I had a discussion with a friend today about how much we tend to Prioritize making money in today's society. It was quite the conversation and we both perhaps left there with better realizations.

Poverty is of course no joke, and escaping poverty should be taken very seriously. Of course I state this because a good way to figure out what we want is by realizing the things we don't want to happen to us. Being poor means less choices and more stress so that really is something of a justification for the modern day pursuit of money.

Yet, the way we go about trying to secure our financial futures sometimes can hurt more than help us. Some even throw all caution to the wind and participate in some downright illegal ventures that robs them of both conscience and morality. This is all in the name of securing a better future.

Of course we are creatures with powerful survival instincts. This means that if some basic needs are not provided, such as food, clothing and shelter, there is tendency for us to throw caution to the wind and act out in ways that will secure our survival first, forgoing all sense of morality.

But we are in an era of relative abundance. There isn't massive famine/hunger raging in many countries, and for the most part people aren't hungry or naked. We are in the greatest era of abundance ever experienced with at least basic needs met and that is a fact. Of course there are few exceptions to this though.

What this means is that the primary factors that drive the desperation for money isn't necessarily survival but greed. Greed is a powerful instinct, and worse still can mask itself as a virtuous one. We can make all sorts of excuses and justifications for wanting a little more than our fair share till it becomes something of an obsession.

He Who Has A Why

It is important to remember in all these why we make money in the first place, or aspire to better, more secure financial futures. I think reflections like the one I had earlier is one of the ways to ensure one doesn't quite lose their way in this 'rat race'.

Money should serve a purpose, and we shouldn't be enamored with all the things money can buy. Of course there is always room for a few vanities, but the pursuit of vain offerings or a vain lifestyle would do more harm than good even if we do make the money we desire.

Conclusion

I have written about contentment as one of the most foundational pieces of financial education in the past, and I still believe it to be true.