Your Money or Your Life?

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Last blog talked about making a great living. This blog gets into your relationship with work and money, and recommends two books.

The first is Your Money or Your Life, by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin. This is a classic that is great for people who never seem to be satisfied with what they have, and yet keep working and working for more of the same. It challenges you to ask when you have reached ENOUGH — and to develop a financial plan that makes you truly independent.

The book is great because, unlike the plethora of books out there about how to get rich by increasing income, this one focuses on getting out of debt and reducing spending. It also shows you the true costs of working so hard.

Now, if you love what you do, you may find your money vs. your life to be a false dichotomy. Still, this book is worth a read, especially the first few chapters.

Second, consider getting Money and the Meaning of Life by Jacob Needleman. This book takes money and uses it as a vehicle for you to discover your core values. Money is loaded with meaning, and yet few of us take the time to delive into what it means to us. By asking some of Needleman’s questions, you can free up your relationship with money.

Tis the season to think about the bigger picture and how we can be better and more satisfied. If you want to transform the world, transform yourself first. And thinking about money is a great place to start…..

Written By:

Andrew Neitlich

Andrew's consulting practice focuses on helping professionals and entrepreneurs build successful businesses. He received his MBA from Harvard Business School in 1991. You can get his books, sign up for his free newsletters, and learn more about him at www.fastmarketingresults.com. Andrew also maintains Down to Business: SitePoint's Small Web Business Management blog.

 

{ 6 comments }

5StarAffiliates December 14, 2004 at 12:01 pm

Great blog as always Andrew.

I especially realted to this part.
“Now, if you love what you do, you may find your money vs. your life to be a false dichotomy.”

I’m one of those people that’s lucky enough to believe if you do what you love the money will follow – the more you give, the more you receive. So to me money is not the end goal, it’s a by-product or reward. Having said that, I don’t think I place the emphasis on money management and financial planning I need to. I should take your advice and read one of these.

zainu December 13, 2004 at 11:39 am

definetly ppl

davidjmedlock December 13, 2004 at 9:53 am

Good suggestions here, Andrew. I’ve not read the books, but anyone who owns or intends to own their own business needs an understanding of how money works and how it affects their live. Money is a means to an end and when it becomes the end in and of itself, it tends to consume ones life instead of enhancing it. Keep up the good blogging. ;)

aneitlich December 13, 2004 at 9:34 am

Sorry about that, I’ll fix it right now. Should be: Money and the Meaning of Life by Jacob Needleman.

Thanks for good catch.

webnology December 13, 2004 at 9:31 am

Both books have the same name ? Or is it a type ?

W

Anonymous December 13, 2004 at 8:55 am

Hi Andrew,
I’m guessing you meant “Money and the Meaning of Life” by Jacob Needleman? Thanks for the reminder to put the pursuit of money in perspective, especially at this time of year.

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