You were told to chase money. Stack it. Save it. Fear losing it. But nobody explained what money is. It’s not gold—it’s just paper backed by belief..every day You trade your life for it daily, yet never question its worth. So let’s ask: What really is money?
Many see money as real. Tangible. All-powerful. But today, it’s not gold or goods—it’s trust. A government’s promise, valuable only if we believe in it.
Yet, we fear money. Worship it. Chase it blindly. Without understanding it, it controls us, not the other way around.
From workers to CEOs, most are stuck: “Earn more, spend less, repeat.” If you don’t grasp money’s true nature, you’re playing a rigged game.
Should you trust money? Or what it represents?
Misunderstand money, and you misunderstand freedom. It’s time to rethink the system—and choose what’s truly valuable.
In a village, shells were currency. One shell bought a meal; ten shells built a house. They came from a river only elders knew.
Young Jamiu asked, “Why are shells valuable?” An elder replied, “Because we say they are.”
Stung by the vague answer, Jamiu felt a spark of doubt. He began trading directly—yams for firewood, fish for tools. Villagers mocked his bartering, calling it foolish. But Jamiu, heart racing with quiet resolve, persisted. His trades built trust, not shell piles. Soon, others joined, swapping skills and goods—carpenters for bakers, weavers for farmers.
Years later, a flood destroyed the river. No more shells. The village panicked, clutching worthless symbols. But Jamiu’s group thrived, their bonds and skills unshaken. They’d never relied on shells, only real value: relationships and problem-solving.
The lesson? Money symbolizes value, not value itself. Confuse them, and you’re chained to the system controlling the symbol. True wealth is what you create and share.
To master money, break it down, as entrepreneurs do:
Robert Kiyosaki, author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, says, “Money is an idea. Learn how it works, and you gain freedom.” This isn’t fluff—it’s truth. Money isn’t just cash; it’s control, leverage, choice.
Paper Money(fiat currency): Money isn’t tied to gold—it’s paper or digits governments declare valuable. The IMF calls this “fiat money,” and it's worth something because we trust the system. Inflation (3-5% yearly in many economies) erodes it, yet we accept it.
Value Exchange: Money trades value. A coder builds apps, a farmer feeds towns—money flows to problem-solvers. Warren Buffett notes, “Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.” Money’s worth lies in usefulness, not banknotes.
Trust and Perception: Money works because we trust banks and markets. When trust breaks, like in the 2008 crash, its power fades. CNBC and Forbes report 61% of Gen Z and Millennials feel financially anxious, not from low income but from lacking control in a trust-based system.
Scarcity vs. Creation: Many see money as limited, but it grows through ideas. Elon Musk views money as “a database for resource allocation,” created by innovation. Global e-commerce hit $4 trillion in 2024, proving wealth expands with value.
Emotional Traps: Fear or guilt about money—shaped by culture—keeps people chasing cash, not wealth. Systems like banks profit when we’re confused.
Who suffers? Those unaware of money’s nature.
Who thrives? Billionaires like Buffett or Musk, who treat money as a tool.
Understand it as trust and value, and you’ll direct it, not chase it.
Money isn’t wealth. It’s not evil. It’s not real.
It’s a tool. A mirror of what people value. A stand-in for trust. Stop worshipping it. Start understanding it. Money is like a vote, Every dollar you spend votes for what you support. Every dollar earned reflects your value. The poor chase cash. The wealthy chase value. The truly free create value and control how it flows.
Stop chasing paper. Pursue purpose. Build skills, systems, trust. Money follows those who solve problems the world needs.
You don’t need more money—you need more impact, more value. That’s the currency of freedom.
GET STARTED ON MASTERING MONEY WITH THESE 12 STEPS:
Ask Better Questions: Instead of “How do I make money?” ask, “What problems can I solve? Who needs my skills? How do I deliver?”
Track Value: List skills you have that solves a problem (e.g., coding, teaching). Then list ways each one could help someone today. That’s your value, that's your currency.
Build Trust: Trade knowledge for feedback, services for exposure. Trust comes first, Money follows trust. Start small, start now.
Learn from Icons: Study how Buffett, Jay-Z, or Dangote,etc use trust, brand and value to build wealth and not cash alone. Observe how they use money as a vehicle—not a destination.
Diversify How You Earn: Turn knowledge into content, skills into services, problems into paid solutions people will pay for. Don’t rely on one stream.
Invest, Don’t Just Save: Saving is good, but it's not a wealth strategy. Also save for tools, assets, or education that multiply value, not just bank accounts.
Talk About Money Openly: Discuss prices, goals, and mistakes with people you trust. Silence breeds confusion and shame.
Know Your True Costs: A “cheap” buy may cost opportunities. Always ask yourself: What am I giving up for this?
Borrow Knowledge First: Before taking loans, ask: Have I learned enough to make this money work for me? Knowledge trumps credit.
Stay Calm: Avoid money decisions when anxious. Emotions and money don’t mix. If you're anxious, wait. Most financial mistakes are made in desperation.
Assign Jobs to Money: Treat all of your money as your team members. Budget it to build, protect, or grow something.
Plan To Afford Flaunting Money: First of all, flexing impresses no one and is a waste of resources. But if you're the type who still wants to pull up in a Rolls Royce, that Patek Philippe , a $10,000 suit then it feels way better when you can afford it. Investing in skills, networks, businesses, people, assets, etc helps you build that kind of wealth.
Take Action Today:
Reflect: What value do you bring to the world ? Write it down. After this can you then move on to how can you monetize it.
Practice saying this phrase: “Money mirrors my value. If I grow in value, my money grows.”
Money is a symbol. Your value is real. Each hour traded for a paycheck is a choice: time for paper or time for freedom? Make your money serve you. Create value, build trust, rewrite the game.
Your value is your power. Start today. Act now.
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