Money
is important, obviously. Without it we’d have no roof over our heads, food in
our bellies or clothes on our backs. Money allows us to do and have more things
than we can without it. It’s a means to an end. But, for all that money is
useful and good to have around, for all that it can buy, there are quite a few
things that it can’t buy. Even if you have millions of dollars, there are some
things that you’ll never have with money alone. So what can’t money buy? Read
on.
Lost time
Money
cannot buy back lost time. As each day passes, it is lost and you can never get
it back. When you miss that chance to say, “I love you,” to someone special, or
you tell your parents, “Not now, I have to work,” that opportunity is gone. No
amount of money that you make in the future will get that day, that moment,
back.
Happiness
It’s
a cliche that money can’t buy happiness, but it’s also true. It can buy you
some fun and fleeting joy (a cool vacation, a big TV, a fast car), but it can’t
buy the true happiness that comes from liking yourself, having stable
relationships, and a good family.
Love
It’s
another cliche that money can’t buy love, but a true one. Money can buy initial
attraction or even lust, but “true” love comes from mutual respect, caring for
each other, sharing experiences, and growing together. There’s a reason that
people who marry only for money rarely end up happy. Love at its best functions
regardless of whether you have a lot of money or very little.
Acceptance
True,
you can buy things that make you fit in, the latest cars, clothes, shoes, or
electronics, but these things don’t represent true acceptance. If you really
want to be accepted by your peers (beyond high school where a pair of shoes
really does make you part of the in crowd), you’d do better to focus your
energies on making yourself valuable to those around you. Being a good friend,
a kind and helpful person, and someone who excels at what they do will go
further to gain you acceptance than the stuff money can buy.
Health
Money
can buy healthcare and medicine, but it cannot replace health once it’s lost.
It’s far better to take preventative action such as watching what you eat,
exercising, not smoking, and getting regular physicals than to rely on money to
save you once your body has started to fail you. Money also can’t buy back your
youth. No amount of money you make in the future will replace those days when
your body could do anything easily and look good doing it. You can spend
thousands on “treatments” to preserve your youth, but it’s an illusion. Once your
youth is gone, no amount of money will get it back.
Success
Some people succeed by being slimy and paying/bribing their way to the top.
But these are the exception and I would hope you wouldn’t aspire to that.
Success comes from hard work, applying your gifts in the best way possible, and
paying your dues to move ahead in the world. There is very little that money
can buy you to help you succeed. It might be able to buy you some training or
equipment, but the majority of your success is determined by the work you put
in, not the money you spend.
Talent
People
are born with certain talents. Money can certainly nurture a talent. You can
buy music lessons or coaching sessions to nurture your talents, but money
cannot buy a talent. You can learn to do certain things well, but the true gift
to do it well can’t be bought.
Class/manners
There
are plenty of rich people who are rude and crude and plenty of poor people who
demonstrate perfect manners and respect for others. And vice-versa. The amount
of money you have doesn’t determine whether you behave well or poorly. Manners
and classy behavior are not bought, they are taught and practiced at all levels
of society by parents and family members who want to see their offspring behave
well in society. Money doesn’t confer good behavior. Money can buy you entry
into a better class position, but it cannot make you behave with class.
Peace
If
money could buy peace, I think we’d be there by now. Think of the amount of
money that governments have spent over the years in the name of “peace.” Has it
worked? Nope. Peace isn’t something you buy. I think peace only comes from
acting fairly, humanely, and treating others (people and countries) as we would
want to be treated. And even then, it might not be possible. But for sure money
won’t buy it.
I’m not suggesting that you give up the pursuit of money and go on some
monastic quest for deeper meaning. It is important to manage your money well,
to educate yourself about money, and earn enough to secure your financial
future. However, it pays to stop and think every now and then about the things
you would still have even if you didn’t have money. Your family, your health,
and your gifts and abilities aren’t determined by how much money you have.
There are things that no amount of money can buy and it’s worthwhile to pursue
them even as you worry about money. Money is important, but maybe it’s not the
most important thing in the world.