Is "making a living" actually killing you? Does your job feel like a downward spiral into a fragmented life with broken relationships? Do you spend more than you earn? Millions of Americans are wheeling around in this vicious cycle. Your Money or Your Life teaches how to get out of debt and save money; value life over material possessions; match your values to your livelihood; and help the environment while saving money.
Joe and Vicki Robin Dominquez, authors of "Your Money or Your Life" have you start by calculating exactly how much you make per hour. Consider all the time and money you spend on work (prep and unwind time, commute, clothing, meals). Track every single dollar you spend, and convert those into hours of life energy. Example: You find that you actually make $5 per hour. Take the amount you spend on latte's per month ($60) and divide that by your hourly income. That's 12 hours of life energy!
Does the fulfillment you get from that life energy fit in with your vision and life's purpose? Spending money only on things that make you truly happy will make your job feel more rewarding because you increase your quality of life.
The "magical" step occurs when capital income surpasses your monthly expenses. At this point you are financially independent and will no longer need work to live. Fulfillment will come from doing what you most innately desire. The key is to become a knowledgeable and informed long-term investor. The authors encourage you to have faith in yourself and to use common sense when investing.
This book breaks the commonly held assumption that you must bring in a six-figure income in order to enjoy life to its fullest. Simplify your existence by only trading life energy for things that truly bring you happiness and contribute to your purpose.