More money, more problems?

I realized something important this week. I've been holding a pretty powerful belief about money, without really even realizing it. I made a list of all of the thoughts I had about the topic of money, and all of the "what ifs" came down to one statement: More money, more problems.

I don't even know where that phrase came from, but it's one that I've heard in various forms all through my whole life from many sources. 

The thing is, once I really looked at it, I realized it's just not true. That said, I can see why the phrase stuck -- we're just missing a key part of the equation to make it true.  

More money does not immediately equal more problems. 

More money + stupidity = more problems... just like anything + stupidity = more problems. The money part is neutral. It's the stupidity (or irresponsibility, or foolishness, if you'd like a gentler term) that gets you into trouble. 

You can put it to the test by inserting money into another equation:

More money + wisdom = More goodness. And goodness means more freedom, more possibilities, and more solutions available for the inevitable problems as part of life that come no matter how much money is in your bank account.

I'm excited to see what this upgraded view of money brings in my life (I know it won't be more problems like I feared). Maybe you grew up with that old tale as well. If so, let's let it go -- together.