11 Things Money Can’t Buy

This week marks the start of the busiest shopping seasons of the year with days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday (Okay, technically that one is next week…). However, we often forget about the things that money cannot buy us during this beautiful and wonderful season of giving.

I know that I usually end up caught-up in my own gift buying drama and then in between the running around to four different houses (my hubs and I both are from divorced households) and the delicious holiday meals, I end up grouchy and losing the sight of the joy during the season.

If this reminds you of you, these eleven things that money can’t buy should help put things back in perspective for you.

1. Happiness

This is an obvious one to start with but it is so true. For years, I have touted the expression, “money can’t buy you happiness, only depression”. I truly believe it, money can buy you things that make you happy but it cannot outright buy happiness. Some of the most unhappy people I know are ones who chase happiness with money.

2. Peace

Sure, money can sometimes settle a debt or a dispute but money cannot outright purchase peace. Peace comes from within and is something that you have to find on your own. I have struggled with this for years as I used to believe that I had to be like everyone else instead of being confident in my own skin.

3. Forgiveness

I can hear some of my friends right now cracking their Catholic jokes at me. 🙂 Forgiveness is not something that can be bought, ever. You may argue that if the dispute is over money and you repay the debt than forgiveness is given, but I argue that forgiveness only truly happens when you decide to forgive without settling the debt. Forgiveness comes from within.

4. Contentment

Another one that comes from within – contentment. I believe finding contentment is the key to life in general and is one of the greatest mindset changes you can make for your finances. When you are content that you have enough, you will not fall victim to trying to purchase your way to happiness.

5. Joy

Some of my greatest life moments have happened without me spending a penny. The joy I see in my child’s face when he sees a plane flying overhead or the joy in my hubs’ face when he is building something with his hands. Even the joy I feel when I watch my children “dance” (really it is just wrestling and trilling but is absolutely hilarious to watch) or when the joy I feel when we go for a drive.

6. Love

Money cannot buy you love and I know way too many people that attempt to purchase another’s affection through numerous gifts. I promise you, if that is you, you will never be able to buy enough gifts to earn that person’s love. To earn love, you have to love with your whole heart, not your whole wallet.

7. Family

Family is not always those related to you by blood, but true family are those crazy people that you could not live without. You cannot go down to your local Walmart and purchase them (unless you really like crazy relatives 😉 ), you have to nurture and cultivate your family through your time and talents.

8. Healthy Marriage

Money may be a source of major arguments in most marriages but it cannot buy you a happy and healthy marriage no matter how much money you have. You need to find balance between your marriage and money but your marriage always needs to win. Make a commitment to resolve your money issues and not let money become a wedge in your marriage.

9. Faith

I am a Christian and as a Christian, I understand that you are supposed to tithe and give from your income to the church and works of Christ. However, money cannot buy you faith or a place in heaven. Regardless of your religious beliefs, money cannot buy faith. It is something that you believe in from within.

10. Home

Yes, money can purchase you a house or a place to live but money cannot buy you a home. Home is what you make it, you can make a home out of anywhere whether it be a house, apartment, or even your car. Home is determined by your level of comfort, joy, peace, happiness, and contentment, not by how many rooms and bathrooms your house has.

11. Good Person

Money cannot and will not make you into a good person, not matter how much money you spend. This may seem obvious to some, but I have watched many people spend, spend, and spend trying to purchase the image that they are a good person. Being a good person is something that comes from within (sensing a theme here?). If you want to be a good person, spend twice as much time and half the money.

Money can buy you many things, but these eleven things, money will never be able to purchase for you. It can be such a challenge to remember that money can only buy you tangible items – the intangible things are up to you to make happen.

What are some things that money cannot buy for you?

Linked Up To: Frugal Friday, The Thrifty Couple, Thrifty Thursday, Financially Savvy Saturday