| Fancy cars, big houses, luxury vacations... no matter | | | | your obsession with money. |
| where you turn, you can see how money influences | | | | Better your education. This is a hard one to tackle. |
| of us. From things we can't have to things someone | | | | Education is not cheap, nor does is guarantee you |
| has more of, it's almost dizzying trying to sort it all | | | | that you will earn more. However, the odds are in |
| out. No matter where we turn our heads, another | | | | your favor to make more money over time. But |
| advertisement draws us in and programs us to want. | | | | making more money is not necessary going to |
| And as we set our course through society, the | | | | compensate for your obsession with money. In fact, |
| confluence of temptation of needs and wants breeds | | | | it may actually exacerbate it. On the other hand, |
| an unhealthy obsession with money. | | | | should you seek education for the purpose of |
| We talk about it at parties, at the office and even at | | | | improving what you do to the point where you |
| home. It becomes a topic that we can not | | | | enjoy your new pursuit, you may find yourself |
| disassociate from. Do you have enough to buy those | | | | focusing less on the monetary distractions of life and |
| new shoes? Will you have enough for retirement? | | | | more on the meaning of how you want to spend |
| Can you afford to go out and have a few beers? | | | | your life. |
| Whether you like to admit it or not, you are | | | | Focus on a goal or hobby. This is along the same lines |
| constantly forced to make decisions that continue to | | | | as described above. Once you take yourself out of |
| feed the fire. You become a hamster on a wheel. | | | | the money equation by focusing your interest or skill |
| To be honest, I don't think we can stop, at least not | | | | on something you enjoy, then you stop focusing on |
| completely. But there are actions we can take to | | | | such distractions. |
| lessen our obsession: | | | | Live in the moment. Living in the moment also stops |
| Be frugal: Getting a hold of your day to day finances | | | | you from obsessing about money. You are not trying |
| can give you the first step to mental stability, as it | | | | to actively solve problems or worry or harp on |
| becomes easier to take a moment to reflect rather | | | | issues. You are just looking at now and appreciating |
| than feeling pressured to react because you are in | | | | the moment. I was just reading an article in |
| the hole. Start to look at living within your means, as | | | | Psychology Today, where they explain by living in the |
| your monthly expenses should never exceed your | | | | moment, you are able to enjoy life as it comes. |
| after tax income. Soon after, execute operation | | | | "Cultivating a nonjudgmental awareness of the |
| "Cheap Living" to harness additional savings in order | | | | present bestows a host of benefits. Mindfulness |
| to pay off credit cards and build an emergency | | | | reduces stress, boosts immune functioning, reduces |
| savings account. The closer we are to being frugal, | | | | chronic pain, lowers blood pressure, and helps patients |
| the more we are able to appreciate what we have. | | | | cope with cancer. By alleviating stress, spending a |
| Have an investment plan with a clear path. Money | | | | few minutes a day actively focusing on living in the |
| obsession often comes from our fear of not having | | | | moment reduces the risk of heart disease" |
| the resources to help us for our retirement. Will we | | | | - The Art of Now: Six Steps to Living in the Moment, |
| be working at Wal-Mart when we are 65 or playing | | | | Psychology Today, Nov/Dec 2008 |
| golf? Statistically speaking, we will be working at | | | | Two Roads Diverge... |
| Wal-Mart. Part of people's obsession also comes from | | | | While following all 5 ideas will help alleviate an |
| simply not addressing the possibility. Let me be clear. | | | | obsession with money, a path still remains for you to |
| You will not win the lotto, inherit money or die | | | | choose. You are left with a decision to either live as |
| before you want to retire. You will need to develop a | | | | you have, continuing to obsess over money each |
| plan to save your money and invest your money. By | | | | day for the rest of your life, or you can use these |
| changing this one step to improve the course of your | | | | suggestions to help improve your financial and |
| life, you will most certainly ease your fear, and thus | | | | emotional life. How do you want to live? |