This week’s edition has everything: surprise graduations, shark rescues, a cosmic photo contest that’ll make you stare at the sky, and a budget tip so simple it might actually work (looking at you, daily coffee).

So, let’s jump right in for some good news👇

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Quick Lifts ❤️

Feel good stories from Happilynews.com guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Grandad Who Beat Cancer to Meet Newborn Son Breaks Down When He Discovers He’s Named After Him

He was told he wouldn’t live to see grandchildren — then came the ultimate surprise

Bullied Boy Gets Ultimate Surprise as Sister Picks Him Up in Limo

She wanted to lift her brother’s spirits — and silence the bullies in one bold move

How This Mom’s Mobile Laundry Startup Went From $44 to Thousands Each Month

Skye Phillips turned everyday laundry woes into a booming remote laundry business—now she's sharing how others can follow

Happy Headlines 📰

It’s not all doom and gloom out there. Here’s some positive news items from publications around the world.

📉 Child mortality rates drop

🐥 Kids line school halls to help resident mama duck & her babies get out

🦸‍♂ Window washers dressed as superheroes surprise patients at hospital

🦈 Woman rescues shark entangled in fishing line with her bare hands

🎓 107-year-old WWII army veteran receives honorary high school diploma

🍪 ‘Sesame Street’ saved, inks new streaming deal with Netflix

🚨 Violent crime is falling rapidly across America

🧬 Baby is healed with world’s first personalized gene-editing treatment

🧗‍♂️ Hiker missing for weeks in California's Sierra Nevada mountains found alive in snow-covered cabin

👔 Dry cleaner gives away his services to unemployed folks headed to job interviews

🙏 Can we ask a favor?

We love putting Smileworthy together for you each week. But we need your help to spread it even further. If every Smileworthy reader shared this email with just one friend who could use a lift, we could seriously multiply the smiles!

Your share helps our happy community grow and keeps the good news coming.

Smileworthy Snapshots 📸 

A unique, sometimes quirky, but always eye-catching photo feature each week.

This week’s snapshot is literally out of this world, because when the Milky Way is the backdrop, you know it’s going to be breathtaking.

The winners of the 2025 Milky Way Photographer of the Year contest have been revealed, and every shot is pure cosmic magic. From glittering mountain skylines to celestial reflections on still lakes, this year’s entries capture the awe-inspiring beauty of our galaxy as it arcs across night skies around the globe.

Organized by Capture the Atlas, the contest is now in its seventh year and highlights the work of photographers who specialize in astrophotography. What sets these images apart? It’s not just technical mastery – it’s timing, patience, and finding the perfect corner of Earth.

This year’s 25 winning images span locations from Bolivia to Norway, New Zealand to Japan. Standouts include a galactic arc glowing above an active volcano, and a sunset-drenched shot taken in California.

Whether you’re a space nerd, nature lover, or just need a reminder of how big and beautiful the universe really is – this is your sign to look up.

📷 View all the winning entries here: Capture the Atlas 2025 Milky Way Winners

Support our mission to spread positive news worldwide while treating your loved ones (or yourself!) to some positive merch.

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Live Life Happily 😃

Here we share lifestyle, health, home improvement, food & drink and finance tips from experts in their fields on how to live a happier, healthier life.

The ‘One Cup of Coffee’ Budget Rule
A simple mindset shift that could help you save hundreds

We all know that little daily purchases - like that $5 coffee or spontaneous lunchtime takeout—don’t seem like much. But over time? They add up. That’s the idea behind the “One Cup of Coffee” budget rule - a habit-shifting approach that shows how cutting small, everyday expenses can lead to big-time savings.

💸 What It Is

The concept is simple: identify one habitual, discretionary expense (your “cup of coffee”), and cut back or cut it out. Then, intentionally redirect those savings - whether into a rainy-day fund, credit card payment, or a bigger goal like a vacation or new tech gadget.

It’s not just about coffee. It could be a weekly Uber ride you could swap for public transport, a streaming subscription you rarely use, or that mindless scroll through online sales that always ends in “add to cart.” The key is awareness.

According to CNBC Select, just cutting a $5-a-day habit can save you over $1,800 a year - without feeling like you’re sacrificing joy. (Source)

 ✅ The Pros

• Low effort, high impact

• Helps build discipline and intention around spending

• Makes saving feel achievable, not overwhelming

• Can lead to long-term financial security, especially if invested

⚠️ The Cons

• Requires consistency - occasional cuts won’t add up much

• May feel restrictive without clear goals

• Doesn’t apply to essential expenses like rent or utilities

💡 How to Make It Work

• Track one week of “small” spending - you might be surprised where your money’s going

• Choose one expense to cut back on, and set up automatic transfers to savings or investment

• Replace the habit: make coffee at home, prep lunches, or set a "pause before purchase" rule

• Stack your wins - each skipped purchase is a step toward your bigger goal

☀️ Bottom line?

The “One Cup of Coffee” rule isn’t about cutting joy - it’s about reclaiming control. When you become more mindful of those small, unconscious spends, you unlock a surprisingly powerful way to grow your savings and shift your mindset for good.

Want to dig deeper? Check out this article on the psychology behind “latte factor” budgeting:
👉 What’s That Cup of Coffee Really Costing You? – Moneywise Global

And here’s a calculator you can use to figure out your potential savings:

👉 Latte Factor Calculator - Financial Mentor

Before You Go…A Serotonin Booster* 📺

“When I sang to my mom while she was in a coma and she started tapping along…” 💕

@_kolelarsen

3 months ago I thought I was going to lose her…

*Studies show that watching cute, heartwarming videos can boost your mood. So sit back and start your weekend positively!

P.S. Fancy spreading some extra sunshine? ☀️ Your support helps us keep the good vibes flowing and brings these heartwarming stories to life. If you're feeling the Happily spirit, why not buy our team a virtual coffee? ☕ It's like a warm hug for our hearts, and it fuels our mission to share the best of humanity with you. Just click here to show your support! buymeacoffee.com/happily