A RESCUE DOG BROADWAY TICKETS

life
A nobells-andwhistles
bike
“I don’t spend money on shoes or
purses, but my can’t-help-myself
splurge is Broadway shows, to
the tune of about $1,000 a year.
I will spend anywhere from
$79 to $150 on tickets per person, and I like
to bring a family member or a close friend with
me. I grew up listening to Broadway cast
recordings, and fell in love with stories told
through music. Seeing them live takes me to
another place—one I can keep revisiting by
listening to the recordings again later. Next up:
I just bought tickets to see Fun Home, a Tony
award–winning musical. Tickets were $98
each for me and my 16-year-old daughter; we’ve
been singing the songs for over a year! This is
a gift that I love to share, and one that definitely
lasts.” —Amanda Malloy Marrone, 49, Shelton, CT
$1,000
175
—Jill Weber, Ph.D.,
Washington, DC, a licensed
clinical psychologist
specializing in families
and marriage
A CLEANING SERVICE
“Do you know how rage-y I feel after I wipe down the kitchen and then take
another look, only to realize I missed piles of crumbs or dirt? It’s not pretty. So I
$
decided to hire a cleaning lady who comes every other week for $100. She does
the deep-cleaning: the floors, bathrooms, and kitchen—and not only does she do it better than
I do, she saves me hours of time (and negative feelings). It’s hard enough to be a working
mom and keep the house tidy on a somewhat-daily basis; this gives me more time to spend
with my kid and my husband, who are total happy-makers.” —Claire Zulkey, 36, Evanston, IL
100
A RESCUE DOG
“We rescued my corgi, Waffles, for $150
$150 about two years ago, and he brings
me happiness that is priceless. He’s my
constant companion! I struggle with anxiety,
and during those moments when I feel frustrated
or overwhelmed, he puts his head on my knee
to reassure me that everything will be fine… and
then he rolls over so I can repay him in belly
rubs. For a fairly small sum of money, I saved a life—
and he saves my sanity.” —Rebecca Low, 36, Frisco, TX
Little affirmation stones
“I recently gifted small rocks engraved with the word strength to each of my
addiction and trauma-recovery clients. They cost about a dollar apiece, but the
EACH value to the recipients and myself was priceless. It’s not about what I bought
or spent—it was sharing them that brought us joy. Encouraging another person through
a small gift or kind words can do wonders for our own happiness levels.”
$1
—Lisa Cypers Kamen, Los Angeles, author of Are We Happy Yet? Eight Keys to Unlocking a Joyful Life
128
REDBOOKMAG.COM / SEPTEMBER 2015
SOUVENIR
JEWELRY
“Waiting to board a flight
back to the U.S. after being
in South Africa
on an amazing
ministry trip, I
spotted a pair of
blue and green locally
made earrings in an airport
store. I’m not one to
impulse-shop or buy
souvenirs, but these had
my name written all over
them. I’ve worn them
countless times since, and
when I look in the mirror
wearing them, I fondly
recall that first trip halfway
around the world, and the
beautiful country I fell
madly in love with.”
$8
— Crystal Paine, the founder
of MoneySavingMom.com
and author of Money Making
Mom (out in November)
MAKC/SHUTTERSTOCK.
“I bought
a bicycle with
$
a child’s seat
for $175. It brings me
such bliss! With two
young kids, I often feel
burdened by the
carloads of stuff I drag
out with me (strollers,
water bottles, diapers).
The bike is so simple—
no extras besides
helmets—and it makes
me feel so free. My
2-year-old daughter
loves it too, which only
adds to my happiness.
She’ll say, ‘Let’s go
for a ride, Mommy!’
and I smile. Research
suggests that exercise
and being outdoors
elevate mood and
energy, and my rides
are proof of that: If
my daughter is cranky
or I’m in a funk, a
quick bike ride puts
us both in a better
emotional place.
That’s worth way
more than a couple
hundred to me!”
BROADWAY
TICKETS