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Writer's pictureVicky

Free things that make me happy: January 2022


Photo by Jon Marquez.

New year, old series. My monthly $0 favorites are back! I'm hoping to really grow this series this year, especially since my budget is a little tighter because weddings are expensive.


As always, leave your recommendations for free things that make your life better in the comments below.


1. My local Buy Nothing Facebook group: The Buy Nothing Project began in 2013 as a way to “build community by connecting people through hyperlocal gifting, and reducing our impact on the environment,” according to its website. If you have anything you want to get rid of—or anything you want but don’t want to pay for—the answer could be just a few blocks away, or even next door! Through my local Facebook group, I’ve scored a set of four margarita glasses, Christmas decorations, and books. I also listed several items I didn’t want to bring with me when I moved, and they’ve been out of my hands and into new homes within days. “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure” has never felt more true. To get started, download the app from the Buy Nothing Project’s website or search for your local Buy Nothing group on Facebook.


2. Brown rice for breakfast?!: In preparation for moving out of my apartment at the end of January, I made a conscious effort to use up as much of the food in my kitchen as possible. Lunch and dinner were easy to plan, but I didn't have a lot of options for breakfast—until I discovered this brown rice breakfast bowl recipe on Running With Spoons. I know, I know, brown rice sounds like a weird choice for breakfast. But this recipe is delicious, filling, and perfect to use up whatever you have on hand. I swapped out the Medjool dates for craisins and it tasted like autumn in a bowl. Yes, I still eat fall things in January. Don’t @ me.


3. Three to Get Married by Fulton Sheen: One of my goals for 2022 is to read 12 books that I already own—that means not bought, not borrowed from the library, but on my bookshelf as of January 1. Teeeechnically this book got in just under the deadline, as I bought it at the end of last year. But, I'm still counting it, and it was on the top of my list to read before my wedding. This book didn't disappoint. For all you theology nerds wanting to dig into the Catholic Church's teachings on marriage, this is the book for you.


4. Morning Brew: Is it gauche to plug my own employer on my own blog? Oh well. I truly am proud of all of the amazing work the Brew Crew is doing. In case you didn't know, Morning Brew is a free e-newsletter that delivers all the business news you need to know without boring you with a bunch of statistics or talking down to you. I work on the B2B side of the biz, copy editing Marketing Brew, Retail Brew, HR Brew and EmergingTech Brew. If newsletters aren't your thing, we've got podcasts, courses, and more fun stuff. You can also follow us on Twitter and Instagram. OK, shameless plug over...for now.


Thanks, as always, for reading. I'll be back next week with another post, and the February edition of this series will be coming later this month.


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