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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?
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