Money can buy material goods. Lots of money can buy lots of material goods. Material things aside, we've all heard the sayings before, 'Money can't buy love'; 'Money can't buy happiness.' While I agree with these sentiments, there are a few non-material things that money can buy.
Confidence
It's not a coincidence that I started this list with the trait of confidence. I realize listing confidence as something money can buy is a bit controversial. There are a lot of people who will say money can't buy confidence because there are a lot of rich people with low self-esteem who only use money to compensate for their lack of confidence. However, when I speak of confidence I mainly mean the confidence to take risks. What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail? If we all were born with silver spoons in our mouths, most of us would have at least attempted to follow our dreams and not followed the path of the straight and narrow because it was the safe thing to do, with minimal risk of failure.
Additionally, I know there are rich people with low self esteem, but, seriously, money does give some people confidence to the point of arrogance; two examples: Kanye West and Donald Trump. Who do they think they're fooling? The vast majority of their confidence/arrogance comes from the millions sitting in their bank accounts.
Options
Having options is a wonderful, liberating thing. Having options means never being stuck--stuck in a bad marriage, stuck in a city you hate, stuck in a job you hate. Money affords its owner the opportunity to choose from a variety of alternatives that could possibly make his life more enjoyable or fulfilling. And if the first option is not a success, money offers him the opportunity to make a different choice and experience a different outcome.
Security
Having enough money to fully fund emergency savings gives one the security of knowing that whatever crisis life throws at you--loss of job, expensive car repairs, unexpected tax bill--you have the financial means to weather the temporary storm. Having adequate emergency savings also means having the security of knowing that in the case of an unforeseen expense, you won't have to possibly swollow your pride and request loans from friends or family. Most people don't like the feeling of being a slave to their lender, especially when they have to see that lender across the dinner table for the annual Thanksgiving family gathering.
Peace of Mind
Money offers peace of mind in knowing that you don't have to live paycheck to paycheck and knowing you have the financial means to provide for life's necessecities, with a little to spare for fun and entertainment also. Money affords a clear mind and a calmer sense of being. Additionally, if the money you have was earned through hard work and sound financial planning, you can have peace of mind that you are passing down the same financial principles to your children.
I don't know about you, but I like these things that money can buy. Can you think of any other non-material things money can buy?
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That "point" seems to be about $60,000 a year for a family in the United States. Sure, that's more than a lot of people make, but it's also less than a lot of people make - and those people still want more because they think it will make them happier.
There is a reason they found that number. It is enough to pay all the bills and live comfortably, put some away in savings for a rainy day or retirement, help your kids through college and have some entertainment and experiences.
But I think, if you are frugal, you could do ALL of that on less than $60,000 EASILY!
Keep up the posts and I wish you well on your journey.
good post!
I hope your husband's employment situation improves. 20 months is a long time to be out of work, but I would encourage him to explore options that he never would have before. Now he has nothing to lose. Has he ever dreamed of starting a simple business, that would require minimal start up cost?
Now might be his time to explore his personal, 'What would I attempt if you knew I couldn't fail?'
And this to shall past...this recession will end just like all of the previous recessions. Best of luck to you and your family.
And options! You are so right, having options is a wonderful, liberating thing. God gave us a world full of options, and He gives us the money to be able to take advantage of them. What an uplifting post!