10 Things to Value More Than Money

 

Money is a powerful tool and learning how to use it is an essential life skill. Which is why frugality is such a valuable quality. Yet, it is easy to get caught up in the noble quest of being thrifty and lose sight of what is important in life.

Let us take a step back and look, in no particular order, at 10 things to value more than money. And because this is a money blog — and we just couldn’t resist ourselves — we will also look at how these lofty goals not only make us happier but also improve our long-term financial health.

1. Your Health

 Treat your body with the respect it deserves. The ancient philosopher Virgil had it right when he said: “The greatest wealth is health.” Avoid bad habits and invest in preventive care such as regular checkups and a balanced diet.

The financial benefits alone make it worth your time. The net worth of non-smokers is, on average, 50% higher than that of light smokers and around double that of heavy smokers. The cost of bad health on society as a whole is huge. Just in 2008, the medical care cost of obesity totaled $147 billion.

2. Your Friends

 Spending time with friends is key to our emotional well-being. Unfortunately, in our consumer-oriented society friends are treated as commodities and discarded when no longer useful.

Ask yourself who are your true friends. Take a few minutes today to catch up with them. Besides being one of the joys of life, true friendships are an excellent form of communal insurance. In times of crisis, whether emotional, spiritual or financial, true friendships are invaluable.

3. Gratitude

 Appreciate the miracle of life. It’s easy to focus on the drudgery and challenges of life and forget the gift of life. The odds against us existing were astronomically large. We are all lucky to be alive.

On a more practical level, gratitude breeds contentment: a sure way to avoid compulsive spending.

4. Your Reputation

 As the wise man said “a good name is more desirable than great riches”. It takes a lifetime to build a good name for yourself, but just moments to lose it.

As people pursue life’s “big goals”: power, money, fame and possessions, it is easy to forget the value of reputation. Which is why people fall into the trap of moral expediency and trade their good name and moral values in exchange for short term benefits.

This is short-sighted and financially dangerous. Financial markets of all sizes are based on trust. How much people will trust you will depend on your reputation. Think credit scores and brand recognition. It is much easier to make more money, or replace material things, than to rebuild a tainted reputation.

5. Your Family

 Your spouse, parents and children come first, period. If you have the blessing of a loving relationship with your family, protect it. The joy and satisfaction of loving and being loved by your family is not only priceless: it’s fragile.

People with strong family ties not only live longer and adapt better to health setbacks, they also enjoy significant financial benefits. Married people combine expenses, share employers benefits, and double their household’s earning potential. They also save money on car insurance; and usually enjoy a higher credit score.

6. Your Education

 Although we usually view education as an age-based activity — something the young do to become adults and start a career — it is so much more. Unlike money, education is a goal in itself, not only a tool. As well as being fun and keeping life interesting, lifelong learning reduces cognitive decline due to old age. It also helps older adults cope with depression; and improves our sense of self-worth.

The financial benefits of a formal education are well known. For instance, a recent study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development reported that the average American who has graduated from a two- or four-year college program makes 77 percent more than a counterpart with a high school education.

7. Giving To Others

 If you think money money can’t buy happiness, try giving it away. Money makes people happier, up to a point. It gives us a sense of security and allows us to have more control over how we use our time. Yet, once we have enough to cover our needs and basic wants, money doesn’t give us much of a happiness boost. Except when we give it away.

In his book, “Happy Money, the Science of Smarter Spending,” Harvard Professor Michael Norton provides hard data to prove this. His book describes several experiments where Canadian college students, low-income Ugandans and Belgian pharmaceutical salesmen are given cash to either spend on themselves or give away to others.

In every case, those told to give it to others were happier than those who kept it for themselves. The same principle applies to other valuable assets, such as our time and energy.

8. Life Experiences

 Invest in life experiences over stuff. Experiences don’t have to be expensive or even cost you money to be memorable. Taking a staycation, learning a new language, running a marathon, or going with your partner for dancing lessons, may seem frivolous when compared to the more practical and urgent things competing for your time. Yet, the rush of experiencing something amazing and new is what life is all about.

9. Your Faith

 Your spiritual beliefs, whatever they may be, are a huge part of what makes you an individual. Spend time searching the answers to life’s big questions.

Although there are few subjects as controversial as people’s spiritual beliefs, the benefits they bring are not. There is overwhelming evidence that people who regularly engage in the search of spiritual growth and follow their faith’s guidelines — particularly those that promote healthy lifestyles — live longer, less stressful, and happier lives.

10. Your Community

 Be part of something greater than yourself. Invest in the future of your community.

Having close ties to the community we live in by investing our resources gives us a sense of purpose. Donate your most precious asset: your time, and mentor young ones in your community.

Even if you don’t have children, your success and happiness is directly linked to the community you live in. The economy, crime, even Social Security and Medicare benefits are issues we all care about that depend on what kind of adults our children become.

This article was written by staff writer Andrew Latham. His mission is to help fight your evil debt blob and get your personal finances in tip top shape.

SOURCE; www.supermoney.com