All of us, without exception, make the pursuit of comfort one of our primary objectives in life. In fact, financial planners are taught that people try to maximize their discretionary spending to enjoy life to the fullest. This is also the reason why the entertainment business pays some of the highest salaries (e.g. actors, directors, basketball players, golfers, boxers).

Pursuing comfort does have a cost and money is a common but not exclusive tool to afford the comforts in life. There is nothing wrong with trying to earn a lot of money. The problem starts when people equate money to comfort and happiness, so much so that they end up chasing after money.

Money is kulang sa pansin or KSP (in desperate need of attention). The more you chase it, the more it runs away from you. It’s a tease. But try this – turn around and run away from money and you will something amazing.

When money realizes that no one is chasing after it, it will turn around and be the one to chase after you. There are so many ways of avoiding having to chase after money. Giving away money cheerfully, faithfully, wisely, and quietly is one great way. In my seminars, I tell people that there are four basic rules to boosting your savings, the first one being to give money away first. Obviously, I get a puzzled look from my audience every time I say this. But see, giving away money first helps you to develop that character of not holding on too tightly to money, a way of not chasing after money. Moreover, giving away money, especially when done to benefit others, gives a sense of fulfillment that money cannot buy. My wife and I have done it time and time again. Even when there are times we find some tightness in our budget, we make it a point to give money away. And you know what? Money flows back to us each and every time and in amounts many times larger than what we would give away.

Many surveys have been conducted to determine which country had the happiest people. Results often vary as to which country or race is really the happiest in the world. But all of the survey results invariably say that money and other material possessions score the lowest in making people happy. In fact, family and friends are the ones that rank the highest.

Making money is easy. All you have to do is find that seed of excellence already in you. Each one of us has it, whether it be cooking, driving, singing, analyzing financial statements, lawyering or teaching. You’ve probably heard or read of the book entitled “In Search of Excellence”. Well, you need not look very far because that excellence is right inside of you. When we were born, a unique seed o excellence was planted in each one of us. All you need to do is to recognize that seed, nurture it and let others benefit from it as well.

For those of you reading this column who may not know yet, I wrote a book entitled, “Pwede Na! The Complete Pinoy Guide to Personal Finance”. It became a bestseller just two months after it was launched. But that’s not the point. The royalties from the book are not that great. What is more enriching is the number of people that the book has helped along the way. Currently, the book has a following of 2,000 members through a free personal finance discussion group, where daily personal finance messages, teachings and Q&A’s are exchanged. And where does the concept of money chasing me come in? Well, because of the book, I am constantly invited to give seminars. That’s where the money is. And that is really the best career anyone can have, a career where you can do that thing that you are great in and enjoy doing, get paid for doing it and help others along the way. Do that and you will find true happiness as well as money chasing after you.

Efren Ll. Cruz is a registered financial planner with the RFPI USA. He is author of the bestselling books, “Pwede Na! The Complete Pinoy Guide to Personal Finance” and “Pwede Na! The Complete Pinoy Guide to Retirement & Estate Planning.” He is Chairman and CEO of Personal Finance Advisers Philippines Corporation. This article does not constitute nor forms part of any offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities. The opinion and views expressed herein are solely those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of the Personal Finance Advisers Philippines Corporation.