Money sometimes is incapable of buying satisfaction and contentment in the present fast moving rat race of earning more. And sometimes, money takes a back seat and people with satisfaction are seen as being happier than people with big bucks.

Something similar was faced by Tingting Peng who had been in banking for a few months when she realized that although she was earning more than enough, she still felt unhappy. Initially an investment-bank analyst at Morgan Stanley in Hong Kong directly after her college, Ms. Peng at the age of 21 was earning US$50,000 base plus bonus.

Now, 26, recalling the time, she said, "After six months, I felt burned out. I was sick for weeks on end, but I would self-medicate and still go to work. I was looking to superficial things to make me feel better”.

Frequently unwell and hence unhappy, Ms. Peng kept on jumping between finance jobs for two years. She then finally took a break by deciding to go back to her family in Boston and there she thought of starting her own fitness business after she returned to Hong Kong. For erecting this business she joined yoga certification and personal training courses. This idea of hers flowered into a full-fledged company Iron Lotus, with about $2,000.

Although earning less, Ms. Peng gladly said, "I know what I should appreciate now my health, doing something that I love and am passionate about, and having the support of my family and friends”.