Ways You Can Spend Life Wisely (2024)

Personal growth October 30, 2023 By Paige Smith

• Spend time in the Word– Start a daily devotional or reading plan (like on the YouVersion app) or read the Bible and spend more time in the Word daily.
• Attend worship services or watch via recording and/or live stream – Since the start of the pandemic, manyplaces of worship are now offering services via recordings and/or live-streaming.
• Volunteer/help others in need– Consider ways to help those in need. Offer to grab something at the grocery store for your elderly neighbor, donate clothes, goods, etc. to local closets or food banks, etc. A little help can go a long way.
• Prayer– “When in doubt, pray it out!” There are so many people who could use our prayers. Take time each day to pray for people who are ill, first responders, people working in the healthcare industry, the leaders of our nation, etc. Don’t forget to pray for the health and safety of yourself, your family and friends, and our communities.

• Create a budget– Did you know that only 1 out of every 3 Americans prepare a detailed monthly budget to track their income and expenses? Maybe you haven’t had time to sit down and work on it, or maybe you haven’t had a reason to create a budget yet. Well now is the perfect time! First United offers the Financial Journey Guide within your online banking account.
• Find ways to make extra money– Use your talents to make a few extra dollars! Maybe you could offer to babysit while kids are out of school, offer to do things for others like mow their lawn, grab groceries, etc. You could also use your talents to craft/create things to sell or clean out those attics or closets and find items you no longer use that you could sell.
• Make simple cuts– Another way to find and save money is by making small changes to how you spend money. Simple cuts like adjusting the thermostat or opening the curtains and using natural light during the day could help you save on bills at home. You could also consider cutting subscriptions or services that you don’t need.
• Free Financial courses– First United offers free online financial well-being courses for children, teens, and adults through our partnership with Banzai. There are more than 50 illustrated, in-depth articles addressing important financial topics such as budgeting, managing debt, retirement, insurance, etc. There is also content to help with being out of work, receiving government assistance, tools like financial calculators, etc.

• Boost your immune system– Check out our article "Quick Tips to Boost Your Immune System" with sleep, exercise, and food suggestions.
• Enjoy the outdoors more and screen time less– Put away the electronic devices and enjoy some time outdoors. Encourage the kids to play in the yard, go for a family walk or bicycle ride, or maybe enjoy a picnic outside for lunch or dinner!
• Plan meals together– Prep a meal for yourself and/or create a meal plan for your family. You can also get creative and try making new dishes or meals from what you already have in the pantry. Then take time to sit down and enjoy dinner together as a family.
• Focus on your mental health– Life can be stressful, and fear and anxiety can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions. Find things that you enjoy doing to help you cope. Also, consider using technology like Facetime or Skype to help you stay connected to your family and friends you may not visit often.
• Cleaning– Removing clutter and cleaning your home helps to create a renewed environment. Organizing also allows you to save time by not having to search for lost items. Instead of doing one day-long deep clean, try searching for free “home cleaning schedules” on Google or Pinterest to help you tackle different areas each day.

• Reading– There is a quote by Joseph Addison that says, “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” To continue learning, developing our talents, and doing what we can to reach our potential, we must exercise our minds, too! One of the best ways to continue learning is through reading, even if it’s just one chapter a day.
• Try something you’ve never tried before– One of the best ways to use your spare time is by learning or trying something new. Learning is a gift that is made available to us each day. Whether through experiences, relationships, opportunities, or new knowledge, we should always embrace the chance to learn or grow beyond our comfort zones.
• Work on goals or projects– Did you set any goals or resolutions this year? Have you started a project that you haven’t gotten to finish? Take time to review/refresh, refocus, and maybe even reset, as it relates to your goals or projects. Checking in throughout the year will help you to stay on track with what you plan to accomplish. Haven’t set goals or started any projects yet? Now is a great time to give it some thought!
• Find joy/gratitude journaling– You’ve probably heard the saying “Start each day with a grateful heart.” Do you know how many benefits are tied to doing just that? Gratitude increases happiness and boosts our moods, helps with our overall physical and mental health, and so much more. Daily, write down or take a mental note of all the things (small and large) you are grateful for. Take time to slow down and focus on what you are thankful for or what brings you joy. Break up the negativity on your social media feeds by sharing pictures or thoughts around things that bring you joy. It would probably bring others joy, too!
• Here are some free educational resources for adults and children:
  • Adults
    • TED Talks– Free online videos on a variety of topics such as technology, business, communication, personal growth, health, nature, etc.
    • Minute with Maxwell- An email subscription service by the John Maxwell team that provides a series of daily coaching videos facilitated by John Maxwell.
    • Marcus Buckingham video blog
    • Spotify podcastslike “Jay Shetty: On Purpose,” “Personal Growth Magazine Podcast with Daryl Daughtry,” or “At the Table with Patrick Lencioni”.
    • Another free resource would be all the social media outlets that offer free content such as Linked In and the opportunities to follow key leaders that speak to you such as Simon Sinek, Marcus Buckingham, the Dave Ramsey team, etc.
  • Kids
    • Storyline Online– Watch the wonderful videos and illustrations and listen as celebrities read a variety of children’s books.
    • 20 Virtual Field Trips to Take with Your Kids
    • Free Educational Subscriptions
    • Check out our article "10 Free Learning Websites for Kids"for additionalfun, educational, and safe websites for your children to visit and explore!