I’ve dedicated the last few years of my writing toward showing how money doesn’t really buy happiness.
Sure, you need a roof over your head. Food in your belly. And the ability to live your life with a reasonable amount of comfort.
The chasm between homeless and sheltered is large.
Likewise, the gulf between starving and full is huge.
However, filling these gaps in this modern era of abundance isn’t as difficult – or expensive – as it used to be.
It simply doesn’t take that much money to afford many of the basics in life – basics which will account for the bulk of your overall sense of well-being.
Past that point is mostly the domain of the superfluous. More money does not result in more happiness at some kind of 1:1 ratio. It doesn’t work like that.
We’re able to reinforce these basic concepts about money and happiness when we realize the three most important things in life cannot be bought.
Or can they?
Time
Time is the most important thing in this life.
It’s our most precious resource, ye we have very little of it. Not only that, but what little of it we have is dwindling away every single second.
The crazy thing about it is, most people sell their time away for almost nothing. A few bucks. A title at work. A bigger house than necessary. A newer chunk of metal and wheels to move one’s body around. A collection of trinkets that will turn to dust one day.
If some alien race were to visit us, they’d be bewildered.
They say time is money, but the former is worth far more than the latter. You can always make more money, but you cannot make more time.
We know we can’t physically buy time: there’s no store you can go to and pick up a bottle or box of time. If it were available as a product, it’d surely be the most expensive and in-demand product in the world (which is why that alien race would be so bewildered).
However, I’d argue that financial freedom allows us, in a way, to buy back some of our time.
We only have so many hours per day to spend. Whether or not you want to, you will be spending that time. Your bank of money can stay intact as long as you don’t withdraw, but you’re forced, every day, to withdraw from your bank of seconds. That’s a fact.
Well, if most people are busy spending most of their waking hours at a job they don’t like, financial freedom allows us to allocate our time more enjoyably by spending it in a way that best suits us and our passions.
You might usually be spending 10+ hours per day getting ready for work, traveling to work, working, breaking from work, going back to work, traveling home from work, and then relaxing after work.
But if you could instead spend that 10+ hours per day on whatever passions and pursuits are in line with what drives you and gives you purpose, you’re essentially buying back your time.
We might be forced to withdraw from our bank of seconds, but we can at least do it on our terms.
And this process of buying back our time and allocating it more effectively feeds into the next two areas of discussion…
Love
Love might be the second-most important thing in life.
Without it, life doesn’t seem much worth living, in my opinion.
And if there’s one other thing (besides time) that surely cannot be bought, it’s love. Can’t buy love. The Beatles figured that out a long time ago.
Love is this powerful, mysterious force that can make us more than us. It’s more than the sum of the parts. It’s not perfect; nothing is. But it’s worth the effort.
Just like time, there’s no store that will sell you love. You can maybe buy something resembling lust in this world, but true love cannot be purchased.
However, financial freedom comes to the rescue once more.
Now, financial freedom will not allow you to buy love.
But what it can do is allow for the lifestyle – via that aforementioned extra time – that provides fertile ground for love to flourish.
The US is one of the busiest and hardest-working nations in the entire world. It also has one of the highest divorce rates out there (at 50%+).
Coincidence?
I doubt it.
If you have the time to design a lifestyle that prioritizes happiness and purpose over a job and money, you’re creating a better world for yourself and your partner. Spending more meaningful time together is better than spending less time together, less meaningfully.
After all, love is more than quickly catching up over dinner and the evening news because you’re exhausted. It’s more than spending just your Saturday evening together.
Love needs time and attention on an ongoing basis. If flowers need sun and water, love needs time and attention. And the person who isn’t spending most of their time at a job they don’t want should have a far greater ability to dedicate both to the cause.
Furthermore, being as how money/finances is one of the biggest causes of relationship breakdowns, even just one person being financially independent can reduce overall stress and alleviate certain financial issues within the relationship on the whole.
My girlfriend, Oh, accompanies me at the coffee shop (my “happy place”) many days. I’ll write content, waste moments, listen to music, and tell her what’s on my mind. She’ll share ideas with me, show me something interesting that she’s looking at, and relay a joke to me. Then we’ll just smile at each other, enjoying the time.
That’s love. It’s really quite simple. It’s the little things that count. And when you have the big things already taken care of (via financial freedom), you have many more opportunities for the little things.
I wouldn’t be able to cultivate love nearly as well if I were busy spending most of my waking hours not cultivating it.
Adding that time and love together leads us to the final element of discussion.
Health
Health is wealth.
Without good health, it doesn’t really matter how much wealth you have.
Health is something you could argue can be bought in a roundabout way – richer countries tend to have access to higher-quality medical care, healthier food, and greater longevity.
However, as I’ve shown not once but twice with my experiences with the Thai healthcare system, my personal access to high-quality healthcare is actually greater over here in Thailand (a poorer country) relative to the US (due to no health insurance labyrinth or high cost structure to deal with). And medications are substantially cheaper.
Since many countries, including Thailand, have some form of nationalized healthcare, it’s kind of a moot point. And just as well, America (one of the wealthiest countries to ever exist) is overwhelmed by obesity and poor health choices.
Furthermore, health is just like time and love: you cannot just go down to some store and buy better health. I wish it worked that way, but it doesn’t.
It’s a complicated matter that requires a holistic approach (managing one’s diet, exercise, lifestyle, sleep, stress, etc.). And genetics, which can impact one’s health to a great degree, is something we can’t control (yet).
But I think financial freedom can, once again, play a huge part in “buying” something that cannot otherwise be physically purchased.
That’s because financial freedom allows us to build a right-sized, balanced, customized, and healthy lifestyle that lays down the foundation for good habits as they relate to one’s physical and mental health. And the additional time and love in one’s life no doubt improves one’s mental health and happiness.
I’ve never been in better physical or mental shape than I am right now. There’s no doubt about it.
I’m in amazing physical shape and great overall health because I’m able to build the kind of life that prioritizes good habits like frequent exercise and walking for transportation.
I have very little stress in my life because, frankly, there’s nothing to stress about. Limiting stress has a massive positive impact on the rest of my life – both on the physical and mental sides.
And my diet is much better these days. I used to watch co-workers down 12-inch subs over lunch while they complained about work. I only eat two meals per day, during an eight-hour window, as part of my intermittent fasting, which is far more realistic and enjoyable because I don’t have to stress eat.
I can’t imagine that one’s mental health isn’t much better when they have more time and love, all while dealing with less stress and physical limitations. How depressed I might be if I were instead spending 50+ hours of my week stressed out a job I hated, while also overweight due to the myriad of issues that can cascade from that.
Conclusion
You might not be able to walk into a store and buy time, love, or health on aisle 3.
But I do believe financial freedom can allow us to “buy” the three most important things in life, even if we’re not directly purchasing them in the literal sense.
I have the time, love, and health that would absolutely not be possible if I were miserably back at my old job, working 50-60 hours per week.
There is nothing more important, or worth more money, than time, love, and health.
We might not be able to directly buy them, but financial freedom can allow for much more of all three.
And that’s why financial freedom is so incredibly important and worthwhile.
While I achieved FIRE in my early 30s, as I lay out in my most recent best-selling book on the matter, getting there even just a few years earlier than most can still serve to greatly benefit one’s access to more time, love, and health.
What do you think? Do you believe financial freedom can buy time, love, and health? Why or why not?
Thanks for reading.
Image courtesy of: Sira Anamwong at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
P.S. If you’re interested in achieving financial freedom, which could allow you to buy more time, love, and health, check out some amazing resources that I personally used on my way to becoming financially free at 33!
This is a well written article. I’d add a fourth item – Mindfulness, again an item that cannot be bought per se but if you have more time to examine your priorities, thoughts and choices then you can live a richer life and achieve something closer to your full potential.
Much in life is a quality vs quantity distinction. We can have good health but do we take it for granted?
Same with time, we can get so much insight and fulfillment in a short moment of time but it doesn’t mean that we can extend and prolong those feelings. Eventually we get back to our normal baseline and it’s easy to feel bored at times too if we don’t have the focus on using our time meaningfully.
Love too, is easy to take for granted and many only miss it when it is gone or if it is not there.
Thanks for taking the time to pen this and stimulate some deep thinking.
Hope you are doing well out there.
-Mike
Mike,
Right. Quality versus quantity. More specifically, people assume more is always better (especially as it pertains to money). They fail to recognize superfluousness. Human nature serves me well as an investor, but I do what I can to show another path through my writing.
I’m doing really well. I can’t believe it sometimes. Hope you’re doing well, too! 🙂
Best wishes!
Another great article! I look forward to checking your site every week for new content. Have you ever seen the move In Time with Justin Timberlake? The movie was ok. Your typical Hollywood movie but the premise was pretty interesting. Glad to see everything is going well in Thailand! I am planning on maybe retiring there in about 7 years when I turn 50 and able to get a retirement visa. Hopefully you will still be there and I can buy you a coffee at your favorite place! Take care 🙂
Sean,
Thanks for the support and readership. Much appreciated. 🙂
I did see that movie. Reminds me a little bit of Downsizing, in that you had an interesting premise that was kind of Hollywood-ified.
A coffee down the road sounds great. Hope your plan works out for you!
Best regards.
Hi Jason,
Most definitely. I used to think FIRE was about money but it’s turned into a lot more than that, though I admit I do still love investing. It enables you the reflective time to strip back and question pretty much everything you’ve ever been taught or whichever way society has influenced your thoughts and principles. I too often think about the space alien analogy, we seem to be very strange creatures in our habits and priorities handed down through the generations from “dead old men who stopped learning years ago”
Once you establish a free mind though you can flip it all on its head and decide your own priorities, like you say Time, Love and Health take center stage. As a wage slave I used to see Mrs DN for about 2-3 hours per day with me passive conversing as a wrung-out sponge before I fell asleep in the chair exhausted. Now we are together 24/7 how life is actually meant to be since I never married my work colleagues 23 years ago and we both get to take care of our health a few hours per day instead of burning ourselves out.
Loving these posts Jason, very applicable right now.
Regards,
DN
DN,
I hear you. I also used to think FIRE was mostly about money, too. That’s why DM reflected that (via so much money/investing content). But I’ve obviously learned that it’s so much more. I’d go so far as to say the money matters very little once you figure it out and get it working for you.
That’s awesome that you guys are able to spend so much time together. Really glad to hear that. One wonders if that high divorce rate in the US (50%) isn’t somehow correlated with a poor work-life balance and the incorrect focus on money over these much more important aspects of life. I’ve done relationships both ways. I much prefer it the way it is for me now. 🙂
Like you said, though, you didn’t marry your coworkers. I guess those “marriages” are the longest lasting of all for a lot of people, unfortunately.
Thanks for sharing!
Best regards.
Jason,
This post is amazing! 😀
When people say they couldn’t “sacrifice” like I do for freedom, it baffles me, because I can’t imagine sacrificing my entire life working, in exchange for more stuff, fancy restaurant food, etc.
We can’t be wealthier than having the freedom to control how we spend our time, the ability to give and receive love well and often, and the health and happiness to enjoy it all.
Thanks for all you do to help others find, understand, and pursue this amazing path. 🙂
Juli,
Totally hear you there on “sacrifice”. I guess it all depends on what you prioritize and value in your life. I always found that “sacrifice” call baffling, too:
https://www.dividendmantra.com/2014/04/whats-the-bigger-sacrifice-living-below-your-means-or-working-for-most-of-your-life/
You’ve clearly found true wealth. 🙂
Best wishes!
Jason, loved this article. Love, time and health, the holy trinity. Everybody wants these things, but so many people pursue things (houses/cars/expensive degrees etc.) looking for them, instead of financial freedom. All day I listen to folks talk about their dislike of their jobs, but nobody makes significant changes in their big costs to get away of their main source of stress. This is a very inspirational article to direct major changes!
Nicki,
Thanks so much. Glad you loved this one. 🙂
Yeah, it’s a strange society. If aliens visited us from outer space, they’d probably be bewildered by it all. To want one thing, yet choose actions that result in something totally different, is beyond me. Now, some people, as I wrote in an article last week, don’t want all of this. They’re perfectly content with the career, the house, the bills, etc. That’s cool. But if you do desire a very different outcome, it’s time to start walking a new path.
Money is important in that it sets you up for all of this. But once you figure out the money, you start to see how insignificant it is relative to time, love, and health.
Cheers!
Time, love & health are certainly very important to living a life worth living, and just as important, in my view, is Purpose & Belief. You can be as financially secure, health as can be, and love your partner to death, but when you get up in the morning without a purpose to do things that inspire, motivate & make life worth living, then you might as well stay in bed. It could come from writing, such as you do, golfing, attending sporting events or volunteering, it matters not, as long as you do something you enjoy, or what is the purpose of being retired. Why does Warren Buffett still go to the office everyday in his late 80’s, when clearly he doesn’t have to? It gives him purpose, a reason to get up & it is something he certainly loves doing. I also believe you have to believe in something beyond your own existence, whether that be spiritual or simply to help others, to achieve the balance in one’s own life. To quote another Beatle’s line ” The love you get, is equal to the love you give” Good article, and appreciate adding to it.
Brian,
Hey, thanks for adding that.
Purpose is definitely important. It’s something I’ve written extensively about. I would say these three particular things are even more important. The good news is that, as I’ve often discussed, FIRE helps one in many ways as it relates to purpose. It gives you more time to find and enjoy that purpose, as well as alleviating the need to make money from your purpose. However, I’ve found that most people tend to generate more income than they might think from whatever purpose they have. When you’re bogged down with the 9-5, it’s tough to go after your passions in life. And when you need the paycheck, it’s tough to muster the courage to change things up. I do what I can to illuminate how we can rethink these dynamics. 🙂
Cheers!
I’m not going to dispute any of the reasons you give, but I don’t think it would be shocking to many, the number of people who don’t want to retire early, simply because they know nothing else than work, and would have no purpose in getting up. It is sad for sure, but I know of two people, and I’m sure you and your readers know some, who’s whole life is focused on their work, have no hobbies or friends outside of work, and without their 8 + hours planned for them at work, they would be lost, literally. To each his own, I guess, but as you say, time is ticking.
Brian,
Yeah, I agree with you totally. In fact, I just noted in a very recent article that many people need that structure in their lives. They’re basically “followers”. I’ve met many. It is what it is. This stuff isn’t for everyone, nor is anything else in this world for everyone:
https://www.mrfreeat33.com/fire-might-not-be-for-you-and-thats-okay/
Cheers.
Thanks for continuing to spread the word about what really matters, Jason! Another great post. I’m with you 100% that time is the most important thing that exists. I definitely like the idea of using financial independence to buy time back and spend it doing what you love. Thanks for sharing!
RTC,
Happy to share. Glad you found some value in this one. 🙂
Best regards.
Hi Jason,
Let me share my example. I have been working for almost 13 hours every day for the past three months. When I reach home after a long day work, I am totally exhausted,. I am glad to have the knowledge that I have the cash buffer which can last my expense for a decade without active income. I have the option to pull the trigger at any point of time.
This post has reinforced my belief in respect of these three things which I know that I am having none of them at this juncture. I know that I am one step away from regaining back these three things.
WTK
WTK,
Those are 13 hours, once spent, you can never get back. Make sure you value that time! 🙂
Cheers.
Jason,
You are right. This goes to show whether it is worthwhile spending such significant amount of time on work. I am not alone in such circumstance. My co-workers also work late. However, I do not know whether they have the option of pulling the trigger on the full-time employment. They do have financial commitments unlike me who do not believe in taking the debts in terms of housing loan, credit card loan etc. I have seen a few of them spending almost decade in the same organisation. I only spent almost three years in this organisation though I have been working for the 18 years since 2000.
I will make the decision fast and quick as I believe in valuing my time.
WTK
Hi Jason,
You mentioned that you have two meals per day. What time do you have these two meals?
Ben
Ben,
Lunch is eaten at about 12:15. I eat dinner at about 7:15.
Cheers!