In just a few weeks I will begin instructing a 16-week course on “The Psychology of Money: Understanding Your Clients From the Inside Out.” I will be using Facilitating Financial Health as the main text book.

I just recently ran across a new blog, The Attorney’s Therapist, by Debra Taylor-McGee, that had a post regarding money psychology. Don’t Regress Under Financial Stress.

Can money give meaning to your life?

I was one of a group of financial planners who explored that question during a session at the recent FPA Retreat in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

I have a simple question for you. What is money?

Not long ago I was asked that question by financial futurist Dick Wagner, CFP®. My response was, “energy.” Wrong. Dick responded, “Rick, you just described a function of money.

Have you ever dreamed of having a lot of money? Or wondered how you could get really rich? Probably you have; most of us have such dreams, at least from time to time.

As I emphasize in my work, there is much more to wealth than accumulating money. Having a good income, learning to live on less than you earn, and investing wisely are only part of wealth in the larger sense.

“It’s not shopping, it’s retail therapy.”

“I shop, therefore I am.”

“When I die, bury me at the mall, so my wife will come to visit me.”

Despite all the jokes like this, for too many people shopping is anything but a joking matter. This was the message of our March 27 teleclass with Dr. April Benson. She is a nationally known psychologist who specializes in the treatment of compulsive buying disorder.

What makes you rich? According to a Gallup poll done a few years ago, the public’s median definition of “rich” was either an income of $120,000 or assets of one million dollars. By that definition, a lot of people could be considered rich. Roughly the top 7% of Americans have a net worth of a million dollars or more.

More recently, MSN Money asked their more money-savvy readers to define “rich.

In a 1953 film, three young women in New York City come up with a business plan to insure their financial futures. They sublease a swanky apartment and begin hosting and attending glitzy parties as a way to move into wealthier circles than they’re used to. Their goal is to gain financial security, and their business plan is “How to Marry a Millionaire.

My old friend John, unannounced as always, popped his head into my office this week. “Hey Rick, do you have a financial form I could borrow?”

“John, we have lots of financial forms. What type do you need?”

“One that shows how much you are worth.”

“Oh, a Personal Financial Statement. Sure, ask Lindsay for one,” I replied.

“Okay, great, got to go,” he said, starting toward the front office.

In last week’s column I suggested the value of setting up a support system if you are trying to change a pattern of overspending. Part of that system is finding a financial mentor to support you as you work your way toward financial health.

A financial mentor is someone who “walks the walk,” who is qualified to serve as your guide because he or she has traveled the same road you want to take and has done so successfully.