Why Have Money?

Time is unfortunately not infinite.

Okay an essay on money, as I’m fighting insomnia.

First, money is a tool of exchange. It’s easier to use money for exchange for tools, shelter, and food, rather than bartering (trading the eggs of my chickens, for a shovel that you made)


Secondly, to survive, we must not starve to death, freeze to death, or die of thirst.

Money keeps us alive.

I can use money to buy food (eggs), water and coffee (preferably light roast from a local roaster), and to pay for rent.

Without money, we would die.


Third, money can buy us interesting experiences. We can travel, enjoy an espresso at a coffee shop, pay for admission to an exhibit, or purchase a book (even though books are material things, I prefer to classify them as experiences).

Therefore, money can give us experiences that bring us excitement, joy, self-improvement, self-exploration, and the chance to experience art on a different level. Also for us to spend time with our loved ones.


Now, what is money overrated for?

One; status symbol. We try to show our moral superiority over others through the car we drive, the area code we live in, the brands of clothes we wear, and through the devices we use (we always want the newest iPhone and camera).

Why is this overrated?

First of all, it is very expensive. And, your status symbols will always get outdated. Fashion is fast. Phones and cameras get outdated in 6 months. Trendy neighborhoods come and go.

If you try to keep up with the Joneses, you will either be neck high in debt, or perpetually broke and miserable.


Also, having too much money is bad for our innovation and creativity. I know I always blame my tools for my lack of creativity.

The truth; having a lack of tools forces me to innovate with the tools I already have.

I’ve been using an old iPad air to make drawings and sketches with the Procreate app, instead of relying on Photoshop.

I currently don’t own a laptop. I do all my blogging on my iPad or an old Galaxy Note 3 with the SwiftKey keyboard app. I’m writing this at 1am, while Cindy is sleeping next to me in bed. Blogging on a phone is easier and more fun than on a stuffy laptop.


Of course in general, it is better to have more money than less money, provided you know how to use money as a tool to have more freedom of time, your schedule, and what to do and what not to do in life.

Money is good, if used wisely.

To sum up,

Make money your slave, don’t be the slave of money.

BE STRONG,
ERIC

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