Money is one of the most misunderstood and misused tools know to mankind. It can either build up a foundation for making the world a better place or rip other foundations right out from under the most well-meaning people out there.
How you plan to use the resources that are given to you really boils down to how you look at them: are they your property or your vehicle for getting useful stuff done? You well aware by now that the LOVE of money is the root of all evil. The well-formed and intentioned use of it is nothing more than a different type of hammer in getting stuff done.
Below are some of the better, more enlightening, or more entertaining answers that came out of this question and answer session. Users requested remaining anonymous and I’ll honor that request. The answers are raw, genuine, and I did my best to leave them as they were supplied, though I try to clean up any bad or hateful language.
Let’s dive right on in and see what normal, everyday folks think about this important topic in life.
Question
What is the most important life lesson you’ve ever learned about money?
Answers
- The importance of money not being evil. Just the love of money. When I have money to be sure to give a portion of it to help the poor. Never let money become your master.
- I have learned that although money helps make life a little easier when it comes to paying bills and being able to live a life without stressing about not having it. However, I have also learned that money is the reason why most people are miserable. It is quite often that you see the richest people are very lonely and that is because money cannot buy you happiness. Also, money definitely brings more problems.
- I have learned the importance of trying to put some money aside for a rainy day, no matter how hard it is. Even if it’s just a dollar that I can stash away, those dollars add up, and when an emergency strikes, I will have something to help me deal with it.
- I learned that you can’t be stupid with money. I didn’t do my research with student loans when I was applying to college and now I am screwed for 30 years with private loans. It is the single-most worst decision I’ve made in my life.
- It’s better to save than act foolishly with it. i like to save money. It’s better to have for a rainy day. So that way when it starts pouring out. You just pop out the financial umbrella and walk to where you want to be. Plus it’s also nice to know that it’s there when you need it.
- I’ve learned that if you spend more than you bring in, you are destined to fail. I went bankrupt two years ago after an ugly divorce and mounds of credit card debt caught up to me. After that I vowed to change my ways. I followed Dave Ramsey’s seven baby steps and it has changed my financial future. My wife and I now live by the motto, “Live like no one else, so later you can live like no one else.”
- I’ve learned that no matter how much money I make, money can disappear quickly if I spend too much of it. So every week, I’ve started to put whatever I have left over from my last paycheck into savings and started to keep up with my spending. Now I am able to have more money in the future and not spend money on nonsensical things.
- I’ve learned that the only way you will get anywhere in this world is if you have money. You will be able to live comfortably if you don’t have the most money, but you won’t be able to live comfortably if you don’t have any way of getting financial support. Your life is up to you, and it’s your choice if you choose to try and make money or give up.
- Making money should never be a primary objective in life. It becomes all-consuming and will likely direct one away from his or her true passions. This in-turn can lead to depression of emptiness.
- Money can be replaced. You cannot live your life saving too much and not enjoying yourself in fear of watching your bank account deplete. I am not advocating being a reckless spender. However, if that new pair of shoes is going to make you happy, even for a minute, the money can be replenished. Live your life.
- Money is a tool. You use it to benefit others and yourself as well. Don’t be tight with money. How is that going to help anybody, including yourself? I believe that if you give, it will come back to you in a lot of different ways. I would rather have it than be without it.
- Money is important to have to help maintain a good comfortable lifestyle for yourself and your family. But, you shouldn’t let the pursuit of money rule or control your life. If you spend all your energy making and saving money you might miss out on some really fun things that are happening around you.
- Money may bring you artificial happiness, like a new car or some other type of material possession but it can’t fix how you really feel inside. It won’t fix broken relationships with others or take the loneliness away you might have built up deep within yourself. It can cause more problems than what it’s worth.The joy it can bring is often short lived and always requires more to maintain the same effect. Some of the poorest people in the world are happy and yet the richest are often seen unhappy with their future with never knowing who their true friends are because of the fact they have money.It’s pretty sad when you think about it really. So I’ve always believed to invest in yourself and knowledge because money can be here one day but gone the next. But you still remain regardless.
- Number one! There is never enough money to go around. Start saving while you’re young. Join a 401K to invest in your future.
- Save as much money as you can. Do not buy things with credit cards that you cannot pay for with money. Do not waste money on things that you don’t need.
- That everything usually comes down to money. Money is also truly the route of all evil. If you don’t have it, you want it. If you do have it, you just want more.
- The more you save the better off you will be in every aspect of life. While you will always want things, having self-control just makes things easier because always having money when you need it is far more rewarding than having an item of no real need would ever be. Even if you really want to buy something, save up for it instead of using money you already currently have, take your time getting it.
- The most important life lesson I have learned about money is that it is not everything. If you are making a ton of money doing something that you hate, it is not worth it. People should base their occupation on what makes them happy rather than the amount of money they will earn.
- The most important life lesson I learned about money is that you cannot ever have enough of it because wants are insatiable. Whatever one’s income level, there is always a want to make more money. Also I learned that money do not in fact grow on trees. One has to work and earn money or figure out a way to make money by running a successful business venture.
- The most important thing that I’ve learned about money is that it is a lousy way to keep score in life. There are always people that have more of it than you do. It won’t buy you happiness, friends, health, or a long life. It’s a pretty nice way to keep track of your other goals, but don’t make it a goal in itself.
- There will almost never be enough money. Especially if you want to have a family there is so much money to save. The most important thing I have learned about money is to have as little debt as possible.
- You have learned to always save and to never be in debt. Debt kills your credit and is horrible. You should always save money anyways so you are okay if you lose your job or need to do a big repair. Money is important to have. A good safety net can keep you afloat and make life easier.
- While money can’t buy happiness, you’ll be extremely unhappy without money. Money is extremely important, and without it you can’t find any kind of fulfillment, despite what hippies might think. They’re living off of *somebody’s* money, meaning that unless you make money, you’re not contributing to the world.
- You “need” way less than you think. You don’t need CDs, books, movies, and nights at the bar or other “stuff.” Saving your money is a far more fruitful venture than immediate gratification.
- You don’t become rich by spending money. I used to spend money on so many things I did not need. Things that caught my eye in the store for a couple of dollars. Well I was quick to realize soon after moving out and being on my own, that those little things add up, and if I didn’t give in to advertising, than I’d be doing myself a huge service. By only spending on what I need, and trying to find used things off of sites like Craigslist and eBay, I am able to save money.
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I hope enjoyed this series of questions and answers on life lessons. Whether you found something directly applicable or you just found reading through the lives of others enlightening, I trust you got something valuable out of this article.
Please share your thoughts or your own lessons, ah-ha’s, or generally awesome wisdom below. We want to know what’s on your mind!