❤️ Gear does matter · The Bunker #63

In our daily relationship with money, we constantly find ourselves at the crossroads of spending or saving. This seemingly simple decision has profound implications for our quality of life and well-being, especially mental wear and tear and occupying the brain with irrelevant matters.

In this article, we will delve into the true importance of money, how to invest in our happiness, effective strategies for saving, and the relevance of the equipment we use in our work and daily life.

Is Money Really Everything?

Money, often seen as the pillar of security and success, plays an indisputable role in our lives. It allows us to access basic needs like food, housing, and health.

However, its importance can be overstated when it becomes the sole indicator of success and happiness.

It is important to understand that money is a means, not an end in itself.

Reflecting on how we value it can help us reorient our goals and aspirations towards what truly brings us meaning and satisfaction.

And let me emphasize this. Reflecting on how we value money can help us reorient our goals.

This statement is incredibly powerful because we tend to mythify money, sometimes as something unreachable.

Whenever I'm asked, "How can I make more money?" the first thing I tell them is: Stop seeing it as something so powerful and unattainable; making it seem simpler, something you deserve to achieve will make it happen sooner.

Demystifying money involves realizing that it's not the ultimate indicator of success or happiness.

When money is seen as unreachable or as the sole measure of achievement, it can lead to a misguided pursuit where individuals prioritize wealth accumulation over other aspects of life that contribute to true happiness and fulfillment, like relationships, personal growth, and experiences.

It helps in reducing the stress and anxiety associated with financial success.

It shifts the focus from an incessant race for more money to a more balanced approach where money is seen as a tool to achieve certain goals, not the goal itself.

This perspective encourages a healthier relationship with money, where it's viewed as accessible and manageable rather than a distant, unattainable pinnacle of success.

And it can lead to more responsible and wise financial decisions.

It can encourage budgeting, saving, and investing in a manner that supports long-term happiness and security, rather than impulsive or ostentatious spending to display wealth or status.

In essence, demystifying money aligns financial decisions with personal values and life goals, promoting a more fulfilling and balanced life.

Investing in Your Happiness

Money can be a powerful facilitator of experiences and moments that enrich our life.

Creating a financial cushion is essential for our security and peace of mind, but so is allowing ourselves to enjoy the things that genuinely make us happy.

Whether it's investing in travel, hobbies, or simply quality moments with our loved ones, money well spent can be an investment in our happiness and emotional well-being.

It's important that you learn to take care of yourself. You work and earn money to be happy. You work to live, not live to work.

What's the point of working if you're not going to give yourself those treats?

How to Save Properly

Saving doesn't have to be a monotonous or restrictive task.

There are strategies that can make saving an interesting and rewarding process.

From budgeting methods like the envelope system to apps that automate saving, there are a variety of tools and techniques available.

Personalizing these strategies to fit your lifestyle and financial goals can turn saving into a natural and satisfying part of your daily routine. Here are some tips I follow to save:

• Setting a Budget: It's crucial to start by knowing how much money is coming in and how much is going out. This helps identify areas where you can cut expenses. You can use Notion if you want to track this.
• 50/30/20 Rule: Allocate 50% of your income to necessities, 30% to wants, and 20% to savings. Simple rule, but effective.
• Automatic Savings: Set up an automatic transfer to a savings account each month. This way, you save without having to think about it. Roundup methods are great.
• Reducing Unnecessary Expenses: Analyze your expenses and eliminate those that are not essential, like unused subscriptions, eating out, etc.
• Comparing Prices and Looking for Deals: Before making significant purchases, compare prices at different stores and look for offers or discounts.
• Using Personal Finance Tools: There are apps and online tools that help track spending and savings, making it easier to stay on the right track. By the way, I actually work on a finance saving app, it’s called Goin, and it will help you with that.
• Smart Investing: Consider investing a portion of your savings. Investments can generate passive income and help grow your savings over the long term. The money in the bank only devalues its own value.
• Buying Second-Hand: Used items can be much cheaper and are often in good condition. In fact, Amazon has an option called “second hand” where you can get the same products but second-handed.
• Meal Planning and Smart Shopping: Planning meals can reduce food expenses and prevent food waste.

Gear doesn’t matter... Or does it?

In the labor and creative fields, there is often debate about the importance of the equipment or tools we use.

While it is true that skill and creativity are fundamental, working with tools that are comfortable and efficient can have a significant impact on our productivity and job satisfaction.

Finding that balance between not overvaluing the equipment but recognizing its contribution to our work and well-being is essential.

This does not necessarily mean spending on the most expensive, but on what best suits our needs and improves our work experience.

It is important that you feel comfortable working.

Do you really need a 2k curved monitor to program?

Maybe not.

Does it make you happy to have it and therefore make you perform better because you are happier?

Then buy it.

In my opinion, equipment does matter because it directly influences.

Finding a balance between spending and saving is a constant but essential challenge for a fulfilling and satisfying life.

While money is not the ultimate goal, managing it wisely can open doors to experiences and opportunities that enrich our life.

At the end of the day, what we value and remember is rarely measured in monetary terms.

The key is to find that middle ground where money serves our life goals, without becoming the center of them.

Investing in our happiness is fundamental, not only as an act of self-love but also as a smart and sustainable life strategy.

Often, the idea of investing is associated only with financial aspects, but investing in our happiness involves much more than that.

It's about recognizing that emotional and mental well-being is as valuable as any material asset.

It's important to understand that investing in happiness does not mean seeking instant gratification or undue indulgence.

Rather, it is a conscious process of identifying and engaging in activities that nourish our being in the long term.

This can include investing time in meaningful relationships, dedicating ourselves to hobbies that we are passionate about, or developing skills and knowledge that enrich our inner and outer worlds.

At the same time, working with purpose is a way of investing in our happiness

When we find meaning and satisfaction in our work, we not only contribute to our well-being but also positively impact those around us.

Work becomes an extension of our passions and values, rather than simply a means to earn money.

Therefore, investing in happiness is a balance between self-care, the pursuit of passion, and personal and professional fulfillment.

It's a long-term commitment that requires reflection, adjustments, and sometimes, the courage to make significant changes in our life.

Investing in our happiness is one of the wisest and most rewarding decisions we can make.

At least, in my opinion.

Make sure you'll be okay financially speaking if you somehow lose your job or something unexpected happens in your life. And even in that worst situation, if you're okay, then spend the money you have left on traveling, having beers, or just having fun.

It is okay to spend the money you make every day to live your life.