Can Money Buy Happiness?

Christmas is over and we are in that odd in between week that divides Yule and New Years Eve.  So....what did I get for presents?  Nothing much, unless you count the presence of friends and family.  And I do.  Very much so.  It's the simple things you cherish.  And besides as the old saying goes, you can't buy happiness.

Nonsense.

Despite being, and proudly so, an ol' softy I  believe that certain varieties of happiness can indeed be purchased.  Confining ourselves to those that are both legal and acceptable for the general internet reader here's a list.  And because the State of Being Happy should not be exclusive of those with less cash I have suggestions at various price points.

Price range zero to $5

A nice pint of ale.   Perhaps the ultimate value with respect to the cost/happiness ratio.  You can close your eyes, let the cares of the day fade, take a deep sip and remember times, pints and friends past.....

Price range under $20  

We like our house.  We've been here for about 35 years.  And for all that time we've been complaining about a few small flaws.  It has a laundry chute that drops from the top floor to the basement.  That's cool.  But the grungy duds end up in a small enclosed space that has always been difficult.  You bend over and lean in.  There are dark corners were mismatched socks hide.  As the decades roll by our backs start to complain more.  It was time to do something.

As usual the best answer was a collaborative effort.  Initial Guy Solution.  Cut a bigger hole so that we can slide the laundry baskets in, perhaps sitting on a platform so they are at a nice lifting height.

The Gal Modification of Guy Solution.  Get a cheap laundry basket of the proper dimensions!

Around $100

Sometimes modern technology is just different ways to waste time.  But a few things come along that are outstanding.  When sitting out in the cold tree stand deer hunting there is nothing as nice as a garment or two heated with Lithium ion batteries.  Ah....warmth.  Why it even helps a bit with the chilly toes and fingers.  I got a shirt like this and it's great.

This is, I must point out, a male model not your humble correspondent.  He looks a bit dweeby to be out in the woods but at least he's allowed the usual foolish unshaved  look grow out into the beginnings of a proper Hunting Season Beard.  

Several hundred, but worth it.

I live in Wisconsin.  It snows a lot.  I don't want frostbite and/or a heart attack.  Gotta have a snow blower.

OK, not cheap but so appreciated.....

A garage.  Leaving a car outside to get frozen is bad enough.  If you have to park it on street and move it on plowing days....ugh.