CONNECTIONS to HEALTH

How to Feel Wealthier Seven rules to help you live better, spend less and never let money ruin your life again. Rule No.1 Who said you need lots of money anyway? Keep in mind some details of human psychology when it comes to money to keep the fact that you can't afford that new dress or telly in perspective. Never forget that desire is one of the major causes of unhappiness so the less you can train yourself to want for, the happier you'll be. Maybe when people stop looking for happiness from the outside, they will start finding it within. Bear in mind that you are already better off than 95% of the world's population and seek happiness in what you do rather than what you have. Rule No. 2 All the 50ps, £2s and £20s add up. How often do you find yourself thinking things like "It's just £6" or "It's only £2 more than the other one"? Because we all do it. The unfortunate, truth, however, is that all those 'little' things that add, especially when you times weekly expenses by 50 to see how much you spend on them in a year. And especially these days when there are seemingly hundreds of 'little' expenses around - from that packet of flat leaf parsley and your cafe cappuccino... through to the all the regular subscriptions for Sky, Broadband and insurance for the boiler. 20 different 'little' weekly spends of £5 each adds up to over £5000 a year. Rule No. 3 Think about what you have rather than what you don't have. If Karl Marx was right that "The more you have, the less you are." then we should all try and concentrate more on being more and having less. "Tell yourself that you are wealthy and you will actually begin to realise it." Enjoy the lightness of being that comes with less material goods. "Your unconscious mind is weighed down by everything you own." Rule No. 4 Don't buy new if you can beg, borrow, steal or go without. Pool your resources with friends and neighbours - from garden tools, kids toys and SatNavs through to tents and cars and even trips to the rubbish dump. Buy second hand. Buy last years models. Buy things that will last. Rule No. 5 Cultivate an enjoyment of elegant frugality. "Most people fall victim to the common misconception that spending will make them feel rich. The truth, however, is that spending actually makes us feel poorer and out of control with our finances." The key to feeling good is actually to spend less than you can afford and enjoy the buzz of being frugal and solvent. Enjoy the virtue of creative frugality - and the creativity of style on a budget. Rule No. 6 Find your own personal financial black holes and weaknesses. Whether it's books, records, shoes, fags or booze, most of us have at least one thing that we spend too much on. Many of us also have psychological issues going on that make us spend more than we ought to - or aspire to live at levels of wealth beyond our means. Be comfortable about who you are. Analyse your spending. Find ways of curbing your spending such as monthly budgets or daring acts of change. Rule No. 7 Always remember that it is about having more rather than less. Find creative ways of replacing costly expenses with cheaper alternatives that might actually lead to a better life. On a small scale this might mean replacing an expensive meal out on a Wednesday with a £4.50 life drawing class - or sardines from a market rather than monk fish from M&S. On a larger scale it may mean a house swap with a friend instead of a holiday - or moving to the countryside instead of paying for a private school or putting up with that life-destroying commute. Don't forget to give yourself regular treats!

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