Wednesday, June 17, 2009

the best things in life are free (and can be won, too!)

We all know there's a recession so I'm sure all of us are finding more ways to cut down our expenses and save. But not spending or not spending as much shouldn't keep us from enjoying our lives or doing the things that make us happy.

This article from Oprah inspired me to think of the cheap/free things that make me happiest. Here is my top ten:

1. When my husband does something unexpected. Like folding the laundry without me telling him. Or buying fruit or chocolate because he knows I love them. In a marriage, the littlest stuff like these matter so when Reden remembers, I feel happy and grateful.

Cost: free

2. When a stranger holds the door for me. We're all busy and sometimes we forget to be kind to the people around us. We probably are too wound up in our lives that we don't really expect others to be kind to us as well. So when someone takes his/her time to show a small act of kindness like holding the door for me, I smile, and my heart does too.

Cost: free

3. Checking out design, photography and fashion blogs. There are incredibly beautiful things and people in this world. We just have to  be patient and present to find and see them.

Cost: free (well, Internet connection costs about SGD 30 per month at home)

4. Hearing from a friend. I rarely receive e-mails or messages from friends (ehem!) so when someone remembers to update me about what's going on in his/her life or to just say  "hi", I feel ecstatic.

Cost: free

5. Being in the library or the bookstore. Books energize me. And I love the smell of new books! (Who doesn't?)

Cost: free

6. Window shopping. Seeing beautiful clothes, bags and shoes is inspiring to me. Sometimes I give in and actually buy them, but not all the time. (Last night I checked out the newly renovated Nine West store at the mall. Pretty shoes galore!)

Cost: free

7. Cooking. I've said this before. The kitchen makes me happy. So when it's time for us to buy a our own house, I prefer to have a completely outfitted modular kitchen over a walk-in closet. Husband, take note! Hahaha.

Cost: free

8. Listening to other people's stories. Whether good or bad.

Cost: free

9. Listening to music.

Cost: free (thanks Launchcast!)

10. Watching movies! I can live in a cinema. Seriously. Pwede bang movie reviewer na lang ako?

Cost: free if I watch online and SGD 12 if we go to the cinema

Hosting silly contests make me happy too!

Share with me one thing that make you happiest--that is free or doesn't involve a huge amount of money. You can comment on this post or send me a PM if you're shy (hehe). If I like your cheap thrill best, I'll send something special your way.


Contest starts now and ends on Friday, June 19. I'll announce the winner on Monday.

Make me happy dear Multiply friends! Mwah!


Oh, and family can join for fun!

25 comments:

Reden Mateo said...

noted everything lalo na yung #1 and #7. hihi. =)

Kat Zuño-Mateo said...

hehehe. modular kitchen c/o IKEA! induction range ang gusto ko! at kelangan may oven. pwedeng walang dishwasher.

Reden Mateo said...

talaga naman! hehe. sige pag-ipunan natin. let's cut back around 1% in travelling (and add that to our savings or lottery spending, whichever is more convenient). hihi.

Denice C. said...

mas maganda ang Blum system for kitchen, Kat.. Although yung sa Ikea designed by Blum din, pero hindi yun ang top of the line nila. Check out the blum system website, eyelovettt! pero mas priority ko pa rin ang walk-in wardrobe... yung parang sa Carlsberg commercial, iiyakan ko yun! hehe :) Malamang ang importante kay Reden ay ang TV wall feature, king-size bed (for... sleeping) o kaya three-door ref!

What makes me happy that won't cost an arm and a leg? Madali lang sagutin. Spending time with my family. Para makatipid, minsan nagpipicnic kami sa gazebo/poolside, dun kami nagbe-breakfast. Kumpleto sa table cloth, basket, paper plates, cup and all pero nakapambahay lang kami. Then pakekembotin na namin si Gav habang kumakanta kami ng Alphabet Song and This Love (ng Maroon 5). Ay, heaven...

Kat Zuño-Mateo said...

kewl!

Aimee Rae Ocampo said...

" I prefer to have a completely outfitted modular kitchen over a walk-in closet."

But why choose one over the other? Why not have both? :D

Aimee Rae Ocampo said...

YEZ! Induction range forever!

Kay mahal nga lang. :D

Kat Zuño-Mateo said...

haha. may point ka diyan aimee.

Kat Zuño-Mateo said...

oo nga! grabe!

haha, wala pa ngang houze excited na sa kitchen!

Aimee Rae Ocampo said...

Dedz! Libre naman mangarap eh.

Yen Uera-Tesoro said...

I like this blog of yours, Kat. Reading this makes me happy. =)

Hmm, seeing my newborn baby smile (or frown) or just by simply looking at her makes me ecstatic. It's definitely a whole new feeling of being, of knowing that my life is more meaningful and exciting now than ever before. *wink*

nell enriquez said...

what makes me happy is whenever i get messages and calls from distant friends, looking at my travel pics, my mom staying with me, when i get 8 hours of sleep on weekdays and waking up everyday knowing that there are people who loves me and will always be there for me *drama mode*.

... but you know what really makes me happy... costless but priceless hindi ko pwede sabihin online hahaha, kaya sana naman manalo na ako dito :P

evan rosal said...

life is free... and we should be happy the mere fact that we are alive...

evan rosal said...

serious mode above...

Apple Mateo said...

This made me happy today: http://i0006.photobucket.com/albums/0006/seaofshoez/CHACHAHC.jpg. Chanel booties ni Sea of Shoes yan! Parang feeling ko may rainbow and green field sa paligid hehe.

Kat Zuño-Mateo said...

napakahastig ng mga sapatos niyan si jane!

Kat Zuño-Mateo said...

i agree! hahaha. thanks evan!

evan rosal said...

desperate akong manalo... hehehe

Denice C. said...

uy hindi ako kasali sa contest ha (as if! nagfifeeling mananalo) gusto ko lang maki-epal sa blog mo, hehe

Kat Zuño-Mateo said...

Thank you to everyone who sent an entry! here are the winners:

1. Yen - because i love your cheap thrill!
2. Nell - kasi ang dami mong nishare!
3. Tanya (via personal message) - kasi ang cute ng pamangkin mo!

Will send you three a personal message regarding your prize. =)

nell enriquez said...

Yiipeeee!! looking forward sa prize!

Apple Mateo said...

Congrats sa winners! :)

Tanya Tiotuyco said...

Yahoo!!! Excited na ako :D

Yen Uera-Tesoro said...

Shocks ako pala ay WINNER! Happiness!!! AHAHAHA!

Reden Mateo said...

busy na busy ka Yen ah, kaya pala clueless mo kahapon nang hiningi ko address mo! hahaha!