I Don’t Like Money

Okay, I know what you’re thinking …

“Melanie, you’re a small business owner and online marketer.  Your goal is to make money!  Are you crazy?!”

No, I haven’t lost my mind and I sincerely believe a lot of other people feel the same way I do.

I don’t like handling money.  I don’t like talking about it.  I don’t like the control it has over how some people lead their lives.  And I really hate needing it.

Money doesn’t bring me any happiness at all.  Zip. Zilch.  Zero happiness.

I think what really makes us happy is being able to comfortably meet our living expenses, treating our family and friends to little unexpected surprises, helping a neighbor out of a financial jam, generously tipping a good waiter, and maybe even buying our favorite pair of shoes in every color they come in!

Money, just like other material possessions, can provide a dose of short-lived happiness but no amount of it will ever buy genuine contentment and joy in life.

I don’t like money.  But I DO like being happy.

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  • Quality of life does matter and I am always striving to help others and make a difference on the planet. However, I don’t dislike money. In fact, I rather like it. It makes my life much easier. So there. I said it! LOL

    • I love your spunk, Martha!

      And you’re one of the wealthiest women I’ve ever met. I have no idea how much money you have in your bank account and I don’t ever need to know. What I do know about you is your generosity, kindness, creative energy, healing humor, and willingness to help others succeed.

      You are rich beyond any conceivable dollar amount,
      Melanie

  • Okay, Melanie, you had me going for a minute. I’m now writing a Personal Finance Money Managing Blog and I thought you didn’t like my focus. Instead, I see we’re in agreement. A happy, fruitful life is everyone’s real goal. Mishandled money can wreck that, big time. When money is no problem, than life is no problem–pretty much.

    It’s too bad we aren’t taught about handling money wisely along with our ABC’s and such. It would save so many people so much chaos. Or is that just me? I don’t think so.

    Thanks for the post!

    • Way to go, Karen!

      I’m excited to hear about your money management blog and the ultimate goal — a happy, fruitful life. And I strongly agree with your thoughts on teaching finances along with our ABC’s. The lessons need to begin at an early age. Schools are teaching kindergarten children how to use a computer. Why not teach them about money? When I think back to my school days, I wasn’t even taught how to write a check! That’s pretty sad.

      You rock!
      Melanie

  • How interesting. I have never thought money as a possession or that money brought happiness.

    Happiness is not an emotion. It is a state of being. It is a condition.

    It is hard to be in good condition if you can not eat or have the simple necessities in life. In most of this world that makes money a necessity. It is a just a form of exchange.

    It is more than obvious that we have been sold on the idea that money and lots and lots of possessions make us happy. And it is more than obvious that that is not true.

    I have been taking a finance course which has tremendously changed my viewpoint on money. One of the things I learned is that the word economy really means handling the house hold finances. I noticed that you and Heather mention handling your house hold finances in a way that really makes sense. Now if business and government would handle their finances with the careful consideration it takes to keep our house holds running…what a change that would be.

    • If you were a politician, Sheila, I would definitely campaign and vote for you!

      We have been sold a (less than stellar) bill of goods when it comes to money. And I’m thrilled to hear that you’re taking a finance course that’s changed your viewpoint. Will you promise to keep me in the loop and share some helpful things you’re learning? Maybe you could do a blog post about your class? That would be awesome!

      As far as managing the household finances, my mantra is most assuredly, “Less is more”.

      Hugs,
      Melanie

  • Melanie, As Heather said, this is a refreshing post. Money certainly does not buy happiness as many of the world’s billionaires have confirmed. Unfortunately the pursuit of money is the main focus for many people and they lose out on so much in their pursuit.

    We definitely need it as you said in your post, and it does allow for choices, but it should serve us and not the other way around.

    Warmly,
    Yvonne #blogboost

    • Very beautifully stated, Yvonne!

      Money should serve us — we shouldn’t serve it. Love that! As entrepreneurs, if all we ever focus on is the pursuit of money, the journey is sadly going to mean a lot of missed opportunities, missed relationships, and missed personal and business growth.

      Blessings,
      Melanie

  • Love of money is the root of all evil but doing what you love is the source of wealth. Money is not a motivator for many people. Abundance is a state of mind, heart and spirit.
    I agree – I don’t like money either.

    • Hey Roberta — thanks for swinging by!

      Great to meet you and I love your succinct, authentic comment. You’re 100% right — money is NOT the motivator for many people. Oh, don’t get me wrong. It’s sure nice to have those green backs and they do a good job of uncomplicating a lot of life’s little issues. You know, like keeping the lights on at home. 🙂 But being “abundant” is a state of mind, heart, and spirit.

      Melanie

  • I love this! I feel the very same way! I don’t like money either! I think the world could be a better place if we all could build a better relationship with money. But, boy, is it hard to do that — especially when you are financially strapped. I am rich beyond with my husband, my kids and my friends! Do I wish I could do more? Yes! But I think we all wish that on one level or another. But I am an Eternal Optimist and I know that the universe provides when needed. I just wish I had a better relationship with those little green pieces of paper! Thanks for saying this “outloud”! It definitely sparks the thought processes 😉

    • So nice to see you here, Kimberly, and happy to know your first name!

      I’m an “eternal optimist”, too, and good thing. Being a solo professional and online marketer requires enormous effort on a continuum to light the fires of our “keep going” spirits.

      As far as being “financially strapped”, I wrote the book! I’m a single mom with four daughters, including a set of twins, and I not only keep going on a shoestring budget … my budget is as thin as dental floss. 🙂

      I think the world would be a better place if we could do more bartering, mastermind more with one another, lend more helping hands and listening ears, and connect with more people like you!

      Melanie

  • I’m so glad you’ve shared your personal “downshifting” decision, Heather, and I believe (with all my heart and soul) that your family has become richer for it.

    “Quality of life” is what really matters. And I don’t think we need buckets full of money to enjoy a wonderfully full and enriching life. Sometimes, “less” is really more. 🙂

    Hugs,
    Melanie

  • Some people allow money to become such a powerful force in their lives that it does control their emotions.

    Our decision to downshift has had a big impact on our finances and in many ways we are richer. Money doesn’t seem to have an effect on our quality of life and our decisions to be happy.

    I believe that when we let go of all the things we didn’t need any more, we freed ourselves from so much energy surrounding ‘stuff’ and money to buy ‘stuff’. It’s very liberating.
    Thank you for such a refreshing post.
    Much love
    Heather x