Word of the Day is Superfluous
su·per·flu·ous
/so͞oˈpərflo͞oəs/
adjective
- unnecessary, especially through being more than enough.
I have seen this word begin to pop up more and more in reading and researching, and like I mentioned before, there are no coincidences. When words and thoughts continue to reoccur, you are receiving a message, and I have to be honest, I had to look it up myself.
Continuing that flow of thinking I came across this quote from Cato the Elder:
"Nothing is cheap...if it is superfluous"
For most of my life, I had a lot of "things". Not one of which I wouldn't give up again for the experience and understanding I have now. I was younger and had a much different perception of time vs money. They say "time is money" but in reality, time is much more valuable than money because time is finite. Money isn't.
Before I got sick I made different choices based on my different perspective, and while you might not have almost died, you can at least begin to think about how much more valuable your time is than money. How much money do you think Steve Jobs would have traded for another year? If you strive for extrinsic rewards, you can never be happy because there is no finish line..its a scam. I've talked to people on a chemo drip. No one there was wishing for a new car.
When I was faced with my imminent mortality, I prayed for nothing other than time. This was both obvious and surprising to me at the same time. I feel I was blessed to have this happen at this stage in my life while I am still young enough to make a change that allows me to enjoy the rest of it. I would love to brag and tell you that I came up with all of this on my own, I didn't. I had to be dragged to the grave to wake up. I hope you can avoid that step.
From that moment, I no longer concerned myself with things that most of us end up with buyer's remorse on anyway. That does not mean I am not concerned with earning as much as I can, I am just extra careful about what I commit to. I use money as a tool to buy more time and freedom..not things. If it isn't helping me be free to do what I want, then I don't want it.
Interestingly, I have more actual money today than I did when I owned 5 homes and 2 brand-new trucks all while making LESS! It is amazing when you fully account for what brings you joy and what is frivolous. Along with investing in the intrinsic, I lowered my cost basis and made a game out of saving as well as responsibly spending. I was thankfully forced to abandon trying to appear successful and instead worked towards happiness and freedom. With my new allotment of time, I was able to work on myself physically, mentally, and spiritually. Success continues to come as a byproduct of these efforts. I learned tools and strategies to free myself of the burden that chasing money presents, and I am willing to share them with you.
One way I did this is by living below my means...seems simple, but rarely practiced. Too often, we are conned into extending credit or getting second mortgages to buy cars and vacations. Whatever your means are, you can live below them. I help people identify what they can forgo comfortably on a quest to be freer and not one of them regrets making the change. Much like in fitness, tracking is king. Small holes sink big ships and a mere consciousness of your spending will automatically enlighten you on ways to conserve.
A person who lives below their means has far more latitude than a person who can't. It may seem like giving up certain luxuries or things "we could never live without" would be hard, but it is actually easier in many ways. Less to worry about and nothing to envy (or fear the envious will take them from you). I sleep when I am tired, I eat when I am hungry, and I wake when I am rested. No one is having less fun than an overcommitted person with a high-paying job that they can't afford to lose. Trust me. I know I am not alone in this.
"The more a man is, the less he wants" -- Maxwell Perkins
"Keeping up with the Jones' " is killing people financially and emotionally. Sure your neighbor might have a new boat, but what did he exchange for it? Is he missing time with his children to work longer hours?
Your best friend might be taking a trip to Europe or living in a beautiful home, but is she stuck in a financial marital arrangement? Don't fall for the "highlight reel" of other people's lives and focus on how you can be freer...not accumulate more.
Let them have the "stuff". Strive for independence.
You wouldn't choose to be a slave to another person, so why would you...continue reading...
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