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How much is enough? The answer may surprise you.

Posted by Benjamin Coakley on Wed, Dec 23, 2015 @ 03:00 PM


 

I Googled "How much is enough” and most of the articles that popped up are about money and how much money you need to be happy.  I have learned money is only one piece of the how much is enough puzzle. While money makes things easier and quite a few things possible, the other pieces are even more important.

This is particularly true during the holiday season. Christmas is too often defined by how many presents you get or how much stuff is under the tree. When it comes to determining how much is enough, it’s important to identify the areas where the essential things stack up in our lives.

 A purpose-driven life includes great quantities of physical and mental health, loving relationships, and spiritual connection, in addition to money in order for a person to experience true fulfillment.  But, that said, money makes the world and your life go round so let’s take a closer look at how much money is enough.

The contribution money makes to your freedom and ability to pursue your life’s purpose is determined by three elements:

  • Finances
  • Material Possessionspuzzle-pieces-connected-hi.png
  • Work Hours

While we look at each of these separately, it is important to remember each of these is intertwined; linked in certain ways with each of the others.

 Finances

We all know people who are obsessed with having more money than other people. This means they keep score with their financial statements.

 Material Possessions

We all know people who have to have the biggest boat, newest phone, live in the nicest neighborhood. They keep score by comparing their things to other people’s things.

 Work Hours

We all know people who work so many hours they don’t have any time for the other important areas of their lives. The reason these stack up can be either 1 and 2 above or a variety of different things.

 Defining “Enough”

It’s important to ask yourself how much is enough in each of the three financial areas is. The definition I like to use is enough is the point where working one more hour, having the boat that is the next model up, or having one more dollar isn’t worth giving up a single thing in the other areas of your life.

The holiday season is a great time to reflect on these thoughts and determine if you have enough.

May you find peace and joy during the holidays and enjoy a very prosperous New Year.

Ben Coakley

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