We live in a day and age where everyone is constantly wanting more. We’re simply not happy with our status quo. Thanks to companies advertising 24/7, we’re forever seeing things that we just don’t need but since they’re flashy and new we buy ‘em!

Like real consumers, we fall into the trap. We give in. We simply can’t say no. How could we? We need to upgrade our stuff because our perfectly functioning current things just won’t do.

Do we really wear our clothes until we no longer can or are we forever buying new ones? Throwing our perfectly fine just not-quite-brand-new clothes to one side. How about our tech? Are we using it till it starts to slow down or are we buying the latest model before we’ve barley used our current one? 

Being stuck in the mindset of always wanting more will mean that you’ll forever be spending money just to keep up with new trends. Spoiler alert: the only time there’s an end in trends is literally in the word. Other than that, there’s no end to it.

There’s a reason Apple is now a $2.5 trillion company! They’ve got us eating out of the palm of their hands. We’re totally hooked. I can defo speak for myself. I’ve got a mac, iwatch, phone and airpods. Yikes. But I love tech and it’s important to spend on the stuff you love just be careful not to overdo it! When new models are released, there’s so much hype around them.

So much so that thousands and thousands of consumers are willing to queue outside those Apple stores at the crack of dawn just to get their hands on them. Because getting some fresh tech a few weeks later isn’t quite as fresh, right?! 

Our iPhone 11 wasn’t good enough. Now that there’s an iPhone 13. We must get our hands on it! The thing about tech is that it doesn’t hold its value. As soon as you buy that flashy new iPhone you can kiss goodbye to a nice percentage of it since the price you pay is never the price you’ll be able to fetch.

And it’s for this exact reason that I plan to hold onto my iPhone 11 for at least 5 years or until it dies on me! Cuz we all know there’s nothing worse than a slow phone. But until then, however many models behind I am, I don’t really care. For as long as my phone does the job it’s gonna be quite some time till I dish out >£900 on a phone. Yeah, talk about inflation. Psst: read here show to protect your money from that beast!

Make the moola

But us wanting more is precisely how companies make their money. If a company’s motto was “buy and hold forever” they won’t be nearly as profitable as those whose sole business model relies on ‘out with the old and in with the new’. Constantly keeping us wanting more. From new tech to watches and literally everything in between. 

But it’s not just clothes and gadgets we’re wanting more of. It’s money too. Society values money (A LOT) and while investing is all about growing your money, it’s so much more than that. Investing is about delaying short-term wants for long-term freedom.

Money is the way you’ll get there but if all you’re focusing on is the money then you’ve totally missed the point. Though read here how to spend to bring you enjoyment cuz if you don’t enjoy the journey what’s the point?

Because if you’re constantly wanting more money you’ll never feel satisfied. Getting more money won’t make you happy if you aren’t happy with what you already have. This is where most trip up. They make the mistake in thinking that more money = more happiness but it’s wrong.

Happiness is internal, it’s a journey not a destination. It doesn’t happen via the externals (like money, fancy clothes ect). It takes place within. Money is simply a tool to help you do things, but it shouldn’t be the end goal. So if you’re hoping that all your dosh is gonna bring you everlasting happiness – guess again! Read here how to turbocharge your happiness for a brighter & richer life.

Your hidden gift 

Being grateful for what you have will make you feel richer. And happier. You’ll look at your bank account, your investment account and your cupboard and whether they’re exploding with dosh or clothes, only your attitude is going to determine how happy you are. “He who is rich, he who is happy with his lot”. Rich isn’t about dollar signs. It’s about happiness and that comes from gratitude. 

Always looking for the next thing, always wanting more money will leave you feeling poor. All the time. Being rich is a state of mind. It’s no wonder that some of the poorest people in the world are also some of the happiest. This is no contradiction. They live such simple lives which means they aren’t in the business of always wanting more.

They’re just content the way they are. Little things are what makes them happy. Let’s be more like them and quit following the West & its version of happiness where more money = more happiness. Because it’s just not true. Not that I’ve properly tested that theory, but it makes a whole lotta sense!

In my DNA

Both sets of my grandparents were immigrants. They fled their hometowns in search of a better life. This gave them the drive to build better lives for themselves and their family. For them, it was never about amassing yet more (mostly) meaningless possessions. It was about having a place they can call their own.

Of course, we all want to achieve more. That’s normal, healthy and awesome! If we were to remain static that would be really sad and a total waste of our potential. But wanting more to the point that we lose sight of what we’re actually working toward is unhealthy. 

Whether you’re working toward making your first grand or your first million, your attitude should never change. Be grateful for what you have while you work toward your dreams.

If you’re unhappy with what you have, more will never fill that void. It’s all about your mindset. So don’t waste your life chasing something that just isn’t there. 

Your cup is always half full. Never forget that. 

Disclaimer: This blog is not investment or financial advice. It is my opinion only. This blog is not a personal recommendation to buy/sell any security, or to adopt any such investment strategy. Always do your own research before you commit to any investment.