The Art and Science of Spending Money

I really enjoyed this article from CollabFund on money, but this quote included by Richard Nixon really struck out to me:

The unhappiest people of the world are those in the international watering places like the South Coast of France, and Newport, and Palm Springs, and Palm Beach. Going to parties every night. Playing golf every afternoon. Drinking too much. Talking too much. Thinking too little. Retired. No purpose.

So while there are those that would disagree with this and say “Gee, if I could just be a millionaire! That would be the most wonderful thing.” If I could just not have to work every day, if I could just be out fishing or hunting or playing golf or traveling, that would be the most wonderful life in the world – they don’t know life. Because what makes life mean something is purpose. A goal. The battle. The struggle – even if you don’t win it.

I always tell my wife I’m going to retire and play golf everyday, but in reality while it’s a sport I could see myself playing everyday I’m just never going to be good enough to make money from it. It’s a fun hobby that gets me out of the house and lets me meet new friends, but it doesn’t give purpose like a job does.

I have many friends from different walks of life that could all retire today but they don’t. They show up everyday and still put in the work because that is what motivates them. What drives them, and what makes them successful.