Mean green

I enjoy money, I really do. I appreciate the crisp paper with intricate design and nifty holograms, and like the way bills line my wallet. But for me, money remains one thing: a tool.

My motivation in life has never been to make a fortune; as a matter of fact, I define wealth by different things besides numbers on a bank statement: family, health, and peace of mind and spirit.

Of course, money goes a long way towards peace of mind, and I'll be the first to admit that monthly bills stress me out. However, I'm proud of the fact that the accumulation of cash isn't an obsession of mine; I've seen firsthand how the desire to create monetary wealth can transform someone into a monster, and I decided long ago that I wasn't interested in following a similar path.

Money is a wonderful tool; it's great to own my house, beaten up car, and moderate dvd and comic book collection; but in the end, cash (and material goods) are simply things, with only the value that we place upon them. I don't subscribe to financial irresponsibility; today's society extolls the joy of credit, ensuring us that a life of debt is absolutely normal in order to purchase the latest gizmo or entertainment that we so desperately need.

Feh. I'm happy that I go my own way, as far as saving and spending are concerned. I certainly wouldn't mind having more money, but it's not an all-consuming drive for me, and for that, I'm grateful.