Can money buy happiness?
Yours—or a close friend or loved one? Most think so, especially the young
and those who have received lump sums that usually come as gifts or through
inheritances. Truth be told, it doesn't last long for many. It's easy to
say, "If I only had more income (savings, investments, real estate, etc.), I
would be more happy (comfortable, satisfied, joyful, generous, etc.)."
Really? Let's find out.
Your Money
Attitude
Read the
columns below. Circle or underline all the words that most sound like where
you are or how you feel today.
Money $marts
Attitude Scale
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
|
Unhappy |
Unproductive |
Steady |
Happy |
Joyful |
|
Insecure |
Barely
Coping |
Average |
Tension Free |
Accomplished |
| Angry |
Not
good enough |
Ordinary |
Aspiring |
Acknowledged |
|
Lonely |
Not
having enough |
OK |
Secure |
Valued |
| Need
Love |
Improving |
Accepted |
Fun |
Powerful |
|
Inhibited |
Searching |
Satisfied |
Pleased |
Confident |
|
Unfinished |
Making
do |
Common |
Peaceful |
Exhilarated |
|
Uncomfortable |
Struggling |
Worthy |
Competent |
Blissful |
|
Disappointed |
Need
assurance |
Likable |
Prepared |
Excited |
|
Fatigued |
Tense |
Agreeable |
Capable |
Passionate |
| Low
self-esteem |
Relationships |
Relationship |
Productive |
Making
a difference |
| |
need
improving |
OK |
|
|
|
Source:
The Briles Group, Inc. 1995 |
Now, how
much income do you have per month— $0 to $1000, $1001 to $2000, $2001 to
$3000, $3001 to $4000 or over $4000? If you compared your income and column
number with a hundred, even a thousand other people, the result may surprise
you. In real life, most people, no matter how much they make, will be to
the left of the "Average/Normal" column #3! Are you?
If you are
like most, average, it does not mean, "Why bother?" As in, "Why bother to
learn or do anything about money if it doesn't impact your comfort level?"
Instead, it means there is more to money; money is just a means, not an end
in itself. Money $marts is about creating and using money, not
loving it. Money can conceive the security and freedom your family
desires to pursue its values and plan for the future. How it grows is up
to you. Your money future is the palette from which you choose to paint—as
brilliant and diverse or as simple and neutral as you want.
Think of
money as a tool. If used and cared for, you have almost unlimited years of
service. If neglected or ignored, it rusts and rots away. You are the key
ingredient in your money tool kit. How?—by becoming astute as to what makes
and what does not make good money smarts. Savings; investing; credit;
housing; retirement planning; getting good, solid advice along the way; and
everything in between, are all factors in enhancing your money confidence.
Without them, you are hampered in your quest to get control of your family
finances. The tools you put together will be your magic carpet to financial
self-reliance.
Below, write
about how you would like finances to be—think in 5- to 10-year periods.
I want my money
palette to look like:
|
________________________________________________________________________________ |
|
________________________________________________________________________________ |
|
________________________________________________________________________________ |
|
________________________________________________________________________________ |
How
important is money to you? How much do you think you need? Write a few
sentences about the importance of money to you, and your family, if
appropriate. List what you would be willing to give up, as well as what you
would not be willing to give up to have “enough” money.
I really don’t
need:
|
________________________________________________________________________________ |
|
________________________________________________________________________________ |
|
________________________________________________________________________________ |
|
________________________________________________________________________________ |
Not Give Up:
|
________________________________________________________________________________ |
|
________________________________________________________________________________ |
|
________________________________________________________________________________ |
|
________________________________________________________________________________ |
One of the most critical
things to do in getting your money act together is to really understand what
you NEED versus what you WANT.
# # #
© 2001-2005 The Briles Group, Inc. All
Rights Reserved.
Dr. Judith Briles is a Denver based award winning author, keynote speaker
and consultant. Her books, The Confidence Factor, Woman to Woman 2000:
Becoming Sabotage Savvy in the New Millennium, Money Smarts and
Zapping Conflict in the Workplace have all won business awards. Dr.
Briles website is www.Briles.com
and blog at
http://DrJBriles.blogspot.com. She can be reached at 800-594-0800
or e-mailed at Judith@Briles.com.
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