For the Love of Money

Before scoffing at the statement I am about to make too much, try reading just a little further and see my point in saying something that sounds so preposterous. It is a vitally important idea.

There is a specific reason most people don't have any money. They don't want any!

Sure, I know everyone says they want more money. Just listen to all the talk whenever the lottery jackpot gets high. Everyone likes to speculate what they would do if they ever got so lucky.

But aside from the fact that most people don't like to talk or think about how they might earn or save or invest to get a lot of money, the fact is that they choose regularly to put something else ahead of money. They do this to the extent that it actually prevents them from having any real money at all.

What is it? Simply this: having things! That's right. Most people like to spend money so much they simply never have anything left to save. And if you have noticed the news reports lately (at least in our country), it is getting worse, not better.

If you have ever watched the Suze Orman show you probably remember the intriguing way she closes her program. She always asks us to remember above all else, “People first, then money, then things.” She makes a terrific point.

Right now I want you to look at the latter part of that statement. Notice the clear emphasis: money is more important than things. When you have even a little money you can buy more things when they are on sale, be ready to meet surprise expenses without having to charge them and be out interest payments, take advantage of good investment opportunities, and on and on and on.

If we do not keep any of our income now in savings for emergencies, retirement, and other purposes it is because we do not respect and value having money as we should.

This is a learned attitude going back to childhood. Most kids can hardly wait to get to the store whenever they get some money so they can spend it. A few like to save, at least a portion. Guess who grows up to be successful with their money.

So here is the truth. Most people don't really want money at all. They just want to spend money. And until people learn to really value having money in the bank as much as having some trinket on the mantle, they will never prosper financially.

There's a paradox here, however. The person who values having money in the bank more than having things has money to buy when prices are cheaper and never pays interest. As a result he or she usually has more things than the person who values things over money. Wow!

Here is an affirmation to help us develop a healthy attitude, one that appropriately values having money. Try saying this several times a day for a month and occasionally thereafter: “Essentials aside, having money is more important than having things.”