Money makes the world go ’round, or at least it buys you a ticket to ride it. It’s the stuff that makes us laugh, cry, hustle, and occasionally pull our hair out when we check our bank balances after a wild weekend.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur counting your wins or a college student counting your coins, money has a way of teaching us lessons we never asked for but definitely need.
Let’s explore some of the most famous (and infamous) quotes about money that may just change the way you think about your dollars.
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“Too many people spend money they earned…to buy things they don’t want…to impress people that they don’t like.” – Will Rogers
The wisdom here is painfully relatable. Who hasn’t spent a little extra on the latest trend only to realize you were doing it for social approval? You bought that flashy gadget or that “trendy” outfit just so someone at work or a party might say, “Nice!” and then, that’s it.
The applause fades, but the credit card bill stays. Will Rogers, a humorist and social commentator, nailed the absurdity of the whole performance. It’s a stark reminder: money spent to impress others is often money wasted. Unless, of course, you’re impressing a cat. Cats are never impressed, so any win there is worth it.
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“A penny saved is a penny earned.” – Benjamin Franklin
Ah, the old classic from Mr. Franklin himself. This quote speaks to the power of saving, which is a solid reminder when you’re thinking about buying a seventh subscription service just to watch *that one show*.
It might sound old-fashioned, but this nugget of wisdom from ol’ Ben reminds us that the money we don’t spend is as valuable as the money we earn. Frugality might not be flashy, but it’ll definitely keep you from stressing about unexpected expenses…like your best friend’s spontaneous destination wedding. Because guess what? Flights aren’t getting any cheaper.
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“Money can’t buy happiness, but it can buy you a yacht big enough to pull up right alongside it.” – David Lee Roth
Now, let’s be real. While we all know happiness doesn’t come with a price tag, David Lee Roth adds a layer of truth most of us would rather not admit.
No, money can’t buy happiness directly, but it can afford a lot of comforts and luxuries that sure make life easier. A yacht, for instance, might not fill the void in your soul, but it’s hard to be too sad with a view of the ocean and a glass of champagne.
Of course, with that yacht comes yacht maintenance, which we hear is pricey enough to make anyone feel “unhappy” pretty quickly. Happiness really seems to be about balance – a yacht and a friend to share it with, maybe?
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“The best way to teach your kids about taxes is by eating 30% of their ice cream.” – Bill Murray
A moment of silence for all the ice cream we’ve lost to the “parent tax.” Bill Murray, in his usual comedic fashion, sums up taxes in a way that’s simple, effective, and likely traumatic for any child who just wanted to enjoy their cone.
Taxes are an inevitable part of adulthood, and even though we know they’re going towards roads, schools, and essential services, it doesn’t make them sting any less.
So why not teach your kids the reality of taxes early? Maybe it’ll make that first paycheck deduction a little less shocking. Or maybe they’ll just grow up never trusting you around dessert.
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“If you want to know what God thinks of money, just look at the people he gave it to.” – Dorothy Parker
Dorothy Parker, a master of wit, takes a jab at the fact that sometimes the people with the most money are the ones who seem to deserve it the least. We’ve all seen them – millionaires and billionaires flaunting wealth like it’s a sport, while the rest of us work hard just to get by.
It’s a reminder that wealth isn’t always tied to merit, and it can be comforting to know that, sometimes, the universe’s distribution of cash is just as random and confusing as everything else in life.
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“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” – Benjamin Franklin
Ben Franklin strikes again, this time with a much more wholesome nugget of advice. Sure, we’re all looking for the next big investment opportunity – crypto, stocks, real estate – but Franklin points out that the one thing that always pays off is investing in yourself.
Whether it’s formal education, online courses, or just reading a good book, the knowledge you gain has long-term value that can never be taken away. Plus, when you know a lot, you can impress people at parties. And maybe then you won’t need to buy those trendy gadgets to do it.
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“Money often costs too much.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
This quote is for anyone who has ever found themselves working late nights, weekends, or sacrificing personal happiness in pursuit of financial gain. Emerson’s point is that while money is necessary, it shouldn’t come at the cost of your health, relationships, or sense of self.
The pursuit of wealth is fine, but when it begins to chip away at everything else that makes life meaningful, it’s time to reassess. Remember, even millionaires need to sleep, eat, and occasionally pet a dog for a serotonin boost.
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“I love money. I love everything about it. I bought some pretty good stuff. Got me a $300 pair of socks. Got a fur sink. An electric dog polisher. A gasoline-powered turtleneck sweater. And, of course, I bought some dumb stuff, too.” – Steve Martin
Steve Martin reminds us of the absurdity that can come with having too much money. It’s easy to judge the lavish expenses of the rich, but there’s also something delightfully human about it. Who among us hasn’t splurged on something ridiculous?
Okay, maybe it wasn’t a fur sink, but maybe it was that kitchen gadget you used once or that pair of shoes that look amazing but make you want to cry after ten minutes. We’ve all been there. Money has a funny way of convincing us that we need things that, in hindsight, are just plain silly.
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“Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.” – Epictetus
Leave it to a Stoic philosopher to remind us that true wealth isn’t about accumulating more but wanting less. Epictetus hits on the idea that contentment is a form of wealth that can’t be bought or sold. The fewer desires you have, the less power money holds over you.
It’s a nice reminder when you’re staring longingly at the newest gadget or yet another pair of sneakers. Sometimes, the richest people are the ones who already feel like they have enough.
A Bit of Wisdom from the Wizdom App
As much as we enjoy laughing (and occasionally crying) over the way money impacts our lives, we can all agree that managing it wisely is key. And it’s not just about budgeting and saving; it’s about understanding what truly adds value to our lives.
That’s where the Wizdom app comes in. If you’re looking to get inspired, learn new skills, or simply get a different perspective on life, the Wizdom app offers bite-sized summaries of the best self-help books out there. It’s like an investment in knowledge, but without the hefty price tag of a college degree.
And hey, remember what Ben Franklin said about investments in knowledge? Those pay the best interest. So why not get a little wiser, save some cash, and maybe one day you’ll be the one on a yacht…pulling up right alongside happiness.
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