I recommend a book or at least watching a video on YouTube - Status Anxiety by Alain de Botton
Ask HN: How to stop my greed for money?
71–80 of 80 posts
Re: Ask HN: How to stop my greed for money?
#72First, realize that you're probably making at least double the median US income. If you have a house with no loan and that income, you're doing way, way, way better than average. I see two possible paths forward. The less likely is to read and internalize http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/01/13/the-shockingly-sim... and realize how quickly you can reach financial independence at a reduced spending level (but one th…
I have a related question but from a different situation. In throes my job hunting, I described my job search and overall work experience, and someone pared down to conclusion to, I am fetishizing having a job too much.
If I am truly doing this, can that still be rationalized even when I am very underemployed?
While I won't bog you down on the details, I have a really patchy work history created by frequent layoffs. This created a lot of unemployment time, taking up about a quarter of my post-academic life. On top of that, I am very underpaid for a developer (~40% of the local average pay) so I often struggle making ends meet when I'm out of a job.
I feel pressured from many sides thinking of many possible solutions to choose.
Re: Ask HN: How to stop my greed for money?
#73Being greedy for money is when you cheat, lie, scam, steal, or abuse others in the name of money. That doesn't sound like that's what you're doing. You are not doing anything wrong. You are trading your time and energy for your hard earned cash. Also, working harder for more money can come at a cost to your health and time, so tread carefully. Money doesn't solve your problems or bring you happiness , and it is a false measurement of wealth and success. However, having it can give you the potential to live a good live by giving you options.
Discover your true purpose in life by finding a way to contribute to society, whether through your own business or helping someone else realize their mission. Money is just a way of measuring how much you're contributing something of value to someone else.
Instead of concentrating on money, start asking yourself how to create something meaningful that will benefit the world, not how to earn more. You can feel good about having a positive impact on society, and the money will naturally come fair and square faster than you can track it. You will also enjoy every minute of it and it will become play instead of overexertion. What's most important, though, is that you learn the skills to always be able to make money no matter your circumstance. Be the absolute best in your field and you will be set for life.
The opportunities will always be there today, tomorrow, and in the next century. There are millions of undiscovered ideas that will make you rich. The more time you spend worrying, the less time you'll spend thinking about your next idea. Also, be willing to stay flexible in your plans in case big promising opportunities come along that you are not expecting.
Avoid comparing yourself to others, no matter what it is about. (Money, possessions, relationships, businesses, etc.) It will always result in you suffering and wanting more. Focus on your path and what's in front of you. Count your blessings before bed each day.
Study Buddhism and meditate to help overcome your insecurity. I particularly recommend lectures by Alan Watts on youtube. Life is a delicate balance and you may be spending too much time on work without rest. Work must be balanced with personal growth, family, community/friends, and entertainment. The more you focus only on your career, the more time it will take to bring balance back into your life.
Re: Ask HN: How to stop my greed for money?
#74I keep reading about these people who are making millions of dollars
First thing would be to stop doing that! I mean, eliminate that totally from your life. Sounds like women feeling bad by reading magazines with gorgeous models in them. Why do that to yourself. Of course you feel bad, that's the idea.
Re: Ask HN: How to stop my greed for money?
#75When I get this way, I ceremonially burn a few 10ks on my front yard.
Ah thanks for the idea, I've been going about my trolly comments on HN all wrong. On second thoughts, if everyone did that (create an account for every likely-to-be-downvoted comment) then HN would suck massively.
Re: Ask HN: How to stop my greed for money?
#76Give some money away, even if it's a little bit. In certain circles this is called creating an "abundance mentality," [1]. When you get rid of something that you're worried about not having enough of, it trains your brain to not worry so much about having the thing. [1] https://www.positivityblog.com/how-to-create-an-abundance-me...
I wonder if that works on the most important currency of all - time.
Re: Ask HN: How to stop my greed for money?
#77Give some money away, even if it's a little bit. In certain circles this is called creating an "abundance mentality," [1]. When you get rid of something that you're worried about not having enough of, it trains your brain to not worry so much about having the thing. [1] https://www.positivityblog.com/how-to-create-an-abundance-me...
I wonder if that works on the most important currency of all - time.
Yes, it works for me. Set a timer for 10 minutes and commit to doing nothing until the timer runs out, and you will feel a lot less rushed.
Re: Ask HN: How to stop my greed for money?
#78I wouldn't wish this on anyone but I lost someone I loved dearly and discovered that I had spent so much time concerned about money instead of spending time with her and that I would give up everything I possibly could just to get a few minutes with her again. I realized that I wasn't the only person who felt that way and that I wasn't ever going to make that mistake again.
Re: Ask HN: How to stop my greed for money?
#79Greed is good, embrace it!
Money = Freedom!
Re: Ask HN: How to stop my greed for money?
#80Earlier quoted context omitted.
I disagree - sortof. "money-hoarding" is very useful - money lets you do all manner of fun things. If you're not sure what you want - hoarding money is a pretty good thing to do in the meantime. If nothing else you'll be able to spend it on therapy :) But, should ultimately be a means to an end. You are going to die, you can't take it with you - decide what you want from your finite life, and tie the money to what yo…
>I disagree - sortof. "money-hoarding" is very useful - money lets you do all manner of fun things. That's exactly the dangerous thing about it. I'm a minor hoarder of electronic components, and I'd probably be a pathological case if my wife didn't stop me. It's precisely the potential future usefulness that keeps me piling our basement full of old washing machine motors and garage-door solenoids.
Oh, you should see the stuff I've got - all the wires, apart from the one I need.
Fortunately money doesn't take up that much space (and can be used to buy old solenoids when you ACTUALLY need one).
(although I fully agree the transactional costs of selling/buying mean you should at least keep a few spares to hand).