Money should be used as a means and not an end. Our wealth lies in having good friends, a loving spouse or partner, an exciting hobby, the meals we prepare, the holidays we enjoy and simply loving the life we lead.

This is a key teaching of Epicurus. Once you internalize this and make it a part of your life that life becomes more rewarding, happy and meaningful. Of course, a good job, working with nice people with a sense of humor makes a big difference, since we spend so much of life working. But that is a lottery and often not within our power.