I’m the first one to admit that I like money, and most things that come associated with money. In fact there are very few things today that don’t require money. We’re even paying money to use some public washrooms, something that once was free requires you to pay $2 per use.
Ever since the 2008 financial crisis, many of us have become consumed with money, and worrying about our overall wealth. The media certainly does not help with fresh daily information about the crisis in our financial system locally and abroad. Its simply hard to think about anything else when countries are getting bailed out, mortgages are hard to access, prices of homes are dropping rapidly, and investors are on a white knuckle roller coaster ride.
I’m thankful for everything I have in life, including a secure job, two successful businesses, beautiful home, and no consumer debt. However, after thinking about money recently, I realized that there are way more important things in life than money. Sure, money is needed to live, but money is essentially only a byproduct. We shouldn’t allow it to consume our lives, because there are way more important thing in life than money.
Generating wealth is an ongoing process, and one true aspect of wealth is that the more someone has – the more that they want. This could possibly be looked as greed, but I won’t go to that extent in this post.
Here are a few things we forget about from time to time that are way more important than money. I believe that as long as we have these things that money will always be within reach.
Time
The older I become, the more time becomes precious to me. Time we spend with our loved ones should never be taken for granted, but instead cherished. Time gives us the ability to earn money, tweak our finances, bring in additional money, delay things in life, and sometimes speed them up as well. Far too often we forget to stop and reflect. I’m guilty of this all the time, because I choose to run my life in such rapid pace.
I believe I am becoming even more frugal with my TIME than I am frugal with my money, and trust me I’m quite frugal with my money already. I’m Learning to say NO to things which aren’t important to me. I’m also learning (and have become good) at picking and choosing who I spend my time with.
Health
When we don’t have our health, nothing else really matters. Some will argue that you need money in order to provide health, but certain things in health are unbeatable If you end up on death’s bed, what good are all those millions in your bank account? Once you move onto a higher life, majority of the millions are going to go into the pockets of those who need least need the money.
We all wish that we still had the energy when we were 10 years younger. However, we seldom do anything to slow down this process even though we realize our health slowly deteriorates through time. Taking care of our health should be our number one priority. This includes doing adequate exercise and maintaining a balanced diet.
Happiness
Earlier I said that money is only a byproduct, yet some of us feel that money buys happiness. And they’re right to a very small degree, but once shit hits the fan due to uncontrollable factors (economy, health, divorce) the happiness evaporates quickly. Far too many people sacrifice time, health, family, and happiness for potential wealth opportunities. Those who work 60+ hours per week are a great example. I’m all for chasing the dream, and getting ahead in life, but we can’t sacrifice happiness in order to reach our magic wealth goal.
There are far too many people in our society who have the wealth, dream cars, fancy homes, unlimited travel time, and yet they’re still unhappy. Why do you think that’s the case? Obviously something is missing in their life, which could be family, love or something deeper.Those who are happy with little or a lot suddenly realize that money is not all that important. A great example would be kids (and families) we see on TV in 3rd world countries. Some of them don’t have adequate food or shelter, but they all have smiles on their faces.
Loved Ones
Many of us take our family, friends, and the people closest to our hearts for granted. We forgo events in order to save a few bucks, and only to realize at a time later that the event was totally doable financially. We forget to tell our loved one how much we love them, and generally don’t give them enough time out of our schedules.
We need to go out of our way to help our loved ones, because doing so only strengthens the love bond.
Final Thoughts
I hope that you will focus on what’s truly important to you. Stay healthy, be happy and let your family know how much you care about them, and I hope that if not now, hopefully one day you’ll understand that money is only a byproduct. Life is short – we’re here today, and gone tomorrow.
Readers, why do you think that there are so many wealthy people unhappy? Could you recommend anymore things that are more important than money?
All the best!
Eddie
Photo Credit – 78592755@N06
Great opening line about peeing in one’s pants!
The older we get, the more we value not only time but health, health, and more health. It becomes particularly acute when you play competitive sports and start getting injuries.
More money, more problems FOR SURE! Things break down and problems start compounding.
I’d love to own nothing sometimes.
Sam
Financial Samurai recently posted..Who Should Check Their Credit Scores And How Often?
I can definitely relate to your changing view of time. I’ve been feeling the same way lately. I used to be much more into DIY. I could save money at the expense of some extra time. Now that kids are getting older I wonder where the time is going and I feel that how I spend time is at least as important as how I spend money, and in the end maybe more so..
Joe Morgan recently posted..My Bank *Wants* me to Skip a Loan Payment?!
Yes all of these things are definitely more important than money. The problem is that you need money to gain the freedom to really pursue some of those things. So in some cases it may be necessary to make sacrifices in the short term to be able to have more later. You just have to avoid getting caught up chasing more and more money as life passes you by.
Modest Money recently posted..Life’s BIG Financial Steps
I agree about the time thing. For a long time I’ve consistently told people close to me that time is infinitely more valuable to me than money. The primary reason for that is I’m short on time…maybe if I didn’t have much money it would be different.
Regardless, time is finite. There is only so much of it that we are given and the clock is ticking every day. However, I could always go make more money if I wanted.
Jason @ WSL recently posted..Carnivals, Mentions, & Weekend Reading #17
I agree with Jeremy. A lot of things require money. Vacations, having more free time, etc. However you shouldn’t get so caught up in chasing more and more money, if you are sacrificing all of these things – time, health, family time, etc. Everything should be taken in moderation and in balance.
So many people forget that our loved ones and health are as important if not more than money when it comes to happiness!
Mich recently posted..Investing in Natural Gas Stocks ETF
Mich,
You’re very right, and sadly many people forget the basics, and simple things in life.
Thanks for your comment.
Very true. We cannot let the issue of money control our life. I guess it’s a matter of looking at things in a wider perspective. With each sacrifice we make, the advantage received must be more lasting and worthwhile.
Mary,
Thanks for your comment.
I’ve always said money is only a byproduct. Sadly less and less people understand that.