Money is the Root of all Happiness

So many people think of money as “evil” or “bad”. I can understand that perception. People have committed some dastardly deeds through time in the name of amassing more wealth. I suggest that the awful things people have done and continue to do for money have little to do with money. Whether you agree or disagree, I’d like you to play along for the remainder of this article. I would like you to think of money as a resource.

Money is like most other resources on this planet. We exchange it for other services or goods. The more we gather, the more we have to trade for things we need and want. Once you have money as a resource, you can start to separate your feelings and emotions from your finances. It is simple math and economics.

You exchange the least amount of money you can to obtain the most of what you need. You allocate any extra money for the following:

• Discretionary spending
• Retirement
• Emergencies

It really is a simple exchange system. Where it get’s confusing is when we spend money we do not have to get things we do not need. Of course there are times when we need to use credit for shelter, food, mobility but we are more likely to use our credit for bigger TV’s, nicer clothes, and bar tabs.

It is our need to keep up with the “Joneses” that has led us to make poor choices with our resources. We think we need more, better at the expense of our retirement or our financial peace of mind. This is more prevalent in our culture than possibly anywhere else in the world. We are known for abusing resources, for being wasteful gluttons, and still, once we see the error in our ways, we are quite adept at reversing our course.

Now is the time for you to consider reversing your financial course. Begin to use your resources wisely. Say no to discretionary spending that requires the use of credit. Buy only what you can afford. The cost of struggling with debt and no cashflow is a steep one. Many of us have experienced the stress and pain of empty pockets and piles of bills.

Smile, relax, it’s going to be ok. It is simple math and economics. Increase your resources, decrease your expenditures, and time will reward you with financial peace of mind.

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