Money Money Money

We live in a world where money seems to be one of the most important things on people's minds. I was brought up with the wise words: "Geld maakt niet gelukkig" (wich means money doesn't make you happy). But I find myself wondering if this is really true.

Money has always been a sensitive issue for me. When I was a teen and started earning my own money I was a cheap little girl. Instead of enjoying life from the money I had earned I would put it away on a savings account and I would never touch it. Some people would say it was a sensible thing to do, thinking back I think I should've enjoyed spending money a bit more.

Having said that: my money saving habits made it possible for me to go on my first Australia trip as I had saved over 4000 euros by the time I finished high school. So in a way you can say it wasn't all for nothing.

After my cheap years I did manage to break away from my habits and I learned to spend a bit more money (even on things I didn't really really really need) and it felt really good. But nowadays I find myself struggling with the whole money issue again. Some people say that money doesn't make you happy, and I really want to believe that. But due to having to save every penny for the Australia trip I needed (and still have) to save every penny I had left after paying the bills. For over a year now I had to turn over every penny three times and I still wouldn't have money to have any fun. (yeah yeah, I know I went to Australia.. but gimme a break!) It caused plenty of little brawls between me and my man, and it left me wondering: maybe money DOES make you happy?!

After much thought and consideration about this I find that (as always) my father has the wise advice and the core of my final thoughts on the issue:

Money may not make you happy, but it sure makes life a hell of a lot easier.

Money gets you a roof over your head, food in your mouth, clothes on your body and some other things that make you happy. Without money these things would be a lot harder to get and this doesn't make life easier. I realize that there's a lot of people with hardly any money and they are very happy, and that there's a lot of people with loads of money who are miserable. But me, I just want a little luxury. I work hard, and in return I like a nice house with nice furniture and I like to eat nice food. Call me spoiled, but that's just how it is!