Do you lust after a ton of money in your bank account? How about a big house in an expensive hood? What would make you happy and how would you know you found it?
Yes, we're all different and our wants, needs and lifestyles are constantly changing. Someone once told me that most of us don't want much, we just want more than our neighbour has. That is a messed up thought.
When I do reflect back on my work life a semblance of that statement is so true. I mean we all want to get ahead in life and as a measuring stick we tend to look at and listen to what our friends and co-workers possess and tell us they just bought.
If they go on expensive vacations and always drive a new car, then we want to. Anything less and we feel we are falling behind. A lot of people live and to me waste their whole life in debt because of the pursuit of things.
I've talked about debt and how my kids have borrowed more than I ever dreamed of doing during my working life. In spite of my bleating they still inch closer to the ledge with a combination of mortgage, student and credit card debt. Will they really find happiness this way?
My guess is an emphatic NO!
Another wise friend of mine broke life down to me this way;
" We are all born with a full gas tank, as each day drips by so does a little gas from that tank. Eventually we all run out of gas and it can't be replaced. You can't buy anymore gas because you've run out of time."
"Money has no utility for me beyond a certain point." - Bill Gates
The most beautiful things are not associated with money, they are memories and moments.
"Time is more value than money. You can get more money, but you cannot get more time." - Jim Rohn
I never urge my kids to sink their life into a mortgage. What if you lose your job? Buy what appreciates in value and rent or lease what declines in value. Most of our young never think about the worse case scenario. When my marriage failed I was stuck with consumer debt I had to negotiate new terms to handle the monthly payments.
It's OK to own other stuff and not just debt. Have some investments outside of a mortgage and car payment. Invest in some solid companies so you have some assets that will actually grow over time and help balance out your life.
Happiness is more time and having money work for you and not just work for money. It took a lot of pain for me to learn those lessons so get out their and try to buy yourself more time. Your life will be the happier for it.
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