Investing Goes Far Beyond Just Money | Invest for Later

It?s funny because when I first started this blog, I thought of ?investing? as a term related only to money. I couldn?t see it any other way! How can I invest my money for my retirement? How much will I need to live until I?m the ripe old age of 95? And for many of you, investing is exactly that. It?s money. But the more I thought about it, the definition of ?investing? changed dramatically as what I valued in my life changed.

I?m young. I won?t give you exact numbers, but I?m in my 20s. I graduated in a time of intense economic turmoil, when companies weren?t hiring and when they did, they paid dirt low wages. After living off my meager savings for over half a year and working a few unpaid internships, I had to figure out how to save up money, invest it and make sure I lived a good retirement.

But now, after working for a while, I realized that when I?m investing into my future, I?m really investing in several areas of my life: my relationships, my money and myself. I?m a saver by nature, so it was really easy for me to build up my emergency fund, invest in my Roth IRA, 401K and other investing options with money to spare. I?m not a millionaire, but I?m at a sweet spot right now.

Now I?m thinking about pouring thousands of dollars into travel. I?ll have to give up some savings in the meantime, but I think it is well worth it in the long run. Why? Because I?m passionate about seeing the world and experiencing everything I can while I?m still young. It?s in my top 3 objectives to do in my 20s and I fully intend on fulfilling my dreams if I can financially and time wise!

For instance, I already booked a trip to Peru to hike the Lares trail to see Machu Picchu in all its glory. For 9 days, I?m shelling out about $2,700 upfront and then extra costs for food, souvenirs and other tours.

But it doesn?t stop there. My company is planning on flying me out to Shanghai for a week in January to work with our branch there. I fully intend on staying another week on mostly unpaid vacation time and exploring China as a whole. I?ve never been there and I think it would be a wonderful experience. Including the missing wages, tour costs and other expenses, I?m looking to lose another $3,000.

Oh wait, the madness doesn?t stop there. If time allows, I fully intend on going to Greece in August of 2012, which will be another $2,000-$3,000 in expenses. But I think $8,700 is a small price to pay if it makes me excited to be alive and work towards my goal to travel as much as possible.

This all goes back to a point I made in a previous blog: what makes you happy?

Get out a piece of paper and write those points down. I?m serious. Do it. What makes you happy? Truly happy? Is it money? Is it family?

Whatever those three points are, you need to find a way to map out a strategy to accomplish those goals. If you want to make money, learn about investing what you have. If you want to become an entrepreneur, find out how you can start your first business. If you want to travel, see how you can budget for travel without forgoing the rest of your goals.

I?m not a budget guru, but I know unhappiness and I?m tired of it. Don?t get too caught up in the small things. Look at the bigger picture and live your life the way it should be lived. Look beyond your computer screen and go out an experience something great!

Source: http://investforlater.com/2011/08/10/investing-goes-far-beyond-just-money/

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