What is True Wealth?

How Do You Measure Wealth?

Is true wealth measured solely by the numbers in your bank statement or is there more to it than that? Is the amount of money you amass the key to your sense of self-satisfaction and happiness?

If so, how much is enough? A million dollars, ten million or ten billion? If you have more wealth than some countries' gross nation product, will you still need more?

Many people will never be satisfied and will work incessantly to get richer. But as the old joke goes, their last words were never "I wished I spent more time at work."

Fortunately, when asked the question, "What is true wealth" not everyone will answer, "Money - the more the merrier." The world would be a pretty sad place if everyone or even the majority were in a constant hunt for countless wealth.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to be rich or, at least, to amass as much wealth as possible. But for many - if not most - people wealth is more than money.

So, some would answer that true wealth is having the peace of mind of being free of debt. Another will say he is truly wealthy if he can lead the lifestyle he chooses regardless of cost.

Others might say true wealth is being healthy and surrounded by loving family and caring friends.

There are probably as many answers to this question as there are people to answer it.

The couple who live in the big mansion in a swanky neighborhood could be many times more miserable than the guy that pumps your gas and lives in a furnished apartment.

True wealth is what one perceives it to be. If that were not so, we wouldn’t have policemen, firemen and soldiers who risk their lives protecting us for relatively low wages.

We wouldn’t have doctors who travel to third world countries, just to try to make some difference, rather than staying at home with a thriving practice and a comfortable lifestyle.

We wouldn’t have all the volunteers this country has, who are ready and willing to help the sick, infirm or destitute – or who suddenly turn up at disaster scenes willing to do anything to help.

This country wouldn’t have the millions of people who donate billions of dollars annually to the charities of their choice.

Even thought this is a website devoted to finances, it’s good to step back and realize there is more to true wealth than money.

I believe that having enough wealth to live a comfortable life makes lots of other things possible.

I also believe that being in debt is merely transferring your wealth to your creditors. While it may make them, or their shareholders rich, it really contributes little to your true wealth.

Be prosperous, but recognize the contributions of all those who make the world a better place to live.

Part Two: Growing and Preserving Your Wealth

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