Even the richest among us are feeling the pinch these days. I had to lay off my sous-chef’s sous-chef and direct my chambermaid to lock the expensive bath salts in the safe-deposit box. My kingdom for a sitz bath! But such drastic measures have left me feeling blue, and I know I’m not the only one. Instead of wallowing in our financial depression, here are some things we can do to lift our collective spirits.

  • Draw smiley faces in the zeros on your bank statement
  • Go to the U.S. Mint and hold the brand-new money
  • Think about the less fortunate and how totally screwed they are right now
  • Give a man a fish, you feed him for a week, but teach a man to cook for you and you have a delicious meal
  • Donate your thyme to a soup kitchen
  • Give to the needy: send a check to the U.S. government
  • Get a pet. Studies have shown that spending time around animals trained to rifle through the purses of unsuspecting party guests can net enough petty cash to buy you a few packs of smokes and some snack cakes
  • Instead of focusing on your money problems, think about all the other things in your life that are going south. How’s that sorry love life? What about your failing health? Google your aches and pains. Who cares about money? Existence is a cruel joke and we’re all going to die. Feel better?
  • In the red? Think of it more as “just outside the black”
  • The smell of money is both a mood enhancer and an aphrodisiac. Roll up a Washington and use it as a means to convey drugs from a hard surface to your nasal passages. You’ll feel better in no time!