Is anyone else motivated by money?

Before I get a ton of replies saying the same thing, I'm well aware money can't buy you happiness, but at the same time being poor can't buy you anything.
I'm about to go to university this year, so obviously entering the world of work is still a way off, but I feel like if I don't end up in a job making a decent amount of money that would allow me to live in London and travel and shop at places that aren't just high-street brands regularly then I'll feel as if I've failed.
There's always been financial difficulty in my house and so I know, whilst completely unintentional, my parents have made me see money, and lack of, as a source of stress. I hate living like this and can see myself working so hard to avoid it.
People always make being motivated by money into such a bad thing but I don't know if it really is and does anyone else feel the same?

"Many men have lost lots of money chasing women, but no man has ever lost women chasing money"

Not at all. I shall be doing an AMA thread about it soon as others have asked about it as well. I ran a construction business for 2 years.

Money doesn't make you happy but it has become more important to me now I've got a child, we know things are going to be harder for the next generation. We have just bought a house, my fiance wants to do contracting which is upto £850 a day pay it's going to be hard long hours etc, but we want to send our daughter to private school and have a house bought for her when she comes of age. I want her to have the most comfortable life possible is that such a bad thing?

Hm, interesting points. Thank you for replying.
I guess leisure time and people you're with etc are also important but I like the idea that money allows you the freedom to say take a spontaneous trip to Paris at the weekend without worrying about the cost, for example. I also wouldn't mind working insanely hard for several years to get to where I want to be as long as I could then enjoy it at some point. Hopefully there are some people with a similar mindset or it might get quite lonely ahah

Do you have access to a property to live in, within London? I.e a parents house or living with a mate?

I am lucky am from London and my parents own my house . Where are you from and why do you want to move to London.

Before I get a ton of replies saying the same thing, I'm well aware money can't buy you happiness, but at the same time being poor can't buy you anything.
I'm about to go to university this year, so obviously entering the world of work is still a way off, but I feel like if I don't end up in a job making a decent amount of money that would allow me to live in London and travel and shop at places that aren't just high-street brands regularly then I'll feel as if I've failed.
There's always been financial difficulty in my house and so I know, whilst completely unintentional, my parents have made me see money, and lack of, as a source of stress. I hate living like this and can see myself working so hard to avoid it.
People always make being motivated by money into such a bad thing but I don't know if it really is and does anyone else feel the same?

Far better off chasing a decent job with a purpose - teacher, doctor, police, fire service etc and family life. You'll be far better off and enjoy a better quality of life than someone trying to get rich.

Hm, interesting points. Thank you for replying.
I guess leisure time and people you're with etc are also important but I like the idea that money allows you the freedom to say take a spontaneous trip to Paris at the weekend without worrying about the cost, for example. I also wouldn't mind working insanely hard for several years to get to where I want to be as long as I could then enjoy it at some point. Hopefully there are some people with a similar mindset or it might get quite lonely ahah

Get a job.
Get a pay rise.
Get a promotion.

Youll find money actually doesnt motive you that much, unless the pay is very incentive based. Given your background id be suprised if you wanted to work for a precarious income stream.

What are you looking at doing?

If you go out chasing the money dream in the UK then good luck but you'll find out as I did its hard work for little reward in real terms. Fine in other countries I suppose where the government doesn't rinse you dry in any way it can think of.

So I take it that you got hit with taxes/charges you weren't expecting? May I ask what these were? I've done a business plan (with me as the only full employee) and have accounted for VAT, corporate tax, NI, am I missing anything?

Depends on the industry. The costs in construction are ridiculous because of health and safety and over regulation.

Good luck to you and your business but whilst I made profit during my time working I don't believe it was enough to say it was worth the constant stress.

Its very hard mate so the best of luck to you and at least you are driven enough to give it a try. What sector you going into? I can then give you more of an idea on overheads then.