Most of the time, we confuse happiness and joy in life with buying more stuff, earning more money, and even having a higher status. Don’t be hard on yourself; simple, daily, meaningful activities can afford you happiness. Here is the happiness equation: buy your time first, because without time, we can’t enjoy life. After reflecting on happiness over the years, I have come to the following conclusion about its relationship to money and time.
Time freedom: Simple ways to live intentionally
- Happiness is time freedom; happiness is choices and options.
- Happiness is a slow morning. It’s taking control of your life and living with intention.
- Playing hide and seek or kicking a ball with your child brings happiness.
- Happiness is sharing a good meal with your spouse or taking a walk on the beach with the love of your life.
- Still, happiness is a good laugh with family or friends, catching up over a braai or a simple get-together.
- Taking a hike and enjoying nature equals happiness.
- Reaching out to help others and making a difference brings happiness.
- With intention, happiness means living on your own terms, not following the herd.
- Happiness can mean doing the job you love and doing it on your own terms, not only for a salary.
Beyond consumption: Finding happiness in simple experiences
- Discovering your calling and purpose and living them brings happiness.
- You find happiness working in your garden, smelling flowers, or doing nothing.
- Happiness can be just taking a casual walk in your neighbourhood or having a friendly chat with a stranger.
- Happiness could be going on a road trip with family, friends, or even alone.
- Happiness is sitting in the autumn sun, soaking up vitamin D or just enjoying a spectacular sunrise and sunset.
- Still, happiness is riding a bike; balancing on two wheels can bring more joy than driving on four.
- Happiness is enjoying a cup of coffee or a glass of wine on a quiet afternoon.
- Happiness is soaking in the tub with a good book; for some, it’s the energy after a workout.
- Happiness is eating nice chocolate, particularly dark. Especially for me, you can choose your favourite one too.
- Happiness is writing, being still, staying mindful, living in the now.
Mindfulness and intentional living: Choosing happiness daily
You see, happiness is a choice, not just a feeling. It’s a decision. It’s often found in simple things, in everyday life.
I wonder why happiness is often sold as expensive, when in truth, anyone can be happy if they choose to be, no matter what or where they are.
The equation: How money buys time and boosts happiness
To me, happiness is closely related to time.
Without time, we can’t experience the moments that make us happy.
The list of what brings happiness is endless and personal, but here’s the catch: time is tied to money.
Without money, it’s almost impossible to own your time, and if you don’t own your time, you compromise your happiness.
Money can buy you time, and time enables you to be happy.
But if you spend all your money on consumption, you’ll never buy time, and happiness becomes harder to attain.
Prioritizing financial security: Investing for contentment and low stress
Our days on earth are few; our time is finite. That’s why it makes sense to prioritize saving and investing money.
Happiness isn’t the same for everyone, but most of us can agree that contentment is the key.
To be content, we need time and less stress. Financial stress from debt, missed payments, or long working hours compromises our happiness and well-being.
When you sort out your money stories, you live for something bigger than money itself.
Because if money drives you, you’ll never truly appreciate what life is about.
Your real wealth: Protecting your time and freedom
Happiness isn’t somewhere out there; it’s right here, in ordinary moments.
Protect your time, manage your money wisely, and choose happiness daily.
Because real wealth isn’t money, it’s time well spent that is, a life well lived.
Sure, money can’t buy happiness all the time, but invested money can buy you time and freedom to pursue happiness.
I consider it fair to say that money and happiness share an intertwined and inseparable relationship. One final question to wrestle with: what are you practically and intentionally doing today to enable your happiness?
Trading Time or Buying Freedom 
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