hesperis -

Be very wary of things that are done for you "for free". There may not be a price attached (a dollar amount) but I would be willing to bet there's a cost. I like to know what the cost is as well as what the price is.

If you except the fact that there is a cost involved in living in society, things actually become a lot easier. Once you know the cost of what you want, all you have to do then is figure out how to meet the cost. If the effort involved in meeting the cost is too great, or unacceptable for other reasons, you adjust your wants.

Life is about whatever you want it to be about. Make a list; what are you willing to give away in exchange for money: Your music? Your time? Your physical strength? Your "favors"? Your truth? Your intellect? Your intuition? The things that you are not willing to trade for money are probably what your life is about.