We talk a lot about investing on this blog and that’s warranted. Investing is a culture we are promoting daily considering how it links to financial independence. And one way to do that is to ensure that our readers read enough about it until it becomes second nature. However, we know that happiness among other things is a deep desire for all humans. And while the idea of having more money may seem to bring that (because there is more to spend), lasting happiness can also come from spending less money. But how?

Can you remember the last time you were really happy? Why were you so happy? My most recent experience of being really happy came from two events. One, I gave my gateman some amount of money without him asking for it. You can see the glow on his face and how happy he was. And knowing that I made someone happy made me really happy as well.

The other event was when I called someone whom I don’t talk to very often. Calling her just to check up on her and ask about her well being gave her so much joy that I wished I made that call  everyday. And yes, in that case as well, I was very happy.

In both instances above, I did not spend upto N1,000. However, I made both individuals so happy that I can even write about it. What if you did the same as well for random people. What if you design your life such that a week doesn’t go by without you making someone happy. How awesome would your life be?

Our default thinking may have been that we can’t have deep happiness until we make a certain amount of money. But should happiness be a long term goal or something that we feel everyday? This reminds me of the quote of by Nightbirde “you can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy”. And you also do not have to spend a fortune before you feel happy and joyous. Just doing some random act of kindness to others like I did above can lighten your week.

So what are some random acts that you can add to your everyday life that will cost you less money and ensure you are happy at the same time?

  • Call someone random just to check up on them.
  • Offer help to someone who needs it.
  • Give someone a tip after rendering a service to you.
  • Let someone go in front of you in line.
  • Give a stranger a compliment.
  • Pay for someone’s meal at a restaurant
  • Hold open the doors for people
  • Thank a teacher with a gift
  • Do a favor without asking for anything in return
  • Prepare a meal for your family

The list is endless and you just have to be aware and ready to do it. Knowing that it won’t cost you any money or only cost you a little, why not design your life around it and do it very often?

And in case you don’t know yet, you can also give someone a gift through Risevest. All you need to know is their email. And it doesn’t even matter if they have a Risevest account yet or not. Imagine being the reason someone got their financial life in shape. What greater act of kindness exists?