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I can’t lie: I love money. I love getting it. I love giving it. I love saving it. I love spending it. I love budgeting it.

I am enamored with amortization.

I realize money is not the most important thing in the world, but it is pretty important, and to believe otherwise is either naïve or dumb. No, money can’t buy everything but here is a list of things that money can buy:    

·      Shelter

·      Food

·      Education

·      Medical care

·      Clothing

·      Utilities

·      Transportation

·      Child care

·      Entertainment

So you actually do need money for things. You can look at that sunset for free but eventually, you’ll get hungry, and you’ll need some cash for food.

I try not to be greedy. I try to give. I just want a level of security for myself and my family, and that takes money. I like to think I have a clear-eyed view of money, and that view dictates that in general, it’s better to have money than not have money. This is math. People say “Mo money, mo problems” but nobody ever says “Less money, fewer problems.”

Nothing in particular prompted this. I just balk at the person who breezily says “It’s only money” because that money can build a better life for someone who needs it. It’s not “only money” to them. I also get aggravated when I see people on TV and movies refusing cash because they don’t want their benefactor to own them or whatever. I’m screaming “Take the cash!” at the screen. I’d run to the bank so fast, there would be a cartoon smoke outline where I used to be. I’d take that benefactor’s money to wipe out some debt. You shouldn’t get assessed with money but for Christ’s sake, use your head about how best to employ an important life tool.

I actually have plans for if I ever find a large amount of cash on the ground with nobody around and no identifying information on the cash. I have plans for which debts to tackle first and how to spend such a windfall. I certainly wouldn’t drive down the highway and throw the money out the window and laugh like an idiot in a movie.

In conclusion, some people like to say you can’t throw money at your problems, but throwing money is actually pretty effective when the problem is debt.