Money isn't everything
Today I was entering some invoices into Quickbooks when I looked at my year-to-date reports. Revenue is up over 40% since this time last year! That's great for my near term plans (house buying) and for the long term as well (whatever that will bring).
One of the MANY things that has really been driven home in the last year or so is that money does not buy happiness. This includes all those toys that I've bought over the years. Sure they provide some initial fun, but after a while that wears off. These purchases doesn't get rid of my frustrations and anxieties -- that's for damn sure. Of course that doesn't stop me from buying more :)
Having a fancy car, big TV, or every game console under the sun doesn't make me a better person. And I don't want to be judged on what I own, how much money I make, etc. Starting my own business and single-handedly making it what it is today is more impressive than how many dollars it puts in my bank account. The money is a nice benefit and is not what drives me.
It's kind of like what I said about my trip to Disney World a few weeks ago. It's not being there that makes it fun, it's sharing the experience with others that I like the most. Along those lines, it's not having the big TV and home theater system that's important, it's enjoying it with other people that counts.
Unfortunately, enjoying time with others hasn't been easy since I moved to Brentwood -- I haven't actually made any friends out here -- but in three months or so I'll be out of here and back to civilization.
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Years ago Jack Parr made the same observation on the Tonight show. When he had to save for months to get something he really wanted, he was so happy to finally get it. But after he got where he could afford whatever was his whim at the moment, it took all the fun out of owning it, and he lost interest in his new acquisition almost immediately. The most fun car that anyone ever owns is his first car!
Ok a couple of comments.
#1. God, tell me when you are free for a visit! :-)
#2. "Money doesn't buy you happiness, but when money goes away, it takes happiness along with it..."
#3. You said you have up to 40% more money now? I think I like you up to 40% more!
Allright #2 is what I call "bs philosophy" - something that sounds true at first but still wrong. We came up with that one while doing BS philosophising back when I was working at Motorola.
And #3 is just who I am and how I see people. I like you, but if you have money I like you even more. Or maybe that's just California and not me :-)
I don't think that money buys happiness, but I do think that not having to worry about money brings a certain type of happiness to your life. Having money and buying materialistic things is never going to replace being happy with yourself and finding someone to share your life with. But if you are always having to worry about money then it definitely contributes to your unhappiness. And I'm not talking about worrying about being able to buy your toys, but worrying about food and shelter and medicine.
I'm so glad things are going well for you. Yours is my favorite camera site and it is my favorite resource.
Wise conclusions made at a young age. Sure, money is fine. Nothing wrong with it. We all want security and money brings a certain amount of it. However, when it becomes your 'god' is when you've got problems. This life and everything that comes with it is incredibly fleeting. Although we all need 'stuff', don't forget about investing in the thing that can bring greater security, relationships. When your house burns down and all takes all the toys inside with it, who are you going to run to? It's family and friends who will hopefully be there to pick up the pieces. My 2 cents.