Assess Where You Are Wealthy

Assess what you can "afford" and invest in these areas of your life:

1. Relationships with others. As writer Lilian Whiting put it, "To be rich in friends is to be poor in nothing." While that may be oversimplified, there are many benefits to having strong relationships in life. You can strengthen your connections by calling friends and family to let them know you are thinking about them, listening deeply, and cultivating trust and compassion. Spend time together on a regular basis - a simple walk with a friend in the evening costs nothing but can boost happiness and wellbeing.
2. Spirituality. Everyone has their own concept of spirituality, from prayer to meditation to simply being in nature. But no matter how you practice it, the benefits of spirituality remain the same: a deeper sense of personal calm, connections with a wider community, and resilience in the face of hardship. You can develop your spiritual resources by cultivating qualities like empathy and forgiveness, and incorporating contemplative practices into your life.
3. Purpose. A strong sense of life purpose can not only influence physical and emotional health, it can offer a stronger sense of direction when making decisions. Contemplation of the basic questions in life - Who am I? What do I want? What are my gifts and contributions? - can sharpen your sense of purpose in life and clarify how you want to live every day.
4. Being in nature. The benefits of being outside cannot be overstated - simply being in the presence of nature promotes relaxation, awe, and better moods - but if you aren't able to get outside, you can bring nature indoors by tending to a houseplant or hanging a photograph of a peaceful landscape.

Of course, having your basic needs met is the most crucial component of wellbeing. While strengthening your non-material assets in life is important, relating wisely to money includes utilizing external resources that are available to support your need for nourishing food, safe shelter, and clean water.