Money is an intensely personal topic that often makes people uncomfortable. In the United States, wealth shapes social hierarchy, influencing nearly every aspect of life. From a health perspective, financial status plays a critical role. The number one determinant of a person’s health is their zip code, which is often a direct reflection of their financial position. Those with wealth have better access to resources, including healthcare, nutrition, and safe living conditions. Education, too, is highly correlated with wealth—not just formal schooling but also the acquisition of valuable, in-demand skills that lead to financial success. I was not handed a playbook on personal finance in public education, college, or medical school. Unless you were lucky and had parents that openly discussed personal finance with you, it’s unlikely you received formal education on this topic either.
Beyond material impact, money is a dominant force in relationships. Financial stress is the leading cause of divorce and relationship dysfunction. According to Robert Sapolsky, social comparison is the number one stressor for people. If you are surrounded by those who have more while you struggle to get by, the psychological toll can be immense. My core belief is that we should strive for strength in all aspects of life: financial stability, robust health, a wealth of experiences, deep knowledge, strong relationships, and a supportive social network. Resilience comes from abundance, and when we operate from a mindset of abundance, giving becomes effortless.
Tim Ferriss once suggested that one should aim to be exceptionally good at two separate things. I’ve reflected on this for years and observed that those who excel in only one area—whether it be work, fitness, finance, or social skills—often develop a scarcity mindset. They become overly protective of their singular strength. Mastering one endeavor does not always translate easily to another. Setbacks are inevitable, and diversification exposes us to more of them. The more friendships you cultivate, the more heartbreaks you endure. The more wealth you accumulate, the more complex financial decisions become. People often struggle when rapidly transitioning from novice to expert because they haven't yet developed the fundamental skills needed to navigate success. That’s why I advocate for the slow and steady approach—the tortoise approach—to all things. Incremental, consistent effort over time builds the necessary resilience to handle abundance when it arrives.
One of the most painful lessons I’ve had to learn over the past year is that financial milestones do not bring happiness. I am, admittedly, obsessive-compulsive and highly goal-oriented. As a result, I’ve achieved many of my financial goals ahead of schedule. Yet, these achievements have not brought me lasting peace, joy, or contentment. Instead, they have granted me choices—the freedom to pursue my life’s purpose of reducing suffering. Financial stability has allowed me to further my education, provide free healthcare to those in need, hire employees who support their families, and experience life in deeper, more meaningful ways. These experiences have brought both pain and wisdom, offering a clearer understanding of how the world operates.
Money is a vote. It is an honest metric, much like the weight room or the scale—it does not lie. How we spend reflects what we truly value, not just what we claim to value. Reviewing my financial transactions has been humbling, revealing how much I have wasted on things that don’t matter. If you track your spending on entertainment and junk food, you’ll likely see a correlation with your personal health. If your money is spent on material status symbols rather than education and experiences, it is unlikely to bring lasting fulfillment. Aligning your spending and earnings with your core values leads to greater peace and contentment. We are all hypocrites in some way, but the closer we align our financial choices with our authentic selves, the more fulfilled we become.
Like anything it’s important to have a plan. Finances like nutrition, exercise, work schedule, relationship schedule should have a plan. You may be able to float through life with minimal retirement planning and be fine, but I assume this is unlikely.
Disclaimer:
This month’s article series aims to equip you with tools and resources to improve your financial well-being. I am not a financial advisor or expert, nor do I claim to be one. Nothing I write is intended as individualized financial advice. Rather, my goal is to provide a framework for thinking about money in a way that supports long-term stability and fulfillment. If you need personalized guidance, consult a financial professional.
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