Banking on Health

"The greatest wealth is to live content with little." - Plato

We often hear phrases like: “Success is measured in your bank account,” “Time is money,” or “He who has the gold rules. These sayings allude to the myth that if you have financial wealth, you have everything. Nothing could be further from the truth. 

Yes, you need a certain amount of money to live comfortably. But a hefty bank account alone doesn’t guarantee happiness and well-being. The level of stress associated with accumulating financial wealth can force you to neglect the wealth that really matters - your health!

Individuals consumed by a lifestyle centered on stockpiling money often sacrifice relationships, leisure time, and self-care—the important things that add up to a fulfilling life. From the outside, they may appear to have it all, but when it comes to their health, here’s where they fall short: they assume that should they become ill, they can buy their way out of it.

For them, financial wealth equates to freedom. But that’s just another myth – more money, more problems! And there are two additional things many don't learn until they’re on their deathbeds: some health consequences are irreversible regardless of available resources, and poor health undermines their ability to enjoy what they have.

Your health is your wealth. Your most precious vehicle is not the car you drive; it's your body - the only means of experiencing life as you know it. Honor it! Waiting until you are on your sick or deathbed could very well be a tad bit too late.

Here are a few other reasons to honor life's most precious vehicle and appreciate the relationship between health, wealth, and money:

Physical energy drives everything else. When you feel strong and vibrant, you can work longer, think clearly, and pursue opportunities that might otherwise exhaust you. Poor health drains your capacity to capitalize on life's possibilities.

Prevention is far cheaper than treatment. Medical expenses can quickly devastate finances. A single serious illness or injury can cost tens of thousands of dollars, wiping out savings and creating debt that takes years to recover from, if you recover at all.

Healthy people miss fewer work days, perform better, and advance faster in their careers. Chronic health issues can limit job opportunities and reduce lifetime earnings significantly.

Mental clarity enhances decision-making. Good physical health supports brain function; it helps you make better financial decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and think strategically about your future.

Independence preserves dignity and resources. Maintaining your health longer means avoiding expensive assisted living, home care, or family dependency that can drain both emotional and financial resources.

Energy creates opportunities. Healthy individuals can take on side projects, learn new skills, and network actively, potentially opening doors to additional income streams, while sick people may struggle to manage these endeavors.

Poor health often leads to poor sleep, which in turn impacts job performance, relationships, and decision-making abilities. Quality rest is essential for peak performance in all areas of life.

Stress management protects your assets. Chronic health problems create stress that can lead to poor financial decisions, relationship problems, and reduced work performance, creating a downward spiral.

Longevity extends your earning years. The healthier you are, the longer you can work and earn, while also reducing the number of expensive retirement years you'll need to fund.

Confidence opens doors. Feeling healthy and strong gives you the confidence to negotiate better salaries, start businesses, take calculated risks, and present yourself as someone worth investing in.

Your health is the foundation that makes earning money possible. Without it, your bank account becomes meaningless.

Not a week goes by that I don’t have a conversation with someone about health, and the bottom line is always the same - most of us just don't value our health as much as we value material possessions. We don’t even think about it until we get sick.

So, this week, here are three questions to ponder regarding your true wealth:

 1.      How does health factor into your definition of wealth?

2.      What messages about money and health did you hear growing up? Which ones still influence your decisions today?

3.      What fears come up when you imagine having less money but better health?

Where do these fears originate?

Be grateful, Be Well!

Are you struggling with a medical condition that is robbing you of your true wealth? Contact me at smallchange@myrtlerussell.com. 

For more small change tips on how to “Be Well,” subscribe at: https://www.myrtlerussell.com/contact.