Finance and Forex Trading Forum

Anonymous · Guest

I just read an interesting guest post on Get Rich Slowly called Money and Security: Fear of the Future. It discusses some interesting points, like that modern money doesn't actually exist; rather it represents other things.

In the literal sense of the word, money does represent other things, namely goods and services. If it didn't, all that dirty paper in our pockets would be worthless. In a more philosophical sense, money can represent freedom, security, or happiness, among many other things. Conversely, the lack of money may represent restriction, insecurity, and unhappiness.

People pursue-or eschew-money for a variety of different reasons. Some seek a sense of control; others desire peace. Many believe money brings opportunity; some think it brings moral ruin. Whatever your beliefs about money, they are bound to contribute to your fears, goals, outlook, and financial habits.

If you equate money with success, then your motivation to save and invest might actually be rooted in your fear of failure. On the other hand if you equate money with greed or evil, you may not pursue high paying jobs, or you might compulsively give away whatever you earn. Either way you are acting in accordance with your values and beliefs about money. No one's choices or beliefs are intrinsically right or wrong, but understanding them will enable you to balance your financial motivations with your well-being.

Plonkee Monkey admits in her article (the same one linked in the 1st paragraph) that money for her represents security. Her seemingly reasonable financial habits-avoiding debt and amassing savings-have developed because no matter how well she is doing financially, she constantly feels "on the edge of a slippery slope where the sign is pointing to rack, ruin and the end of my happy little world." So while her actions demonstrate rationality, responsibility, and maturity, she has realized that her financial health is merely the positive byproduct of a less healthy reality: she's living in fear. This kind of insight takes a lot of introspection and courage.

Your beliefs about what money represents can have distinctly positive or negative effects on your well-being and on your financial picture. And sometimes elevating one negatively affects the other. Examine your financial habits to see if you can uncover your beliefs about what money represents. Do you seek money because you are afraid of scarcity, rejection, or a lack of choices? Because you desire contentment, indulgence, or excitement?

Money may or may not give you what you seek, but either way your perception will probably be temporary. Money, after all, is really an illusion.

More from Meg at The World of Wealth

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