why money is important + I wanna be rich {here’s why}

I want money, lots and lots of money
I want the pie in the sky
I want money, lots and lots of money
So don’t be asking me why

I wanna be rich, ohh
I wanna be rich, ohh
I wanna be rich, ohh
I wanna be rich for a little love, peace and happiness
Every way rich
–lyrics from “I wanna be rich” by Calloway

*This post contains affiliate links*

Tyndale William, 4 months

The love of money, is perhaps the root of all evil, but there’s no getting around the fact that money makes the world go round.

Because we no longer live in a barter/trade based economy, money serves as the main intermediary to get us those things that we need & want.

So love it or hate it, we’ve got to use it. And the best way to use it to our advantage is to learn to see money more objectively–as a tool.

Money, just taken at face value, is neither good or bad.

Just as a hammer that can be used to either build or destroy is not good or bad, money can be used in a similar fashion to build or destroy.

Yesterday I mentioned Meg’s post in which she talks about how there seems to be two options when it comes to body image.

Either: 1) be completely obsessed with body image or 2) the exact opposite, complete apathy–pretend like it’s not there, that it doesn’t matter.

She suggests that maybe there is a third option– acknowledge that however you’re formed or shaped is “really really cool.”

I think people can have a similar approach to money–that there are only two options.

Either 1) money, & the pursuit of money & things is everything OR 2) money, or any thoughts of money or things should be eschewed.

What if there is a third, more nuanced option, that says: 

→Money is a tool that can be used for a variety of moral, immoral, & ammoral purposes.

→ Money can be used to create stability.

and

→ Not only can money buy necessities like food, shelter, clothing, but it can also help enhance the quality of life by enabling individuals to buy things that add to their knowledge and experience (books! music! education!), that can make their lives easier and better (dishwasher, oven, blender(!), beds, toilets, showers, cars, digital goods), and of course can add to their health (hospitals, yoga classes, modern medicine as well as alternative therapies) & happiness (cupcakes–duh.).

Joseph and I were at a department store the other day. Just he and I. The kids were with a babysitter.

We had planned on playing tennis earlier but didn’t end up having time to do so. I mention this because I was wearing some ratty workout pants (at least 10 years old), a well-worn second-hand tee, and some shoes that had a hole in one toe.

I felt even shabbier surrounded by all the new & sparkly clothes at this department store & I couldn’t help but feel the weight of our debts, feel the oppressive nature of just having enough money to get by.

Don’t get me wrong.

We have always had our needs met & more (& for that we are so grateful), but the truth is, for the last ten years, Joseph & I have been in scarcity mode. Living paycheck to paycheck, often not having a paycheck, or having a rather paltry one (law school days).

And now that we’re in get-out-of-debt mode, we continue to live on a rather limited budget.

So I find myself day dreaming.

I think there’s a part of me that likes the minimalist mantra — things/stuff/money = not important/bad.

But the truth is, stuff matters. Money matters.

And the bottom line is, I wanna be rich. Money rich, that is. {I’m already all sorts of crazy-rich in other areas of my life.}

Here’s why money is important. 

I want my kids to take piano lessons. Violin lessons. Whatever lessons. This costs money. 

I want our family to be able to go visit our extended family in other states. This costs money. 

I want to travel, not just for traveling’s sake, but to show our kids the world & to explore & learn about the many wonders of the world in a real, tactile way. Also costs money. 

I want to provide my kids with the best books, to give them access to the best learning tools. Yup, costs money (though very grateful for good libraries!).

I want to be able to be very generous with our money and support charities & causes that we feel passionate about. (Though as you know, we’ve always continued to tithe, no matter our income.) Need money to do this. 

I want to have more money to buy organic produce, which is important not only for my family’s health but for the environment as well. Money needed. 

I want to have more money to support ethically sourced and eco-friendly products, from everything to food, fashion, and furniture. Need money for this.

I want to not just be debt-free, but to have money in the bank for a rainy day (more like, at least 6+ months of rainy days). Money also applies here. 

I want to be financially prepared for retirement when that day comes. (Because as you know, we have $0 in retirement right now, which scares the pants off of me.) Money definitely needed with this goal. 

I want to be able to buy things I or my family needs & even some of the things we want, without being restricted by cost. Money helps facilitate this. 

I want to be time rich and money rich, instead of one or the other. (Though as I learned from Amy Andrews’s book Tell Your Time (affiliate link), you can enjoy more time regardless of income just by doing a few simple things.)

Maybe I’m crazy because I want all of these things, and actually believe I can have them. 

Crazy or no, I believe in this dream. Of financial security & independence. Of living life untethered by debt.

We will be debt-free. I have to believe this, I have to work towards this goal every day.

And someday in the not too distant future, I’m going to be able to say: I am debt-free and money rich. 

//

further reading:

Want to know more about why money is crucial to everything from what we eat to how we live? Read Economix: How Our Economy Works (and Doesn’t Work) in Words and Pictures, by Micheal Goodwin. It’s the most engaging & interesting book I’ve found that explains the importance of money as well as dissects the history of economics in a very not-boring way.

Also, for some awesome no-fluff time management/life purpose guidance,

check out Amy Andrew’s ebook, Tell Your Time

↓ It’s a quick read (only 30 pages) & comes with several printable worksheets. ↓
(&, it’s only $2.99!)

//

related bring joy posts:

how to create an abundance mindset {no matter your income}
debt snowball update
get out debt: 5 steps

♥

What will you do when you’re debt-free?
Or if you’re debt-free, tell me what you’re saving for, what you’d love to do with your money. 

Thanks for coming to bring joy today!

Did you know I’m also on twitter, pinterest, g+ & facebook?

You can follow the blog via feedly or subscribe via your fave blog reader.
Have a question for me, or just want to say hello,
send me an email.