Money is at the root of all evil. Money makes the world go round. Money can't buy you happiness. It's the topic at the top of everyone's list when they talk promotions at work, and it's the topic of concern during this worldwide economic downturn and anticipated recession. Yet, money and materialism take second place to, of all benefits, free time.
A study by Manolis and Roberts (Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH and Baylor University, Waco, TX.) confirms that both materialism and compulsive buying have a negative impact on teenagers' happiness. 1,329 public school students were evaluated, and the results showed that the more materialistic they were, and the more inclined they were to engage in compulsive buying, the lower their happiness levels were. On the other hand, when provided with just the right amount of spare time, their happiness levels increased. The study, published in the journal, Applied Research In Quality Of Life, also found that having a surfeit of free time reduced the negative impact of materialism and compulsive buying. That is, being neither too busy nor having too much "time on their hands" was associated with higher happiness.
These results are exactly what those that live a minimalist lifestyle have been preaching. It is the rush to acquire and own that creates stress and anxiety, more so than the owning that provides a feeling of comfort. When one "owns" just the right amount of goods, and has a comfort level with his finances, stress is minimized.
On the other hand, the need to own may be a psychological impediment in itself. Like overeating, overbuying is linked to deficiencies in one's psychological health. The use of material possessions as status symbols may also be an indicator of an insecurity or dearth of emotional comfort.
When a person relinquishes the urge to score his success by the amount of money or the dollar value of his possessions, he is able to find more time to pursue activities that provide greater intrinsic satisfaction. Whether one spends ninety minutes savouring the flavour of a two hundred dollar meal, or ninety minutes relaxing and watching waves scour the sand at his favourite beach, each has maximized his hour and one half. Yet, which took the greatest effort to acquire? Certainly, the time spent working to earn the two hundred dollars is greater than the time taken to unfold a beach chair and plop into it!
We eagerly anticipate the day when we can retire from "the rat race." As the big event approaches, we stress about whether we truly will have enough money to enjoy life. We plan each moment leading up to and immediately after the day when we no longer are bound to the need to earn money. Mortgage free, at last!
But did we need that huge house, that massive debt, those costly furnishings, those fancy clothes for our retirement? Not likely! The first thing we do is plan a relaxing vacation full of - you guessed it - free time. It hasn't been free, at all. It has cost us time, health, mental anguish and stress.
Today is the day that we need to retire. It is the day that we need to say, "I'm finding time for myself." It is the day when we need to break open the piggy bank that holds the cash for our next big purchase. And it is time to invest in the most valuable, and the most satisfying asset we can own: free time!
Among other interests, Robert Lee is a writer who focuses on ethical considerations in business and living life simply. He is the author of six books, including The Last Drop of Living, A Minimalist's Guide to Living The High Life On A Low Budget and Wild People I Have Known. His blogs include http://findingtheoasis.blogspot.com, as well as blogs on minimal living, living in a yurt, harvesting wild plants and eco-innovations.
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