What a year! Yes, it was terrible and awful and no one felt good about it, but on the other hand, time is a human invention and everything bad about 2020 will continue straight into 2021, because the end-and-begin points of a new year are arbitrary and meaningless.

So, um, happy New Year? ?

But 2020 wasn’t all bad! Here at Smarter Living we learned a ton of great stuff this year that had nothing to do with anything in the news. A few tips on better managing your money? You got it! Want to stop procrastinating so much in 2021? Read on!

Below are eight of our favorite pieces of advice, knowledge and wisdom we picked up this year.

The trick to doing it right starts with understanding how the word “complaining” is often misused to describe a variety of behaviors, with some being more harmful or helpful than others. Teasing apart these distinctions requires vocabulary that varies between experts, but there are roughly three categories: venting, problem solving and ruminating, otherwise known as dwelling. Knowing which behavior you’re engaging in, and with what purpose, can help you establish habits that will not only make your complaining much more strategic, but also help improve your emotional health and build stronger relationships with the people around you. Read more >>

OK, to be a little clearer: Stop actively saving your money. Automate it so you just don’t have to think about it. This is what I mean by mindless saving.