by Ifediba Nwokedi

Created on: April 12, 2009   Last Updated: June 18, 2010

In our capitalistic society money has been associated with more than it warrants. The slogans and insinuating messages in adverts prompt us all to live in an all consuming and limiting hope that money will bring eternal happiness and take away all our worries.

The reality is rather different! Money is primarily a means to an end, not the golden ticket to happiness. Happiness is a state of mind that is yours with or without money.

Money itself is useful and can allow each and every one of us to have great experiences that are life changing. Think of the joys of a lovely home, which gives us a haven to relax and share with others. The many holidays that broaden your horizon or more importantly allow us to visits family and friends all over the world. Money gives us the choice to maneuver our way through the maze of our capitalistic societies.

Some would say that to not have money is a sin and a sign of divine punishment. Can this be true or is this just another way to be enslaved to a conditioned sense that money is only the right of a privileged few who are born into a family with money or landed the big break?

Robert Kiyosaki in his bestselling book, Rich Dad Poor Dad, describes money as one form of power. On the other, hand he also point out that what is more powerful is having a financial education. In being educated about how money works we step away from a victim position and gain the know how of how to make money work for you. without interfering with your values and ethics. Hence, just positive thinking alone will not allow you to have that big break and fill your bank account. The idea is that the first step is to learn to go beyond just dreaming? Rich Dad Poor Dad is the best book to start your journey to financial freedom.

Creating financial wealth to support your daily living is one part of life that many find overwhelming, because money has become attached to personal value codes. Money evokes very strong feelings in us all, depending on what we associate with giving or receiving money. Money comes and money goes, so the best way to gain a hold is to understand how money works and let money work for you and not the other way round. Money is not who you are. It is part of an economical system that rewards you if you learn to share your talents with the world without reservation. Who would not want to have taken the risk like J.K. Rowling to let her creativity flow into her book Harry Potter and in return start a phenomenon that brought the gift of fantasy into the hearts of children and adults alike. The windfall of Harry Potter breaking all book sales is a huge bonus that allow the author to continue indulging in her passion for a life time.

We all have the means to get to grips with money. The most important part is to find a healthy distance from money, and focus more on your! Money remains a means to an end and not the road to happiness. For you to be proud of your achievement and enjoy the benefits of money you need to take practical action based on a thorough understanding of how money can work for you and not other way round.

Money can be spent foolishly or wisely! The key is to use your creative mind and take the time to develop our financial IQ. It takes a bit of discipline to learn to reduce and manage your expenditure, save and invest, but once mastered, you can jump out of the rat race for life. More importantly, bounce back anytime without losing your dignity.

We cannot have two GOD's! Money will always just be a means to an end. Not the answer to all your worries! Developing your fiscal responsibility and money management skills will give you a lot less to worry about, and much more time to enjoy life.

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