26 Oct Save some money this weekend (and month) and boost your happiness!
They say money can't buy happiness but as this article suggests, saving money may well boost your positive emotions!
by Philip Hampsheir for BBC News
New research suggests that the secret to happiness is simple – save an extra £50 each month.
A survey of almost 2,500 people by NS&I found that savings success has a direct impact on individual's mood and state of mind.
With more than half of the UK unhappy with their savings and a third worrying about their finances, how you can be realistic with how much you squirrel away every month even if you're on a tight budget?
John Hay retired in June but even though he's on a company pension he's lost two-thirds of his income.
Realising the lifestyle he used to have had come to an end, he came up with a number of strategies to ensure that he's able to put money aside each month for a rainy day – from getting a more fuel efficient car to keeping his own chickens so he saves money on his breakfast.
"It takes a lot of getting used to, I must admit," he says. "Now I've got this mobile I'm thinking about getting rid of the landline because we really don't need two phones.
"Two hours in the morning, two or three hours in the evening we have the heating on. The rest of the time we move quicker or we wear a sweater."
Of course, living on a tight budget can take its toll. When he was in work, he and his wife used to enjoy holidays abroad. Now he says they can't afford them.
"A treat for me is going down to the Oxfam and finding somebody has put in a whole set of pencils and paints so that I can buy them for a few pounds," Mr Hay says. "That's my hobby taken care of."
Skip coffee
His money-saving strategy might sound extreme but it's often the simplest changes that can make a big difference…
…keep reading the full and original article HERE