of a second is a source of intense joy for me.

[Valley of Plenty]

There's a fraction of a second right after you unbalance someone while executing a throw where they are light as a feather in the wind and you know the throw in unstoppable . . . this fraction of a second is a source of intense joy for me.

Judo? BJJ?

[Gerard]

There's a fraction of a second right after you unbalance someone while executing a throw where they are light as a feather in the wind and you know the throw in unstoppable . . . this fraction of a second is a source of intense joy for me.

Judo? BJJ?

Really bad cycling?

[Valley of Plenty]

There's a fraction of a second right after you unbalance someone while executing a throw where they are light as a feather in the wind and you know the throw in unstoppable . . . this fraction of a second is a source of intense joy for me.

Judo? BJJ?

Really bad cycling?

I would be very interested in seeing someone execute a throw while riding a bike

[sonofsven]

Soaking off the day's dirt in the tub listening to The Greatful Dead hour on the community radio station (yes, I am a member!).
 And I don't really even love the Dead, but somehow it works.

[Serendip]

A rainy morning that cancels outdoor plans just when you need a rest.

[GuitarStv]

There's a fraction of a second right after you unbalance someone while executing a throw where they are light as a feather in the wind and you know the throw in unstoppable . . . this fraction of a second is a source of intense joy for me.

Judo? BJJ?

Really bad cycling?

I would be very interested in seeing someone execute a throw while riding a bike

Me too!

BJJ these days.  I think my judo time is over . . . finding it too hard on the body as I get older.  Jiu-Jitsu is still a great workout, but you're not getting slammed as regularly as you are in judo.

[Valley of Plenty]

There's a fraction of a second right after you unbalance someone while executing a throw where they are light as a feather in the wind and you know the throw in unstoppable . . . this fraction of a second is a source of intense joy for me.

Judo? BJJ?

Really bad cycling?

I would be very interested in seeing someone execute a throw while riding a bike

Me too!

BJJ these days.  I think my judo time is over . . . finding it too hard on the body as I get older.  Jiu-Jitsu is still a great workout, but you're not getting slammed as regularly as you are in judo.

I did Goju Ryu karate as a teenager but stopped once I started working because I couldn't afford to be banged and bruised up while working 12 hour factory shifts. I'd really like to get back into taking some form of martial arts. Hopefully by the time I'm FI I'll still be young and fit enough for full contact sparring, and won't have to worry about getting injured and not being able to go to work.

[GuitarStv]

There's a fraction of a second right after you unbalance someone while executing a throw where they are light as a feather in the wind and you know the throw in unstoppable . . . this fraction of a second is a source of intense joy for me.

Judo? BJJ?

Really bad cycling?

I would be very interested in seeing someone execute a throw while riding a bike

Me too!

BJJ these days.  I think my judo time is over . . . finding it too hard on the body as I get older.  Jiu-Jitsu is still a great workout, but you're not getting slammed as regularly as you are in judo.

I did Goju Ryu karate as a teenager but stopped once I started working because I couldn't afford to be banged and bruised up while working 12 hour factory shifts. I'd really like to get back into taking some form of martial arts. Hopefully by the time I'm FI I'll still be young and fit enough for full contact sparring, and won't have to worry about getting injured and not being able to go to work.

If you can swing it, stay somewhat active in what you want to study.  Your body behaves differently in your 40s than in your 20s and 30s . . . and it becomes exponentially harder to build fitness.  Maintaining fitness from your youth is largely doable though.  Be willing to compromise or change if necessary too.  For me, my eyesight and reflexes are not really up to hard sparring in thai boxing any more.

[rivendale]

Fresh blueberries from my bushes right outside my back porch.

[Siebrie]

The realisation that I'm not an avid vegetable gardener, and with my current life never will be. I've removed everything to do with growing seeds and small plants, keeping just 1 good basic set for later.
Letting go of this fantasy-me has given me so much breathing space! And it didn't cost me a penny :)

[Metalcat]

The realisation that I'm not an avid vegetable gardener, and with my current life never will be. I've removed everything to do with growing seeds and small plants, keeping just 1 good basic set for later.
Letting go of this fantasy-me has given me so much breathing space! And it didn't cost me a penny :)

This is so important.

It was was eye opening for me reading about how a difference between people who were happy and people who weren't happy was how aligned their image of themselves was with reality.

So if when you think of yourself it's what you aren't, then you are setting yourself up to be unhappy. So if your self vision is some "future" version who is fitter, more stylish, a successful gardener, a passionate writer who sits down to write every day in their idyllic space, whatever the image, if it isn't accurate to who you are now, it will damage your sense of satisfaction with yourself and your life.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't have aspirational visions of possible future, but they shouldn't be part of your identity.

If you incorporate something that isn't real into your sense of self, then when it doesn't fit, it feels like failure. If something is just an idea an experiment you are willing to try, then if it doesn't fit, it doesn't fit, no big deal.

I tried gardening and hated it. I didn't fail to be a gardener, gardening just doesn't fit with who I am.

You wouldn't believe how many people out there are torturing themselves trying to live up to expectations that exist only in their own imaginations.

I did an active experiment when I learned this. I was raised by a former model. For perspective, my mom lost about a fifth of her brain recently and she was putting on a dress and makeup to see her medical team, the people who were changing her diapers. That's the level of vanity I internalized.

When I read about self image, I realized that my internal avatar was always dressed up in full makeup and heels. So I actively dressed her down. Shockingly rapidly, I felt less need to wear makeup, fussy clothes, and heels. Now I call my Converse my "fancy" shoes. Lol. I used to have heels that I called my "casual comfy" shoes.

It's crazy how much control we have over what makes us feel good and bad about ourselves and our lives.

[Dancin'Dog]

The realisation that I'm not an avid vegetable gardener, and with my current life never will be. I've removed everything to do with growing seeds and small plants, keeping just 1 good basic set for later.
Letting go of this fantasy-me has given me so much breathing space! And it didn't cost me a penny :)

This is so important.

It was was eye opening for me reading about how a difference between people who were happy and people who weren't happy was how aligned their image of themselves was with reality.

So if when you think of yourself it's what you aren't, then you are setting yourself up to be unhappy. So if your self vision is some "future" version who is fitter, more stylish, a successful gardener, a passionate writer who sits down to write every day in their idyllic space, whatever the image, if it isn't accurate to who you are now, it will damage your sense of satisfaction with yourself and your life.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't have aspirational visions of possible future, but they shouldn't be part of your identity.

If you incorporate something that isn't real into your sense of self, then when it doesn't fit, it feels like failure. If something is just an idea an experiment you are willing to try, then if it doesn't fit, it doesn't fit, no big deal.

I tried gardening and hated it. I didn't fail to be a gardener, gardening just doesn't fit with who I am.

You wouldn't believe how many people out there are torturing themselves trying to live up to expectations that exist only in their own imaginations.

I did an active experiment when I learned this. I was raised by a former model. For perspective, my mom lost about a fifth of her brain recently and she was putting on a dress and makeup to see her medical team, the people who were changing her diapers. That's the level of vanity I internalized.

When I read about self image, I realized that my internal avatar was always dressed up in full makeup and heels. So I actively dressed her down. Shockingly rapidly, I felt less need to wear makeup, fussy clothes, and heels. Now I call my Converse my "fancy" shoes. Lol. I used to have heels that I called my "casual comfy" shoes.

It's crazy how much control we have over what makes us feel good and bad about ourselves and our lives.

I think that's somehow similar to how drinking alcohol helps a lot of people to be happy in the moment and with their true selves.  The lies that we are normally trying to live up to, tend to fade into the background when our minds are occupied with things that require our full attention. Of course, there are many other ways to achieve this, but drinking seems to be a simple shortcut.

[Metalcat]

I think that's somehow similar to how drinking alcohol helps a lot of people to be happy in the moment and with their true selves.  The lies that we are normally trying to live up to, tend to fade into the background when our minds are occupied with things that require our full attention. Of course, there are many other ways to achieve this, but drinking seems to be a simple shortcut.

hmm... alcohol sure disinhibits people, but I'm not inclined to interpret that as people feeling better about themselves. I've seen too many people get much more insecure about themselves while drinking. I often refer to alcohol as "sad juice."

[jnw]

Walmart Great Value Box of 100 black tea bags for $2.12.

[Valley of Plenty]

The realisation that I'm not an avid vegetable gardener, and with my current life never will be. I've removed everything to do with growing seeds and small plants, keeping just 1 good basic set for later.
Letting go of this fantasy-me has given me so much breathing space! And it didn't cost me a penny :)

This is so important.

It was was eye opening for me reading about how a difference between people who were happy and people who weren't happy was how aligned their image of themselves was with reality.

So if when you think of yourself it's what you aren't, then you are setting yourself up to be unhappy. So if your self vision is some "future" version who is fitter, more stylish, a successful gardener, a passionate writer who sits down to write every day in their idyllic space, whatever the image, if it isn't accurate to who you are now, it will damage your sense of satisfaction with yourself and your life.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't have aspirational visions of possible future, but they shouldn't be part of your identity.

If you incorporate something that isn't real into your sense of self, then when it doesn't fit, it feels like failure. If something is just an idea an experiment you are willing to try, then if it doesn't fit, it doesn't fit, no big deal.

I tried gardening and hated it. I didn't fail to be a gardener, gardening just doesn't fit with who I am.

You wouldn't believe how many people out there are torturing themselves trying to live up to expectations that exist only in their own imaginations.

I did an active experiment when I learned this. I was raised by a former model. For perspective, my mom lost about a fifth of her brain recently and she was putting on a dress and makeup to see her medical team, the people who were changing her diapers. That's the level of vanity I internalized.

When I read about self image, I realized that my internal avatar was always dressed up in full makeup and heels. So I actively dressed her down. Shockingly rapidly, I felt less need to wear makeup, fussy clothes, and heels. Now I call my Converse my "fancy" shoes. Lol. I used to have heels that I called my "casual comfy" shoes.

It's crazy how much control we have over what makes us feel good and bad about ourselves and our lives.

I agree with what you're saying to a point, but I also think that a key part of self improvement is getting into the mindset of the person you want to be, even if that isn't where you're at now. So for example if you want to be able to run a marathon, you should put yourself in the mindset of being a marathon runner. You go for a run every morning because that's what marathon runners do. You pay close attention to your diet and make sure you're getting the proper balance of nutrients, because that's what marathon runners do. Incorporating who you want to be into your sense of self identity is an invaluable tool in reinforcing strong habits. Of course, if you are truly miserable trying to achieve that identity, you might need to reevaluate your goals. But getting bogged down with where you are and what you can do currently can tie a mental weight around your ankles that prevents you from realizing your goals and potential.

The book Atomic Habits by James Clear does a great job of explaining this approach to forming positive habits.

[zolotiyeruki]

For those interested in reading James Clear's philosophy, you can find it here: https://jamesclear.com/three-steps-habit-change

[Metalcat]

I agree with what you're saying to a point, but I also think that a key part of self improvement is getting into the mindset of the person you want to be, even if that isn't where you're at now. So for example if you want to be able to run a marathon, you should put yourself in the mindset of being a marathon runner. You go for a run every morning because that's what marathon runners do. You pay close attention to your diet and make sure you're getting the proper balance of nutrients, because that's what marathon runners do. Incorporating who you want to be into your sense of self identity is an invaluable tool in reinforcing strong habits. Of course, if you are truly miserable trying to achieve that identity, you might need to reevaluate your goals. But getting bogged down with where you are and what you can do currently can tie a mental weight around your ankles that prevents you from realizing your goals and potential.

The book Atomic Habits by James Clear does a great job of explaining this approach to forming positive habits.

There's a difference between aspirationally envisioning your goals vs having an unrealistic sense of self that you aren't living up to.

My entire point was to not envision yourself as someone who is/does things that don't make you truly happy.

[Serendip]

The smell of wildflowers blooming in the alpine. Amazing scent and good scenery as a bonus.

[Republic DC-9]

Watching all the many different birds and other wildlife in our backyard “mini-woods” while sipping coffee brewed at home (or Earl Grey tea).

Admiring all of the purple coneflowers and other garden plants and dreaming of an all-prairie yard, no grass.

And fake flying in my flight simulators!

[Serendip]

Cancelling plans when you need a day off.. :)

[Metalcat]

The whales are back!!!

I mean, they come every year, but this is only my second summer here, and it still blows my mind that I see whales when I walk the dog.

[Frugal Lizard]

Peas - from the garden. Perfectly ripe tender green balls of goodness.

[Freedomin5]

Sitting in the sunroom at the cottage, listening to and watching a thunderstorm come over the lake.

[halfling]

The loud-ass cicadas I can hear out my apartment window at night. Love em.

Also, my string lights that turn on automatically at sunset.

[NV Teacher]

Sitting outside at night listening to the crickets and the irrigation sprinklers in the alfalfa field looking at the stars.

[lemanfan]

A long talk with a small group of close friends.

[slackmax]

Got the college FM radio station on right now, and they are playing music I like, and the best part is, no commercials.   

[sonofsven]

Got the college FM radio station on right now, and they are playing music I like, and the best part is, no commercials.   

I listen to my community radio station (and am a business supporter of) even though they don't always play music I like!
Really, it's sea chanties. I like every other type of music except sea chanties!
Lately what's making me happy is fresh picked garden greens: kale for breakfast, lettuce for dinner.

[zolotiyeruki]

One of our peach trees is diseased but not-dead-yet, and has tons of peaches this year.  We had to emergency-harvest them a few days ago, and they're sitting on our kitchen counter to (hopefully!) ripen.  Our kitchen smells amazing.

[Frugal Lizard]

One of our peach trees is diseased but not-dead-yet, and has tons of peaches this year.  We had to emergency-harvest them a few days ago, and they're sitting on our kitchen counter to (hopefully!) ripen.  Our kitchen smells amazing.

Major envy here.