2948: [Part 2] Does Money Buy Happiness? by Ryan of Arrest Your Debt on Mindfulness & Intentional Spending

[00:00:00] Have you ever noticed how a calm mind can really set the stage for a good night's sleep? That's the idea behind our new podcast, Good Sleep. Greg, our host from Optimal Relationships Daily, is here to help ease you into a peaceful night's rest with some positive affirmations. And these affirmations aren't just comforting. They can help ease anxiety and nurture positive thoughts, setting you up for true good sleep.

[00:00:25] So press play on Good Sleep Tonight, because a good tomorrow starts with a good night's sleep. Just search for Good Sleep in your podcast app, and be sure to pick the one from Optimal Living Daily.

[00:00:39] This is Optimal Finance Daily. Does Money Buy Happiness? Answered. Part 2 by Ryan of ArrestYourDebt.com

[00:00:50] You're Being Taken Advantage Of Businesses and Marketers take full advantage of our discontent. There are monthly subscription services where a company will send you clothes automatically each and every month. Every month! They are betting you are bored with your clothes from a month ago, and will be enticed yet again to buy something new. This is a multi-million dollar industry.

[00:01:17] With the whole world looking to capitalize on our discontent, how will we ever find happiness and become debt-free?

[00:01:26] Your happiness begins at home.

[00:01:29] As stated before, to become debt-free and start building wealth, we need a complete change in our mindset.

[00:01:35] I will tell you that being debt-free certainly increases your happiness.

[00:01:40] But from there, stop looking at what the neighbors have and build the life that suits you so you can help others.

[00:01:48] Spend your money on things that add value to your life.

[00:01:51] One of the things I ask myself before I make a large purchase is,

[00:01:56] Will this item add value to my life?

[00:01:59] If it doesn't, and it's just something to keep me entertained for a while, I don't make the purchase.

[00:02:05] Perhaps most of us need to examine what we truly value in life before we move forward.

[00:02:12] Experiences are more valuable than you think.

[00:02:15] If you have trouble with buying material things, I would encourage you to shift that money towards experiences rather than things.

[00:02:23] Experiences have an amazing way of making us happy and keeping us happy for a longer period of time.

[00:02:29] The reason for this is the memories that are created and the positive feel-good points that are embedded in your brain.

[00:02:36] For instance, I still remember the trips to Disneyland my parents took me on when I was a kid.

[00:02:42] I distinctly remember going on certain rides and watching certain shows.

[00:02:47] I can tell you where I was standing and what show I saw even though it occurred more than 30 years ago.

[00:02:54] I have so many memories of fun experiences in my mind that I can relive whenever I want.

[00:03:00] However, when it comes to buying things, I quickly lose interest and that feeling of contentment.

[00:03:07] Experiences don't have to be vacations.

[00:03:10] I've always loved music.

[00:03:12] Because of this, I took lessons to learn how to play the trumpet and learn how to read music.

[00:03:17] I was part of several choirs when I was younger and have great memories from the relationships I built from those times.

[00:03:24] I still know how to play the trumpet and that is something that I will always know how to do.

[00:03:29] Spending money on learning a new skill or talent can be a great way to improve your happiness and give you a goal in life.

[00:03:36] Create ways to keep yourself motivated rather than focusing on a new purchase that will be here today and forgotten about in a month.

[00:03:44] Give to charity or to people in need.

[00:03:47] Have you experienced giving to someone in need?

[00:03:50] It's an amazing feeling and helps you get more in touch with humanity.

[00:03:54] A friend of mine told me that before the holidays, he saves up his money.

[00:03:59] When the holiday season comes around, he looks for people that look like they're in need and gives them a $100 bill.

[00:04:05] He told me about a story where he was in the dollar store and he could tell a couple was buying Christmas presents for their kids.

[00:04:12] Their clothes were dirty and they were pushing a stroller, but they were still trying to give their kids a great Christmas.

[00:04:18] Right then and there, he walked up to the father and gave him a $100 bill.

[00:04:23] My friend said this was one of the most rewarding experiences of his life.

[00:04:27] The man broke down and he could tell this genuinely affected the family in a positive manner.

[00:04:32] How awesome is that?

[00:04:34] Think of different ways to make this world a better place and your level of happiness will improve.

[00:04:39] This life is about living and giving.

[00:04:42] The more you give, the happier you'll be.

[00:04:45] If you die with the most toys, you didn't win.

[00:04:48] It's about how much good you can do in this world.

[00:04:51] By eliminating your debt and building your future in both wealth and health,

[00:04:55] you'll be able to help even more people as you traverse through this life.

[00:04:59] You can do it, my friends, and I'll be there with you.

[00:05:06] You just listened to part two of the post titled,

[00:05:10] Does Money Buy Happiness?

[00:05:11] Answered by Ryan of ArrestYourDebt.com

[00:05:15] And I'll be right back with my commentary.

[00:05:17] I hear all the time the advice to spend money according to your values.

[00:05:22] On the surface, this is great advice.

[00:05:25] It encourages us to be thoughtful about our spending

[00:05:27] and not waste resources on things that won't add real value to our lives.

[00:05:32] However, the problem with this sentiment is that it assumes we are genuinely in touch with our values.

[00:05:39] It glosses over the fact that many of us have been conditioned to be consumers from a very young age,

[00:05:46] shaped by advertising, social media, and cultural expectations.

[00:05:51] Getting in touch with what you truly value requires deep inner work.

[00:05:56] It's not simply about identifying a list of priorities.

[00:06:00] It's about understanding the roots of those priorities.

[00:06:04] Even if you feel like you're spending according to your values, it's essential to ask,

[00:06:09] Are those values intrinsic?

[00:06:11] Or are they a product of your cultural conditioning?

[00:06:15] Do you want what you want because it resonates with your true self?

[00:06:19] Or have you been influenced by societal norms and expectations?

[00:06:24] Answering these questions necessitates genuine introspection.

[00:06:28] It requires time and space in your life to disconnect from external influences

[00:06:34] and tune into that quiet voice inside that knows what's best for you.

[00:06:40] This process isn't always easy.

[00:06:42] It can be uncomfortable to confront the ways in which we've been shaped by the world around us.

[00:06:48] Yet the rewards of this introspection are profound.

[00:06:51] When we align our spending with our authentic values,

[00:06:55] we not only enhance our financial well-being,

[00:06:59] but also cultivate a deeper sense of fulfillment and purpose in our lives.

[00:07:04] By prioritizing what truly matters,

[00:07:07] we can transform our relationship with money from one of mere consumption

[00:07:12] to one of meaningful investment in our true selves.

[00:07:16] And that's another episode of Optimal Finance Daily in the books.

[00:07:20] I'll be back with more for you tomorrow.

[00:07:22] So have a great rest of your day,

[00:07:24] and I'll catch you on the Tuesday show where your optimal life awaits.