To be free from money you must think about money
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An anonymous commenter posted an important question to my Rich Dad, Poor Dad review yesterday:
But does more money always translate into more happiness? –
No, I am not criticising or complaining about rich people just because I am not rich. But I always prefer better work (or life) than more money. A typical “middle-class” mentality…:)
Yep. Definitely a typical middle class mentality. And that’s how I feel as well.
But there is one problem with this thinking.
We say that we prefer better work or life over money. But because we don’t have the money, we are afraid to make the move that would give us the better life we are dreaming of.
Just because we ignore the power of money we end up not being able to pursue the quality of life we want to have:
- Many people would like to work from home to be closer to their children. They can’t because their employer requires them to be at the office.
- Many people find themselves working in a company that’s OK but doesn’t quite fit their values. They stay because they can’t find a better one.
- Many people would like to retire early, but can’t because there are rules on how old you must be before the government starts paying you your pension.
- Many people would like to travel more, but can’t because there is such a thing as working hours.
What is keeping these people from having the life they deserve is money - or the lack of it.
It’s not the lack of income.
It’s not that they would need to earn more money (although that can help).
The problem is that they don’t know how to think about money.
They, or we, need to learn how to handle money to get security and freedom, and increase our control over our own lives.
Being rich isn’t about fancy cars, big houses and more stuff to brag with. Most likely when you see a new BMW or Audi driving by, you can say that the driver is someone with a decent income and a lot of debt. The real millionaires know that instead of polishing the surface they need to use their money to get security that allows them to make the most of their lives doing things they enjoy and following their values.
Choices.
Becoming financially secure isn’t something that happens overnight. Getting a better paid job won’t get you there. Winning the lottery won’t get you there.
You need to do it yourself, through your every day choices:
Do you really need to have a new car? (Public transportation is much cheaper and saves the environment)
Do you really need to have a golf club membership card? (Taking long walks with your spouse is free and even more rewarding)
Do you really need a TV? (Reading is almost free and educates you much more)
Some questions are harder: Do you really need to buy your apartment or does renting make more sense?
Getting rich means learning how to use your money. It means that you make conscious decisions every day to decide where you put your money. And in return you gain freedom and security. When you know how to use your money so that you don’t run out of it you can afford a lower paying job that you enjoy and more time with your family.
So, I too prefer a good career over money, but I see money as a means for getting to it - not an alternative.
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August 30th, 2007 at 11:03 am
Bang on target, Jarkko…
That is exactly what I think (and wanted to communicate…).
Well, I like your blog for this one (more) reason…you put down things in much better and elaborate way….I definitely need to learn that…
Around 6-7 years ago, I was working in a small company. I didn’t understand quite well then but I was learning and enjoyning everything that I was doing like never before. Being short of staff, we had to do literally everything in a software development life cycle. Well, the salary was not great, but my experience there still remains the best period of my career. Then I switched th job only for the reason that I was getting opportunity to work in a well-known company. I could not stay there for more than 2 years and again switched to another well-know company. Now I have been with this “well-known” company for about 4 years, but I can say that is only for money. The main reason not to find change now is I am afraid of going through the same experience in next new company in probably 6 months. It is a case of “Known devil is better than unknown angel”…
August 30th, 2007 at 8:23 pm
“Known devil is better than unknown angel”
Yep, that’s the point. Reaching towards an interesting but less secure option is something we quite often don’t do. It’s much easier to stay in the current situation, maybe complain a bit, but then conform.
And the more we start using money (take loans and so on) the more we have to lose - and the more we get stuck to our current positions.
That’s why I think learning to use money (saving, investing…) is so important: it gives us the security that helps us overcome the fear we have for teh unknown angel.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:57 am
reading through richdad 1 and 2 has openned up my life to success.i have come to understand that to have more money you have to think money most of all you need to know the financial quadrant you are getting your money from and determine whether it is the right quadrant for your success.thanks to the kiyosaki couple for the great writings…MONEY IS POWER.
andrew jere
lusaka,
zambia
Africa