Spending Money Hurts. Achieving Money Freedom is Hard. Worry Less.
Don’t die of worry about it.
Weeks ago I went to the bakery without a cent. My money slipped out of my pocket on the way. So I ran back home.
To my surprise, the bills were still on the sidewalk. I was happy when I picked up the $100 back. I felt richer than before.
This is exactly how I felt when I found a $100 bill in my old piggy bank while cleaning. I forgot about that bill for about 3 months.
I experience these surprises not only with money.
I lower my expectations of any goal.
Everybody wants to be a millionaire. Everybody wants financial freedom. Everybody wants to retire early.
And guess what?
Most will have to work two jobs to pay the bills. Most will work in the system and retire with traditional pensions.
It can take a decade to become a millionaire with your business. It doesn’t matter if it is an internet business.
When I see this data, I lower my expectations. I am happy now. I worry less about money.
After all, happiness = reality — expectations.
Because earning is relative.
That is why the third-place winners in any championship also radiate more satisfaction than the second-place winners. While the silver medalist lost his victory, the bronze winner is almost on the podium. He knows how stupid it would be to be fourth.
We get more upset when something becomes ten percent more expensive. When something becomes ten percent cheaper, it doesn’t have much effect on our happiness either.
Ten percent more salary is no big deal. But a ten percent cut bothers us until retirement and beyond.
But how much do we value what we own?
Let’s think for a moment about our debit cards, ID cards, cell phones, and keys that we don’t lose today.
Do we thank them every day? Of course, we don’t. We are not crazy.
We also learn to appreciate things when we lose them temporarily or intentionally go without them for a while.
I use this effect all the time.
For example, I go camping because then I am happy with bed, food, and privacy again. To me, this is like putting your head back.
You reduce luxury to a minimum and at home, you feel in paradise again.
But let’s put these material things aside for a moment and think about the opportunities we have now.
We should also always remember the incredible luxury in which we live.
I, for example, have a job that I love to do. I live a semi-retired life. I give less importance to the stock market.
Worrying about how much money you have spent is useless.
I do what I love. I love what I do. And I do what I have to do.
This article is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered Financial or Legal Advice. Not all information will be accurate. Consult a financial professional before making any major financial decisions.