LIFESTYLE & TRAVELBUDGETING

Searching for Satisfaction with Your Finances

As the saying often goes, more money, more problems. But how true is it? Many would argue that this statement is abundantly true, that money is the root of all evil, and that all it does is create worry for people. Others would say there’s a sort of Zen in living a life of financial contentment and of being happy with your position in life.

Of course views differ for everyone but there are a number of ways in which you can potentially find satisfaction with your finances that don’t involve earning more money.

Assessing your assets

The first tip is probably the easiest: open your eyes and look around! In finding satisfaction, it’s always important to remember the good things that you have in your life. Do you make enough money to pay your bills? Can you feed yourself every day? Do you have enough money to do fun things now and then? All of those are examples of things to consider and be thankful for. It’s thankfulness that breeds contentment, so don’t forget to express gratitude, especially if you’re feeling dissatisfied.

Avoid comparing yourself to others

This part can be a little bit trickier, but it’s extremely important in the age of social media. To find satisfaction in your own situation, it is advisable to avoid comparing your place in life to that of others. If you’re constantly looking at what other people have, it becomes far easier to forget what you have and only focus on what you don’t. This is especially hard with the prevalence of social media, since oftentimes what you’re seeing is only the good things that others want to show you. It can make their lives appear infinitely better than yours. So be conscious of what you see and always remember to focus on your individual situation first.

Set goals

This final tip is the most actionable: set goals. If you’re unsatisfied with your current financial position, you can use that as motivation to reach the place you want to be. Maybe you want a new car, or maybe you just want to treat yourself to a nice dinner. Whatever your goal may be, writing it down can turn a perceived inadequacy into something far more achievable. Remember to set easily actionable goals. Having a goal that is too outrageous can be far more demoralizing than it is helpful. If you’re trying for something more difficult like a vacation or other large purchase, it helps to break it down into smaller, more easily attainable goals that will allow you to measure your progress and further motivate yourself. With the right goals and a little hard work on your part, you can be where you want to be before you know it!