Money can’t buy happiness, they say. And it’s true – at least, up to a point. After all, if you’re homeless and living on the streets, money is definitely going to make your life better.
But once you have a place to call home and food on the table, more money doesn’t necessarily mean a better life. In fact, in many cases, it can actually make things worse.
So how do you live a good life without money? It’s not easy, but with some hard work and creativity, it can be done.
This article will discuss the following topic.
1. The benefits of living a good life without money
2. How to live a good life without money
3. Examples of people who have succeeded without money
4. The importance of creativity and hard work
5. Action steps:
Firstly,
Ask yourself the following question:
What do I want my life to stand for?
What do I regret in my life so far?
What am I doing to make the world a better place?
If you know the answers to these questions, you are one step closer to living a good life without money.
The benefits of living a good life without money
What is it about money that makes people unhappy? Is it because they don’t have enough to meet their needs, or because they’re always worried about losing everything they have?
In ” The High Price of Materialism,” Tim Kasser explains how materialistic values, such as the need for money, are highly correlated with unhappiness.
Kasser presents the findings of his own research, which shows that materialistic people tend to be more depressed, anxious, and nervous; they also have higher levels of stress and lower self-esteem.
He explains this by saying “So it seems like how we think about things – whether we value things as part of our identity, as parts of a life script – has a lot to do with how much well-being those things give us, independent of what they can actually do for us.”
In other words, Kasser believes that materialistic values have no real benefits. In fact, they’re actually damaging to people’s well-being.
So what does this mean for you?
It means that if you’re willing to give up materialistic values like money, even if it brings you less happiness in the short term, then over the long run you’ll be much happier and healthier.
The benefits of living a good life without money
Money can be one of the most important things in our lives, but it doesn’t have to control us. For example, money could give you the freedom to work from home which would allow you to spend more time with your children.
People who live a life without money also enjoy many benefits which include the following.
- Time is not a factor.
- Life is simplified.
- Life is more rewarding.
- Possibilities are endless.
- You learn what’s important in life.
- You can set your own rules and live by them.
- Less stress and more happiness.
- Free to explore interests.
- Give back to the community.
- A clean conscience.
- Reap the benefits of healthy living.
- Gain experiences rather than possessions.
- No pressure or judgment from others.
How to live a good life without money
1. Reduce your needs
The first step in living a good life without money is to reduce your needs as much as possible. If you have too many materialistic desires, you’re going to be unhappy when they can’t all be met. Think carefully about what’s really important, and learn to appreciate the things you already have.
2. Practice mindfulness and meditation
Mindfulness and meditation are both techniques for thinking about your life in a different way, which can help you feel calmer, more confident, and less stressed. Many people also find that mindfulness helps them to enjoy simple pleasures without feeling the need for materialistic things.
3. Make and follow a budget
If you don’t know how much money you have coming in and going out, then it’s impossible to manage your finances. The first step towards living a good life without money is managing your cash flow better, so get yourself a notebook and start tracking where every penny goes!
4. Get your income from more than one source
Many people rely on one main source of income, such as a job or a business. The downside to this is that if you lose your job or the business goes under, then you’re in big trouble.
What if you got money from other sources too? For example:
- Make money online through freelancing
- Do temporary jobs on the weekends
- Sell stuff you don’t need
The more backup sources of income you have, the better off you’ll be.
5. Search for free or low-cost activities that make you happy
If money is tight, how can you enjoy yourself without spending any cash? Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Take up fishing
- Go for walks in the park
- Watch free movies online
And if it’s something you really love, why not try to make money from it? For example, if you love baked goods, start baking cakes and giving them out to your neighbors.
6. Learn how to cook
Cooking your own food is cheaper than buying restaurant meals, and you’ll also know exactly what’s in it! So why not give it a go?
7. Find new hobbies
If you find yourself bored on the weekends, it’s because all your spare time goes into thinking about work or money. So why not try to fill that spare time with something more interesting? Here are some ideas for free hobbies that will keep you occupied:
- Learn a musical instrument, like the guitar
- Volunteer, which is a great way to feel good about yourself
- Enjoy the company of pets
- Do some online training in a new skill, like web design or 3D animation
8. Start a side business
If you have an entrepreneurial mindset and you’re not afraid of hard work, then starting your own business is a great way to make money. You can also provide a service or sell a product that you’re passionate about, which will keep your motivation high and your income stable.
7. Use the library instead of buying books
If you want to read books but you’re short of cash, then why not hit the library instead? You’ll have access to a huge range of books without spending any money.
8. Only buy what you absolutely need
Many of us have a bad habit of buying things we don’t really need. For example:
- We buy food without planning our meals first, and then some of it goes to waste
- We feel obliged to buy gifts for people even if we don’t want to
- We overspend on expensive nights out with friends
All these things contribute to a feeling of not having enough money, and they’re not necessary.
9. Use your phone as little as possible
Many people spend their spare time looking at their phones instead of exploring the world around them. But what difference does this make? According to recent research, the average person now spends 3 hours per day checking their phone. But who’s to say that all of this time has to be wasted away staring at a screen? Why not go out and enjoy the fresh air instead?
10. Get rid of your TV
Do you really need that TV in your house? If it’s just gathering dust, then why not get rid of it and use the money to go out more? If you replace your TV with free activities, then you’ll feel better about yourself while also getting your social fix.
11. Save your money
No matter how much you earn, if you spend it all right away, then what’s the point? So why not set up a savings account and put some cash aside for emergencies? No matter how small your deposit is, eventually, you’ll have something to fall back on in times of need.
12. Only spend what you can afford to lose
Many people go into debt because they want to buy the latest gadgets or designer clothes. But what makes these things so special? They cost a lot of money, and in all likelihood, you’ll be bored with them in no time at all. So this is an easy way to save some serious cash!
Examples of people who have succeeded without money
Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft:
Bill Gates is one of the wealthiest men in the world. But how did this come about? The answer is easy – by thinking outside the box. Back when he was starting up Microsoft, few people believed that home computers would take off, but Bill saw things differently. So instead of buying expensive hardware like his competitors, he used his technical expertise to develop more user-friendly software. And the rest, as they say, is history!
Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple:
Apple’s Steve Jobs was a pioneer in thinking about computers not just for work but also for fun. Before the iPod came along, most people never left their desks because they were afraid of losing important documents. Jobs’ insight was that people would be more likely to move around if they could carry their work with them. This is why he helped develop the very first iPhone, which opened up a world of new possibilities to millions of employees across the globe!
Henry Ford, founder of Ford Motors:
Ford’s story is similar to Bill Gates’, but this time, it involves a car. Back when he started up his business, most people had at least one horse to help them get around town. But Henry saw the future differently – he wanted to develop an affordable, gasoline-powered engine that could replace these animals. And so this is exactly what he did! Ford
Motors was a huge success, and Ford himself became one of the wealthiest people on the planet.
The importance of creativity and hard work in achieving success without money
Many people are born into wealthy families, but this doesn’t mean that they have an easy life ahead of them.
Being rich might sound great at first, but when you’re surrounded by superficial people who only want to buy fancy cars and live in big houses, the novelty quickly wears off. This is why it’s important to have a creative mind. By thinking out of the box, you’ll be able to earn money without looking like a gold digger.
This is why hard work is important as well. While it’s true that some people are lucky enough to land their dream jobs right away, this isn’t always the case for everyone else.
But if you work hard and put your nose to the grindstone, then you’ll get there eventually. So if you’re struggling financially right now, don’t worry – just focus on being creative and enjoying life while you have the time!
Action steps
1. Put your phone down
2. Spend less time watching TV
3. Start a creative hobby to boost your self-esteem and have fun at the same time!
4. Save your money for emergencies instead of spending it all on a fancy meal out or a new pair of shoes you don’t need
5. Remember that a healthy mind is as important as a healthy body – make sure you exercise regularly and take time to relax every day!
6. Try going on a digital detox once a week or month to reduce your stress levels
7. Find new sources of inspiration by learning about other people’s stories
8. Write down your financial goals and see how close you can get to achieving them!
Conclusion
All of us would love to be rich, but as recent research shows, money can’t buy happiness – at least, not forever. So if you want to live a good life without money, take action now by trying out the tips outlined in this article!