I meet alot of people that feel that the pursuit of wealth is an illness that's needs to be cured.

I guess in this day and age we see so many instances of Greed and excess that one may tend to have a negative perception of wealth.

They say that you should not concentrate on money because then you will not make any. But Bills do have to get paid.

We do alot of things we do not want to do...for some it could just be getting out of bed to go to a 9 to 5 that they dread. But we have to have a source of money.

Some marriages and relationships are very stressed over finances.

People will back stab, hustle, do all types of unsavory things for money.

Rich people and wannabe rich were conned by a man who told them that they would make more money on wall street.

There are people who saved money their entire lives while mopping floors and then donated millions to colleges.

Some people can not keep money, some people collect money!

I read somewhere that money is a byproduct of giving Value.

Well some may be born into a pile of cash, are they more happy?

I guess everyone has a different perception of money, and just like tax brackets change, so do our perceptions of it either with an abundance of it or a lack of it.

Share your thoughts and opinions...

As long as the amount of money can support your lifestyle. The lifestyle should be what can provide you with financial freedom and your fulfillment in life. So the first thing is to understand your major life purpose and from there create long, medium and short term goal.

Money shouldn't be what holds your life together. It shouldn't be your main focus in life.... There are so many things that are better, more enjoyable. The thing is, you need money to get to those things that provide you comfort, etc....

Money is important, but shouldn't really be your passion in life. You can collect money all you want, but at the end of the day, its green paper in your hand... What next? collect more of it? .... You can, but I just think there's more to life than simply making money your number one priority.

I like the way that Stephen Covey puts it in the Seven Habits...
Basically, if you have a goose that lays golden eggs for you - make sure you take care of the goose. If you have a business that supports you, your family, your lifestyle, your goals, etc...make sure you take care of that business. The important thing is not necessarily the money - its you, your family, your lifestyle, your goals....

Another favorite Covey quote "The main thing is to remember to keep the main thing as the main thing"

First work for money, then let money work for you. When you have enough always keep in mind to share especially to the less fortunate, because you can't bring them with you if you are no longer living.

I believe in Be-Do-Have, with Money not being the be all and end all. It just does not bring happiness if you have it or if you don't, it is other things that effect that.

Interesting comment, Saint. I agree. I have lived extensively among the poor of our world, and they were just as happy as the next guy. These wonderful people brought a whole knew meaning to 'living from day to day'. Their diet may be rice and potatoes from Monday to Friday and potatoes and rice on the weekends. Their children may not have shoes. Their roofing may be held down by old tires. And their water may be in a 50 gallon drum outside the door. But they had each other. They enjoyed parties and good times as much as we did. In fact, because they didn't have stressful jobs and high mortgage payments to worry about, they actually had more free time to enjoy their lives than most of us.

They just didn't crave expensive vacations and motorized toys to have fun.

Of course, I'm not talking starvation poor, but what I learned from that experience is that it's not money or what you have that brings happiness. They had virtually nothing but were genuinely happy. What made the difference was they were content with what they had.

Tula

And if I take my point a stage further, it is obvious really when you think about it (and proven scientifically) that people are no happier now with the improved material possessions and increased comfort/relative luxury versus times long gone - say 50 say 100, say more years ago. In fact quite the opposite, depression, anxiety, stress and disenchantment reported by the medical profession are at levels never before reported.

I read that scientific tests done on both big lottery winners and major limb amputees, showed short term (to around 3 months) bursts or deflations in levels of happiness. After the initial period, levels of happiness and satisfaction returned to previous levels.

What effects fulfillment and happiness is within and in the mind. Not money.

Money is a beautiful thing. It is a metaphor for human achievement. No, money cannot buy you happiness. I am convinced only purpose can bring you that.

However, money is still very important. Money is the root of all GOOD.

Here's a speech from the novel 'Atlas Shrugged':
"So you think that money is the root of all evil?" said Francisco d'Anconia. "Have you ever asked what is the root of money? Money is a tool of exchange, which can't exist unless there are goods produced and men able to produce them. Money is the material shape of the principle that men who wish to deal with one another must deal by trade and give value for value. Money is not the tool of the moochers, who claim your product by tears, or of the looters, who take it from you by force. Money is made possible only by the men who produce. Is this what you consider evil?"

The saying that 'money is the root of all evil' is actually a misquote. The real quote is "The love of money is the root of all evil."

Quite a difference that one word makes.

Tula