by Heather Joseph

People are always looking for ways to stretch their dollar. We clip coupons; we scour the pages for the lowest prices on an item; we bargain hunt. Well, here is something cost effective, often free, that we can do every day. It is one of the first things we learn and practice it throughout our life. That is to stop and simply say “Thank you.” In the rush and hustle of everyday life, a thank you can make you slow down (momentarily) and realize your surroundings.

Now, it’s not about stopping and going into an Academy Awards thank-you speech every time someone holds the door, moves in on the subway or volunteers for a few hours — it’s looking them in the eye with a smile and saying, “Thank you.” At the heart of it is an acknowledgment that someone took time out to focus on someone other than themselves.

Whether it’s by sending a card, an email or throwing a party, look at the person’s reaction. Look how their face brightens up and they feel appreciated. Working with volunteers, I find saying thank you one of my favorite parts of the job. When I see how much saying a single word — “Thanks” — can make them want to help out again, it makes me want to say it 100 times over and over.

Thank yous are easy. Thank yous make someone else feel good. Thank yous are cheap and, in these tough economic times, who isn’t looking for a good bargain?