Money and happiness are two words that we generally don’t go together. Not only is this incorrect, it is in fact detrimental to our happiness, you can have both and you should.

How many times have you heard the terms money and happiness together? Money can’t buy you happiness, this statement is drilled into us over and over again from a very early age. Now this is true, happiness is an inside job it can’t be purchased, but if you were to make the reverse statement “if you're poor then you're happy”, then this is equally incorrect. Let us try and find the right balance between the two. You see happiness cannot be purchased but an environment where happiness can flourish certainly can.

Let me explain further. Is having an unreliable car that may let you down at anytime more prone to making you happy or unhappy? Is it possible that your happiness could be affected by a break down at a dangerous or inconvenient time or location? Would having the funds to replace this unreliable car with a new one aid in maintaining your happiness? Of course it would. You're not buying happiness, you're ensuring it.

Another example, not knowing where food and rent for next month is coming from, is this conducive to happiness? No, stress, stress, stress is what that is. Now this doesn’t mean you're not happy, of course not, all I’m suggesting is that the happiness you have is far easier to maintain when money is available.

We should learn to think in terms of both, not either or. This is true for all areas of life. Do you want money or happiness? both is the answer. Do you want steak or lobster? both is again the answer, success or freedom? Both. Get the point. Life is abundant and we can have it all. Have your cake and eat it, why not?

If you begin thinking in the terms that money and happiness are compatible you will have both. Keep in mind though to seek happiness first. Money truly cannot buy happiness but you certainly can be happy and have money.

More on money and happiness can be found in "Cut the B.S."