With the high and rising prices of gas, food and utilities these days, many families are cutting back on extra pleasures such as new clothes, vacations or home furnishings. Saying "no" to your family due to money stress can leave everyone feeling deprived and depressed. However, with the right spirit, fiscal restraint can be a golden opportunity for your family — a challenge for everyone to become more creative and a lesson in looking for luxury among the simple, everyday beauty in the world around us.
Mari Loewen is the founder of the lifestyle quarterly magazine ANNA, which is sold mainly by subscription and distributed across the country through McNally Robinson Booksellers, Chapters Indigo, Whole Foods Market and other retailers. Like many of us in today's high-priced world, Mari is no stranger to having to watch her finances and balance her budget. Unlike many of us though, Mari sought to rise above the consumerism. Indeed, through her experiences with her own daughter, Mari developed a personal motto of "Making everyday special," a sentiment that guides the content of her magazine as well.
Understanding that creating special memories and moments rarely requires excessive funds, Mari has provided us with 10 inspiring yet inexpensive (or free!) ways to make everyday more special for your family.
1) Secret messages
There's little that excites a child (or a spouse!) more than finding a surprise note tucked in their pocket or their lunch bag. Little words of wisdom, good luck wishes, quotes from their favourite sports hero, or simple x's and o's will brighten their day and make them feel special.
Making everyday special
