Materialistic Need (Desire?)

This is going to sound a little new-age or monkish, but how many material things do we really want? Not need, want. Few of us could argue that we only need a small fraction of the material things that we own, but I believe that if we take a look at our desires, most of us will realize that we don't really even want many material things.

This thought was sparked by a conversation I had with a friend over lunch a few months ago. We were talking about work (we are product designers) and how 80% of the products we design are things that people are told they can't live without. Lunch was short (pressing deadlines and such), but the conversation got me thinking: What big ticket items do I want to own in order to improve my happiness?

• A reliable vehicle with space for bikes
  
• A home/condo/apartment, doesn't matter exactly which, as long as there is enough space for my family
  
• A computer
  

That really is about it. Those are the big ticket items I want to own I feel will enhance my happiness. Next, I thought about the things I want to do in my life that will make me happy.

• Spend time with my wife and children
  
• Have the financial freedom to travel where I want when I want (there are a lot of places I want to travel)
  
• Take courses in industrial design, sociology, and business
  
• Start my own product development company
  
• Work when I want to.
  
• Learn to sail
  
• Help others through charity work
  

Those came to me in about 2 minutes, I am sure if I racked my brain I could think of more, but those are enough to make my point. My point is that we tend to want to do things, not have things. People never ask, what do want to own in your life, they ask what you want to do with your life.

The reason I bring this is up is that I developed my stock trading system to make me obscene amounts of money. I then realized that without a target goal, I would never stop. I would always find a reason to make more money. Since this revelation, I have calculated the approximate cost of my dream lifestyle. With estimating high and then adding 10% to the total, I calculated that I need about $145,000 per year, before taxes. This is a lot of money to be sure, but not so much as to be unrealistic. With my stock trading system, (built on a foundation of low risk and incremental, compounding gains), I project to be able to make that mark in a few years, and be able to live off of the interest not very long after.

I implore you to ask the above questions of yourself. You find, if nothing else, clarity as to what you truly desire. Remember, you can't reach goals if you don't set them. As far as reaching the goals goes, my preferred method is the stock market, but as Emerson said:

As to methods there may be a million and then some, but principles are few. The man who grasps principles can successfully select his own methods. The man who tries methods, ignoring principles, is sure to have trouble.

-Christopher Paul