Yep, its all about layers.
This post originally appeared onThe Simple Dollar.
Its like an onion in that its made up of a bunch of layers that arent really very transparent.
Isnt it much better to just spend that money on stuff that you want?
A lot of stuff to fill it?
A shiny car in the driveway?
Everyone understands those ideas on some level, but they dont put them into practice.
Sure, they understand the idea, but its not incorporated in their life in any way.
Its like a fact that they know, not one that really matters when it comes to their behavior.
Lets peel back a little bit more.
The less money you spend on stuff, the more savings youll have and the less debt youll have.
Whenever you buyanything, you reduce your potential savings.
Each one of those purchaseseach one of those choiceshas an impact.
Im adamantly opposed to doing that.
If a purchase brings genuine, lasting pleasure in your life, you shouldnt cut it.
The catch is that thevast majorityof purchases people make do not bring lasting joy.
They bring a little short-term burst of pleasure, but lasting joy?
Its actually pretty rare for that to be the outcome of spending your money.
I went out for dinner last night.
The dinner was goodit was pleasurablebut the pleasure of it is already fading away.
Itdidcreate lasting joya meal that we still talk about that reconnected me to an old friend.
My relationship with my wife is joyful because I invested time into that relationship.
My relationship with my children is joyful because Ive invested time in those relationships.
Some of my key hobby purchases have brought me lasting joy because Ive invested time in that hobby.
A random meal at a restaurant rarely brings lasting joy because you didnt commit any time to it.
It doesnt matter where you eat, because the value comes from the thing you invested time inthat friendship.
you could build a lasting relationship with someone.
You canlearn a new skillor some key knowledge.
What would you do with your time in that situation?
Thats not time saving.
Thats freedom, and money can buy it.
Is There a Core?
Once you get beyond that layer, you start to quickly get into issues that involve whatyoupersonally value.
Perhaps you value your children.
Maybe you value a particular hobby, or maybe you really care about a certain social cause.
Gradually, that begins to spread toallof your actions.
You have only so much time and so much energy.
Good luck on your journey to the center.
Image byNattanitphoto(Shutterstock).
