I Was Homeless And People Told Me That Money Wouldn’t Make Me Happy

Summary

The author, who has experienced homelessness, criticizes the disconnect between advice from wealthy individuals on money and happiness and the reality of financial struggle.

Abstract

The article expresses the author's frustration with the abundance of unsolicited and out-of-touch financial advice from affluent individuals who claim that money does not equate to happiness. Having faced dire financial circumstances, including homelessness, the author emphasizes the importance of money in providing basic needs such as freedom and safety, rather than luxury or the ability to quit a 9-5 job. The author points out the irony in the common conclusion of such articles, which often contradict their content by suggesting that money is not essential for happiness after listing ways to accumulate wealth.

Opinions

The author is critical of people who give financial advice without understanding the struggles of those in dire financial situations.
There is a strong distaste for the hypocrisy shown by writers who advocate for financial freedom while simultaneously downplaying the importance of money for happiness.
The author values money for its ability to ensure fundamental human needs like safety and freedom, rather than for the pursuit of wealth for its own sake.
The article suggests that the advice given by wealthy individuals, such as becoming a digital nomad or investing in stocks, is often unrealistic and self-absorbed.
The author believes that the conclusion that "money isn't the answer" is invalid when it comes from those who are financially secure or are profiting from dispensing financial advice.

The wealthy will eat you up and spit you right out

If there’s anything you should know about me, it’s that I don’t complain all that often. When I do, please understand that you’ve undoubtedly taken things too far.

There’s nothing I hate more than people who are out of touch with reality. Lately, the articles I’ve come across have been filled with a whole lot of garbage. When I say garbage I mean that people love to pretend that they know what they’re talking about it and for the most part it’s quite entertaining. With a tendency to talk out of their you-know-what, humans are often eager to give their opinions on just about anything.

This is prominent when it comes to the grand old topic of (you guessed it) money!

I cannot stand to read one more title about quitting your job or learning to make six figures with AI. Nor, do I want people swimming in their own wealth to tell me that money isn’t everything or that money won’t provide happiness one longs for.

If we’re ever in conversation and I mention this “fantastic piece of advice”, which I got from a digital nomad. Please know that I have lost my mind and be prepared to help me find it.

On a more serious note, it’s difficult for me to comprehend how people can become so out of touch with reality. Perhaps you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth or have never worried about financial issues in your lifetime. With all due respect, I’m happy for you. I really am. Although, it’s naïve for you to preach to others about money not being the key to happiness.

In my own life, I have not only worried about keeping the lights on, but at times I have had no lights at all. So losing the home that I owned home, then needing to rent a place, and eventually become homeless were surely not the plans I had made for myself.

I was surrounded by people that were constantly changing the circumstances of my life. Things like divorce and abuse are situations that take away your freedom, as well as sense of security in every possible way.

I’d like to this time to particularly speak to writers, who make a fortune writing about financial freedom, money management, money making tips, and so forth. Every possible article ends with a little conclusion from the author, which almost always disregards every prior point they have just made.

Here’s a example of something I’ve read recently:

“101 Ways To Make $100'000 More Money Than Your Broke-Ass Cousin”

*Article filled with atrocious, self-absorbed, unrealistic advice*

P.S. Money isn’t the answer and will never truly make you happy.

The irony of chanting “money isn’t the key to happiness”, whilst either holding a wad of cash or encouraging others to chase it until they die is unexplainable.

In my life, making and saving money was the answer to all of my troubles, but not the problems others seem to care about.

I don’t care to be wealthy enough to travel and have the privilege of being a digital nomad. I don’t care to have enough money to purchase expensive stocks and investment properties. I don’t care to spend frivolously because I deserve it. I don’t care to have enough money to quit my 9–5 and learn to make six figures, whilst freelancing.

In my most desperate moments, money provided me with my right to freedom and physical safety, which is really all I care about.