What does money buy?

[cstebbins]

Most of my life I've told myself and others that money doesn't buy happiness. Ultimately this is true of course, but as I've finally been able to save money and actually have a surplus for the first time in my life, I have been able to experience some other uses for money. For me, money has bought me the following: increased comfort, decreased worry, a sense of accomplishment, and most of all, peace of mind. Has money bought me happiness? No. But it has bought me some security.

[Penelope]

cstebbins, I can relate. I have been blessed to grow up in a family that has never had to struggle to put food on the table. As I grew older, my parents' financial stability only increased. Strangely, I remember feeling some shame around having money from a relatively young age; I began giving my birthday money to charities when I was a pre-teen. But, now, as an adult, I feel some of that same shame. I think much of it, for me, is about the fact that money does open so many doors to me - many of which can ultimately lead me to happiness. It has provided me with an education, opportunities to see new places and meet new people, comfort in my environment and lifestyle, and much, much freedom in countless decisions I make on a daily basis. Would I be in this position if my parents' financial stability had not set me on my own financially sound path? Likely, no. So, it's difficult to take full ownership of the happiness it affords...

[redshoes]

I had a rather different experience than Penelope. I started short on money. However, that did not stop me to get an education and a comfort. For many years, I lived simple with a short wish list. Now as I have more money available, my wish list is so long that I cannot stop working to fullfill it. I am not sure where the balance is, but now that I look back, I want a simple life again. Does that entails less money or less power to them?

[blueskies]

For me money gives me a sense of security and control. When I first really was able to start saving, I also felt a real sense of accomplishment. Maybe because I was able to take care of myself, do some of the things I wanted to do and still save some. I felt better about myself. I can't say money has ever brought me happiness though.

[Zoff]

For me, even though I don't have a lot of money, my goal is to make plenty of it...for this simple reason.
Time, to me, is the most precious commodity on earth. No amount of money can buy the last minute back. However, money can buy future time....time to do the things I want with my life. For now, the restrictions of exchanging time for money posses a very obvious problem. Money in itself doesn't make me happy, it's just paper. However, knowing the potential of exchanging money for time does make me happy.

[sixfeet]

I've heard the most valuable commodity these days is "time". Our lives are so fast-paced, scheduled, in demand. I certainly feel that way pretty often. I agree with the idea that money can buy the luxury of time. Although I find it hard to determine how much I should work to earn money in the present to buy time in the future. Overworking robs me of the present time to find happiness now.

[paddleon]

I'm pretty young, 25. Right now I have a job I love, but I don't make alot of money. Luckily my expenses are low. For me it feels pretty good to get up each morning and be eager to head to work, but I know at some point I'll have to actually start a career. The idea of joining the "fast-paced & scheduled" is kind of frightening to me. I definitely value my time & the way I spend it. I really don't want to give it up.

[z350]

I agree with sixfeet. The most important asset for me is time but I cannot enjoy my time without people. I started to value my time more so as I met people that I love having around. I think this is all it takes to give up on this money run.

[Zoff]

I would have to agree w/sixfeet---that is, the tricky part of all this is finding balance (as the home page picture depicts). And your point is well taken---obviously, our mortality plays in the back of our minds....Not knowing what the future has in store for us, "how much time am I willing to give up to work now, knowing that I may not be here tomorrow"? What about all the potential "opportunity lost" enjoying friends, family, etc. if I've given most of my current time to "work". The potential "opportunity lost" is obviously personal to each individual---however, the struggle is the same..

[sonic]

I always like to ask myself that old question..."What would you do if you knew you only had one year left to live?" every now and then just to check in with myself. "Opportunity lost", there is nothing worse than a lost opportunity.

[Zoff]

In response to Sonic... questioning what someone would do with their time, knowing he/she had only 1 year left, is really not the focal point of this thread...The fact that most of us don't know what tomorrow holds is the very reason most of us are in dialogue. It's very apparent to me, given the fact that most of us have no clue as to when we leave this earth, making the choice to live one's life based on a "one year scenario" would almost lead to financial ruin---long term. After all, who would really care how much debt would be incurred, knowing their life expectancy to be one year from "x" date. For me, the real question is, "based on my short and long term goals, how much current time, given my financial vehicle, do I give up now to attain those stated goals". I think the answer is different for everyone---there is no clear cut answer. One thing is for sure---you cannot buy the last minute back, no matter how wealthy you are---"time", without question, is the most precious commodity on earth.

[sonic]

No offense there zoff. I think we are in general agreement. I realize none of us know when our time here ends. But I still find some utility in the question "What would I do if I only had one year left?" The question helps me as part of a check-in with myself. Am I really embracing the things in life that matter to me? Am I taking advantage of opportunities that come my way? What am I doing to create the kind of life I want to live?

As to your point, I agree I can't arrange or plan my life solely on the idea I only have one year left. I might be in Tahiti right now if I did! But I'm not; I'm sneaking in a post at my office computer.

[hoptoit]

I don't believe that money can buy me happiness. But it can make my life easier and less stressful. When I'm less stressed, I'm better able to take care of myself and attend to the things that make me happy....including my relationships, taking care of myself spiritually, and pursuing my hobbies.