Just wondering: Money or time…

If you HAD to choose more of one or the other for your family, which would it be? I’m asking from the real world “have to pay bills and then some” sense, not the “what should I say” answer. Anyone who has had the pendulum swing too hard in one direction may have clear answers, but for most of us who have ridden the economic rollercoaster of life, we’ve probably had both at some time in the past. Which really matters the most?




• More time allows you to bond over the everyday things with your kids – watching every sports practice, helping with more homework, getting to know their friends, being around for the driving and cleaning of rooms
• More money allows more sports and music practices, as well as tutoring/Scouts/private lessons on the schedule. It allows for better quality clothes and school equipment (like the stuff they take in, and the computer they play on at night). It gives you the opportunity to spend vacation time away in nice locales
• More time gives you more “catching up” time with your spouse or loved ones. It provides time to plan, think, and organize, together. Time gives you uninterrupted movie nights/poker games/walks alone with your partner
• More money gives you the opportunity to schedule a specific number of weekends away, or a night out once a month to go somewhere nice. Money allows for gift-giving to each other when wanted or needed
• More time gives you space to make crafts, go on picnics, and find free fun wherever you go
• More money can build you a lifestyle with a nicer house or car than expected
• More time can be used to be generous with others – extended family, church, community
• More money can be used to pay the bills every month, on time, with some left over
• More time can reduce stress because there is less rushing to complete tasks
• More money can reduce stress because you never have to look at your children, or into a mirror, and say – we can’t afford that



When we organize our life around the partner, job, commute and activities we chose, which one do you have more of? Is that what you expected to end up with? Is it ok?
And if you want to change it, is that even possible? What would it take for you to change?