By MyPF | Published November 12, 2021

In his book ‘Happy Money’, Honda asks the reader to remember the good that money can do. Rather than being irritated by having to pay a bill, keep in mind that the money you spend on things like rent, auto loans, and groceries is going towards meeting your or your family’s basic needs. Discretionary spending might also help you feel better provided you’re mindful. This kind of thinking can help you feel more appreciative for your capacity to buy and less guilty when you do.

Examining your money views, as well as the people and circumstances that shaped them, is equally critical. Being aware of these forces can help you overcome them and make financial decisions that result in better outcomes and less stress.

If one of your parents lost a job when you were a kid, it’s possible that this becomes a subtle factor for why you’re stuck in a job you hate, instead of enabling yourself to find better opportunities. If you recognise that you’re stuck in a job because of childhood trauma, you might be able to make the greatest choice for yourself.

When it comes to personal money management and financial planning, this clarity is essential.

Money, in fact, has the ability to make us happier. It can, however, generate a lot of anxiety, dread, and frustration. Is it any surprise that we unconsciously push money away when it brings us so many negative emotions? We are less content with both our money and our life the more money we push away. We can, however, change our connection with money and gain access to happiness.

1. You Can Buy Freedom With Money.

We all have the same 24 hours to do our tasks during the day. For many of us, money is a sign of independence. We can pay someone to clean our homes, have our meals made by a restaurant, and spend more time with our children because we have the freedom to do so (or grandchildren). The list might go on for ever.

If you don’t have enough money, some of your options for bettering your life are limited. What would you do with an extra hour or two per day to do whatever you wanted?

2. Even if you have all the money in the world, you will still worry about money.

If you are dissatisfied with your life or finances, it makes little difference whether you are wealthy or poor.

Over the years, I’ve met a lot of folks who are living their greatest lives on average or below-average salaries. On the other side, I’ve known a number of people who, no matter how much money they have, are never satisfied. Someone constantly seems to be wealthier, hotter, or more successful than you. What is causing you the most financial stress?

3. Even if you have an MBA, if your financial IQ is low, you may end up losing money.

It’s comparable to the distinction between street smart and book smart. It may be claimed that a single mother with no net worth raising three children on her own is a better money manager than a millionaire.

The single mother keeps track of every dollar she spends and makes the most of it, even if she can’t save much. The billionaire, on the other hand, recognises that they can always generate more money if they spend too much. In other situations, people can spend as much as they want and never run out of money.

4. If you’re going to save money, do it while imagining all the good that could come.

Which of the following would motivate you to put more money aside?

Option A: A luxurious stay at the Four Seasons Sayan is paired with a first-class flight to Bali, complete with lie-flat chairs. The package includes a gourmet dinner, excellent accommodation, and a choice of spa treatments.

Option B: Money to be invested in a diversified portfolio and multiplied tax-efficiently. Increasing your net worth, which can be used to cover future costs.

Option B can be utilised to help pay for Option A.

If you understand why you’re saving money, you’re more likely to stick with it and meet whatever financial goals you establish. Could a change in your money mindset assist you in achieving your financial objectives more quickly and easily?

The majority of us will fall somewhere in the middle of these two situations. Whether you’re a rocket scientist, a business entrepreneur, or a teacher, you definitely don’t know as much about personal finance as you do about your chosen field.

5. It Is Difficult To Rein In Your Spending Once You Get Into The Habit Of Doing So.

Spending less is similar to dieting in that it is tough to do and may make you unpleasant to be around. It’s easy to splurge now and then, but once you do, luxuries become necessity.

If you want to be like the Zen Millionaire, live within your means so you don’t have to make drastic financial sacrifices when circumstances are rough.

6. People Who Become Wealthy Slowly And Deliberately Tend To Manage It Better Over A Longer Period.

Consider all the lottery winners or professional athletes who went from having more money than they knew what to do with to being broke seemingly overnight. They just aren’t equipped to handle the money, and they have no idea how to turn that sizable savings account into a long-term income source.

Personal financial planning is itself a skill that must be fostered through painstaking experience and arduous lessons.

7. Instead Of Comparing Yourself With Others, Compare Who You Are Today With Who You Were Yesterday.

Do you want to follow in the footsteps of the Kardashians? They will almost certainly always be wealthier and have a larger number of Instagram followers than you. Most would agree that they aren’t the most interesting or engaging people.

Your success should be measured in terms of how far you’ve personally progressed. You should always strive to improve, and you should be able to find satisfaction in your life.

Conclusion

Gratitude is the key to financial success. According to Honda, although Japanese people are more prone to over-saving, Americans are more prone to accumulating. For the most part, personal money management teaches you about technical aspects of building wealth without really addressing the deeper reasons of doing so. It’s all about getting more and more.

However, more money isn’t always the answer, and it doesn’t necessarily equal contentment. The quantity of money a person has is significantly less important than their inner energy: whether you are pleased as a lawyer or a janitor, your income will be happy money.

Honda believes that appreciating what you have opens the way to happiness. The simplest thing he can recommend is to express thanks when it comes to money. When money enters your life, say ‘arigato,’ which means thank you. And you express gratitude when you spend money when money leaves your life. We become slaves to money unless we discover how money controls us and how to break free from the drive to make more, according to Honda. Take a more holistic approach, enjoying what you already have as well as the flow of money in and out.

Read the article here: https://mypf.my/2021/11/10/7-money-mindset-lessons-from-the-zen-millionaire-ken-honda/