Way back when I was in my early twenties I always said that I would be a millionaire by the time I reached 30. That vision has long gone, and needless to say I still haven’t made a million! I believe that money is important in life but I am also conscious of that money is not the magical answer to life’s many challenges. I think it is part of the answer but certainly not the be all and end all.

My views of money and financial security have changed somewhat over the years. I no longer dream about making my £1m. Right now, I see a future that doesn’t require me to have a £1m, (maybe half that would do!!) In short I want enough money to be able to support myself and any dependents I either have now or in the future without having to worry about going to work. I am not saying I don’t want to work, of course not! I just mean I want my work to be more than being a means of providing financial security.

I am pretty sure my profession has shaped how I view money and the world of finance. I think my view of financial security is shaped by this core principle more than any other. I don’t want to be left short.

For me, having enough money to create a level of financial security for the now and the future is one thing but the ability to achieve this most definitely has implications on the rest of my life. In an ideal world I would stop working as an accountant immediately and put my efforts into other interests, some of which involve making money and some of which don’t. The fact that I am not comfortable yet with my level of financial security means that I am more likely to continue working as an accountant until I am. Ultimately I see a future where I earn a living 100% from sources other than what I do now.

I do view money as a measure of success but certainly not the only measure. I think this is mainly because it is more quantifiable than a lot of other measures. If I am to be successful as an entrepreneur or if I were to be a successful stock trader then I would be making profits.

When I hear cliches like money can’t buy happiness or money isn’t everything, I do agree, but at the end of the day it can most definitely help. The world and how the people function within it are dictated by and large by economics. Other more feudal or self subsistence structures do exist but in the developed world people get a job, they earn money, they pay for things and this dictates their standard of living. If everybody could enjoy a standard of living that was right for them without the need to go to work then people could devote their time to other more altruistic endeavors. I realise I am talking in the land of make believe but my point is, that money and financial security most definitely is important and can go a long way to create happiness. I guess the trick is not to become fixated on it. This is easier said than done however when you factor in one of the most basic human emotions –GREED!!

If someone were to offer me £1m right now then of course I would accept it and I would happily include this in my future view of my financial position. If this were to happen then I would take a step back and really think about the impact such a live changing event such as this could have on me. There would be the danger that my views about what is and what isn’t important in life could change and this in turn could shape my very existence. Scary!!