One of the things that I love to do is visit thrift stores. I love going to Goodwill and Salvation Army. Those are my favorite stores in the world. I think that consumers nowadays have become so into the 'new' stuff thinking that new is always better. This I disagree with. Old things that you find in thrift stores have stood the test of time. Why would you want to get a new stuff that you will only use for a couple of years? Also, there is less energy and less carbon footprint if you buy old, used stuff. Of course, you should know the right time and item to buy. You won't buy a worn-out shoe or something that looks very easy to break. Another thing that I really enjoy doing is making do-it-yourself (or DIY) items for myself and my loved ones. I cannot remember the last time that I bought a gift for someone. Since I started collecting and reading about DIY stuff, I have gotten addicted to it. I believe that DIY gifts have so much heart because they are handmade and can even be personalized. Right now, I am reading a book that teaches me how to finish a basement. It might seem odd, I know, because I don't have a finishing a basement manual. I live in a very small apartment on the second floor. I am just trying to get ideas from the book on how to design a cozy space. I am actually getting a lot of good tips from the book. This is why I am so happy with bargain hunting and DIY activities because I know that almost everything around me has meaning.