Things more valuable than money in your Life

Money is not everything

Money is a powerful tool, and learning how to use it is an essential life skill, which is why frugality is such a valuable quality. Yet, it is easy to get caught up in the noble quest of being thrifty and lose sight of what is essential in life. Let us take a step back and look, in no particular order, at things to value more than money. And because this is a money blog — and we couldn’t resist ourselves — we will also look at how these lofty goals not only make us happier but also improve our long-term financial health.

Does money buy happiness?

America is far and away the world’s greatest economic power. The average American’s annual income is ten times his middle-class counterpart overseas. Yet, despite rising financial prosperity most Americans feel little financial satisfaction. Does money buy happiness? Clearly it does not. Money has not and cannot meet our deepest psychological needs.

Part of the dissatisfaction that many adults feel is due to poor to fair money management, despite explosive growth in stockbrokers, financial planners, estate planners, and insurance salespeople; not to mention self-help books, magazines and newsletters, more seminars and workshops. With all that information, we still have to account for:

• A record bankruptcy rate during a time of unparalleled economic prosperity;
• Americans spending outpacing their income resulting…