Skip to main content

Becoming filthy rich isn't hard. Here's how...

That is, if your goal is to become (1) rich in knowledge (2) rich in laughter (3) rich in health (4) rich in family (5) rich in love, and (6) rich in experiences.

Does money buy comfort? Yes. Does it buy security? Yes. Does it buy long-lasting happiness? It could, but that's not always a given. If it were, you wouldn't have wealthy celebrities battling drug and depression problems.

Life is about more than money. Material possessions can only bring us so much happiness.

Nine times out of ten, I get more enjoyment out of learning new things through a great book, compelling documentary, or visit to the museum than I do buying shirts, household appliances, and other stuff I might not even need.

There are so many great things money can't buy. You can't put a price tag on the love shared between friends and family. You can't monetize laughter, especially not the kind that makes tears come out of your eyes. And you certainly can't appraise simple, everyday experiences that make you feel good, like taking a walk around the park or playing fetch with your dog. What's more, you can't really enjoy your money as much as you'd like if you're in poor health, even though the money comes in handy when it comes to those medical bills.

To be honest, I don't think I would want to be a millionaire or billionaire. I'd feel like my whole life would be defined by my bank account rather than the things in life that really matter -- my passions, my career aspirations, my intelligence. And you know how it goes: people look at you differently -- often with an envious eye -- when you have deep pockets.

As long as I have enough to pay my bills and some money saved up in the event of an emergency, I'm good to go. Living within (or below) my means ensures I won't be knee-deep in credit card debt. And as I alluded to earlier, I'm the farthest thing from a materialistic guy.

To me, money invested on a vacation is money well spent. Why? Because studies show that people derive more value from experiences than material objects. Usually, we come away with wonderful memories when we vacation, and we can always relive it through pictures, videos, and mementos.

So the next time you hear "being rich," remember that doesn't have to imply money. Some of the best things in life are free. Mastercard got it right in its tagline: "There are some things money can't buy. For everything else, there's Mastercard."

Would you want to be financially rich? Or does being rich in terms of knowledge, love, or health mean more to you?
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

No response from someone IS a response

Make no mistake about it: When you don't get a response from someone -- whether they fail to answer your texts or return your phone calls -- it is  still a response, and a powerful one at that. When a person fails to respond, it's a direct reflection of their interest -- or lack thereof -- in the relationship. Few things are more aggravating than having to hound a partner, friend, or relative for some sort of reply after we've reached out to them. Yes, we get busy from time to time, but that doesn't give anyone the right to leave the other person hanging. A terse text with something like "Been busy, will reach out soon" doesn't say much, but at least it shows some effort to bring the other person up to speed on why they've fallen off the radar. Failing to provide a response for weeks -- if not months -- communicates that you are just not a priority, and that you'll have to wait your turn to get this individual's attention. This is n...
6 comments
Read more

Do you have Isolophilia? Find out...

You're probably asking yourself, "What in the world does Isolophilia mean?" It sounds like it would be something negative, doesn't it?  After all, words that end in "philia" (e.g., pedophilia) tend to involve things we want nothing to do with. But Isolophilia isn't something all people deplore. In fact, introverts like me welcome it. Put simply, Isolophilia is defined as having a strong affinity for solitude. It describes a person who relishes being alone. While extroverts can only take so much solitude, we introverts find that it rejuvenates us. In order to recharge our batteries, we need to retreat to a quiet environment where we we're left alone to rest and/or gather our thoughts. Extroverts, on the other hand, become bored and drained when they're alone for a lengthy period of time. Social interaction is the fuel that drives them. So while an extrovert would probably do anything to avoid feelings of Isolophilia in most cases, an...
6 comments
Read more

This will spell the end of your relationship

When asked to think about the most common culprits for a relationship's going south, most people will point to cheating, complacency, and taking one's partner for granted. While these are all valid -- and documented in various posts on this blog -- there are certain habits on the part of partners that may not kill the relationship right away, but cause it to erode more gradually.  Among the most egregious of these is expecting your significant other to be perfect. They pick at your follies any chance they get. Nothing you do is ever good enough. In fact, you will never measure up to an ex, neighbor, or accomplished co-worker.  Perhaps this all sounds a bit familiar.  When you feel as though you're constantly being put under the microscope, it can inflict lasting damage on the relationship and your self-esteem. You're walking on eggshells all the time, praying you don't say or do something that's going to trigger your partner. This is no way to live, let alone ca...
Post a Comment
Read more