Coping Strategies for the Recession
Image via WikipediaThis recession is really putting a crimp in my lifestyle. I’m my own maid, manicurist, therapist, waiter, chef and spa experience. I used to go shopping and dining to relieve the stress and now they both PRODUCE it. My groceries have gone from thrilling and delicious to basics and last week I lost the battle of the shrimp.
Yes, these are challenging times so here are some new coping strategies.
If you must drink – which I must because it helps – do it at home and purchase the big honking bottles. I have experimented with off brands of Polish, Russian and organic vodkas – and here’s my warning. The Russian Army was once defeated because they were drunk and walked into a river. They did this to avoid the hangover they were going to get drinking vodka from the bottom shelf. Please shop at eye level or above for special occasions.
Thrift shopping is brilliant – I’ve gotten more great stuff at thrift shops than anywhere else on the planet. My hubby is a man. He won’t go to a thrift store and he makes me leave my “new” sweaters on the porch until I’ve been my own dry cleaner. His torture can not compare to my joy of finding Gucci pants for $3.
Force yourself to go to your health club – It’s free because you’re already paying for it.
Meddle in your neighbor’s, friends and family’s business – this can give you hours of unbridled, inexpensive joy and purpose.
Shop for things you actually need – this one has ALWAYS been an absolute bummer. Why go get a can opener you really need when you can go to a thrift shop and get a cashmere sweater you don’t for the same price? If you determine the tuna can wait – but a treasure hunt won’t – you have just achieved a new level of not-guilty pleasure perfect for the recession.
Smartest Holiday Gift – My friend Kenny burned me a music CD for the holiday. It was so thoughtful, easy and cheap – and will give me so much pleasure – especially once I ask him for the series.
You see, fun doesn’t have to be dead. Stress relief doesn’t have to mean candles. Fresh experiences are all around us – like trying a hot dog and calling it food.
What are your new coping strategies?
And resist CALLING me (although it’s fun for both of us).
Comment on this blog!
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fun!
Lennie,
what sweet words of wisdom you’re throwing out there!!
Who needs food if you can have a used cashmere sweater – But at least you can have a GOOD drink!
Too true, the yes cannot go to low on the booze shelf of life either. We need to keep our sights aimed high, to achieve our forthcoming success, and to make sure we grabbed the right beverage!
The thift shopping spook is that you never know what one did in those pants before you put them on.
thanks Lennie, HAPPY HOLIDAYS
yes, the joys of thrifting. i just did that this weekend, and it was the last day, and the woman literally GAVE me some things for free just so they would have less left. (including some awesome vintage hats). Thrifting is in fact, a form of free entertainment. You get to see how others have lived (good or bad); you get to possibly go into new parts of your neighborhood you have never been; sometimes, you meet some pretty interesting people too and have a laugh or 2 with them.
Good (funny) post…
I can just hear your voice as I read this. Bravo on the thrift store plugs. It really is a thrilling adventure to find one of a kind pieces for just $3.00~!
Oh so now you’re coming out of the closet! If you ask me, all of the above makes life more worth living.
BUT SERIOUSLY….
All of us should link to each other on these blogs. Does anyone know how to do this? If so tell and I’ll link to you and we’ll all link together.
Phfewww work work work!
Lennie,
And here I thought I was the only one. These times have taught me what it is that I really should be grateful for; my loving husband, family and friends and their amazing support in a difficult time.
My husband and I now tackle the house cleaning together and actually have fun doing it. We sit back afterward and appreciate our home all the more and the work that we put into it.
The mani-pedis have proven to be a bit dangerous at times as I have severely cut myself while trying to shave away my calluses and turned the bathroom into what looked like the aftermath of a murder scene. Pratice make perfect.
The stress has had one benefit in that I have lost about 5 pounds in the past couple of weeks after trying every stupid diet and participating in spin classes three times a week with no results.
Drinking is an absolute and you are right, Absolute may not be within the budget, but God knows there is not a lack of vodka varieties to choose from (thanks for the eye-level advice).
I believe that this terrible economy and the effects it has had on our friends, our business associates and ourselves has taught all of us that it is not the luxuries of life that define or things that have that define who we are. It is the gratitude we have for the things that really matter, our family, our friends, our health and happiness.
I wish you and all the readers of your blog the most happiest of Holidays. Mine will be one filled with gratitude and thanks.
Good morning Oogan’s,
Lennie, pretty weak that I’m the only guy to jump into this blog…was this a “chick” thing?
I mean, let’s check the demographics of the responders here. I’m not getting the essence of the thrift shop!! But, whatever floats your boat I say…
Have a beautiful Wednesday -
BTW – don’t we all link to each other since we receive these updates via email?
or are you looking for a “instant messenger” kinda thing??
JM
What about making something from scratch? I get a lot of joy in making a mess in the kitchen…and using every pot, pan, dish & spatula I own. Last weekend I made this http://tinyurl.com/2caex5 yummy granola recipe. To die for!
Ok, first off – this is not a chic blog- but it takes a special guy to blog. So hats off to you Jim and yes we have to keep meeting like this!
Jan Wencel of Life Contained – of course you made something from scratch and then restored your life to absolute perfect when it was done.
It IS…
A) fun to HAVE a kitchen
B) fun to HAVE ingrediants
C) fun to make them into something into something – and oh how that’s the theme of the times!
But in my house, if I used every pan in the place – I’d look around and get totally stressed, start cleaning, which only makes me more miserable and then remember all the things that irritate me and by the time my hubby would come home it would be his fault! (possibly, but maybe I’ve changed for the better) (small business Chicago)
Marlene!
If you can talk your hubby into cleaning AND having him feel good about it, don’t worry about the Recession – bottle this product and I will take one immediately. Can I have the low-cal version as hubby has just lost 20 pounds! and trust me there was no dusting in his workout.
Merry Happy Chicago business networking & accounting services to you!
Entertaining as always Lennie. Thanks. And as promised you’ll find reference to it on my blog. http://smoventures.blogspot.com/2009/12/its-crunch-time_17.html
Cheers,
Shannon