This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
The endless pursuit of money
Some people are lucky enough to engage in fun work and get paid to do it. But many people work because they have to or can’t stop because they don’t believe they have enough.
So, a second question to ask yourself is: What is enough for you to feel satisfaction, stability, and security?
Some people will give an arbitrary response, but if they were to hit that number, they would still feel that gnawing emotion of never having enough.
You can relate to this concept if you grew up in a financially struggling family. You know and understand that earning good money is not entirely the solution to helping you feel financially secure; it’s a psychological situation.
“We surveyed 1,000 rich people in the US – those who make at least $175,000 a year, roughly the amount required to crack the top 10% of tax filers – and a significant portion feel like they don’t have enough” (Bloomberg, 2023).
Inflation is another common reason people feel they need more and must continually prioritize acquiring wealth. With escalating prices for education, gas, groceries, housing, transportation, and taxes, it’s no wonder people who earn six figures feel as if they’re still “just hanging in there.” But for people earning six figures with limited debt and significant savings for years, why do they still feel they don’t have enough?
Money is a complicated tool. Most people pursue, want, and need it in some form. But money is also an endless pursuit if you’re not careful. You can take money to your grave, but you’ll be dead, so you won’t be able to use it.
Most people go to their graves in debt without any wealth built, but those who amass wealth during their time frequently leave the world with money in their bank accounts. Dying with large amounts of money in your bank account is not a productive goal – especially if you lost time, relationships, and experiences in exchange for that money.
As I was chatting with someone society would consider wealthy, I wondered what is enough for them. They have such ambitious goals, but why? What do they hope to do with all that money? They didn’t have any specific mentions. They merely wanted to amass great wealth continually. I understand there are thresholds and barriers that some people want to break, but once again, to what end?
Summary
Money is merely a tool. If you misuse it, it will use you until you die. You will chase it all your life without ever experiencing satisfaction. Ask yourself these four questions to ensure you intentionally acquire wealth without sacrificing yourself and your time in the process:
What is your monetary goal?
Why is this your monetary goal?
What do you hope to accomplish with this monetary goal?
Do you feel this goal is enough for you?
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This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.