Money Has No Value

One of the first things we do here is set a goal, write it down and share it. I'm big on goals and objectives because if you don't know what you're aiming at, it's pretty hard to hit the target. Most of us set goals of earning extra income of $xx per month or something similar and this fits within a wider objective of retiring early, firing the boss, working from home etc. I'd question whether this is really a worthwhile goal and a motivating objective that will sustain us through the hard work required.

The title of this blog is Money Has No Value which is a confronting statement because obviously it has. What I mean is that money has no value OF ITSELF. It's only worth what it can do for you and yours. Earning more money is not a primary objective but an enabler for the changes it can bring and the options for the better lifestyle it affords.

Two Brokers in a Bar

Sounds like the start of a bad joke right? But I literally got talking to two stock brokers in a bar while living in New York. I was seconded to the UN at the time and was frankly struggling a

little financially as I was living on my New Zealand salary which is well below New York or even US levels. So I'm talking to these two guys who, if you believe the stories, were earning more in a week than I was in a year. I asked them what they were going to do with all that income and their growing "portfolio of wealth". I got blank stares as an initial reaction. After a bit, they agreed that what they were going to do was make more money and just keep going. They asked me what I was going to do and I talked about travel, sailing, spending more time with my family and retiring early. So I ask you, who was the more wealthy?

Your Real Why?

If you are going to succeed in pretty much anything it's going to take some hard work. So I'd suggest that we concentrate on the things that are really important to us then figure out what we need to achieve them - and money is probably going to be one of those things.

At some level, at least for me, the following are my real objectives and most relate to having a better, more enjoyable lifestyle.

• Time freedom - not being chained to a job and being required to be "at work"
• Options - having the ability to choose what you want to do and when
• Health and Wellness - not much use being wealthy if you're too stressed, sick or just plan grumpy to enjoy it
• Pride and Self-Respect - having a sense of self-worth and being proud of what you've achieved

Living the Dream

People often joke about "living the dream" but what does this mean? I can't answer for you but

I'd encourage you to set some goals that reflect the benefits or improvements that you want. They might include:

• financial freedom so that your routine bills are sorted
• being able to help parents, children and friends if they need it
• being mortgage free in a home you like
• having the ability to travel where and when you want
• having the time to attend kids school activities during the week
• being able to order a fancy bottle of wine in a great restaurant
• walking into a shop knowing that if you see something you like you can buy it
• being able to do something nice for those you like
• having the option to pursue hobbies and community interests

But What About the Money?

Despite my thoughts above, one of the key enablers of achieving your lifestyle objectives is having sufficient income, preferably passive, so you can afford it. There's an old saying that money can'y buy happiness. I'd add on that while that's true, at least if you have it you can be unhappy in comfort. Getting rid of money worries and having "enough" is important but only as a means to achieving what you really want.

Fortunately, the training and systems here at Wealthy Affiliates provide a great means of generating that income. So the question then becomes when is enough enough? Again that's your call and the answer may be as simple as replacing your current salary or family income with a passive or work from home income stream.

There's no right answer. It's whatever will make you happy. So have a think about what you really want then go out and get it.