What is your relationship to money? What does money have to do with freedom, success, happiness, independence, value, cost, worth, love, family, and more? On June 16th, 15 curious people discussed the intellectual, personal, and pragmatic aspects of money. Here’s what we wrote on the takeaways notepad, sorted by category:
Why is talking about money taboo?
Money is a tool for judgement — how generous people are, how particular they are about the bill, feeling like being paid for is being owed.
Does not earning as much money mean that I am not as valuable or as good as someone else?
What does earning have to do with deserving?
Explore money in context. The context: we want to lead the best lives possible.
I’m not sure why money is such a sensitive topic — so many cultural attitudes affecting our perspectives.
Money is important, but not everything.
There’s a need (or want) benchmark, and our actions depend on whether we think we are above or below that line. However, as our lives change, that line tends to move too because of social, ego, and the hedonistic treadmill… so how can we have better control to where that line is? Can we make 10k and have a 5k life style?
Beliefs about money
Do you believe in scarcity (there’s not enough money out there and I have to go find it) or abundance (opportunities and money is plentiful and as I make my own luck, money will be attracted to me?) I find that when I choose to believe in abundance, I am happier and more traditionally successful.
Money and how you think about it can really shape how you “find” it — abundance versus scarcity
We can choose our beliefs, but it takes practice and discipline.
It seems we believe we can’t have money, time, and happiness all at the same time… is that the case?
Different kinds of capital
There are different kinds of capital — money, time, social, cultural, romantic. Money is powerful because it is easy to measure and compare, but there are many other kinds of capital.
How do we balance mixture of capitals as a sense of worth?
Understanding money is like swimming — once you know enough, it doesn’t matter how deep the water is.
What’s the value of money?
Money is good for transactions, for making things happen — but it’s not as good at demonstrating value or capturing the value of something.
Maybe money should just be left to handling transactions.
Money offers options.
Money has no intrinsic value — the value of money and the meaning of money are determined by the individual
It’s more about where you put your money, where to focus on.
Money and other people
Money is easy when you’re alone, way more complex when it involves a girlfriend/boyfriend, or kids, or parents. It’s tough to think relationships are so shaped by money (because we think they shouldn’t be)
Remember to ask for help when you need it.
Money allows us true opportunity to redefine ourselves every time we have a problem with us.
Giving is based on how much you can afford, within your means, and the amount you’re comfortable. don’t ask “do need to give more? is it enough?”
What do you believe about money?
Interested in having more taboo but important conversations? Join us for the next Cut The Small Talk – Curious Dinner here: http://cutthesmalltalk.com/dinners