How Much Is Enough?

Akin to the topic of slowing down to enjoy your time is a larger question about your life as a whole: “How Much is Enough?” The answer will be different for everyone. So often, our fallen human nature will continue to push for more out of greed, envy, fear, or trying to fill a void left by something else.

Morgan Housel, the author of The Psychology of Money, says that “happiness is the difference between what we have and what we want.” That becomes a challenge if we always want more.

This is worth spending time thinking about. It influences many decisions, like how we invest, how many hours we work, where we live, etc. It is great to be driven, but it can easily become all-consuming. It can affect our generosity, happiness, and relationship with God.

In financial planning, we often try to help people build out their ideal retirement lifestyle. We ask questions such as, what do you want to do in retirement? How much do you want to spend? But maybe that is the wrong question. Maybe we should keep it simple and just ask, how much is enough?

When we define “enough” for ourselves, we create boundaries and contentment. We give ourselves permission to stop pushing for more or the next thing. We can find peace in what we have, even when the world seems chaotic and crazy. We can be more generous. This doesn’t mean we stop setting goals or abandon ambition. Rather, it means our goals become rooted in purpose rather than comparison.

As you consider your own financial journey, I encourage you to pause and ask:

• What truly matters most to you?

• Where do you find meaning?

• How much do my bills actually cost each year? (We can help you determine the nest egg to cover that!)

In my experience working with clients, those who have clarity around “enough” tend to experience greater peace, generosity, and freedom.

God Bless!