Money is integral to our lives but can also have adverse effects. When we focus on money too much or have too much of it, it can change the way we think and behave. This blog post will discuss the adverse effects of money and how to avoid them.

What money can do to you

We need money to live. It is a commodity necessary for buying various things to help us live a good life. More money means more opportunities, such as better health care, education, and entertainment. Earning money is pretty much integrated into how our system works, such as acquiring it through a job or other sources of income where they pay you depending on what you do for them. One can even think that our time as students in school is already a preparatory phase to condition ourselves into the world of earning money. It's no wonder that it's a common goal for many to make money and try to acquire as much of it as possible.

Money alone cannot be said to be good or evil; it depends on how somebody uses it and what they choose to do with money. No proof states you automatically become immoral or unethical once you focus your life only on money and desire to acquire more of it. However, money can trigger unruly behaviors, and some adverse effects can happen if one lets it overtake their life. The following are some negative things that can occur when one possesses too much money or decides to focus only on it as their goal in life.

1. Moral degradation

Acquiring lots of money doesn't automatically make someone immoral, but there is a good tendency one may become if they find themselves in such a situation. For example, if you watch TV shows and movies, you may sometimes see villains depicted as wealthy, corrupt CEOs of companies or politicians who think they can do anything with their money. There can be some truth to this, as one may suddenly find themselves standing on higher ground when they have more money as they can have more opportunities unlocked for them and perhaps make them think they can get their way with money. It can include bypassing the law and bribing others to do evil deeds. Having lots of money may also subject one to immoral acts by thinking they can cover up or escape their actions with wealth.

Again, being wealthy doesn't automatically make someone evil. It depends on one's character, morals, and values. An upstanding individual may not experience any negative impact from having too much money or focusing on acquiring it as a goal. They can have reasonable control over their mind and actions. Solidifying one's beliefs and caring for your physical and mental health can help you maintain integrity and focus, so you don't commit immoral acts when you have lots of money.

2. Money can lead to addiction

Focusing too much on acquiring money can be addicting, and once you have lots of it in your possession, it can open more opportunities to avail of things that can trigger addiction. Earning more money than you need may be the addicting activity itself. More money means more purchasing power that can lead you to chase materialistic values like keeping up with trends, buying the latest gadgets, or ensuring you always possess something better than others.

Money can only do so much to make you happy and fulfilled. If you know what you want and value things that money can't necessarily buy, like time and genuine relationships, you won't need to earn lots of money, and you can feel satisfied even if you are not wealthy. Identifying what is good for your well-being and what can make you happy and fulfilled will let you know how much money you should have in your bank account to feel satisfied, possibly eliminating the need to hoard so much money.

3. Greed and pride

The desire to acquire money can lead to an endless cycle of wanting more and never having any satisfaction. One may not see enough money to fulfill all their needs and wants, so they may keep working and doing things to earn more, including perhaps illegal activities. It can make someone lose sight of what's important to pursue. Also, once you start having more money, you may form a mentality where you think you stand at the higher levels of society and see most people who don't have the same wealth as you to be of lower standards. Of course, not all wealthy people are arrogant and look down on poorer people, but some act like this. They may judge people more harshly and have less empathy toward those struggling financially. They may only concern themselves with their financial security and have no time to trouble themselves with the financial worries and conditions of others.

4. Money can make you lose sight of what's important

Money is only a medium for acquiring and achieving things that are essential to us. It is not the end goal of our actions and decision but is only a means to get what we truly want. If you put earning money as your goal, you may lose sight of what can give you happiness and fulfillment. Of course, money is necessary to buy happiness and satisfaction to a certain degree because you need it to buy some things that act as the things you want to achieve, such as a house, car, or establishing your business. However, the real goals are the feelings you get after acquiring such things, not the objects and money itself. Money only acts as the bridge to achieving what you want.

Having more money doesn't make you evil, but it can

Pursuing money is not an evil act. We all must do it to a certain degree to get what we want. Things become worrying once we lose control and have money-making as our only goal. There should be balance in everything, and the pursuit of money is no exception. Going overboard can affect our mindset and make us neglect everything else for money. Of course, it all depends on how good and strong one's values and moral character are to see if one can be affected negatively by pursuing too much wealth. Retaining your integrity while having lots of money can allow you to put it to good use for the benefit of others. So it's vital to have the proper mindset and knowledge of what to do with the money if you plan to acquire a significant amount for some purpose. Blindly acquiring lots of it to get more may lead you astray. One should figure out how much is needed to satisfy all their needs and wants, and you may realize you don't need lots of it to feel satisfied and happy.