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COMMENT
I really dislike shopping, especially at this time of year, when traipsing around the high street becomes that much harder. That's why I've never been a fan of "retail therapy" - going on a shopping spree to cheer myself up just don't work for me. Although I know that millions of people perk themselves up by going out and buying some new clothes or the latest gadget, it just doesn't appeal to me. On the other hand, here are five ways to cheer yourself up without parting with a penny: 1. Give blood I gave myself a boost today by giving blood this morning. Honestly, it's not half as bad as you think: one small scratch and the worst is over! If you're aged between 17 and 59 and in good health, you can help to save lives by handing over an armful every four months. For more information, call 0845 7 711 711 or visit the National Blood Service website. 2. Do a good deed Rather than reaching for your credit card when you're down in the dumps, why not do a good deed? It might be helping someone off a bus, going shopping for an elderly neighbour, or giving up a few hours of your time to help a local charity. My second good deed today was providing first aid to a young man who'd collapsed and was having a fit, while calling an ambulance on a passer-by's mobile phone. 3. Make a donation to a local charity shop With Christmas just days away, our homes will soon be packed with food, drink, gifts, relatives and so on. Why not create some extra space before the festive season by de-cluttering your life and giving away some unwanted clothes and other items to a local charity shop? It may be junk to you, but it's hard cash to a worthy cause! 4. Kill your interest bill If you have any pesky debts that are getting on your nerves, why not make them interest-free for a while? By transferring your annoying credit-card balances to a 0% balance-transfer card, you can avoid interest for up to a year, which gives you a valuable breather at no cost! Learn the ins and outs of these cracking cards in Your Ultimate Guide To Credit Cards. 5. Join your local library Rather than flaking out in front of a rubbish "reality TV" show at the end of a hard day, why not curl up with a good book? I've always had a thing for buying books, with the end result that my bookshelves are full to the brim. Although I know how to get half-price books using the Internet, I've recently discovered the joys of my local lending library. It's so well-stocked that it's easy to get hold of even the latest bestsellers. What's more, it lends videos and DVDs at reasonable rates, which is great for kids! Finally, here's a bonus feel-good technique: how to give to charity without handing over your own cash. So, remember, you don't need to spend to feel cheerful... More: Check our deck of delicious credit cards!
