Money junkies: When money is the only thing that matters

Have you ever known someone who had the best of everything: designer clothes, fancy cars, the latest gadgets, a big screen TV, jewellery and furniture, but refuses to leave a tip when they go to a restaurant, who never shouts their friends a drink or who don’t pay their bills on time? This is a money junkie.

Have you ever known someone who makes huge amounts of money, but lives in a run down house, their car is constantly breaking down, that shop at second hand stores for clothing and furniture and they buy food that is reduced to clear? This is also a money junkie.

To the first type of money junkie, money is all that matters, or the appearance of having money. These people often don’t actually have the money that they pretend to have. Many of them are struggling in debt, but that will not stop them from buying the newest and best. Most of us when faced with debt budget and plan how to spend our money so that we have enough for both the essentials and some luxuries. We don’t buy all the latest gadgets and we don’t live beyond our means. A money junkie will not do this. To them, it does not matter if they are in debt. The only thing that matters is how other people see them. They like to be seen as rich and important. There is nothing wrong with this but there is something wrong if a person goes into debt for this reason alone.

The second type of money junkie is obsessed with making money, but they refuse to spend it. They don’t care about appearing as if they have money but they do care about having it. To them, they would prefer to have a massive bank account than to have the nicest things. They are very miserly to both themselves and their friends and family. They do not throw things out. They get mad if they think they are being ripped off. They buy bargain basement things. Again, these things are not necessarily bad, but obsessing about it is not a good thing for anyone.

In western society, money is something that plays a huge part of everybody’s lives. It is truly what makes the world go around. People need money to survive, and with such a large proportion of people living below the poverty line, it becomes even more important. This importance is ingrained in us from a young age. Doing chores for pocket money is one of the first lessons in finance that many of us learn. It is a good way to teach that money does not come from trees and that we have to work to earn it.

The old saying that money does not buy happiness is all too true but some people truly believe that it does. Sure, money can make some things in life easier. Many families would be much happier if they did not have to decide between either paying the rent or buying groceries this week. That being said though, money does not stop disease, it won’t provide you with love, and it will not stop death. People both rich and poor will suffer from these things, and money can do nothing to stop it. Those who believe that money can buy happiness will always be obsessed over money. Money junkies who are obsessed with what they can buy and what they can have will never be truly happy. They will strive to have the best and be the best, but they will never truly respect themselves or their money.

If you are a money junkie, the only thing I can say to you is that I hope you one day learn that money is not everything. That family and love are the most important things. Freely spend your time and money on your family and friends: don’t waste it sitting in a bank account or on the latest gadgets. Remember, you can’t take it with you when you go.
when you go.