“We cannot cure the world of sorrows, but we can choose to live in joy,” -Joseph Campbell
Let’s talk about money and Joy, not in the abstract. In the way we actually live.
This is one of our favorite topics because it’s one of the most important and one of the hardest to get right.
Should Joy be the goal of wealth?
It feels like the answer should be yes. Obvious, even. But most of us don’t live that way. We chase security. We chase status. We chase things that look like enough, but never quite feel like it.
For a long time, our own idea of wealth was about being “bulletproof.” Having so much money that nothing could touch us. And that still holds a certain appeal. But the deeper we’ve gone into this work, with clients and in our own lives, the more we’ve come to believe something else:
The real goal of money is enduring Joy.
Not momentary pleasure. Not a sugar high from buying something shiny. The kind of Joy that sticks. That lasts. That gives you a sense of peace and meaning.
And, for many of us, that’s harder to build than a portfolio.
What Gets in the Way
Living a life centered around Joy competes with other things. The need to feel secure. The pressure to be accepted. The drive to keep up with everyone else’s version of success.
It starts small. You see someone with a great shirt, and think, “I can’t wait until I can afford that.” Then you can. So your eyes shift to their car. Then their house. It doesn’t stop, and it doesn’t slow down on its own. There’s always something else.
You can be surrounded by people who have hundreds of millions of dollars, and they’re still unhappy. It’s not about the number.
It’s about what the number is supposed to solve. And often, that problem lives deeper.
So What Do We Actually Need?
Food. Shelter. Companionship. A sense of purpose. These are real needs. But we also crave belonging, identity, and meaning. That’s where things get tangled. Because the money we use to meet basic needs often gets spent trying to fill emotional ones too.
The truth is, validation can come from success. But it can also come from self-awareness. From defining Joy on your own terms.
And when you redefine what “enough” means, your sense of wealth shifts too.
A Simple Exercise: Wants vs. Needs
Try this:
Strip your life down to your minimum viable lifestyle.
That might mean a used car. A modest home. Fewer monthly commitments. Imagine what you could live with if you really had to. Not forever, but as a baseline.
Now take everything above that and call it a want.
Then look at your wants one by one. Which ones actually bring you lasting joy?
If it’s your golf membership, and it gives you community, movement, and peace, keep it. That’s a want worth keeping. Same with anything else that feeds your spirit and brings you closer to the kind of life you value.
This isn’t about cutting to the bone. It’s about understanding what actually matters, so you can invest more intentionally in those things.
The Real ROI
Here’s the big idea: Joy is not just the outcome of wealth. It’s the driver.
There are studies showing that people who are joyful tend to build better relationships, attract more opportunities, and perform better in their careers. They earn more. They grow more. They live better.
So, when you build your life around enduring Joy, you create the conditions for real abundance.
We’re not saying money doesn’t matter. We are financial planners after all! Paying the bills, supporting your family, and planning for the future are very real. But once those boxes are checked, there’s a different kind of wealth to pursue.
It’s the wealth of a life that feels full.
Where you have more than you need.
Where your values and your money are working together.
Where success looks like contentment, not comparison.
That’s the game we’re playing.
That’s what we’re striving for, in our lives and for our clients.
And if that resonates with you, we’d love to hear from you.
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