The Price of Money

This post is dedicated to a man who I would have been honored to be called a daughter of. Because he treats me like one when in every respect, no one would have blamed if he didn't.

Money. Does it bring happiness? Is it the root of all evil? It’s funny how coins and paper bills  have such an impact on life. 

You see, money is important. Without it, we can't buy a house, or food, or clothing. We can’t provide a better life for ourselves or the people we love. We spend our whole lives chasing after dollar signs to be able to make a decent life. 

It’s weird if you ask me. 

I’m a college student. I’m in between the phase of ‘I want to spend money and then I have to save it.’ But if there’s one thing I know, it’s that one very important person saved me from a world of hurt and taught me what the real price of money is. 

This year, I moved away from my parents and lived in the dorms. Over the summer, the decision was not easy. It came with a lot of arguments and countless evenings and dinner conversations. They didn’t want me to go. But I wanted to. I had too. In the end, they gave me an ultimatum: if you want to move out and become so independent, you can pay for your college yourself. I don’t blame them in a way. Because after all it’s their choice, their money. I just don’t understand why withdraw your support over something so petty. But either way, there I was. Facing the weight of paying my way through college and living expenses myself. 

I filed independently on my Fafsa, and thank God, it came through. Countless hours in the financial aid office (I’m pretty sure they don’t want to see me anymore), countless hours perusing websites and the internet looking for grants and scholarships, countless hours making and remaking budgets and spending plans. In the end, it paid off. I succeeded. But at what cost? 

My fear of being on my own prevented me from spending money. Even if I needed to. Even if it was for my good. I would rather go hungry than spend money. I would deny myself and others a good time of going out to dinner or going shopping at the mall. 

Until that very important person showed me what money really means. 

It wasn’t right away. I didn’t understand at first. He would take me and my boyfriend out to dinner without complaint. When we went shopping for my dorm. He took half the stuff and walked away and paid for it while I stared bug eyed at him. Throughout the semester, he bought food when I was sad, when I was depressed, and he saved my life. In fact, when we went shopping at Schnucks the other day, he paid for the food I was shopping for. 

And you know what he told me? Money is just money. 

That simple phrase. It changed the way I look at it. It is just money. Sure it controls our life but only as much as we let it. It’s not wrong to treat yourself some time. It’s not wrong to want to eat out sometimes. It’s ok to go out to dinner with friends and family when they’re feeling down. Money is just money. It’s not a life. God will provide. If it helps someone in need. If it puts a smile on someone’s face, then it’s worth it. The price of money is not more than a life, is not more than human happiness. So even in the midst of a struggle, instead of seeing what you don’t have, maybe see what you do. 

Two people. Two views. 

For different reasons. 

But one will be remembered forever. People say he has the patience of a saint. I believe he does. In today's world today, he stands out. Because in a world of indifference, he cares. So, thank you. For showing me the real price of money.