In middle-school I had a relatively goofy English teacher who every day would great the class by exclaiming Happy Monday Everybody! This was not met by much enthusiasm by her students, especially on Mondays, but in retrospect was such an awesome approach to life. You’re at once greating the day and deciding it’s going to be a positive one. I have to admit that I’ve been having a little trouble with this, in the cold, dark Maine winters (especially after over a week spent with a stomach flu) so for today, a picture of a silly scarecrow (?) creature on a rock beach.

  • Being frugal and saving mean different things to different people, but Trent’s article over at Simple Dollar though is a nice reminder that choosing a frugal lifestyle is as much about getting what you want out of life as it is about getting by. (Read it at The Simple Dollar)
  • The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act now has a one-year stay, meaning it won’t go into effect until February 10th, 2010. If you haven’t been following the Act, it’s a well-intentioned but controversial act that is threatening numerous artisans and local businesses. (Read it Here)
  • I had previously written about playing to win, and it seems like I’m not the only one interested in creating my own luck. (Read it at Get Rich Slowly)
  • Even though I’ve relied exclusively on libraries for nearly 8 months now, the urge to collect books is still at times overwhelming. I love this rule about only buying new books after reading a certain number of old books. (Read it at WikiHow)
  • With all the stores that seem to be going out of business lately, make sure to be wary of deals that seem better than they are. Lifehacker has a guide to avoid getting fleeced at liquidation sales. (Read it at Lifehacker)
  • In the on-going DRM saga, iTunes now offers a la carte upgrades. (Read it at Ars Technica)
  • Most people have more success doing things as a group: I’m far more motivated to go climb when I’m meeting people than when I’m by myself. To that end, WiseBread suggests starting a Frugal Club as a way to use a group mentality as motivation to meet frugal goals. (Read it at WiseBread)
  • I’ve always struggled with the idea of being creative and writing. Leo has some great motivation for becoming the artist you always wanted to be. (Read it at Zen Habits)

Queercents Flashback: If you live in a place where planting a garden isn’t an option, participating in a farm share sounds like a great way to go. I have friends living in D.C. who swear by it. And there are more benefits than just cheap produce.

Photo Credit: Elizabeth Byrne