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A Plan for a Happy Life

By Celia Rocks

If you need a new umbrella for those April showers, buy a really good umbrella! How many "cheapies" have you bought, only to have them break or turn inside out in heavy gusts? Many people don't realize that buying finely made things is a way to save money. Quality items last for years, and you won't have to constantly replace them. And because you like them so much, you won't be constantly looking for a new one.

Do you hate grocery shopping or picking up laundry or taking the car for a tune-up? Delegate! A college student or a retired person might be glad to take on your mundane chores to make some spending money. I call these helpers "mini-butlers." Living the Good Life means not spending your valuable time on tasks you dislike. Look for one task this month you can delegate – and find a good mini-butler to do it!

Television can be a wonderful tool for entertainment and education, but indiscriminate viewing can consume too much of your valuable leisure time. Carefully choose the best shows for you and your family; then spend the rest of your time doing something more active. This month, vow to turn off the TV at least three nights each week. Spend those evenings reading a good book or playing with your kids or having a picnic dinner in the park.

Want to see more?

• The Path to Peace: Meditation for Moms
• You Do Have Time! Incorporating Exercise Into Your Daily Routine
• Too Much TV? Setting Limits on Television
• Talk about it!