How To Live On $0 A Day: Taking Pleasure In The Little Things -- A Pep Talk

Sure, it's a bummer not being able to soothe yourself with expensive toys, couture, gourmet delicacies or electricity any more. But look on the bright side. When you're poor, you really learn to appreciate the simple things.

I'll use an example from my own life. A moment of epiphany. One fall afternoon, before my car was repossessed, I parked hastily to pick up some free samples being passed out on the corner and returned to a piece of paper on my windshield. My heart stopped when I saw it fluttering in the wind.

My mind raced darkly as I approached the car. I thought to myself, 'Dear God, if I just got a $40 parking ticket in order to get free samples of Fiber One cereal, shoot me now. I'm going to be so poor, I'll have to eat the Fiber One. Why me? Life is so freaking unfair I don't think I can bear another minute. I hate Fiber One.'

But before I could lapse into a deep depression, I reached under the windshield wiper, and saw it was only a handwritten note that said "nice parking, asshole. F*ck you!" A surge of joy and relief rushed through me that I can only liken to winning the Olympics or consuming eight Scharffenberger milk chocolate nibby bars in one sitting. I believe I might have even done a celebratory fist pump.

It was at that moment I realized, had I been solvent, the note would have brought me no joy at all. When I had money, I needed expensive, meaningless possessions to make me happy. But being poor, a scrawled, "f*ck you" note is like a gift from the heavens. Now imagine the potential bliss of an eviction notice or "Dear John" letter.

When you look at it this way, there's so much to look forward to.

If you have any "simple pleasure" experiences you'd like to share, please do. We need all the help we can get.

Comments

[kibblenbits]

Um....are you going to send me the Fiber One, or what?

[Lesley Stern - Huffpost Blogger]

Sorry it took so long to get back to you. I had a garage sale over the weekend and was hoping I could sell it. No such luck. But now I'm worried that if the economy gets worse, I'm going to NEED that Fiber One. I mean if the Donner Party could eat people, I guess I could handle a little Fiber One if absolutely necessary. Could you ask me again in a month?

[flyingmonkey]

I'd pretty much given up on ever falling in love and getting married. But when the guy from Sears showed up to repossess my TV, it was like out of a Barbara Cartlandt novel...to­tally love at first sight. I melted into his dark eyes and surrendered my TV and then my heart. His name is Jason and we're engaged. The wedding is in September, right before the new TV season starts.

[Lesley Stern - Huffpost Blogger]

Congratulations! You're very lucky to have found a man with a viable career in this economy. Repossession is pretty recession-proof. One bit of advice: you might want to move the wedding up a month. The new season of Project Runway premieres on August 20th.

[pappysboy]

I admit it, I was a workaholic until I got forced into early retirement last December. Once I got over the suicidal depression, I had a chance to spend some time with the wife and kids and discovered I have a granddaughter!. She's pretty cute, and I feel very grateful now that I've had the opportunity to be a part of her life while she's still young, adorable and easy to monetize. Now I have a whole new lease on life.
Yes, every dark cloud does have a silver lining!

[Lesley Stern - Huffpost Blogger]

I'm glad you've had a chance to slow down and enjoy life and get to know your granddaughter. But please stop sending me her comp cards, demo tapes, reels and price list. I've got my hands full trying to monetize my nieces.

[WomanInOrangeSweater]

That's a beautiful story. Mine isn't as good, but here goes.
Last week they turned off my electricity and I discovered that darkness is a really great beauty treatment. My laugh lines and jowls have virtually disappeared. I've never felt like I looked better!

[Lesley Stern - Huffpost Blogger]

That's inspiring. I have a similar story involving my declining vision and inability to buy new glasses. It made me realize that eyesight deteriorating with age is nature's way of sparing us the shock of seeing our wrinkles.

[kibblenbits]

I don't have any uplifting stories to share, but if you don't want the Fiber One, I'll take it.