Money Matters

“Money is a good servant and a poor lord”. This idea clearly describes the contradictive nature of money. Since prehistoric times it has been an object of numerous arguments. Some people claimed that money is the Devil’s invention, driving us mad, letting well-off people control the poor. The others opposed, stating that money is the most civilized way of exchange, having no visible alternative. In spite of all this discussions it has always remained a powerful tool, an engine, motivating people and peoples to fight, to conquer and to develop. We can deny the role of crispy banknotes and cheques; we can accuse those who practice penny-pinching, but none of us will refuse to establish a profitable firm or to accept an expensive gift. Anyway, money is an irreplaceable part of the modern world, and owning it is much more preferable than owing it.

There is one problem left: everybody wants money, but money doesn’t want everybody! Earning money is a challenge; it requires creative thinking, decisiveness and ample amount of luck. Dare I say that market economy is the worst system invented by man, except all other systems! It encourages us to work, but doesn’t care about the loser of the competitive struggle. In order to roll in money we need to watch every step, take reasonable risks and anticipate the consequences of our actions. Every prosperous business begins with a sensible and simple idea, all wealth begins in mind.

Unfortunately our abilities differ. This results in a considerable gap between the rich and the poor. The existing system causes a number of negative aspects. Many families part due to economic difficulties, some have to exist beyond the poverty level. People, who are short on money, often fall into despair and even break law to make ends meet. Those who lose their job and house join the army of the homeless. Even highly developed western societies are unable to defeat poverty. Politicians cry out loud promises during election campaigns, but they remain unrealized too often. Kind-hearted rich people and charitable organizations have always done their best to help the homeless, but their achievements are rather modest. To fight the disease we should not hide its outer symptoms, we should destroy its source. Of course I don’t mean we ought to create communism: this way leads to nowhere and history has already proved it! To my mind, raising money and sharing them among the homeless is a poor idea as well, although it is widely spread. The only obvious “cure” is creating new working places and establishing re-training courses for those, who lost or didn’t have qualification, and providing the homeless with temporary dwelling. This is a matter of everybody’s concern. Even millionaires and billionaires should forget their haughtiness as luck is a lady with a poor sense of humor: it may ruin your empire in a single day.

If I had enough money I would certainly create a fund to finance different social programmes and medical research institutes. You see, I have always dreamt of becoming a doctor, but I am allergic to many medicines. However I want to contribute to this noble science! Many people while answering the question mention a private island, a 5-storey mansion a modern sea yacht and an account in the Bank of Switzerland. A waste of money, as I view it. I really detest showing off. I don’t mean I would live in a poor flat on the outskirts, but the excessive luxury leads to envy, to the loss of your friends and finally –to complete frustration, when you don’t have an idea where to spend your money! Well, there’s always an opportunity to save them!

Saving money is absolutely necessary in everyday life; it helps us purchase costly things and be ready for unexpected troubles. It is often mentioned that all people are misers, and saving money is their primary objective. Well, we often buy goods in bulk or in the Internet to pay less, but economists would name this behavior rational. Unfortunately, there are people who view penny-pinching as a sense of their life. Some millionaires give up rich life and fill their chests with useless gold, some ordinary people visit weddings and birthday parties without a present! “We are not stingy, we are thrifty!” they say. On the other hand, some people do not accept this lifestyle and become shopaholics. They always owe money, their accounts are always overdrawn, but this doesn’t really bother them. To my mind, both categories should consult a psychoanalyst.

As usual, the truth lies in the middle. We should find pleasure in the things money can buy, and not in money itself. Wealth is not a vice if it remains a tool, giving you possibilities to explore, to expand and to realize your potential!