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As in once you have enough money to live in the returns you don't need to work, you can have much more flexibility in how you and where you spend your time. Con

As in once you have enough money to live in the returns you don't need to work, you can have much more flexibility in how you and where you spend your time. Contrast that with a person living paycheck to paycheck who is one flu or broken arm or car accident away from disaster. The op asked for financial advice not how to be fulfilled.

AndrewKemendo 9y ago
The op asked for financial advice not how to be fulfilled. They are inextricably linked, so you can't give financial advice without understanding the motivations and desires of the individual. The OP left that out because he probably doesn't realize that your finance situation should work for your motivations. Having financial goals without life goals is a great way to make sure you're not broke but no meaningful life.
- runamok 9y ago
  I kind of see your point but not sure I agree. A fulfilled life can be so many things to so many people. It can be about fitness/sports, or knowledge/learning, children, marriage, family, friendships, religion, travel, material things, music, career, social good, art, inventions, etc. Some of those things are linked to money and some aren't. Financial health can help enable some of these things but a bad financial situation can completely hamstring you too. I do agree that a good financial situation does not always make you happy or even less stressed. Not that long ago I had more or less zero savings due to some early setbacks, recession, etc. I don't know if I ever will think I have enough until I could pay for my parents' failing health costs, help my nephew pay for college and various other things. I suspect this is true for many. Before I was just hoping to not have to eat cat food when I'm old. Now I want to do more for my family and my wife's family and also not eat cat food when I am old. I will also say knowing I can survive without a job for a year or more gives me comfort when I am stressed or not engaged.

AndrewKemendo 9y ago

The op asked for financial advice not how to be fulfilled. They are inextricably linked, so you can't give financial advice without understanding the motivations and desires of the individual. The OP left that out because he probably doesn't realize that your finance situation should work for your motivations. Having financial goals without life goals is a great way to make sure you're not broke but no meaningful life.

runamok 9y ago
I kind of see your point but not sure I agree. A fulfilled life can be so many things to so many people. It can be about fitness/sports, or knowledge/learning, children, marriage, family, friendships, religion, travel, material things, music, career, social good, art, inventions, etc. Some of those things are linked to money and some aren't. Financial health can help enable some of these things but a bad financial situation can completely hamstring you too. I do agree that a good financial situation does not always make you happy or even less stressed. Not that long ago I had more or less zero savings due to some early setbacks, recession, etc. I don't know if I ever will think I have enough until I could pay for my parents' failing health costs, help my nephew pay for college and various other things. I suspect this is true for many. Before I was just hoping to not have to eat cat food when I'm old. Now I want to do more for my family and my wife's family and also not eat cat food when I am old. I will also say knowing I can survive without a job for a year or more gives me comfort when I am stressed or not engaged.