The Money Cycle

As children, we all look at the shiny new toys and beg Mom and Dad and the grandparents for said toys with all the cakes and candies on top. At the time, we are either the happiest in the world because we get what we want, or we are angry because we got nothing. Little do we know that something like a toy is minor to what is to come.

When you reach a certain age and get tired of the parents saying that what you want is too expensive and you can't wait until your birthday or winter holiday, you start doing chores around the house and earn money from said parents, and have your first attempts at saving. Then we see candy or another toy we want.

Depending on how life goes, you might get better at saving in middle school and high school for gifts for friends or family, and find out that it's not just gifts that cost money. It's the new clothes, new phone, new laptop, new iPad, and new books, or whatever your hobby is outside of school. Then you need money for a car, or at the very least, the gas for the car. What do you do? Either continue doing chores for money if that is what you did with your parents, or get your first job in high school or right after graduation.

Then adulthood hits you. You need to work for money in order to live. What do I mean? I mean, you need money to live outside of your parents' basement. You need money for food, clothes, gas, water, and anything you want to do that is outside of work or college. Even when you think you have your life put together, you always want or need more. More equals more money. You get lonely, and you get a pet, or you start dating, assuming you are no longer with a sweetheart from school.

Even dates mean more money, and if the dates go anywhere, like marriage, it's a lot of money involved. Whether you are going for a grand occasion or a trip to the courthouse, you will spend money to be legally bound to the person you love. Of course, that is assuming you marry only once and never divorce, and I don't need to go down that road with you. And in most marriages, you have children.

Whether you have children the traditional way or by adoption, surrogate, or donor, you will be spending hundreds to thousands of dollars. And remember that every penny is for the creation, food, clothing, education, and more for that child. Thus, the somewhat vicious cycle that is surrounded, led, and encouraged by money, leads everyone into debt upon debt.

Whovever said, "Money can't buy Happiness", did not think about the fact that you need money to live. And I don't know about you all, but I'm very happy being alive. Because what is the point of life if not to be happy or find happiness? To eat a good meal, wear warm clothes in the winter, and to be surrounded by loved ones? Most would say such things are priceless, but life is not free.

Thousands of years ago, someone put value in a piece of metal when the currency was trade in goods or livestock. The demand started, and it has not stopped, even though most currencies are now digital. There have been battles and wars about money, even back when it was just a piece of metal. I can almost see it now that in a year or so, Salvation Army Bell Ringers won't have a bucket for donations anymore, but a credit card swiper.

This cycle will always continue as long as the value of something such as life becomes more and more expensive. As an example, I moved into my apartment nearly six years ago, and it was low-income at the price 0f just under $900; now it's over $1,200 just for me, my dog, and my cat in an income-restricted one-bedroom apartment, and every year the rent goes up, but not the limit of $47,000 a year for income. While I debate finding another job, part-time job, or side hustle, I have to keep in mind that I could lose my apartment by making too much money, or having to move back with my parents because I can't afford my apartment or any place to live.

This may not be what is happening with you and your money, but let's face it. We all have money issues in one shape or form. You could be like me, struggling to get by on necessities alone. You could have loans to pay off, a mortgage, medical bills, or an irresponsible vacation purchase you are paying off. You could be homeless, trying to get a job, but can't because you don't have a place of residence or a reliable source of transportation, and need the job to afford such things.

Who knows what is next for money, but as long as prices rise in the cost of life and the ability to live, there may be more issues in the near to far future.