I have to wonder sometimes if I’m addicted to money. I think about it all the time, I constantly strive for more and never seem to have enough. I used to nag a friend in college to stop smoking and one day he replied, “why would I stop, I like it too much.” I guess that’s why I let me addiction to money run free. I like it too much. I’m not sure how much is too much though. I still keep my family and friends as a higher priority, so maybe I’m only addicted at a socially acceptable level. Now that I’ve admitted it, I hope I don’t get over it soon.
I use these 10 11 reasons why I like money (among many others) to help keep me motivated to stay active in my investing accounts. I almost called this “Why I want more money”, but that’ll be a whole new list when we get to that level.
1. I can buy $15 worth of desserts at the mall with my wife and son and not feel guilty knowing we could have bought a whole 1/2 gallon of good ice cream for less than $5 at the grocery store.
2. I can have a surprise $1200 car repair and not let it affect how we live our daily lives.
3. I can relax when I see the soaring costs of a good four year college knowing we have been steady in funding our son’s tax deferred education savings account (ESA).
4. I can have realistic plans for both my wife and me to retire the day my son graduates from college, if not sooner.
5. I can buy organic foods and in turn feel better, go to the doctor less and have even more money.
6. I can keep 12 movie channels on DirecTV, just in case they show something we want to see one day, although they rarely do.
7. Within the next three to four years we can stop fearing losing our jobs for financial reasons, but only for social reasons.
8. My wife can go to one of the top hair stylists ($$$$) in Atlanta on a regular basis and it doesn’t hurt our long-term financial plans.
9. We can afford a maid so we don’t have to clean toilets or showers or floors or windows.
10. We can realistically plan to take our four siblings to a villa in France for a week and not ask them to pay. (OK, this last one is two years away, but will be incredible if we can do it.)
11. I can afford to buy good beer and single malt scotch and be happy with each taste. My dad might argue that PBR is worth every penny he saves.
These are the first 10 reasons I like money that jumped into my head when I started to write this. What else should be on this list? Remember, you might just be aiding in my addiction.
Hi Alex,
I don’t know if I can add to your list but I don’t think you’re addicted to money… as you can actually spend it and feel good about it!
If you’ve got your bases covered with money, then just enjoy the fruits of your labour.
Good point and I know I’m not addicted to spending it because I enjoy saving/investing it too much.
I’m addicted because the more I get, the more I have to give away.
Also, you can buy good beer without worrying about the price!
I can understand the affliction but if you keep selling calls and puts based on Barron’s I fear you will be a troubled soul! lol!
Anyway just wanted to let you know I share your pain!
Jonathan – I can’t believe I left off good beer and scotch. I’m updating the list with those.
LtM – I’ve had good *luck* with Barron’s this year. At least I rarely use a Jim Cramer pick any more. 😉
I’m definitely not addicted to money, but I can relate on some of the things you talk about.
Right now for me it’s feels good not worrying about going out and buying expensive sushi whenever I like (It’s expensive because it takes a lot to fill me up lol).
Sushi is definately worth splurging on. The cheap stuff never seems to hit the spot.