Wordsmith Lane

Girlfriend Magazine: How to: Live a Chanel life on a Supre Budget

Published in Girlfriend, June 2008. Copyright Sarah Ayoub 2008

It’s a charmed life for those dressed in the latest threads and rapidly joining the jet-set. But if you think their lifestyle is way out of reach because of your McDonald’s wages, think again. A few changes to the way you manage your money could change all that, and before you know it, you’ll be jetting off to schoolies in style! It’s a hard-knock life for us no more…

From Budget to Bonanza

Want to get the most out of what you put in? Dr. Lois P. Frankel, author of Nice Girls Don’t Get Rich, says a budget is a “plan that will you make you more conscious of how you spend your money” and she’s right. Allocating money to things you need – such as phone credit, school stuff or toiletries – makes it easier to see how much is free for the fun stuff like going out. Dr. Frankel advises you devote 10% or more of your salary per month to savings, only 3-5% on clothing, and 5-10% on personal/miscellaneous expenses. The rest should be divided up between home, medical and transport expenses. So draw up a budget (tailored to your needs) and stick to it– don’t spend what you don’t have and learn great money skills along the way!

It’s all in the bank

Well, that’s where it should be anyway, considering little pigs don’t do us justice these days. Everyday savings accounts aren’t too complicated, but you need to find one that suits your money use (do you prefer to shop using cash or EFTPOS?) – so get researching. Some banks offer little or no account keeping fees if you’re a student, others charge a whopping amount for ATM use. And even if the overdraft facility (ability to withdraw more than what you have and pay it back later) sounds blissful, be warned: it comes at a hefty penalty price! Key questions to ask include: Will it allow me to make withdrawals at ATMs not specific to that bank? What will it cost me to make branch withdrawals? Is there unlimited phone and online banking access? How often will I get statements? All these questions are imperative to getting a hassle-free account that gives you access to your money when you need it and the ability to analyse where you’ve spent it – without the headaches of fees and penalties.

Savvy Streamlining

Below are some money-savings tips – deposit what you save and roll in the cash!

• Designate one weekend evening where you stay home. Hire a DVD and cuddle up to your boy, or have a food and gossip session with the girls.
• Take your spring cleaning one step further by selling your stuff on EBAY. One girlfriend’s trash is another’s treasure!
• Empty your loose change into a jar at the end of the day, and deposit the lot into your savings account each month.
• Join the loyalty programs of your favourite cinemas and stores – and take advantage of their discount offers and rewards.
• Think before you buy. Discount department stores like K-Mart and BIG W often discount girlie essentials like beauty products by up to 20%, so flip through their catalogues often.
• Best sellers are best-savers! Save a fortune by buying books at less than RRP – stores like Target and Myer have regular sales and always discount best-sellers by up to 35%.
• Use your concession card. Students get discounts at cinemas, on public transport, and at events, so work it, baby!
• Subscribe to your favourite mag – save on the newsstand prize and get a cool pressie for doing it too!
• Buy your basics, like T-shirts and undies, at factory outlets. It’s not like their styles ever change.
• Make your own lunch. Not only is it healthier, but it will save you a fortune considering it adds up quickly.

Phone Caps or Thinking Caps?

Dr. Frankel says that one of the biggest mistakes we make financially is “not taking time to research” which costs us “extra dollars” in the long run. Pre-paid mobile phone deals are constantly changing, which means the offer you picked out last year might not be the most efficient for you now – if you and your mates go with the same carrier, you could save on calls AND text. For example, you might pay $49 a month and get $250 credit on a cap plan, but this could be at a higher call rate, whereas buying a $30 recharge every two months, could give you hundreds of free minutes to special numbers that you regularly call. Read up on the different offers and make a decision tailored to your phone patterns (and continue to do so every few months) – you’re not going to save anything if you’re not bothering to investigate!

Saving to splurge:

Got a big, extravagant item in mind? Whether it’s schoolies week, a car or a designer handbag, you’ve got to save for it right – using an online savings account. These have a higher interest rate if you make little or no withdrawals (which means you make money on what’s already sitting in there, especially when there’s lots of it) and using them is easy and you can do it at any time by phone or online (but make sure your computer has adequate security to avoid people discovering your personals). Visit infochoice.com.au to compare per annum interest rates, but our picks are ING Direct’s Savings Maximiser (variable rate), Commonwealth Bank’s NetBank saver at 6.75% and NAB’s i-Saver at 6.8%.

And one simple rule:

Money makes the world go round, but it does not buy you happiness. Use these tips to maximise your living potential, but don’t turn into a complete scrooge, workaholic or shallow, designer-clad brat. Avoid the extremes and have fun making some money – don’t use it too sparingly and don’t let it rule your life – it is definitely not worth it at the expense of your dignity and loved ones (and a true Chanel girl would not be caught dead behaving this way). Happy researching, saving and splurging!

CLEO: Kids? Cash? Career? What was your mum doing when she was your age?

Ever wondered about the struggles that women before us battled to get us where we are today? Cleo goes through the ages to hear the stories of yesteryear, asking five young Aussie women and their mothers to tell us how their lives compare. By Sarah Ayoub

Published in Cleo, May 2008. Copyright Sarah Ayoub 2009

Australia: Anne McDonald, 23, Law Student, and her mother, Heather.

Anne says: “My parents seem to have taken on traditional gender roles, with dad as the breadwinner, but mum is a very strong woman when it comes to most decisions at home, so I think the application of ‘gender roles’ as such is a little twisted. I have never experienced the pressures that my mum did. I’ve had a private school education, and been able to travel and go to university. I still live at home and though I’d love to move out, I know I can’t afford to because I travel and spend money on luxury items, but I’ve never gone into debt for them. I lead a more social life than mum – she says there wasn’t much choice when she was growing up – and my parents are realistic about relationships, they’re very comfortable with my boyfriend, which makes things easy.”

Heather says: “I remember being very proud of my financial independence when I started working because I was no longer much of a burden on my parents. I was a good student who wanted to study physiotherapy, but I felt it was a ‘big ask’ on my parents financially, so I went to secretarial college instead – something I still regret. I had my children when I was in my early thirties. I suppose this was old for my time, but I believe it’s a good age for settling down. Nowadays, it seems having children will come later for most couples, if at all. Anne doesn’t take women’s advancements for granted – she feels very privileged to have had a good education and for the opportunities for success and equal pay in her future career. That being said, I think young women today will be challenged by a faster, more stressful life, especially as they compete for positions with men, perhaps at the cost of quality time with their families and friends.”

Lebanon: Dr. Vicki Kassouf, 29, Scientist, and her mother, Therese.

Therese says: “I came from a very traditional family. I was expected to help around the house and find a good husband. We didn’t have a lot of savings, but I taught my kids to put their money to good use, so now Vicki has a traditional mentality: buy your own home as soon as you can and don’t get a credit card! I’ve raised my children with a combination of the Lebanese Catholic traditions that I hold dear and the opportunities available to them in Australia. I’ve particularly emphasised education, but now that Vicki has finished her PhD, I’ve made it very clear that it’s time to start thinking about marriage. Still, I have encouraged all their dreams – I want them to have everything that I dreamed of, but couldn’t have”.

Vicki says: “We always needed our toughie mum’s permission to go out. Little things like going to the movies or shopping with friends were never a problem, even though other girls begged to be allowed. I think she was saving it till we were 18 and wanted to hit the party scene. I remember coming home at six one morning – a furious mum enforced a midnight curfew after that! In her day, a suitor would ask the parents’ permission to get to know the daughter, but mum broke the rules and eloped at 16, so we don’t have specific dating rules. I wish she’d say more on how she feels or what she’s thinking though! Mum’s inspiring life shows me selflessness and sacrifice – she was nothing more than a kid when she married and left Lebanon for a life of challenges in Australia – learning a new language and customs, working and raising a family. But with more disposable income than she had, all I have to do is juggle my social calendar, pay my phone bill on time and save up a house deposit – kinda doesn’t compare, does it?”

The Philippines: Dana Guballa, 19, Credit Card Specialist, and her mother, Daisy.

Daisy says: “All I ever wanted was a close knit family, but I was born into a family of seven children, and my father had died when I was young, so we were split up and sent to different homes because mum couldn’t afford to look after us. I had a midnight curfew and I wasn’t given much freedom – especially when it came to boys – as the mentality was that I’d get pregnant.
I started working at 12 so I could afford the cheapest possible education for myself – something that was the highlight of my childhood. I have always encouraged Dana’s education – no matter the expense. I just want her to understand what I went through, only so she can appreciate all the blessings in her life”.

Dana says: “When she was young, mum’s idea of fun was going to the movies with her girlfriends, and holding hands with a guy was her idea of ‘hooking up’. She was exposed to corruption, drugs and alcohol when she met my musician father, but her innocence never wavered. And although I was disciplined well, I found it hard to be a Christian teenager with so much peer pressure around. When I got to high school, my grades dropped and I started skipping school – I felt there were more fun and exciting things to do. I dated at a young age behind my parents’ backs, and ran away from home a few too many times. When I turned 18, I began to regret the mistakes I had made – like taking my family and studies for granted. I went to the Philippines and matured enough to realise that my mother only wanted the best for me – trying so hard so that I wouldn’t have the life she had.”

Italy:Vanessa Chiara, 21, graphic designer, and her mum, Joanne.

Joanne says: “I had a typical Italian upbringing. I wasn’t allowed to go out on my own or with boys unless I had a chaperone. I had to have an Italian boyfriend – he could only see me at home once or twice a week and had to leave before 11pm. Travelling was out of the question until after marriage. I was lucky that my mother insisted on having me educated. I graduated with a Music Degree despite my father’s opinion that I didn’t need to study because I was a girl, and my duty would’ve been to stay home, clean and mind the children. I have encouraged my daughter just as my mother encouraged me, though in my day, you could only choose secretarial work, nursing, or teaching. I always remind my children of how lucky they are because their father and I have been liberal on most issues. But they still do what they like. Women today speak up for themselves regarding their pay, workload and rights – world events won’t affect Vanessa if she strives and believes that she can succeed in all she does.”

Vanessa says: “When I hit my teens, all I wanted to do was go to parties with friends, date and travel. I always had to beg my mum to go – and though I respect her decisions, I think I’ll be a little different as a parent, but she disagrees! Now that I am older, she’s been a lot more lenient. I’ve had a boyfriend for three years and sometimes, I can push my midnight curfew. But even though we have different views, she’s done a lot for me – helped me with my studies and lent me money for a car. She’s steered me in the right direction like her parents did, but I hope I learn to make the right decisions for myself & enjoy life to the fullest.”

South Africa: Janice Petersen, 30, SBS World News Presenter, and her mother, Muriel.

Muriel says: “My husband and I left our beloved country to make a better life for our family. I remember us crying on our first night in Sydney – we had $200, an apartment to pay rent on and a two year old son. We didn’t know how we’d support ourselves. But we soon started to enjoy the benefits of living in Australia – getting decent wages and going on holidays. I didn’t have much encouragement or expectations to forge my own career or identity. I came from relatively humble roots – I guess I was simply expected to be a nurturer and wife. But I broke the mould after I had Janice in Australia – running my own businesses, and working incredibly hard. I’d like to think I made a solid contribution to the community and my family.”

Janice says: “Mum grew up under a state-sanctioned regime of hate – apartheid in South Africa – so the comparison between her life and mine in a free and fair Australia is incredibly stark. I can’t imagine not being able to use certain toilets, public transport or beaches because of my skin colour! Mum didn’t finish high school, yet I never considered not doing my HSC or going to uni. She was incredibly brave to start a family so young – I’m thirty years old and I still think I’m too young to have a family. In my own small way, I’ve wanted to show my family that the leap of faith they took in coming to a new country wasn’t squandered. I’ve worked hard to make them proud – having an appreciation of what my parents went through has been a huge motivating factor in my life.”

YEN: 51 Ways to be Happy

Published in Yen, Issue 32. Copyright Sarah Ayoub 2008

Life’s tough and we get it, and while we can’t rectify all situations, we can give you the tips to help inject a little more happy in a way that’s a little less bland than the ordinary.

The Scottish writer Allan K. Chalmers once said that “the grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for”. Well, life is a bit more complicated these days, so just in case they’re not enough, here are 51 ways to max your happiness and make your life enjoyable for yourself, your environment and those around you!

1. Don’t settle for less than what you deserve. You will hold a grudge to yourself and to others and this will prohibit all the happiness advice that follows.

1. Set yourself some goals. Working towards something gives you a drive that only gets better as you’re close to achieving your goals, and as you do this, tick them off and experience the satisfaction of meeting your own needs through your own commitments. As Benjamin Disraeli once said “action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action”.

1. Strengthen your political awareness. Throughout history and even today, people have died for the vote – even if the outcome is not to your satisfaction, at least you have the opportunity to make yourself heard.

1. Step outside the square. Read something you would not normally read, visit a gallery or attend a meeting for a cause that’s never really crossed your mind. Not only will you broaden your horizons, but you will meet people and learn things that will change your view of the world.

1. Do your bit for the environment. Sara McMillan from the Australian Conservation Foundation suggests “making an organic meal for friends using freshly picked herbs from the herb garden that you’ve lovingly tended before composting the scraps to restore your garden”.

1. Eat well. You are what you eat – and only a combination of vitamins and minerals, and a reduction in processed foods, will help your body on the inside, and you glow on the outside.

1. Be confident in yourself and your abilities. Remember that no one can judge you for who you are and what you believe, and everything will fall in to place.

1. Accept the way the universe works, but don’t sit and watch it happen. An old German proverb advises “you have to take it as it happens, but you should try to make it happen the way you want to take it”.

1. Travel. Immerse yourself in another culture, tour ancient lands or party knowing no work awaits you the next day. Seeing the world makes you appreciative of what you have, and more determined to see change or mirror beauty and certain lifestyles.

1. Dare to be different – those who stand out get noticed and go places, those that don’t spend a lot of time judging. And where’s the happiness in that?

1. Don’t take anything for granted, and be grateful for everything you have. For This Is Genevieve designer Genevieve Er, this rings true to the heart – she was recently involved in a motorbike accident that saw her fall to the left side of the road, and her bag to the right. While she escaped with minor cuts and bruises, a truck ran over her bag just seconds after. And while she “can’t help but imagine what would have happened had [she] fallen to the right”, she has since then reminded herself to be “so thankful for everything in [her] life and the ability to…just live it”.

1. Hold a baby. There’s something about seeing and feeling new life that makes you fascinated with the world and how it works.

1. Gloat occasionally. Not so you’re known for your pride, but enough to show your security and gratefulness in your abilities.

1. Re-think your stance on the ethical treatment of animals (and do something about it) – for Jason Baker, Director of PETA Asia-Pacific, happiness is saving rabbits “from enduring the cruelties of a fur farm where they’re often skinned alive”.

1. Get your finances in order. No one likes living in a financial rut, and money is one step towards your goals and to independence.

1. Don’t take things too seriously. Pete Crofts, President of Humourversity, the world’s first centre for humour, comedy and laughter, says that a “you’ve gotta laugh” philosophy is trained into Australians consciously and subconsciously, and our happiness lies in us not taking things too seriously, because otherwise we’ll “go insane”.

1. Attend a peaceful protest or rally for a cause you really believe in.

1. Live an active lifestyle. You don’t have to be a sporting buff, but a little bit of activity here and there is both healthy for your heart and mind – no matter how much you try not to take Legally Blonde‘s Elle Woods seriously, she’s right when she says “exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy”.

1. Do something childish. Remember what it was like being a kid, and spend one day doing all the things you loved back then – play in a park, carelessly show your emotions, make your mum centre of the world – anything to reminisce on the good days.

1. Buy two bunches of flowers: send one bunch to a friend (just because) and use another to cheer up your own space.

1. Explore more of your own backyard. Sara McMillan’s happiness lies in “discovering that you don’t have to go overseas to discover the magic of wilderness areas”.

1. Maintain strong ties to your loved ones. University of Illinois’ Dr. Happiness psychologist Edward Diener told Time Magazine that his studies on student happiness have found that those with the highest levels of happiness committed time to family and friends.

1. Rescue a pet from an animal shelter and raise them as your own. Head down to the RSPCA and give a neglected dog a safe home.

1. Give lots of hugs. Hugs are a renowned pick-me-up and scientific studies show their positive effects in the physical reduction of stress, blood pressure and heart rate. Plus they’re free…and they make everyone feel emotionally better too!

1. Be charitable. Mission Australia’s CEO Toby Hall advises that a great life comes from being a great giver – “the more it hurts to give, the greater the happiness”.

1. Work hard in life. You only get out what you put in, and success, however you choose to define it, is the key to happiness.

1. Embrace humour and its link to your identity – and happiness. Pete Crofts says that our “humour-using identity” comes from aspects of our lives – including our values/beliefs, behavioural traits and vulnerabilities – and the secret to using these is “enjoying being embarrassed”.

1. Listen to music to enhance your moods. Music is an expression of the world of the performer and has the ability to change people’s perceptions and emotions.

1. Don’t dwell on difficult moments. Forgive friends who’ve harmed you or exes who’ve hurt you and you will see that forgiveness is an emancipation that makes you happy.

1. Love the small things in life, as often these are the most important backbones when everything just gives way.

1. Tell the truth. Lies are webs that make you miserable and the truth will always set you free.

1. Emphasise the positives in all situations. In his book Authentic Happiness, positive psychologist Martin Seligman says we should always express “contentment with the past, happiness in the present and hope for the future”.

1. Give yourself time. Whether it is five minutes of meditation each day, or an island escape every two years, time for yourself is the essence of balance, calm and happiness in a chaotic life.

1. Find love. Whether it’s with a partner or love for a child or friend, having someone there whenever you need them is a pick up in our worst moments and a joy in our best.

1. Take lots of pictures. Document your favourite moments so you can always look back at your times of bliss.

1. Live the simple life. Sara McMillan says “happiness is looking at how much money you’ve saved on your credit card through not buying ‘stuff’ that you don’t actually need”.

1. Let it out. Whether you want to leap for joy, laugh out loud or cry with pain, expressing your emotions, whether in a social situation or a creative outlet, prevents a lot of built up tension that could hinder happiness.

1. Pay your dues – because Karma always comes back around…

1. Re-think your characteristics. Seligman says a key aspect of happiness is the possession of positive traits such as strength, virtue, the capacity for love and work, resilience, courage, compassion and self-control.

1. Believe in yourself. Only you can measure your own happiness and what it takes to achieve it to your own satisfaction, so don’t pay discouragement any heed.

1. Put all your energy into a special project that is all you – whether it is an art collection or a small business venture – it is something to strive for and enjoy.

1. Nurture positive institutions. According to Seligman, fostering a happier and more peaceful community lies in notions such as justice, responsibility, teamwork, civility, ethics, purpose, leadership and tolerance.

1. Think of the long term. A new car or a night on the town might make for temporary happiness, but there’s obviously something missing when these things make your day.

1. Know who you are and be at peace with yourself. Crofts says that happiness is the “experiencing of expression of your meaning”.

1. Learn something new. Take a course and challenge yourself to learn something new at every occasion, and impress yourself and others with your own grasp of fascinating information on whatever tickles your fancy!

1. Have your own space – decorated to your liking – where you can just be free and in your comfort zone.

1. Hang out with old people. Visit a nursing home or your Nanna, and listen to stories of old days and old ways. You learn more about the past and in exchange, you’ve helped entertain someone with not many distractions around.

1. Be nice to everyone! Peter Pan author James M. Barrie once said that “those that bring sunshine into the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves”.

1. Find the balance in life. The Dalai Lama teaches that “a balanced and skilful approach to life” involving “an inner discipline…rooting out destructive mental states and replacing them with positive, constructive states of mind” cultivates happiness.

1. Look up at the stars once in a while. Not only a pretty sight, but there’s always something magical in the blanket of sparkle that conveys a world of endless possibility, and shows that we’re only one part of a huge, beautiful and totally sublime universe that can take us anywhere we dream of going.

1. Don’t ever underestimate sadness. It is the time at the bottom that makes the joy at the top all the more worthwhile. And that’s what happiness is all about.

YEN: Shiny Happy People

Published in Yen, Issue 32. Copyright Sarah Ayoub 2008

Want to know what it takes to glow from the inside, out? We get the low down from the pros!   

Through the ages, lives have been littered with the goals of attaining a true happiness and contentment with the world. But despite the fact that the ‘H’ word has been a little elusive, Yen‘s still determined to find out its secret. So we’ve chosen 20 ‘Happy Shiny People’ to give us a head start – because whether they’re rallying for the environment around us, pursuing their passions or aiding the community, they refuse to limit themselves in any way. We’ve looked to people from various ages, backgrounds and occupations to ask them what drives their happiness, what it means to them, and what we need to do to help share in the happy, shiny wealth.

Jesse Martin, Aussie Adventurer

In October 1999, at just 17 years of age, Jesse Martin made headlines when he became the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around the world in his yacht, Lionheart. One “to risk everything for the sake of going for the dream”, Jesse is happy when he reminds himself that his worries don’t really matter and when he’s dreaming up adventures and working out how to achieve them logistically. His advice is to “cram as much into your life as possible and don’t be set back by failures because they’re always going to happen and without them there will be no successes”.

Meera Chauhan, Wish Granting Program Volunteer for the Starlight Children’s Foundation

With Starlight Day arriving on May 2^nd, Meera Chauhan is gearing up to help grant the wishes of seriously ill children in a magical experience injected with fun, laughter and happiness. Although her hospital job seems saddening, Meera says that when she makes a child smile, they “reciprocate by making me too realise that I need too smile”. Meera is happy thinking of all her good fortunes, and her happy advice is to not take yourself too seriously, and to listen to your heart and not worry about what others think – “life is a journey – if you’re too focussed on the destination, you miss out on the ride”.

Anne-Marie Byrne, General Manager, Planet Ark Environmental Foundation

Anne-Marie Byrne is happy giving her attention to the planet in crisis in order to secure a better environment for the future, but she’s also an advocate of love. She stays ‘happy shiny’ by regularly doing the things that she loves, with those that she loves, saying that to stay happy we must “honour and nurture” our relationships with kindness, honesty and humour, because they are what determine our “quality of life”. Her top tips on happiness are all about love – whether it’s by staying inspired, working in fields that you love, or making a contribution to the community.

Kevin Hume, Executive Mentor & Director, Sydney Meditation Centre

According to meditation guru Kevin Hume, who teaches simple and effective techniques to transform peoples lives for the better, the fundament of happiness, is to taste all of life, because “like any fantastic banquet, there has to be both sweet and sour, achievement and difficulty, struggle and triumph to provide the savour”. Kevin is most happy taking the Middle Path and leading a healthy lifestyle – regular exercise for the body, meditation for the mind and time for the pleasures that allow the spirit to grow. His advice -”find a strand of creativity [to] expand into something joyful, wondrous and profoundly satisfying”.

Monika Biernacki, Managing Director of Doggie Rescue

Coming from a charity that saves death row dogs from the council pound, it’s no wonder why Monicka Biernacki’s advice on happiness is to get a dog. She says that “dogs give the unconditional love that everyone needs in their lives [and that] happy dogs and happy people go hand in hand”. Her feedback in the form of happy dogs with happy adopted families reiterates her happiness because she’s sharing in something “extremely joyful”, and helps her to maintain the “bigger picture” after the sadness of losing a dog and the realisation that while she can save most dogs, she can’t save them all.

Kerry Graham, CEO, Inspire Foundation

Kerry Graham sees happiness as a state of peace and wellbeing – where you’re comfortable in your own skin, connected with others and “feeling that you have something meaningful to offer the world”. So to stay happy and shiny, she practices a “sense of service” in her work with Inspire, which seeks to “maintain a sense of happiness and connection for all young people [with] each other and the world we live in”. Her happy advice is to “get involved!” by sharing ideas and common activities with others to foster happiness, and to jump on line and check out http://www.actnow.com.au/

Paul IJ Oosting, Pulp Mill Campaigner for The Wilderness Society

As the coordinator for the campaign to stop Gunns Ltd. building a pulp mill in Tasmania, which would lock in the destruction of Tasmania’s irreplaceable forests further escalating climate change, Paul Oosting derives a deep fulfilment from working to “create the future for people that is positive, sustainable and has precious wild places”. His advice on happiness comes from his own philosophy to find one’s place in the world by following dreams, giving back to the community, and living with integrity, reflected in his work that “empowers people to stand up for the future, families and environment”.

Paulie Georges, Supporter Relationships Team Leader for Greenpeace Australia Pacific

Being sensitive to life’s little pleasures is Paulie Georges’ happiness mantra, and she is living this by working for the largest international environmental organisation in the world. Incredibly happy contributing to the greater good of the planet with a team of “incredibly passionate…people who believe in the power of individuals to create change” (because “a happy, healthy green world equates to happy people”), Paulie believes that happiness is connected to love – advising us to “Spread the love and happiness will be sure to follow”. And if all else fails, “there is nothing that a cup of tea can’t fix”.

Tony Abbott, Spiritual Writer from Spirit Watch

Tony established Spiritwatch.com with his partner Robyn to help people to find their true potential and personal fulfilment – together they love touching other peoples’ hearts and giving them a positive sense of purpose in their lives. Tony’s happiness lies in maintaining a “balanced lifestyle [with] time for relaxation, meditation, work and personal growth”.  With work that aims to help others find workable solutions to their lives and encourage their passion and purpose, it is no wonder that his tips on fulfilment are to find what you love to do, and “building a lifestyle and career path around those personal interests”.

Janice Petersen, SBS World News Presenter

Considering the fact that Janice’s parents migrated from the state-sanctioned regime of hate and apartheid in South Africa with very little money, so that she and her siblings can grow up in a free and democratic Australia, Janice Petersen is very happy. She’s a shiny happy person because she’s motivated knowing that she’s made something of her parent’s struggle – by working hard, taking advantage of the great educational opportunities available to her and reminding herself that she’s “lucky to present the news each night” – a clear indication that where there’s gratefulness and thankfulness, there’s happiness – and shine.

Barbara Ryan, State President of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, NSW

As the first female Vinnies NSW State President in a 127 year history, you’d think Barbara Ryan has enough to be happy for. But she’s happy with her family and in her pledge to “serve the disadvantaged and marginalised” by working with the Society’s dedicated members and volunteers across the areas of Aged Care, Migrants and Refugees, homeless services, youth services, and for safe houses and shelters for female victims of domestic violence. Her voluntary position rewards her with the satisfaction of relieving the anxieties that make other lives difficult, but she also advises us to “appreciate of the good around us, and try not to dwell on the past”.

Wil Anderson, Comedian/Writer/Broadcaster/Presenter

Self-described “Professional Funny Bugger” Wil Anderson’s idea of happiness is making others happy, because “those that bring happiness to the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves”. He lives this out in his various pursuits – most recently through his ‘beWILdered‘ show in Melbourne’s comedy festival. Wil aims to bring happiness to people through laughter – the best medicine – even though he’s unsure if people can claim tickets to his shows on Medicare. Why laughter? “When you laugh you can’t think of anything else in the world. All your worries melt away (apart from the possible worry that snot will fly out your nose) and I get to share that with people”.

Helen Sharwood, Psychologist & Committee Member with the Australian Association of Buddhist Counsellors and Psychotherapists

Helen Sharwood’s happiness is easy-come in her “other-oriented” field of work. She combines her profession with a fundamental tenet of Buddhism – kindness to others – by working across various community projects, such as the SMART program for the drug addicted. Happiness for Helen is living with an “attitude of gratitude” and maintaining a positive outlook on life knowing we can make changes of our own accord. She advises Yen readers to always maintain a sense of perspective in life and being aware of others’ troubles, as well as asking themselves what they value, then working towards their goals with constant motivation.

Toni Lindsay, Member Liaison Officer for CanTeen Hunter and Northern NSW Division

For Toni Lindsay, happiness is “being able to smile and laugh no matter what”, and she does her best to give young kids living with cancer the chance to do that by getting them together with other patients their age. She’s most happy not taking herself too seriously, making time for those important to her, and reminding herself that she’s privileged to work with “amazing, talented, inspirational and fun young people who change the way you look at world”. Her advice is to take time to do even the most self-indulgent things you love, exercise and never be scared to do the things that challenge you.

Jessica Bailey, Festival Manager for Animal Liberation NSW

Jessica’s advice is to live your passions, changing whatever it is in your life that’s not making you happy. This advice saw her establish the cruelty-free shop – making it easier for people to go to one place knowing that everything was free from animal testing and animal ingredients – and festival, which aims to bring animal rights to the public eye in a fun environment. Jessica’s happiness is inherent in not feeling guilt or not causing harm, being with her son, and her work – “I try to stay happy by living my passion, so I hope my work helps others make a difference in their lives”.

Rowena York, Naturopath

Managing a naturopathic dispensary at natural food market Aboutlife (http://www.aboutlife.com.au/ ) means Rowena York is constantly helping others, a good thing considering her ideas of happiness mean making a difference in people’s lives and doing what you enjoy. Rowena educates people on what to do to achieve better health – in the process providing them with the skills and knowledge to take control of their health for the rest of their lives. And like a true naturopath, her advice on happiness is to consciously appreciate life’s good things and understand that you do often have the power to change what makes you unhappy.

Cris Popp, Public Speaker from http://www.laughterclubs.com.au/

Cris Popp’s job is a happy one indeed – getting people to laugh and running stress management courses to help them achieve happiness directly, without the “detours” that they define happiness by – such as getting more money or looking better. According to Cris, true happiness is distinguishing between the state of happiness – “satisfaction with the world and acceptance of how things are” – and the feeling of happiness, which like sadness or cold, easily passes. His happy advice is to be kind and grateful, connect with others, and always end each day by writing down three things that have gone well for you – even just catching the bus on time!

Yvonne Langshaw, Artist

Happiness to Yvonne Langshaw is doing something she loves, and being successful at it, and she has found this happiness in the career she’s made of her painting. She has taught in various art schools, won over seventy first prizes, and been named Artist of the Year in the Combined Art Societies of Sydney in 1997, but still her highlights have been around enjoying the pleasures of paint. Yvonne considers herself a shiny, happy person because she’s lucky to immerse herself in a job that creates something new and challenging for her constantly. Her happiness advice is simple – “become involved in an activity you love doing”.

Teri Hiley, Artist

According to artist Teri Hiley, “happiness comes with having purpose in life”, and leaving things better than you’ve found them.  It’s no wonder that she’s happy showing others how to look at things in a new way through art – the “creative thought” that “enriches our lives ands build civilisations”. As such, her biggest tip is to “do what you love [and] love what you are doing” – essentially working to the best of your abilities and giving thanks for what you have achieved each day – always knowing that it’s wonderful “to do something because you want to do it not because you have to”.

Suraj Kaur Bryson, Yoga and Meditation Teacher from Kundalini Wellbeing in Bondi Junction

No matter where she is in the world, Suraj Kaur Bryson is most happy trusting in the universe and starting her day off with a yoga and meditation session – the “most beautiful and humbling experience” that fosters a connection with oneself in the hope of strengthening it with others. Her advice on happiness stems from her belief that “happiness is a state of being [that] is not dependent on anything outside of [oneself]“.  As such, she encourages taking out personal quiet time daily, giving spontaneously and generously to others, seeing life as sacred and giving thanks everyday – and, spoken like a true Yoga guru, “treating yourself with respect and love”.