Okay, serious question—what’s your relationship with money?
The only thing uglier than the spirit of greed is the spirit of envy. Both guarantee problems with money. If there’s one thing I’m certain of, it’s this: I’m not after the money, I’m after the freedom that comes with having money. These are two very different goals.
Money is a Tool
After working with so many extraordinary individuals and business owners, I have learned that the rich want money, but the wealthy want time. Time is your most valuable asset. You see, so many people forget that the goal isn’t money; the goal is to spend your days as you wish.
Most of us view our spending in terms of dollars spent. What if instead, you viewed your spending in terms of hours worked? I’d bet that you would start to rethink your frivolous spending and consider what is the highest and best use of your money. Seeing money at this rate will develop a good relationship with money.
Here’s a real-life example to illustrate this concept:
Scenario:
- You are considering buying a new car that costs $30,000.
- You work an average of 8 hours a day, and your hourly wage is $25.
Dollars Spent:
- Cost of the Car: $30,000
Hours Worked Perspective:
- Hourly Wage: $25
- Cost of Car in Hours Worked: $30,000 ÷ $25 hourly wage = 1,200 hours
When viewed in terms of dollars, $30,000 for a new car might seem justifiable if it’s within your budget. However, when you reframe it in terms of hours worked, you realize that this purchase will cost you 1,200 hours of work.
The Real Goal
Money is not the goal. Money has no value. The value comes from the dream’s money helps achieve. Money can’t buy happiness, but it does buy cars, real estate, stocks, vacations, donations, and more.
I’m not building wealth to buy nice cars, designer clothes, or a fancy watch. I’m building wealth so that I can buy the freedom to do whatever I want, whenever I want. I’m doing it so if there comes a time where I need to write a check, I can do it for my family. Being financially free and genuinely happy about your relationship with money and life is the ultimate goal.
More Important Than Money
There are so many things in this world that are more important than money. So, get money so you can focus on them. Don’t be obsessed with money. Be obsessed with the freedom that money can bring you.
Normalize Talking About Money
We need to normalize talking about money. Often times this topic is the elephant in the room but, talk about your salary. Talk about negotiating. Talk about your gross and your net income. Talk about taxes. Talk about pricing. Talk about saving for retirement. Talk about money wins and failures. Choose people you trust and talk.
Conclusion
Money is a means to an end, not the end itself. Strive for financial freedom so you can live the life you desire. Remember, the ultimate goal is not to be rich but to be wealthy with time, freedom, fulfillment, love and happiness. So, let’s start talking about money openly and honestly. It’s the first step towards achieving true financial freedom. We hope this helps you grow a beautiful image of your relationship with money.
