The Almighty Dollar
What is it all about, anyway? Statistics and pre-formed notions aside, everyone seems to have a different "money personality." I would argue that there are as may variations in how people treat their assets (or lack thereof) as there are personalities. But, like in personality typology, it is possible to lump people together into a few relatively simple categories when it comes to finance. And I don't believe that it is as simple as being a spender or a saver. Rather, it's about what a person sees money as being FOR. That is, what is it's function?
I've made the following short list as an example, though I think these 5 things are pretty comprehensive:
1 - Money is for security
2 - Money is for buying nice things/clothing/home etc.
3 - Money is for having experiences, like nice dinners out and going to Vegas impromptu
4 - Money is for freedom and flexibility
5 - Money is for having power over those who do not have it
It's quite possible that one could come up with some sort of testing mechanism to see which category people fall into (I might actually do this, because I have not yet seen this kind of thing on the market, whereas my old test wasn't as unique.)
I would argue that the best place to be is #4, because if you view it as a means to achieve this freedom, you can put yourself into any of the other categories automatically. Of course in order to get to the ideal state where you have freedom and flexiblity (ie, working for the pleasure of what you do, rather than the money) you have to amass rather large quantities of the stuff. This takes discipline, skill, insight, control, and talent. Very few people possess all of these qualities all the time. Even fewer are able to use it to achieve this end. And you need a bit of luck too.
Categories 2 and 3 are symbolic of the American dream. That's probably where most of us fall. But if you think about it, this puts you right back where you started once the funds are gone. So then you are a slave to earning it again. It's a neverending cycle which is far too common. Category 3 at least provides one with memories and experience, without the hummer in the driveway. All that hummer really does is look pretentious and cost you more of your time and life. And maybe it gets you from point A to B, but that is beside the point.
And I think that having money for power is more common than one would think, despite how disgusting it looks. I know a few people who I feel would fall into that category above all else (I worked for one of them for a long time.)
Yeah, I think I'll explore this topic further.
I've made the following short list as an example, though I think these 5 things are pretty comprehensive:
1 - Money is for security
2 - Money is for buying nice things/clothing/home etc.
3 - Money is for having experiences, like nice dinners out and going to Vegas impromptu
4 - Money is for freedom and flexibility
5 - Money is for having power over those who do not have it
It's quite possible that one could come up with some sort of testing mechanism to see which category people fall into (I might actually do this, because I have not yet seen this kind of thing on the market, whereas my old test wasn't as unique.)
I would argue that the best place to be is #4, because if you view it as a means to achieve this freedom, you can put yourself into any of the other categories automatically. Of course in order to get to the ideal state where you have freedom and flexiblity (ie, working for the pleasure of what you do, rather than the money) you have to amass rather large quantities of the stuff. This takes discipline, skill, insight, control, and talent. Very few people possess all of these qualities all the time. Even fewer are able to use it to achieve this end. And you need a bit of luck too.
Categories 2 and 3 are symbolic of the American dream. That's probably where most of us fall. But if you think about it, this puts you right back where you started once the funds are gone. So then you are a slave to earning it again. It's a neverending cycle which is far too common. Category 3 at least provides one with memories and experience, without the hummer in the driveway. All that hummer really does is look pretentious and cost you more of your time and life. And maybe it gets you from point A to B, but that is beside the point.
And I think that having money for power is more common than one would think, despite how disgusting it looks. I know a few people who I feel would fall into that category above all else (I worked for one of them for a long time.)
Yeah, I think I'll explore this topic further.