We pour so much time and effort into earning money, as if it's the ultimate goal of life. For many, it probably is. Of course, there are those rare exceptions—people who want to be sports stars, famous artists, power-hungry leaders, or spiritual gurus.
Parents work a lot to get their kids the best education, hoping they’ll make big bucks when they grow up. Nothing wrong with that. But let’s talk about how we spend this hard-earned cash and whether we really need to work ourselves to the bone.
Here are our primary needs:
1. Food
2. Shelter
3. Clothing
4. Social connectivity
5. Entertainment
6. Spirituality, philosophy, or pondering life’s mysteries
7. Securing the future
I’ve listed these more or less in order of priority. Of course, everyone’s got an opinion on what should come first.
For most of us, food isn’t a huge financial burden. We’re not starving. Sure, some people are, but for the average person, it’s not a crisis.
Shelter, though? That’s a whole different story. People spend their lives paying off housing loans or saving for a house. It’s a big deal.
Clothing costs? Well, that depends on whether you’re obsessed with fashion. For most of us, it’s an expense, but not one that’s going to bankrupt us.
Humans are social creatures. We don’t like being alone in a cave. Luckily, staying connected—whether online or in person—is pretty cheap.
Entertainment covers dining out, buying gadgets, traveling, and going to the movies. These costs are manageable, but they add up, especially if you’re into cars or motorcycles. We need transportation, but some of us treat vehicles like status symbols. We sometimes buy expensive ones not because we enjoy the power it gives, but for the power it gives us in society!
Spiritual pursuits and philosophical musings? These are usually low-cost hobbies, even with the occasional retreat.
Securing our future means spending on health (so we don’t fall apart later), and insurance (life, health, property, kids’ education). These are big expenses but necessary ones.
Among these essentials, food, shelter, and clothing are the top ones. But why do we spend so much on shelter, meaning houses? Sure, a nice house is great and makes us feel important. If we can easily afford one, fine. The problem is when we blow huge amounts of money just to keep up with everyone else. People spend crores of rupees in India and hundreds of thousands dollars or euros elsewhere on houses. Does a fancy house really bring happiness worth decades of hard work and loan payments? Moving into a gorgeous house feels great—for few months, couple of years max.
Eating delicious food always brings joy, even when you’re not hungry. Food is so enjoyable that we include it in every celebration or get together. If food makes us this happy, shouldn’t we focus more on it? I’m not saying we should go bankrupt over it, just appreciate it.
So, is it sensible to dump a fortune into a house, causing daily stress and health issues from overworking? A smaller house can be cozy, stylish in your own way, and comfortable without burning a hole in your pocket. By ignoring peer pressure, we can save a ton, 'work less, and redirect those funds to other essentials'.
**THINK!!!**
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