Ep. 571: Want to Join Us for a No-Spend February? Plus a Better Word for “Squats”

Summary

Podcast Summary: Happier with Gretchen Rubin

Episode 571: Want to Join Us for a No-Spend February? Plus a Better Word for “Squats”
Release Date: January 28, 2026
Hosts: Gretchen Rubin & Elizabeth Craft

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Episode Overview

This episode dives into the idea of doing a "No-Spend February"—a month devoted to mindful spending—and explores the psychological and practical impacts of pausing unnecessary purchases. Gretchen and Elizabeth share personal experiences, revisit listener feedback, and lay out ground rules and strategies for this challenging but enlightening habit reset. The episode also explores a listener-suggested, more elegant term for the exercise "squats," and touches on the theme of makeshift solutions versus buying the “right” tool. As always, Gretchen and Elizabeth sprinkle the discussion with candid self-reflection, practical tips, and sisterly banter.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Listener Updates: "I Could Do This Better Myself" (01:00–04:30)

• The hosts revisit their earlier prompt—recognizing the feeling "I could do this task better myself"—and highlight how listeners acted on that insight:
  • Jenny’s Career Change “I looked at what our software engineers were doing and thought, I really think I could do this better. So I went back to school, got a master's degree ... and have been working as a software engineer ever since.” (02:03, Gretchen reading Jenny’s email)
  • Debbie’s Walking Tours “Even though this docent opportunity is not as convenient geographically, I have learned so much and I am thrilled to be spending time sharing my love of my state...” (03:05, Gretchen reading Debbie’s email)

2. Finding a Visual Symbol for "Neighbor"—The Pineapple (03:31–04:40)

• Gretchen discusses her ongoing search for a personal symbol representing her one-word theme "neighbor" for 2026.
• Kelsey suggests the pineapple: a classic symbol for warmth, hospitality, and welcome.
  • “The pineapple is often associated with warmth, welcome and hospitality. I love that idea.” (03:52, Gretchen)

3. Try This at Home: No-Spend February (04:43–17:06)

Why No-Spend February?

• A no-spend month clarifies spending habits, reveals “underbuyer” misconceptions, and provides a financial—and mental—reset:
  • “We discovered, oh, we buy plenty ... we're not under buying as much as we thought.” (05:29, Gretchen)
  • “It's helpful to just look at what you do spend money on and question whether or not you need to.” (05:12, Elizabeth)

Benefits Noted

• Increased appreciation for what you already have
• Using and noticing stockpiled items (“Please, whatever you do, do not buy a thing of nutmeg. We have four bottles of nutmeg.” (06:41, Gretchen))
• Opportunity to reflect on values and priorities

Setting Personal Ground Rules

• Essentials (groceries, bills, transportation) are allowed; boundaries are personal:
  • Elizabeth: “My big thing ... to be off limits is food delivery. And it is the thing that when you say, like the habit reset, that's the habit reset I need more than any other.” (07:44)
  • Eating out with friends for social reasons is OK for both hosts.
  • Gretchen makes an exception for her “Ticket 26” goal—purchasing tickets for live experiences aligns with her values.
  • Chat about limiting book purchases, clothes, and new subscriptions.

Unexpected Insights & Listener Hacks

• Elizabeth notes she spends more time “shopping” online without buying, and hopes not-buying will save her time.
• Highlight of past listener hacks, such as “Survivor Pantry Island”—a fun, gamified way to use up pantry goods.

Advice from Sarah Fain’s No-Spend Year (14:27–15:52)

• Categorizing purchases (e.g., no new mugs, t-shirts)
• Recognizing preferences: experiences vs. things
• Experimenting with “cash only” purchases to increase mindfulness

Takeaway

• The purpose is not deprivation, but intentionality: “The more intentional we are with our actions, the more our lives can reflect our values. And this is one way to try to do that with ... money.” (16:15, Gretchen)

4. Happiness Hack: A Better Word for “Squats” (20:13–21:29)

• Listener Emmy suggests using “grand plié” (a ballet term) instead of “squats.”
  • Gretchen: “Squats are very similar to a ballet exercise, the grand plié ... So I'm going to be doing 12 grand pliés ... I will never squat again.” (20:52, Gretchen)

5. Know Yourself Better: Do You Like Makeshift Solutions? (21:38–27:41)

• Listener Jen poses a self-reflection question: “Do you appreciate or enjoy makeshift solutions?”
• Discussion covers:
  • The satisfaction (or frustration) of makeshift solutions (e.g., using printer paper to prop up a monitor or turning old mask straps into a ponytail holder).
  • The underbuyer tendency to “make do” longer than advisable.
    • Gretchen: “I will often use a broken umbrella for a really, really long time ...” (24:50)
  • The joy of having exactly the right tool, and the personality spectrum from “MacGyver” types to those who avoid makeshift fixes.
    • Elizabeth: “It’s like the MacGyver gene. ... If you like to tinker and build and engineer, then you like makeshift solutions.” (26:42)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Spending Awareness:
  • “Sometimes you’re just in the habit of hitting one click ... So it’s good to cut those habits off.” (05:36, Gretchen)
• On Flexibility:
  • “Do what works for you. So someone’s No Spend February might not include tickets and others will.” (09:55, Elizabeth)
• On Shopping Without Buying:
  • “I do spend a lot of time ... looking at clothes online and looking at sales. So to me, the knowledge that I’m not going to buy anything will keep me from just spending an hour checking out different sales and will give me more time to do other things.” (11:14, Elizabeth)
• On the Joy of the Right Tool:
  • “Beautiful tools make work a joy. ... It can feel really good to get exactly the right [thing].” (25:40, Gretchen)
• On Personalizing No-Spend Rules:
  • “It’s not so much about having an absolute rule. It’s how are the rules right for you?” (10:13, Gretchen)
• On Makeshift Pride:
  • Elizabeth’s mask-turned-hair-tie moment: “I was so proud. I, like, presented it to Adam.” (24:04, Elizabeth)

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Important Segment Timestamps

• No-Spend February Main Segment: 04:43–17:06
• Happiness Hack – “Grand Plié”: 20:13–21:29
• Know Yourself Better – Makeshift Solutions: 21:38–27:41
• Listener Stories (“I could do this better myself”): 01:00–04:30
• Advice from Sarah Fain: 14:27–15:52

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Tone and Language

The tone is warm, humorous, relatable, and thoughtful, balancing lighthearted exchanges with deeper habit and happiness insights. Both Gretchen and Elizabeth are candid about their quirks, challenges, and small victories—always encouraging listeners to reflect and “do what works for you.”

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Final Reflection

This engaging episode uses “No-Spend February” as a springboard to discuss mindfulness, values, and self-awareness in financial decisions and everyday life. With practical advice, lively anecdotes, and genuine curiosity, Gretchen and Elizabeth make the challenge of saying “no” to spending—and “yes” to reflection—accessible and inspiring for all.

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For more info and listener resources, visit: happiercast.com/571 Contact: [e-mail]

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Books referenced:

• “Half His Age” by Jeanette McCurdy
• “What We Lose and Gain from Midlife Splits” by Jocelyn Elise Crowley

Next steps: Try out No-Spend February, share your discoveries, and join the conversation!

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Transcript

[Elizabeth Craft]

Happier is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Fiscally responsible financial geniuses, Monetary magicians. These are things people say about drivers who switch their car insurance to Progressive.

[Gretchen Rubin]

And save hundreds because Progressive offers discounts for paying in full, owning a home and more. Plus, you can count on their great customer service to help you when you need it. So your dollar goes a long way. Visit progressive.com to see if you could save on car insurance, Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states or situations.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Lemonada.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Hello and welcome to Happier, a podcast where we talk about strategies and suggestions for making our lives happier. This week we'll talk about why it's helpful to do a no Spend February and listeners share a nicer term to replace the word squats. I'm Gretchen Rubin, a writer who studies happiness, good habits, secrets of adulthood, human nature. I'm in my little home office in New York City and joining me today from Los Angeles is my sister, Elizabeth Craft. And Elizabeth, we are gearing up to not spend in the next month.

[Elizabeth Craft]

That's me, Elizabeth Craft, a TV writer and producer living in la. And yes, Gretch, if you want anything, you have to buy it now.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Yeah, go on. Is free. Not in the spirit of no Spend February, certainly, but before we jump in, we got a few updates. In a previous episode we talked about noticing when we have the thought I could do this task better myself and using that realization as a prompt to take action. And we got some interesting examples from listeners of when they had that thought and what they did.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yeah, Jenny said, I loved your segment on I could do this task better myself and wanted to comment on it. That is the exact thought I had when I decided to change careers. I had been working as a customer support manager at a tech company, which meant I had to put out fires whenever there was a bug in the software that would cause user issues. I looked at what our software engineers were doing and thought, I really think I could do this better. So I went back to school, got a master's degree in computer science, and I have been working as a software engineer ever since. It turned out to be a great fit.

[Gretchen Rubin]

What a great example. I love that. Yes, and Debbie said. More than a year ago, I participated in a historical walking tour of the main historical area in my hometown. While the tour guide was pleasant and seemed to know basic things, I left feeling disappointed about all the interesting stories and cultural references she omitted. I thought to myself, I could do a better job. So I contacted the museum offering the tour and inquired about volunteering at that time, there were no trainings being offered, so I let it go. Not long after that, however, I received an email from the State Museum of History seeking volunteers in many areas and one was for Docent's guiding walking tours of the historical city center Serendipity. So, long story short, I began the extensive training this past spring and have only to complete my graduation tour to begin leading tours on my own. Even though this docent opportunity is not as convenient geographically, I have learned so much and I am thrilled to be spending time sharing my love of my state with people from all over the world who visit here. I'm so glad I thought I could do it better. Love that.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yes. That is awesome.

[Gretchen Rubin]

You know, my one word theme for 2026 is neighbor. And I've been casting about trying to figure out what the visual symbol is for neighbor. Like, is it a welcome mat, but then that's a doormat. Is it a Cardigan? Because that's Mr. Rogers. Is it a cup of sugar? What is it? And Kelsey suggest the pineapple. She said the pineapple is often associated with warmth, welcome and hospitality. I love that idea. I love the idea of the warm welcome. I love even the word pineapple. But what I found out is that there is this myth that when returning sea captains came home, they would display a pineapple to show that they were home and receiving collars. And that turns out to be a myth. But it is a very popular symbol for hospitality and welcome.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yes, I noticed it's often in hotels they have pineapples in and the beds will be carved pineapples and things like that.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Is that right? You know, I have never noticed that. Okay, well, see, this is the fun of a visual symbol is now I'll start seeing how is it incorporated as a symbol of welcome. Oh, that's really fun. So now I have to find some kind of necklace or T shirt or mug or. I feel like that's going to be easier than something like a cardigan.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yes, definitely. The Mr. Rogers cardigan.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Yes. So thank you, Kelsey, for that idea. And this week, our try this at home suggestion is to consider no spend February. Now, we did this once before. It was super useful. Before we launched in, of course, we both realized that we are extraordinarily fortunate to be able to have the financial comfort to be able to choose not to spend in this way. So we do not take that for granted. But when we did this a few years ago, we found it very helpful and we thought we should try it again.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yes, it's helpful to Just look at what you do spend money on and question whether or not you need to.

[Gretchen Rubin]

So we found that it helped with revealing our spending habits and behaviors. Elizabeth, you and I both think of ourselves as underbuyers, and in some ways we are underbuyers. But I think that we discovered, oh, we buy plenty.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yes.

[Gretchen Rubin]

We're not under buying as much as we thought. So that was one thing we learned.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Exactly.

[Gretchen Rubin]

I think for a lot of people, and us included, this can be a good reset of habits. Sometimes you're just in the habit of hitting one click, or you're in the habit of looking up ads that then end up making you want to buy. So it's good to cut those habits off. And so then you can sort of decide whether you want to resume a behavior or maybe you want to try to thwart it in some way.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yes. And then appreciation. It helps us appreciate what we have and that we can spend. As you were saying, we do not.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Spend February because we just need a little bit of time into the year before we do it. A lot of people pick January because coming off the holidays, you sort of. I think often people feel like, whoa, I spent too much. This is a good time to cut back. But one thing a lot of people talk about is buying beauty products. And one of the things is, if you really look around your house and your bathrooms, I think many people would find they have more shampoo, they have more hand lotion, they have more soap than they think that stuff can really accumulate. Or, like, kitchen stuff. Sometimes you think, oh, we need this thing in our kitchen. I mean, I remember sending a text to our whole family, and I'm like, please, whatever you do, do not buy a thing of nutmeg. We have four bottles of nutmeg. You do not need that much nutmeg. We'll never use that much nutmeg. Please look before you buy and see if we have something. And so no spend makes you realize, let's appreciate what we already have and use up what we have.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yes. It's such a good feeling when you use up something you have. And then, Gretch, it's also just a financial reset.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Well, if you're not spending, you can save it, you can invest it, and that can help us decide what is truly essential, what are our values and what do we want to be spending money on? Giving a pause to that can be very illuminating. Okay, so listen, we're going to do this, and we have to figure out what are our ground rules. Because if we want to really do this, we have to know what counts as spending and what's acceptable spending, because obviously we're going to spend something. You're going to buy gas. That's just going to happen. So what do we consider to be off limits?

[Elizabeth Craft]

So off limits? I mean, for me, my big thing, Gretchen, to be off limits is food delivery.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Okay.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Having food delivery, because it is such an expense in my household. And it is the thing that when you say, like the habit reset, that's the habit reset I need more than any other.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Okay, so would you buy a prepared meal at a grocery store? Does that count?

[Elizabeth Craft]

I would do that, yes. Okay, so anything at a grocery store, I think I would buy. I mean, not things like sushi platter trays or. Yeah, exactly.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Right.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Food at a grocery store I will buy.

[Gretchen Rubin]

So you. If you bought a container of soup or you got a tray of brisket or something like that, that was prepared. Okay, so if it's at a grocery store, then that's okay. What do you think about if you're eating out with friends versus just eating out?

[Elizabeth Craft]

Eating out with friends, because I'm trying to connect more with people. So eating out with friends is okay?

[Gretchen Rubin]

Yes, I think so, too. I think along the same lines, gifts. Gifts are an acceptable thing. If somebody has a new. A new apartment and you want to buy a housewarming gift or something like that that you could do. Groceries, utilities, bills, essential transportation, all those things. Now, here's an exception that I made, Elizabeth, and tell me if you think that this is cheating too much or not cheating too much, but interpreting the rules too loosely, shall we say? Okay, so you know that One of my 26 for 26 things is ticket 26, where I want to buy tickets to 26 things in 2026. Now, I say buy tickets, but there's a lot of things in New York City you don't have to buy a ticket to. You could just go to. I feel like even if I do need to buy a ticket to something, I want to include that as something that I can do, partly because if I'm going to get up to 26, I really want to be able to use February. And also I do feel like this is a high value that I identified. It's serving the value of culture and showing up and going to things in real life and also supporting artists, writers, people who are offering classes. That's a way that I do want to be spending money. And so I feel like it's in this special category of as part of the 26 for 26 initiative. Do you think that that is an acceptable way of thinking about it?

[Elizabeth Craft]

Well, absolutely, because this is what's useful for you. We always say, do what works for you. So someone's no spend. February might not include tickets and others will. So I think it's fine, right, if.

[Gretchen Rubin]

One person felt like, oh, I just go to concerts all the time.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Exactly.

[Gretchen Rubin]

I don't know anybody who's like, oh, I go to concerts all the time, or, oh, my gosh, I go to theater every single night. And that seems very admirable. But the larger point is it's not so much about having an absolute rule. It's how are the rules, right. For you? Like, what do you feel like you're spending money on too much or too casually or thoughtlessly or maybe in a way that is not even the way you wish you were spending your money? Or what is the way where it's really intentional and purposeful? Well, so along the same lines, Elizabeth, I think a lot of people might say, like, well, if I wanted to buy a book, I would allow myself to buy a book, but I have to say, no, do not buy a book for a month. Because that's a place where I really do kind of. Of course, as a writer, I think it's great when people buy books. So I don't think that that's a wrong way to spend money, but I do feel like this is a month where I can really lean deeper into the library and make a list. And then maybe I would make different choice if I didn't decide day to day what I felt like buying. Whereas for somebody else, they might say, like, no, books are okay. I feel like I can buy as many books as I want.

[Elizabeth Craft]

No clothes, which seems like an obvious one. Now, the funny thing about this, Gretch, is I really don't buy clothes very often, but I do spend a lot of time looking at clothes online and looking at sales. So to me, the knowledge that I'm not going to buy anything will keep me from just spending an hour checking out different sales and will give me more time to do other things.

[Gretchen Rubin]

I just think this is so curious aspect of your nature. This is surprising to me because you've reported this for years, that you do spend a lot of time, like, checking sales, but you don't actually buy that much clothes. And I know that.

[Elizabeth Craft]

I think it's not uncommon. I think a lot of people spend a lot of time looking and then don't buy and put things in the cart, but don't buy.

[Gretchen Rubin]

No, that is true. And that is something that's interesting. That research shows that a lot of people, when they look at why people don't check out from their carts, a lot of people never intended to check out from their carts. They're sort of doing it as a hobby. And I get that desire to curate or to pick or to say, like, ooh, this is what I would get if Price were no object, or whatever. But do you foresee that you will gain a lot of time? Do you think that will be even as much as saving money? You will save time that you could use watching reality tv. Aren't you rewatching a show this year?

[Elizabeth Craft]

Do I remember Mad Men?

[Gretchen Rubin]

Rewatching Mad Men. I mean, how much more fun is that?

[Elizabeth Craft]

I mean, I don't spend an enormous amount of time, but it's enough time that I'm happy to get it back. Right.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Okay. So that's the kind of thing that will be interesting to see. Maybe it's more time than you think. Maybe it's less time than you think. Maybe. I don't know. It's just illuminating. Yeah.

[Elizabeth Craft]

And then no new subscriptions. I think both of us can fall prey to subscriptions. That'll be a good one for me to just say, okay, this month, no new subscriptions, period.

[Gretchen Rubin]

But it's funny because as somebody, you've got a substack. I've got a substack.

[Elizabeth Craft]

I love it when people subscribe.

[Gretchen Rubin]

We're writers. You do tv. Like when people sign up for a streaming service.

[Elizabeth Craft]

But for that reason, Gretchen, I do subscribe to a lot of things because I do value subscriptions. I do think it's good to subscribe.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Yes.

[Elizabeth Craft]

So I already have a lot of subscriptions.

[Gretchen Rubin]

That's true. That's true. You can take a pause for a month, still be supporting a lot of writers and creators, and then come back to it. I think that's right. Exactly. No. And it's just reacquainting yourself with these automatic habits. Okay, so we did this before. And so if you're curious to hear even more conversation about this, we discussed our plan and our experiences in episodes 466. And in 475, we also shared a lot of hacks from listeners about what they observed and what they did for their no spend. And Elizabeth, do you remember this? This was one of the funniest ideas we've ever had. And people responded to it so much. It was a listener who said that every January, she and her husband did Survivor Pantry island, and they would really eat from Their pantry in their freezer and like to try to clear it out. That's such a whimsical way of saying let's eat out all of our hilarious. I know. So fun. So fun. Oh, but Elizabeth, I wanted to ask you. So Sarah Fain, your writing partner and the co host of Happier in Hollywood and the substack and she is an overbuyer for sure.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yeah.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Self proclaimed. And she did a no spend year. Is there anything useful that Sarah learned that you would pass along for people who are thinking of joining us at no Spend February?

[Elizabeth Craft]

One thing that was interesting is she did categories which I think was helpful. Like the category of mugs. She's not gonna buy. The category of T shirts. She's not whatever. She had all these different categories which I think 25 categories which was helpful to her.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Wow.

[Elizabeth Craft]

The thing that she and I sort of reflected on it and what we realized is what she likes to spend money on is experiences. But experiences like in the house. So not like going out to a concert, but a yarn spinner.

[Gretchen Rubin]

No. Sarah loves a hobby bread maker or.

[Elizabeth Craft]

A hemperaffin wax machine.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Yeah. She likes a gadget. She likes a hobby.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yeah.

[Gretchen Rubin]

She likes to kind of experiment.

[Elizabeth Craft]

She likes to learn a new skill or improve something. So I think she's learned to like check with herself does she really want or need this thing in her house before moving forward. So I think she found it really helpful. What she's doing this January is using only cash, which means she can't order things online. And of course it makes you more mindful when you're spending cash versus charging something. So I think that's another interesting challenge.

[Gretchen Rubin]

That's a super interesting challenge. But it's funny because some people say that they actually feel more on the hook when they use credit cards because then there's a record where they feel like if there's cash, there's no accountability. I think that's more rare. I think the pain of cash is more real. But this is a good thing. Like maybe experiment with it and see another person said to me that she had a deal with her brother that if she spent more than $75 on anything, she had to ask him first. Just like not even for his permission, but just kind of in its accountability. So there's funny ways that people do it because the whole point is that the more intentional we are with our actions, the more our lives can reflect our values. And this is one way to try to do that with a really important aspect of life, which is money. So no spend. February starts this week and if you want to join us for a month of paying closer attention to your spending habits, start thinking about it now. It will come along soon. And if you've done this before, what has worked for you? What did you discover? What are your questions? Send it all to [e-mail] you can look on Instagram threads, TikTok, Facebook. As always, the show notes happiercast.com571 this is always super thought provoking, so we're really interested. Hear what everybody learns and experiences.

[Elizabeth Craft]

All right Gretch, Coming up, we've got a happiness hack related to your determination that you want to do squats. 12 squats all the time in 2026. But first, this break.

[Gretchen Rubin]

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[Elizabeth Craft]

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[Gretchen Rubin]

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[Elizabeth Craft]

Happier is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Fiscally responsible financial geniuses, monetary magicians. These are things people say about drivers who switch their car insurance to Progressive and save hundreds.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Because Progressive offers discounts for paying in full, owning a home and more. Plus, you can count on their great customer service to help you when you need it. So your dollar goes a long way. Visit progressive.com to see if you could save on car insurance, Progressive Casual Insurance company and affiliates. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states or situations.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Okay, Gretch, we are back with this week's happiness hack. This one made me smile.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Well, yes, as you said on my 26 for 26 list, I said that I wanted to do 12 squats whenever it occurred to me. So like I'm in the elevator, I'm waiting for my coffee, whatever, just do 12 squats because that's really good exercise. And I commented in passing how much I disliked the word squats. It's like one of the worst words in the world. And Emmy wrote I wanted to offer an alternative to the word squat. Squats are very similar to a ballet exercise, the grand plie. A grand plie in second position is essentially a wide squat. So if you want to be fancy in French or classical and emulate a ballerina, use the term grand plie instead of squat. And I like that so much better. So I'm going to be doing 12 grand plies whenever it occurs to me I will never squat again.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Okay, well, here's my question. Have you been doing it?

[Gretchen Rubin]

I have been doing it. No, it's funny, but it is the kind of thing where it's not paired with anything or tied to anything. So some days I'll do it like three times and some days I'll kind of forget about it. But that's why it's good that it's up on my bulletin board, because I glance at it. But I do do it and I do it sometimes when I've been sitting a long time and my legs get restless. Do you get that? I get really restless and so it feels good to work them. So I have been doing this grand plie. Yes.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Nice.

[Gretchen Rubin]

This is so fancy in French. Thank you, Emmy. And now a know yourself better question. And this is kind of relevant for no spend February.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yeah, Jen says I just wanted to share a potential know yourself better question, which is do you appreciate or enjoy makeshift solutions or not? I personally, as a general rule, do not like makeshift solutions and they often can actually bug me. However, there are people such as my father in law and husband who seem to Love the challenge of thinking of ways to use an object for something other than its intended purpose. For example, my father in law uses his city provided garbage cans for rainwater collection and then brings his garbage over to our house to put it in our garbage cans. To me, this would seem like a huge unnecessary hassle. Why not purchase a rain barrel which will have an easier to use water spout and continue to use the garbage cans as garbage cans? Another example is in a prior episode during COVID you brought up a tip that an ironing board can be used as a standing desk. That may have worked for a short period for me, but I wouldn't be able to stand using that. Long term, even something such as using a packet of printer paper to raise a computer monitor doesn't appeal to me. Just thought I'd share this as I don't recall hearing this topic discussed before.

[Gretchen Rubin]

I think this is so interesting. I know exactly what she's talking about. And just speaking of words that you like and words that you don't like, I love the word makeshift. It's like, how is there a word for that? And what it means is serving as a temporary substitute sufficient for the time being? It's exactly. It's so satisfying to have a word that means makeshift. So what do you think, Elizabeth? How do you feel about the makeshift? I think I know how you feel about the makeshift.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Well, I don't wanna spend time figuring it out. I mean, I'll use my new Zoom setup as an example. Like, for years I have been complaining, struggling, angsting over having a bad background for Zoom, and then I didn't do anything about it. But Adam took it upon himself to create a setup for me that really works, which is basically now a card table in front of my computer. So I flopped my background, but I wouldn't have spent time doing that. But I love using it. Now that he's come up with this makeshift solution, which isn't probably so temporary, I'll probably keep it for years. But Gretchen, I actually had a makeshift solution the other day and I must say, I was so proud. I, like, presented it to Adam.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Oh, what?

[Elizabeth Craft]

I could not find a ponytail holder to save my life. I had no ponytail holders. I was going to Orange Theory. I needed a ponytail holder. So I found an old discarded Covid mask desk in my car and I pulled off the little elastic.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Oh my God.

[Elizabeth Craft]

To go around your ears. I tied them both together. Each one I tied into a loop. And then I used them both as my ponytail holder.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Wow.

[Elizabeth Craft]

And it worked.

[Gretchen Rubin]

That is a totally makeshift solution.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yes. Right.

[Gretchen Rubin]

And you found it very satisfying.

[Elizabeth Craft]

But had I not been desperate, I wouldn't have taken the time to do that.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Okay, can I just say, you better buy some ponytail holders before I spend February. Okay. Okay. Kit you put in your store.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yes.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Well, it's interesting because I do think that one thing that I've noticed about underbuyers, and I think you and I are both typically underbuyers, is that they do tend to accept makeshift solutions sometimes more than is really desirable. I will often use a broken umbrella for a really, really long time. Cause I'm like, well, it kind of works. I don't want to throw it away where you can still kind of use it. I remember, I think I was writing Happier at home and I used and I was writing about underbuyers, and I was saying how I kind of resisted I cle the concept of Kleenex because I was like, just blow your nose in toilet paper. Like, you don't need a specialized product for that. And my editor thought that was so bonkers. She like, literally said, this isn't realistic. Don't put in such a, like, nonsense example. That would. No one would ever do. And I was like, that is from my own life. It took me a long time to make peace with Kleenex. Or like, I don't use conditioner because I'm like, this is like an add on.

[Elizabeth Craft]

See, to me, that's nuts. But I have very coarse hair.

[Gretchen Rubin]

You have very thick hair.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Needs conditioner.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Okay. Seems for me, I guess I was just like, I don't even know what this is for. So, like, what am I doing anyway? Anyway? I don't know if that's makeshift or not. Or maybe that's just a product that I don't need. Or maybe I do need it and I just am not understanding how I need it. But using computer paper to raise your monitor, I do think that over the long term, it can start being very draining to have something that's really not intended for a purpose or really is just a broken or bad substitute for something. It can feel really good to get exactly the right. I think of Elizabeth, like, in the Happier in Hollywood newsletter, you were writing about the ecstasy of the paddle light for you. How having exactly the right tool, you know, beautiful tools, make work a joy. And having that thing that is exactly suited for its purpose, that can be really, really energizing. But as she said, some people get really energizing by rigging up a makeshift solution. Yeah, that is funny, right?

[Elizabeth Craft]

It's like the MacGyver gene. You know, some people love to MacGyver something and others have no interest. And I think it's, if you like to tinker and build and engineer, then you like makeshift solutions.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Yes. And the smugness that comes from, like, I don't have to go out and buy something. The reason why I think this kind of know yourself better distinction is useful is I do think that it lets us have more compassion for other people, less frustration with other people, or maybe more compassion or less frustration with ourselves. Because if you say to somebody like, oh, well, you might be like, like, it's just driving me bonkers that there's all these extra steps that this person is putting themselves through. Like, and just be resentful on their behalf even though they're perfectly happy. If you understand, oh, this is just the way some people are. Or maybe they're really good at that and they think, oh, who are you to like, go out and buy a special garbage can just to collect rainwater? It's like, yeah, because I don't like makeshift solutions. Again, nobody's right, nobody's wrong. It's just we have different perspectives.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yes. So really interesting, interesting question.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Yes.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Thank you.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Thank you.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Okay, Gretch, Coming up, you have an AI demerit. But first, this break. Happier is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Fiscally responsible financial geniuses, monetary magicians. These are things people say about drivers who switch their car insurance to Progressive and save hundreds.

[Gretchen Rubin]

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[Elizabeth Craft]

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[Gretchen Rubin]

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[Elizabeth Craft]

Okay, we're back with demerits and gold stars. And Gretchen, this week, it's your turn for a demerit.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Yes. Okay, so on my 26 for 26 list, and it has been for a couple years, I included the item that I wanted to keep pushing myself to learn and experiment with AI. And if you at all follow the discussions around AI these days, there's a huge amount of emphasis on what's called vibe coding, because Claude came out with a product, Claude code, that. That was really, really good at coding. Startlingly good at coding, even among people who are professionals at it. And they also came out with a product called Claude Cowork, which is coding for people who don't even know how to code at all. And it's just sort of like coding using regular language. I listen to podcasts and read newsletters and everybody says, just get in there and do something, even if you know nothing about coding, just to get a sense of what it can do and to get a sense of what could be possible. And I haven't done it, even though I want to. And this is what I realized list why I think this demerit actually illuminates a larger issue within my life, is that to do that, I need open time where I feel like I have a little bit of mental energy to spare and I can futz around with something and play and be frustrated and create and just do something not very efficiently and just sort of experiment and mess around in a playful way. But I don't feel like I have that time. I just keep feeling like I need to dig out. I need to finish my proposal on Project Empty Nest. I need to type up all my notes for Warren piece I need to do on my photo albums. And by the way, I'm 18 months behind in my photo albums because I realized I never actually did them in 2024. So, okay, lesson learned. So I'm just feeling like I need to dig out. But this is the problem with my life is I always have this feeling like if I could just dig out of everything that I have to do right now, then I will have this open time. That never happens, right? That never happens. I never dig out. I'm always like, oh, it'll be quieter after the summer or after the fall or after the holidays. And it's like, it's never that. If it's important to me, I need to find a way to do it now. And so I'm giving my this demerit to say, like, this is a really important value. This is something that I really think is worthwhile to do. Elizabeth, one of your mantras is step into the future. I want to step into the future and understand what these tools can do, and probably I'll have fun with it. I have an idea for a website that I think would just be fun to do, but I haven't done it because of this feeling of I don't have the mental energy and space to tackle, you know, that fiddly thing where you're like, it's kind of fun, but it's also kind of really frustrating. And it makes you feel smart, but it also makes you feel dumb. And I just feel sort of exhausted even thinking about it. But I know that I do want to do it.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yeah. And we should mention Gretchen, of course. The whole topic of AI is a big, messy topic, but it's not going away. So you and I have both decided that there's no point in not understanding AI because pretending it doesn't exist is not going to make it go away. So we are trying to embrace it.

[Gretchen Rubin]

As opposed to just wish it or even understand it. Even if we choose not to embrace it, it's here and we need to understand it. We want to understand it. But, Elizabeth, take us up. What is your gold star?

[Elizabeth Craft]

Well, Gretch, I am giving a gold star to the concept of roaming through Costco.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Love it.

[Elizabeth Craft]

I've been going a lot more to Costco lately. And as you know, dad loved Costco. It was the only shopping he really enjoyed. We mentioned it.

[Gretchen Rubin]

He would jump to to his feet if you said, we need something from Costco.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yes, so we mentioned. Even in his obituary, the only shopping he enjoyed was Costco.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Yeah.

[Elizabeth Craft]

So what I've noticed I didn't do it. I don't think because of that, but I have noticed that roaming through Costco, I do feel very connected to dad. It's a really nice thing. Yeah. And then on a practical level, I've decided that the more time I just spend roaming Costco, then I really understand Costco, and it becomes much easier to use Costco. And I've just accepted that you can't just run in and get something. It's just better to commit to the process and just enter into Costco and just not have a time frame and just be there.

[Gretchen Rubin]

And what does it mean to learn Costco?

[Elizabeth Craft]

Well, just to learn, like what is where. Although they do move things, which was one of the last things we talked to dad about.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Yes, we said it. Isn't that funny? We did. There was a whole conversation that we had. Oh, that's a happy memory.

[Elizabeth Craft]

But just learning, okay, what seasonally, what do they have? Just learning what's there and what changes, because it does change. So is it worth going back to see if they have something else that you want? Anyway, I've been enjoying it. It's a new hobby and it's nice. Because of dad.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Well, it's interesting because when I was writing Life in Five Senses, you know how I said, okay, I decided I was going to go to the Metropolitan Museum every day. And I still do because I love what I found is that's kind of an impulse that a lot of people have, which is to go to the same place every day and check it out. And a guy said to me, oh, I always, there's like a big chain drugstore and I go there just to see what's going on. And I was like, there's so much happening in a big chain drugstore. It would be interesting to see how it changed over time. And same thing with Costco, I'm sure. It's like the seasonal displays and what's the logic behind what they do and what they put on sale. And it would be interesting just to really pay attention.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yes. Not that I'm going to Costco every day, mind you, but I am settling in.

[Gretchen Rubin]

You could treat it as something to be interested in rather than something to rush through.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Exactly.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Well, the resource for this week, if you are listening in real time, Valentine's Day is coming up fast, so get ahead of it. Right now in the Happiness Project collection, there is a sale with 30% off some of my favorite gifts, like the Page A Day Moment of Happiness calendar, which is great if people love quotations or want to start their day with a happy thought. That's one of those calendars where you tear off a page and there's a quotation on it and it's just some little thought provoking idea. There's the Memento Keepsake journal, which is great for people who really want to hang onto memories or really like to keep things organized. You could give it blank or you could fill it with things if you wanted to give it to somebody as a memory. And then there's the don't break the chain Tracker, which a lot of people like, don't break the chain, is a very, very popular form of habit tracking. Elizabeth, I know you like a tracker, and so it's a form of accountability that people really like to keep streaks going. So all that is 30% off if you go to happiercast.com shop. And Elizabeth, what are we reading?

[Elizabeth Craft]

I am reading Half his age by Jeanette McCurdy.

[Gretchen Rubin]

And I am reading Greg Divorce what We Lose and Gain from Midlife Splits by Jocelyn Elise Crowley. And that's it for this episode of Happier. Remember to try this at home. Try, no, spend February. Join us. Let us know what you learned, what you've experienced, what your rules for yourself are. We cannot wait to hear.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Thanks to our executive producer, Chuck Reed and everyone at Lemonada.

[Gretchen Rubin]

And here's the most classic version of the rhyming reminder. If you like the show, tell others you know.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Until next week. I'm Elizabeth Craft.

[Gretchen Rubin]

And I'm Gretchen Rubin. Thanks for joining us. Onward and upward, Elizabeth. I feel like the thing about a card table is a card table is like a makeshift solution that you can plan for. It's like I need to rig something up or I need to have a temporary workspace or I need to set up a bar. I need to have an arts and crafts space. I need to wrap presents. It's a tool for a makeshift solution. So maybe it's not makeshift because it's actually made for that purpose.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yeah. Well, I have to say, one of my secrets of adulthood is that everybody needs to own not one, but two card tables.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Yeah, I'm thinking that I need a square one. I have a rectangular, long rectangular one. I'm thinking I need.

[Elizabeth Craft]

You gotta have two square card tables.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Okay. Okay. I'll get it in March.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yeah.

[Gretchen Rubin]

From the onward. Project.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Happier is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Fiscally responsible financial geniuses, monetary magicians. These are things people say about drivers who switch their car insurance to Progressive and save hundreds of hundreds.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Because Progressive offers discounts for paying in full, owning a home, and more. Plus, you can count on their great customer service to help you when you need it. So your dollar goes a long way. Visit progressive.com to see if you could save on car insurance. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states or situations.