How much is enough?

We all are gratified by having nice stuff and great experiences.  I am!  It can, however, be even more rewarding to share with others as we start to feel like we have enough for ourselves.  If you don't yet have enough material goods I want to encourage you to strive to reach an emotional state where you feel like you DO have enough material goods...not that you don't enjoy more...just that you don't require more.  It is a place where you get just about as much utility from applying resources for the benefit of others as for your own discretionary pleasure.  To achieve this peace of mind usually requires years of acquiring and possessing material things and contemplating.  No one but you should decide how much is "enough".  Ironically reaching this graceful state can be a catalyst to dramatically increasing your wealth because your increasing productivity is not accompanied by very much increase in material consumption.

This isn't something that should be rushed or forced.  It isn't surrendering what you have or mindlessly giving up your ambition to acquire more material goods or life experiences.  Most importantly, it is not conforming to somebody else's moralizing about what you should or should not spend or possess or use.  It is, rather, a careful self-examination over time.  What are my values?  Why do I want the things I do?  Of the things I want, which best serve my values?  Are some of the things I believe I want not even in harmony with my values or serve no useful purpose?  Do I sometimes spend money just because I enjoy doing it?  Why?  Can/should I change this?  What type and quantity of consumption will maximize my contentment?

It is, of course, your right to spend as much as you earn on whatever you want!  To maximize utility and contentment, however, is to know your values well and to connect your use of the powerful tool of money to those values.  I wish you peace and contentment in your financial dealings!

-Jeff Linroth