You've all heard the saying that "money talks," but have you ever considered what that particular point of view holds for those who accept it? For Simplifying Life with Designing Life, we will be discussing why money doesn't talk for a simplified life. I hope you enjoy the discussion that my son and I had (see the graphic below) that inspired my continued thoughts on the subject:
Why Doesn't Money Talk
Literally, money doesn't talk or have a voice. Figuratively, we say that money talks because if you hold a $100 bill up to a waiter who has just told you that there are no more seats available . . . somehow he manages to find that a table just became available. Did the money speak? No. In fact, the person holding the bill is communicating loud and clear. Is this person saying, "Check this out, I'm the nicest person in the world and I'm going to make your day and give you this $100 bill"? Or is this person saying, "I'm in a hurry, I don't really care that there are no seats currently available. Allow me to provide some incentive in order to get what I want NOW"? Money doesn't talk, but when people use money to communicate in this way they certainly aren't making any friends. Money doesn't talk . . . people do.
What Do You Use Your Money to Say?
In simplifying your life, consider using your money to say what you mean to say. Most people don't throw a hundred dollars at their waiter, but someone might spend $500 for an extra (meaning having more than one) television for their home. If you are attempting to simply your life, adding an extra television set probably won't give you more time or a simple life.
What are you using your money to say?
What is important to you and your life?
How Can You Use Money to Simplify?
I honestly don't think it's wrong to use money to task things out in life and to use money on important things in life. If you believe your family is most important, but you spend all your time working on a small business decide if it's worth hiring a new person on to help. If you feel that it is important to develop friendships, then spend some money taking them out to eat, preparing elaborate meals at home, or organizing outings for your group of friends. If you have extra money as a stay-at-home mom, maybe you can hire a cook, house cleaner, or lawn maintenance personnel in order to give you more time to spend on your children, on a break (in order to feel up to spending more time on your family), or on other things about the house. However, please don't confuse a simple life with laziness. Money is a great tool to allow you to have more time to spend on the important things in life . . . but it isn't very important to watch television all day, spend the day on the computer, or spend every day in pajamas. With simplifying life, some days are for relaxation, but it's about focusing on what's important and dedicating your time to that thing.
Relationships vs Money
I notice that our American attitude is "accumulate," "attain more," and "make more money," while in regards to friends our attitude is "friends will wait," "someday," and "when I have the time." I'm not sure about you, but that doesn't make any sense! Relationships are a high priority in my life and money, while necessary, doesn't make the world go around. I wonder what things in our life that we insist that we "need" are things that are absolute necessities. When you consider someone who has "no" money and you see them walking around with designer jeans and an iPhone, it's easy to see that if we want something badly enough we find the money. If I had to chose, would I let go of my subscriptions, my iPhone, my computer access, using my dryer, being super warm and toasty (rather than putting on a jacket in the winter), in order to have money to spend on relationships?
What comes first in life?
What really matters, fake relationships on Facebook or real relationships forged in flesh and blood as well as tears and triumphs?
I hope this has helped you to think through an area that is fantastic to consider as you simply your life. Thank you for tuning in . . . or well, clicking in for this simplify post!
