Regrets

I have many regrets. I can remember specific moments in my life when I wish I had acted differently - when I wish I stood up for a friend, been kinder to a stranger, or just believed in myself a bit more. My mother, however, doesn't believe in having regrets, as she claims to have learnt something from every missed opportunity or poor decision made. While I sincerely believe in hindsight being twenty-twenty, there are some things that I make a priority so that I don't repeat the same sort of mistakes. They are simple, easy actions to take that might help when you just can't make up your mind. Remember: when in doubt, simplify, and listen to the part of you that knows that you are the one who has to live with your decision. So here are a couple of ideas for avoiding having regrets down the line:

1. If you get the chance or have the inclination to travel, do it. I recommend Budget Travel magazine.
2. Don't let fashion magazines dictate your style.

3. Be as kind to strangers as possible.
4. Say thank you whenever you get chance.
5. Don't diss your parents in front of people.
6. Stop worrying about the test/exam/paper after it's done.
7. Communicate your feelings, you have the right to make yourself heard.
8. Don't spend time with people who only talk about themselves.
9. Never anticipate that everyone will agree with you.
10. Be nicer to your sibling(s) and cousin(s), they're the ones you have representing your family in the future...and you'll also be forced to spend time with them, so you may as well have them on your side.
11. Don't categorize yourself. You're more than a "nerd" or a "jock".

12. Make plans regarding transportation beforehand.
13. Drink more water.
14. You don't have anything to prove (just because you're a runner, does not mean you have to run a marathon to be considered "hardcore").
15. Just because you ask for advice, does not mean that you have to take it.
16. Clean out your closet every season and donate what you don't want anymore. Less clutter and good vibes for giving to those less fortunate.

17. Lend a hand whenever you can, unsolicited help is always appreciated.
18. Stand up for your friends and family, they make you happy and they deserve your respect (and the respect of others).
19. Go home when you're tired.
20. Put in just a little more effort than you originally intended.
21. Don't wait by the phone and make a point of calling someone if you say you will.
22. Don't make apologies for what makes you happy.
23. Sometimes make a point of going out of your way to help someone.
24. Do not cancel plans at the last minute - it makes you look like a flake.
25. Don't make impulsive solutions. Think before you act.

"Wasting" time

A huge topic that I've wanted to address for a while now is the concept of wasting time. 

Productivity: 

pro·duc·tiv·i·ty

  [proh-duhk-tiv-i-tee, prod-uhk‐]

noun

1.

the quality, state, or fact of being able to generate, create,enhance, or bring forth goods and services: The productivity of thegroup's effort surprised everyone.

I told a coworker today that the highlight of my weekend was going to Fairmount Park and reading my book (The Husband's Secret). Her response was to question how I could justify "wasting" an afternoon outside. I was totally taken aback. Waste my afternoon? I was absolutely flabbergasted because to me, my Sunday afternoon wasn't wasted, I totally embraced the free time to myself. I explained to her that I was entirely in the moment when I was reading, so how could it have been time wasted? I went on to describe how pleasurable reading is, what a gloriously simple pleasure it is.

If I'm enjoying my time, even if it means letting an entire afternoon "slip by", I'm content. I could have done a slew of random tasks around the house (laundry, clean the kitchen, etc), but to me it would have been a bigger waste of time to race around doing chores than to take two hours to myself to escape into my book. It's the same as watching the sunset, lying in bed listening to your favorite song, building sandcastles, moseying around the farmers' market, playing peek-a-boo, admiring a beautiful flower garden, sitting in front of a fire, relaxing in front of your favorite movie - all of these things might be considered by people like my coworker as "time-wasters", but really, if you're in the moment and simply enjoying yourself, it adds immeasurable joy to your life. 

Click here for a long list of 101 Simple Pleasures compiled by Andrew Reiser at Huffington Post.

I'm FRUGAL, not cheap...

"A man is rich in proportion to the number of things he can afford to let alone." - Henry David Thoreau 

I am often regarded as cheap. I don't go out to eat a lot (hello free samples and work party leftovers for lunch), I walk whenever I can, I get the bulk of my groceries at bargain warehouses, and I haven't had a TV since I moved to Philadelphia about two years ago. I enjoy living with this (modest) level of simplicity that includes not relying on ludicrously expensive city parking garages when I know that Septa will suffice, and not needing to be in first class when coach will get me there in the same amount of time. And I like knowing that my paycheck is going to buying stamps to send homemade cards to my family abroad instead of feeding my old addiction of frequenting Starbucks once (okay fine, sometimes twice) a day. (This article on how to crack the specialty beverage habit was key.)

Here are some super easy, incredibly basic ways to add frugality to your life while ALSO adding significant value to your routine:

1. Get rid of your TV - I promise, between Hulu and the abundance of ways to stream shows off the web you will save money AND have the added incentive of not wasting an afternoon on mind-numbing reality shows
2. Instead of going out to eat, allow each of your friends $5 to spend on groceries and then prepare a meal with only what you guys purchased and what you have in your kitchen already
3. Instead of going to the movies rent one instead and then post about it on an online movie-rating forum (like Rotten Tomatoes)
4. Don't just "go to the mall" - the temptation to make unnecessary purchases will go through the roof, instead go to a free museum
5. Ride your bike instead of driving (extra points if you wear a helmet and smile at old people as you go by)

These are just a few ideas. Come up with five of your own and share them below if you'd like.