The Bright Side Of A Bad Economy
Beating the Slump With A Positive Outlook
Apr 16, 2009 Inka Piegsa-Quischotte
It's about time to put aside all the gloom and doom associated with the current downturn in the economy. Although many will feel, that the free and often thoughtless money-spending has come to an end, either due to loss of employment or a much reduced income, there is a decidedly positive side to any financial crisis. The situation forces the mind to concentrate and to develop imagination and creativity to get by. Sudden hardship can actually pull families closer together and encourage a sense of team work and relationship, often lost in the times of plenty.
Family GatheringsSince there is not much room in a tight budget for dining out, families are forced to take their meals at home. Long lost or neglected cooking skills, due to too much take out or fast food, will be remembered with the result that families will, again, gather at the table and take their meal together as a unit. All of a sudden, children and parents will communicate and talk to each other, exchanging problems and experiences and get to know each other all over again.
Outside entertainment, like cinema and concerts, also needs to be curbed. The same goes for excessive use of TV, internet, cell phones and so on, to save on electricity and phone bills. Why not remember games, be it card games like Poker or Bridge or the good, old Monopoly? Not only are games fun, they are another means of bringing families together who otherwise spend much of their time lost in their isolated headphone or cyberspace world.
Competitions can be staged, with prizes other than money. Books and magazines are waiting to be read and, in the best of cases, to be discussed with family and friends. Talking about electricity: air condition is an acquired habit, especially in America. There were actually times, when there was no air con and people survived just fine. If it's cold, put on another sweater, if it's hot, open windows and ventilate or take a cool shower. The same goes for dish washers. Rubber gloves have been invented to protect the hands, roping in the family to help can be fun and in no time the dishes are clean and the bill keeps down.
RecyclingThis section mostly refers to clothes and fashion. No money for a new wardrobe? No problem, with a bit of imagination and very few sewing skills, just about any garment can be given a new lease of life. Fresh combinations can be tried out, new buttons, a brooch or flower pin or the addition of an inexpensive belt will instantly change the appearance of yesterday's clothes.
Beauty TreatmentsIt's in fact possible to do one's own manicure and pedicure. No expensive salon visits are necessary. The same applies to facials etc. It's great fun to create one's own spa in the bathroom and to set aside some time to "prettify", listening to one's favorite music, having a drink without having to wait in a salon and not only saving money on the treatment, but on tips as well. With today's advanced products, even hair coloring is not at all risky at home and neither is depilation or even trimming split hair ends.
ExerciseGas is expensive and so is gym membership. It's not necessary to take the car everywhere. Walking where ever possible not only saves on gas but is a splendid, free, exercise. Dancing at home to one's favorite music is the best cardio vascular exercise. Water-filled 1/2 gallon milk bottles make excellent bar bells and can be lifted at home. Push ups, sit ups and stomach crunches, done first thing in the morning will keep the body in perfect shape.
Positive OutlookThe most important thing however, is not to bemoan the current situation. Nobody really needs a choice of 20 different flavored coffees at exorbitant prices! Taking time to think about the real values in life, remembering how very bad people in other parts of the world have to live and actually enjoying the tightening of the belt as a new experience and challenge, in short, thinking positive, is the best way to beat an economic crisis.
As President Obama recently told us, there is a silver lining for the economy on the horizon and, when the turn around arrives, as it inevtiably will, it may even induce to keep up the new skills and the flow of imagination which were necessary during the not so good times.
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