Earlier today, I caught myself checking my bank account and remember the feeling that I took away after confirming that the zeroes had not changed. This got me thinking more and more about where this all originates from, enough to ask myself why I do this all the time.
It is often said that people spend a significant amount of their time thinking about money. In fact, some studies have suggested that individuals think about money as much as 89% of the time. This is a high percentage, and it begs the question: why do people spend so much of their mental energy focused on money?
Money is necessary
One of the main reasons why people think about money so frequently is that money is a necessary component of daily life. In modern society, money is required to purchase the basic necessities of life, such as food, shelter, and clothing. Without money, individuals would not be able to access these essentials, which is why thinking about money is necessary to ensure that we have enough to meet our basic needs.
Money is security
Another reason why people think about money so often is that it is often tied to our sense of security. Money can provide us with the resources to protect ourselves and our loved ones from unexpected events, such as illness or unemployment. By having a sufficient amount of money saved, we can feel more secure knowing that we will be able to weather any financial storms that may come our way.
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Money is self-worth and social status
Money is also closely tied to our sense of self-worth and social status. We live in a society that places significant value on material possessions and financial success. As a result, many people use their wealth and possessions as a means of measuring their own self-worth and social status. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and a constant preoccupation with accumulating more money.
Money is key to retirement
Moreover, many people also think about money in terms of the future, specifically regarding retirement. As people approach retirement age, they begin to worry about whether or not they will have enough money saved to live comfortably during their golden years. These concerns are heightened by concerns about the long-term viability of social security, which adds to the uncertainty of a financially secure future.
Additionally, The constant bombardment of advertising and social media, showing a lifestyle that people can acquire if they have more money and material possession, also leads to an obsession with money. It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that a lack of money is the reason why an individual can’t live the life they want, and it could lead to a constant preoccupation with acquiring more money.
Conclusion
All and all, people think about money so frequently because it is essential to meet our basic needs, it provides a sense of security, it is often tied to self-worth and social status, It is also linked to future uncertainty and financial insecurity, and also the constant bombardment of advertising and social media. It’s essential to recognize that while money is important, it should not consume one’s thoughts and actions.
Setting financial goals and creating a plan to achieve them can help to alleviate some of the stress and anxiety associated with thinking about money all the time.
Additionally, developing a healthy relationship with money, by not seeing it as an end goal, but rather as a tool to help achieve our wants and needs, can help to reduce the amount of time we spend thinking about it.
