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Is money the most important thing in life?

By Ibnu Jala
Last Updated on December 12, 2024
A man is thinking, Is money the most important thing in life while holding money."

If you ask me, “Is money the most important thing in life?” My answer would be no. Different individuals have various perspectives on money. Money is indeed necessary to meet the basic expenses. But money alone may not bring you fulfilment in life. Earning money is extremely important for striving in the modern world. At the same time, understanding the basic things of money, such as saving for the future and achieving financial freedom, should always be a priority.

Money plays a significant role as a driving force in life. The importance of funds varies from individual to individual. For many who struggle from their early childhood, money could become everything they need in life. For others who grew up with money, it can be secondary, while relationships, experiences, and personal fulfilment are more important.

Money is the most important thing in life for many as it promises security, comfort, education, housing, healthcare, and many others. Simply earning money cannot buy you happiness. Utilising the money to achieve life goals and new experiences is more important than simply earning and saving the money.

Real happiness comes when you find the balance between life and money. Finding the balance can be challenging, as money can often overshadow the things that truly matter in life. Let’s find out the impact of money on different things and how exactly to balance money with other life principles to become truly happy.

The role of money in modern society

The simple purpose of money in society is to be used as a medium of exchange between individuals and entities. Money encompasses a value that can be traded with goods and services for the respective value.

If you want to purchase anything, you need money to make it possible. This makes me wonder how money became the most important thing in life.

The role of money is so important that it is the backbone of a nation’s economy. Everything we do in the modern world involves money. Therefore, the availability of money determines the economic activity of society as well as the standard of living.

The ability to avail healthcare, education, housing, daily goods, financial freedom, and many others highly relies on money. So, earning money is a crucial priority for individuals living in the modern world.

However, individuals need to use the money properly so that it creates a positive effect on the entire community. Misusing money for personal gain can have a negative influence on society as well as the economy of the nation.

5 reasons why money is important in our lives

Money plays a vital role in surviving in the modern world. Beyond survival, it provides several benefits to ease the way of living. Some of the most common reasons why Money is the most important thing in life are given below:

1. Minimise financial stress

One major contributor to tension and stress is a lack of money. It frequently has negative effects on one’s physical and mental well-being. Creating the right kind of wealth can ease financial strains and encourage stability.

2. Provides financial freedom

Money can help achieve financial independence by making choices that align with your financial goals and values. Creating multiple income sources helps people to achieve their career paths, travel, or enjoy a leisurely life without trading labour for money.

3. Access to high-quality education

Since the modern world is centred on money, earning is necessary, and education is crucial for that purpose. Though it cannot purchase education, money can assist in obtaining the necessary resources for knowledge acquisition.

4. Improves quality of life

Money may not bring complete fulfilment, but it can enhance the standard of living. It helps to access comfortable homes, better healthcare, consume healthy food, and improve overall well-being.

5. More opportunities

Having enough money allows you to take advantage of additional opportunities by lending money, investing, or trying something different. These pursuits can ease financial strain and contribute to a stable financial future.

Money is important thing in life to meet the quality standard of living. However, relying solely on money may have a negative impact on other personal values. Developing personal values and meeting quality living standards may lead to ultimate happiness.

Psychological and emotional impact of money

The psychological and emotional impact of money on individuals has taken a roller coaster ride where more than thousands of individuals, particularly businessmen, are highly influenced by money. While some individuals have a disciplined manner when dealing with money.

According to studies, as people become more successful, they lose empathy and compassion. This often leads to changes in their priorities and how they see their life after success. However, some people are different.

Hence, we will be exploring both the negative and positive influences money can have psychologically and emotionally on individuals.

Positive impact of money

Money plays a Important role in shaping life. When it is utilised sustainably, it can have a positive influence on the overall lifestyle. Some of the positive impacts of money are given below:

1. Financial security and stability

A fixed income can provide a stable lifestyle for meeting daily expenses and planning for the future. Earning enough money to support the family is essential for financial security.

2. New opportunities

Money opens the door to new opportunities. Investing in real estate, the stock market, or starting a business highly relies on money. Sustainable investment in various investments fosters a solid investment portfolio and increases earning potential.

3. Improved healthcare

Since the advancement of technology in healthcare, medical expenses are rising day by day. Hence, earning potential income is crucial to meet better healthcare facilities. Enhanced medical care may guarantee better health.

4. Personal growth and fulfilment

A stable income can be used to learn new skills and experiences, which can help with personal development and career advancement. Pursuing a passionate skill can lead to personal fulfilment and promote a balanced life.

Negative impact of money

Lack of money or desire to earn more money every day can lead to a negative impact on the whole psychological well-being.

1. Stress and anxiety

The pressure of handling earnings and meeting daily expenses can be extremely stressful. Constant worrying about maintaining or growing wealth leads to financial worries.

Individuals with limited financial resources experience fear of losing everything all at once. Stress due to financial worries can negatively impact your overall lifestyle.

2. Strained relationships

Money can often influence our emotions, such as greed and envy, especially if we have a lot of money.

This could often lead to a major conflict in personal relationships due to disagreements about savings, expenditures, or financial priorities among spouses, family members, or business partners, causing bitter relationships.

3. Impact on personal values

Obsession with money can cause a lot of problems. The greed to have more money is a never-ending personality trait that could impact personal values such as prioritising wealth over personal relationships, experiences, and personal fulfilment. As a result, individuals may engage in unethical behaviour such as dishonesty to gain financial advantage

4. Loss of purpose

Priorities and financial objectives are frequently distorted by the desire to amass greater wealth. Wealth can create a sense of blindness, resulting in diverting focus from the real purpose.

How much money do you need to live a happy life?

The amount of money required for a happy life varies depending on a person’s lifestyle choices and financial goals. The key to happiness is accumulating a large amount of wealth and striking a balance between financial security and meeting one’s needs, experiences, health, and relationships. A steady income can bring happiness, but it depends on how people spend their money.

It is true that higher income correlates with better lifestyle choices and access to health care, resulting in a higher quality of life. Happiness can only increase with income if other life principles like relationships, health, and personal needs are balanced. Otherwise, beyond a certain income level, money does not bring happiness.

Final say

In conclusion, money does play an important role in shaping modern life by serving as a powerful tool for meeting basic needs, achieving financial security, and unlocking opportunities for growth and education. Quality education, healthcare, and a decent standard of living all require money.

While money can improve your overall quality of life, relying solely on it for happiness can lead to stress and a loss of self-esteem. Money is the most important thing in life for those who only struggle financially. However, for those who have grown up in a wealthy environment, money is not the most important factor.

It is critical to strike a balance between money and other life values, such as relationships, experiences, and health. The key to achieving happiness is striking a balance between earning and spending.

Money can influence your mind in both psychological and emotional ways. Greed, envy, and desire can often blind people to the importance of earning money. People frequently go crazy over money. Emotions such as greed can influence a person to engage in unethical behaviour for financial gain, resulting in regret and a loss of self-esteem.

Cultivating disciplined spending habits can help you overcome negative emotions and gain control of finances. Practising these habits allows you to resist temptations and make more informed financial decisions.

No amount of money can buy ultimate happiness. According to studies, wealthy people frequently lose control of their lives as a result of a lack of happiness brought on by an abundance of money. As a result, cultivating meaningful relationships and enjoying life’s small pleasures while earning a steady income is the best way to achieve happiness over time.

Author Info

Ibnu Jala

Ibnu Jala is an experienced professional in the financial markets of India and the Middle East, renowned for his trading expertise and mentorship. His passion for neuroscience drives his research, blending finance and science seamlessly. With a Bachelor’s in Law from India and an MBA from the UK, Ibnu Jala has a diverse academic background. In addition to being a seasoned investor and serial entrepreneur, he currently leads FinQuo Versity as its CEO.

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