When you are trying to manage money well, you can still expect to reap rewards. Specifically, there are many rewards if you put money where your heart is. You can also learn where your heart is by asking questions like:

• What did you enjoy doing as a child, or in your home country?
• When do you enjoy yourself most?
• What is meaningful to you, or what is close to your heart?

Some activities that could be rewarding:

Discover your local library

Calgary Public Library locations offer many resources to different kinds of people. If you don’t know what you would like at the library, library staff are knowledgeable and friendly, and they can help you discover their resources.

• First, a library membership is free!
• Books for ALL reading abilities, languages, and interests. Books are available in print books, e-books, audiobooks, magazines, and newspapers. DVDs, CDs, and musical instruments are available at some locations.
• Programs and events for you to meet people, learn new things, and create memories
• Computer and laptop use, and printing
• Job-seeking support
• Mental health and addiction support, and referral to community services

Discover your values

Sometimes we hold onto possessions when we rarely use them, maybe in case we need them in the future. Your house actually says something about your unique personality and values. However, the extra possessions in your house might make it harder to live your life, maybe without you realizing it! If you would like to change how you see your home and possessions, a counselor may be able to help you think about what you value and how you can live your values in your home. You could also look at your possessions and ask questions like:

• Why is this item important to me?
• Will this make my house safer or more comfortable?
• What am I trying to achieve by holding onto this?

Discover meditation and mindfulness

In the busy-ness of life, we often forget about what matters to us. However, mindfulness is a way to remind ourselves about what matters, where we are right now. If we practice thinking mindfully, we also spend money more mindfully. Some ways we can practice mindfulness:

• Deep breathing. Place your hands on your belly and feeling the air go in your nose and out your mouth.
• Make a list of things and people you have that you are thankful for. Maybe if you remind yourself of what you already have, you won’t feel like you need to purchase more!
• Know your “why”, or your reason for wanting something. If you really want to purchase something, you could think about
• Why do you want it?
• What do you want to achieve with the purchase?
• What kind of person do you want to become with the purchase?

If you know “why” you want something, you may be able to think of other ways to fulfill that want. Plus, maybe you will understand your other decisions and habits, not just the ones related to money.