Author Topic: Cheap Things That Make You Happy  (Read 938984 times)

lifejoy

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #150 on: July 21, 2017, 12:02:30 PM »
Picking fresh herbs and smelling them.

Getting a favourite article of clothing repaired (or doing it yourself) and having it succeed beautifully.

Thinkum

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #151 on: July 21, 2017, 06:46:46 PM »
Writing a to-do list and getting it DONE!

Having a plan and seeing it through.

Making up my mind and finally moving forward always makes me happy and it's FREE!

totoro

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #152 on: July 21, 2017, 07:10:39 PM »
Wandering around the garden in bare feet picking fruit, vegetables... and weeds
Talking philosophy, FI, minimalism and science with my 18-year-old
Cuddling with the cat
Holding hands with my husband
Watching flowers and plants over a season
Having good friends over
Planning special events with family and friends
Walking around the neighbourhood in all seasons
A hug from my kids
Facetiming across continents
Writing
Talking with my best friend every day
Looking at the lake from our balcony
Watching the quail in the backyard
Lifelong friends



teen persuasion

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #153 on: July 21, 2017, 07:16:26 PM »
Picnic dinner on the hill at Shakespeare in the Park.

Concerts the kids have participated in over the years.

Memorial day parades, followed by everyone in the village respectfully listening to the Veterans' and Firemen's speeches on the Green.  Followed by a duck derby on the canal.

Fireflies at my bedroom windows.

Fred the cardinal waking me - also at my bedroom windows.

Walks along the canal footpath with DH, or walks in the nature preserve.

Scoping out beautiful old houses whenever we are driving somewhere.

When someone compliments me on a necklace I made.

Making and stretching mozzarella cheese for homemade pizza.

vern

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #154 on: July 21, 2017, 07:28:01 PM »

bryan995

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #155 on: July 22, 2017, 06:22:24 AM »
Walking (to explore  a new city/state). A benefit of switching employers every ~two years :)

Lauran75

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #156 on: July 27, 2017, 10:00:50 AM »
Unclogging the pipe which was causing water to back up in our gutters and flood our basement.

Safely making it down the ladder from our roof in the rain.

dreams_and_discoveries

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #157 on: July 27, 2017, 11:23:29 AM »
My garden; total spend this year is tiny, but it's so good to spend time there and marvel how things grow. I'm a big believer in the transformative quality of nature following the seasons and seeing plants grow brings so endless pleasures. And the food isn't half bad; had berries galore, rhubarb, potatoes, lettuce, radishes and the apples, pears and courgettes are just coming into their own now.

ElleFiji

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #158 on: July 27, 2017, 12:30:03 PM »
Lying on the cool floor

SomedayStache

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #159 on: July 27, 2017, 03:27:09 PM »
Finding all my kids reading a book together, or playing a board game together that they initiated

Reacher

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #160 on: July 27, 2017, 05:15:49 PM »
What an awesome thread. Y'all are a bunch of coffee addicts and bibliophiles.

Running

Listening to podcasts

Running while listening to podcasts

Cuddling with SO

Talking with SO

Running with SO

Hikes and bikes with the kids

Audiobooks

Dirt cheap travel (hacks, airbnb, miles, priceline (love getting $10 per day rental cars)

Mass State parks pass ($65 per year, must use 75+ times)

80s music on Amazon Prime

Camping at state parks ($17 per night) and unplugging with the family

andreamac

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #161 on: July 28, 2017, 05:53:13 PM »
-Watching my little one sleep or smile (she's still working on laughing)
-Cooking healthy meals for my family
-Petting my cat
-Knitting

mustachepungoeshere

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #162 on: July 30, 2017, 09:50:38 PM »
What an awesome thread. Y'all are a bunch of coffee addicts and bibliophiles.

...

Your user name!

Jack (none) Reacher?

nowseehere

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #163 on: July 31, 2017, 07:50:23 AM »
I had a pretty frugal and productive Sunday:

Prepped chicken for SO.

Baked cookies and sent some to the neighbors.

Baked bread.

Weeded the strawberry patch and picked our first ever ripe strawberry - it was delicious!

Reorganized the basement - so much room for activities now!

Made dinner with enough leftovers for three days worth of lunches.

Had a nice bath and played video games until bedtime.

lifejoy

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #164 on: July 31, 2017, 10:13:08 AM »
+1 to homemade baking

-painting my nails
---while watching tv :)

-free or cheap community events

-buying second-hand baby clothes (like $0.50 each! And so cute!!)

-selling stuff on Facebook buy and sell, such a thrill

-doing errands on a weekday when everyone else is at work

2Birds1Stone

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #165 on: July 31, 2017, 10:59:46 AM »
Exercise

Cooking

Sex


dougules

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #166 on: August 03, 2017, 11:15:34 AM »
snark

Footsore Rambler

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #167 on: August 03, 2017, 12:16:30 PM »
Exercise

Cooking

Sex

Especially when done simultaneously ;)

lifejoy

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #168 on: August 03, 2017, 12:26:17 PM »
Exercise

Cooking

Sex

Especially when done simultaneously ;)

Lol!

Watching comedians

Receiving a massage (either from DH or covered mostly by benefits!)

Walking in an air-conditioned mall (and usually not buying stuff)

Buying a greeting card for a huge discount because it's 5-months away from being useful

Sending mail to people I care about

Netflix

Thrift shopping $1 racks

Getting a free drink any time anywhere

Facebook messenger app helping me talk to people that live far away

Blueberry pecan waffles that my dad makes and puts in the freezer for me to eat in the middle of the night

StarBright

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #169 on: August 03, 2017, 01:08:08 PM »
snark


+ 1 - well done snark is a thing of beauty.

One of my favorite co-workers bought me a mug that says "snark master" and I cherish it every time I take a sip.

TabbyCat

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #170 on: August 03, 2017, 01:12:35 PM »
Picking food from the garden, snagging something great on Buy Nothing, clearing out clutter (the end result, not the process!), seeing the monthly spending go down a little every month.

Aegishjalmur

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #171 on: August 03, 2017, 01:15:20 PM »
Sleep.

PiobStache

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #172 on: August 03, 2017, 03:10:49 PM »
Sitting outside in my spa on a winter night.

Making music.

Making our own sausage and charcuterie.

Listening to one of the cats purr.

mustachepungoeshere

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #173 on: August 03, 2017, 04:55:38 PM »
Exercise

Cooking

Sex

Especially when done simultaneously ;)

I thought it said exercise, cookies, sex.

Still good!

Rural

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #174 on: August 03, 2017, 05:20:49 PM »
Lentils, esp. curried with spinach and a few other veggies.


Woods, and days when I don't have to go down off the mountain.

one piece at a time

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #175 on: August 03, 2017, 05:38:36 PM »
When you're noodling away on bass and other people join in to completely derail the purpose of the rehearsal, but you still make a joyful sound.

Neat lawn edges.

dougules

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #176 on: August 04, 2017, 11:43:16 AM »
snark


+ 1 - well done snark is a thing of beauty.

One of my favorite co-workers bought me a mug that says "snark master" and I cherish it every time I take a sip.

You need to put only very bitter coffee in it, though.

HappierAtHome

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #177 on: August 05, 2017, 05:28:41 AM »
Gardening. Sometimes cheap, sometimes free. Occasionally expensive, but it doesn't have to be.

Mikila

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #178 on: August 05, 2017, 09:16:06 PM »
Evening walks with my honey bring me great joy.

Roe

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #179 on: August 06, 2017, 04:34:59 AM »
- Spotifys discover weekly. It's a treat four times a month!


- The MMM way and mindset. I've been worried about automation and the future, now im much more at ease. I just hope we manage to get to FIRE before any potential shit does hit the fan.


- One of my favorite feelings is when you have a few days off, and stay up so late its early. Being somewhat dizzy from the lack of sleep, seeing people in the city waking up to go to work. Knowing you can stay in your happy bubble.

Being RE would really mess with my sleeping pattern.

steviesterno

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #180 on: August 06, 2017, 06:23:58 AM »
sitting on the couch rubbing the dog's ears while wife and baby are sleeping. I get to read whatever I want, and it's probably the only quiet we'll today get with an 18 month old.

said 18 month old trying words on for size or making up his own.

watching him flap one arm like crazy and yell "hummy!" when there is a hummingbird at the feeder.

speaking of, the monitor just lit up. pretty excited for the hug I get getting him out of the crib, and I'm always enjoying his first words of the day. typically "book?" "DOGGY!" or 'nack (breakfast time!)

Linea_Norway

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #181 on: August 06, 2017, 01:48:44 PM »
Sleeping in my own bed after a three week vacation.

When we left on vacation we had some strawberry bushes with green strawberries. When we got back 3 weeks later there were still red strawberries to be found. Enough for 2 portions.
« Last Edit: August 07, 2017, 11:26:26 AM by Linda_Norway »

SweetLife

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #182 on: August 07, 2017, 07:01:32 AM »
Sitting on our front porch, listening to the baby laugh and play

FrugalFisherman10

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #183 on: August 07, 2017, 07:14:04 AM »
Peaches.

This thread is awesome! I've kinda been avoiding it for some reason, thinking it may have some negative undertones...don't know where I got that! I'm so encouraged and uplifted hearing these... almost to tears at all the mentions of people's children and their "hugs", "smiles", laughter, "speech"...crazy how much those can be enjoyed even when they are young still 'trying them on for size'! And the mention of intellectual conversation with your 18 y/o is soo cool too.

Not a parent yet, not even close

GenXbiker

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #184 on: August 07, 2017, 07:26:20 AM »
Biking

Counting my money, doing calculations for FIRE, etc.

Actually, many things.

lifejoy

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #185 on: August 07, 2017, 08:01:30 AM »
Peaches.

This thread is awesome! I've kinda been avoiding it for some reason, thinking it may have some negative undertones...don't know where I got that! I'm so encouraged and uplifted hearing these... almost to tears at all the mentions of people's children and their "hugs", "smiles", laughter, "speech"...crazy how much those can be enjoyed even when they are young still 'trying them on for size'! And the mention of intellectual conversation with your 18 y/o is soo cool too.

Not a parent yet, not even close

Sometimes I "save up" the updates in this thread so I can read a whole bunch of feel-good statements! The contributions never fail to lift my spirits :)

lifejoy

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #186 on: August 07, 2017, 08:03:57 AM »
When DH makes me dinner (beyond restaurant-quality!)

Kraft dinner (sorry, not sorry!)

Lanolin (yeah I'm a new mom)

The fall season and wearing layers

Gas station candy - like one $0.25 big twizzler once in a blue moon

lifejoy

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #187 on: August 07, 2017, 08:06:43 AM »
Painting my nails

Netflix and chill (currently enjoying GLOW)

Talking on the phone to friends or family - a good catchup session.

Wearing soft fabrics. Like a really good cotton tshirts or a cashmere... ahhh

Hot showers. Hot baths.

Sister C

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #188 on: August 07, 2017, 06:31:31 PM »
Morning cuddles with my 14 month old.  We nurse a little, snuggle a bunch and rough house.  He has the best laugh.

Walking to work with my wife, baby and dog.  I am incredibly lucky, and I feel incredibly lucky most mornings.

Spending time in the garden.

A weekend nap.  This one is amazing.

pbkmaine

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #189 on: August 07, 2017, 09:27:03 PM »
Making a delicious meal from things in the refrigerator.

sequoia

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #190 on: August 08, 2017, 09:48:53 PM »
We have a small garden, and been picking veggies in the past few summers. We mostly have cucumber, tomatoes, bell peppers and some spices that my wife planted.

We harvested a good size melon today - our first ever, so that made our day!

Caoineag

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #191 on: August 09, 2017, 07:29:06 AM »
Hearing a stream or waterfall gurgle and bubble
Seeing a field of wild flowers with the attendant butterflies all fluttering around
Watching a swarm of bees come off a bush they have all been feeding on
Watching the clouds pass overhead and cast shadows on the ground
Having my pug sing to me while I give him scritchies
Coming across an odonate (dragonfly/damselfly) coloration that I either haven't seen before or see rarely

ElleFiji

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #192 on: August 09, 2017, 07:51:22 AM »
A solid night of sleep

Linea_Norway

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #193 on: August 09, 2017, 12:15:13 PM »
A solid night of sleep


^^^ this ^^^ It is such a seldom thing to happen for me.

Or a good, clear night of sky watching followed by sleeping out. ;-) That is also a seldom thing when you are dependent on doing this during the weekend. Clear skies are always on Sunday night.

Which brings to the cheap things that make you happy... After you have invested into a telescope and all the extra's that you need, sitting outside a night beside your own house, watching the sky, does not cost anything extra and makes me very happy and relaxed. Cheaper solution: go to some astronomy event and look through other people's scopes. Or buy a set second hand.

dougules

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #194 on: August 31, 2017, 10:24:49 AM »
A solid night of sleep

+1 (thread reboot attempt)

Gunny

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #195 on: August 31, 2017, 10:36:15 AM »
Being able to pick my son up after cross-country every day.  Going fishing in the middle of the week and being the only person at the boat ramp.  Mowing my yard on Wednesday morning.  Binge watching my new favorite program in the middle of the afternoon. 

Caoineag

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #196 on: August 31, 2017, 11:06:24 AM »
this thread
mornings where we don't have to get up immediately and we slowly stretch and lounge in bed far longer than necessary

lifejoy

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #197 on: August 31, 2017, 01:27:10 PM »
Hand-me-downs of baby clothes!!!

Mmm_Donuts

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #198 on: August 31, 2017, 06:06:48 PM »
- going for a run through the forest
- fall weather when the air is crisp and leaves start to turn colour
- pickling season - making hot sauce from scratch

ElleFiji

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Re: Cheap Things That Make You Happy
« Reply #199 on: September 01, 2017, 11:52:24 AM »
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