Nothing is more contagious than a positive person. Unfortunately, people tend to see the negative aspects of life more than they see the positive aspects.

I blame this negative attitude on the media and “doomsday” people who believe that almost everything is a sign of the apocalypse. It is not.

Bad things have been happening for hundreds of years, and we’re still here! If you want to change your life by being and staying happy, try one or more of these tips!

1) The one with the money…

I have always believed that the old saying, “money can’t buy happiness” is wrong. Money can definitely buy happiness.

The trick is not to focus on how much more money you could have, but to focus on how much money you have.

Find out how you can get some extra money. Maybe it’s working a few extra hours or hosting a garage sale.

A little extra money to buy something you want can go a long way toward making you happy.

2) Save for a rainy day

Instead of spending your extra money, why not transfer some of it to your retirement fund or bank?

We tend to live in the now and worry about the future. Instead of worrying about it, do something about it!

If you put ten dollars a week in a savings account, you will have more than five hundred dollars at the end of the year! That can be used to help prepare for your future!

3 Time

When was the last time you took two consecutive hours for yourself?

Every week I make sure to take two hours away from my boyfriend and family members.

Some weeks I spend time pampering myself in the bathroom, while other weeks I just take a two-hour walk with the music blaring.

A few hours away from reality can do wonders for your mental and physical health.

If it’s hard to carve out a few hours a week, try taking one day a month and mark it as “your” special day.

Head to a spa or walk through a mall and explore. Go sit by a pond or lake and read a book, or spend the day alone at home surrounded by movies and snacks.

The point is to spend time alone, so you don’t have stress.

4) Marry for love

It used to be that marriages were arranged for political or monetary gain.

Fortunately, this is not generally practiced in most countries. I see too many high school kids, usually girls, rushing out of school, excited to start a family.

Unfortunately, they are often in such a hurry that they marry the first right man and are miserable a few years later when they find out what their spouse is really like.

I have always maintained that you should live with someone before you marry them, because nothing is hidden when you live with someone.

Don’t be in a hurry to get married. Instead, wait until you’re absolutely certain that the person you’re with is the person you’re meant to be with.

How can you do this?

Close your eyes. Now imagine yourself as an older person. Are they still sitting next to you, holding your hand?

If so, congratulations: you have probably found the person for you. If they aren’t, make sure you don’t rush into getting married, as you may find that there is someone else out there who is meant for you.

5) Find happiness in the little things

A beautiful butterfly has just fluttered next to you. An old friend called to rebuild their friendship.

Your boss told you that you did a good job recently.

These are little things you should focus on if you want to live a happy life.

Big stuff is great, but it tends not to roll very often. Instead of looking ahead to the next “big” event, focus on all the little things that happen every day that brighten your world.

6) Slow down and listen to the sweetness

Four years ago I noticed that I was very tense and moody during the day.

I turned on the radio and immediately saw a difference in myself. The tension dropped from my shoulders and I felt the energy to dance to the beat of the radio.

Music has a huge impact on how we feel, both emotionally and physically.

Try to make a specific time during the day to listen to some music. If you do it when you’re trying to do an unpleasant task, like cleaning the house, you’ll find that the time passes much faster and more pleasantly!

7) Go ahead!

The other day a friend of mine called me and told me that she had a rough day.

I told her that she should go find her fiancé and make love to him. She laughed and told me that she had just done that, which was the only reason she could still function.

Sex is a wonderful way to release endorphins, which make you feel happy. If you don’t have the time or privacy for a sweaty sex session, try snuggling up together for a few minutes.

Often, those few minutes of peace can help you put all the bad things that happened during the day behind you.