Why money is (not) everything

Have you ever heard the quote "Money is not everything"? Most probably yes, but have you ever questioned it?

In this article, we want to dig a bit deeper into this topic and examine which value money actually has, and if the quote is true.

Sometimes, we tend to forget that many things that we are surrounded by cost money. Let it be the car you drive, the rent for your apartment that wants to be paid, the education you want to get or the food you want to eat. Even the water coming from your kitchen tap does cost you money.

Beyond covering the most basic needs, like food and shelter, money enables us to pursue our dreams and achieve our life goals. You simply cannot afford yourself studying for a couple of years in a row at a university of your choice without money. You cannot spontaneously go and travel somewhere, or buy a necessary commodity either.

Without a sufficient supply of money, you will experience a certain discomfort. And not everyone is able to pull himself/herself out of life circumstances shining with a chronic lack of money.

So what makes people say that money is not everything?

Let's have a look at the topic from the other side of the galleon. Money enables us to buy whatever we desire, and for sure, the more money we have to spend the better. No doubt. Money can give us the opportunity to change our life for the better, and if we wish, also the life of others.

But even money has its limits. It won't buy us things that constitute our non-material life. It won't buy us true friendship, love or care. And it won't buy us happiness either.

Of course, one can argue now, that you will be happier with more money on your bank account. Of course, you will, but to a certain point. After some time, you will discover, that having more money and buying more will not comfort you anymore. That's the point when you are trapped in the "hedonic treadmill".

"The adjectives hedonic/hedonistic relate to the idea of (continually pursuing) pleasure, and are often associated with temporary sources of happiness like new purchases that initially give you a sense of well-being but then lose their appeal over time. The word treadmill dates back to the early 1800s and in its literal sense describes a piece of equipment that you walk or run on whilst staying in the same position." - macmillan dictionary

And that's the situation when the quote "money is not everything" applies. At the point when we start valuing goods over experiences, we are trapped. And there is no move forwards, as there is nothing that you could buy to give yourself an exciting thrill. So how to escape the hedonic treadmill, and start valuing money again?

You have to spend money in the right way. Instead of buying nice things, try to buy memories. How you do that? Use the money to spend more quality time with your beloved people. Go to a dog shelter and see how things go there. Give a donation. Go and travel the world. And you will see, that you will experience the thrill again. But this time, because you are doing good things with your money.

By spending money for everlasting memories you will not only improve the quality of your life, but also cheer your soul.

So what do we learn from that discussion? It is better to avoid money becoming scarce. Instead, try to supply yourself with enough money to have a good life, and the ability to delight your soul. But be aware of the hedonic treadmill, and learn to spend your money the right way.

In conclusion, we would like to complement the quote "money is not everything" and put it in the following perspective:

"Always remember, money isn't everything - but also remember to make a lot of it before talking such fool nonsense."

~ Earl Wilson

Yours,

Bonis Rebus Team