Importance of Money
I've been having conversations with people recently about the fact that there are those people who work incredibly long hours, especially in NY. The trade-off, apparently, is financial compensation. Which is nice, I'm sure, but doesn't seem to be (at least not to me) an adequate substitute for having a life and relationships and the freedom to do what you want when you want. I know that to some people, money is more important than it is to me - I don't care that much whether I'm wearing designer fashions or have a fancy car - some people really do like that stuff. But I just can't imagine trading my life away for being able to buy that stuff. Am I the weird one?
posted by Shoshana @ 8:01 PM
7 Comments:
...especially when it's in cities like NYC, where the money doesn't go all that far anyway. No, you're normal.
Money. We Raggedys often say that we hope to always feel like we have enough of it for it not to be a constant worry or issue. More than that is nice, sometimes, but superfluous.
The problem is, most people we see in the metro NY area get to the point of "not worrying" and find that their goals change. It's easy to fall into the never enough trap.
I really wouldn't know if one can generalize about the reverse existing in OOT communities, except for the likelihood that in places with less (widespread or flashy) material wealth you'll find less greed for more and better things.
I appreciate your take on the topic in this post, Shoshana.
Well, it depends. Personally, I'll probably working in such a job - but it's not going to be for financial reasons alone. I do hope to work in a firm, but my primary motivation is my own interest in that type of work. I know I'll be working long hours, and although hopefully the salary will be good - it's not going to be as high as, say, in hedge funds. But many people find the interactions in their area of work fruitful and fulfilling, as well as the job itself meaningful, not just profitable.
No Shosh, your the normal one for sure. Everyone gets as much parnosa as Hashem wants and not a penny more, of course you need to make a normal Histadlus, but emphasis on NORMAL...
For some people, having nice things is their #1 priority. No, you're not weird. You have your head screwed on pretty well, IMO :)
I don't think the trade-off is quite so simple as time=money. I know that in my time consuming and financially rewarding job, I and my colleagues are primarily motivated by competitevness rather than money. We do keep score by money but money is really not the prime motivator. Of course, once you have access to obscene amounts of money, you find that it is very easy to spend but again, that is just a byproduct of the job.
Ezzie - Very true!
RM -
I think it's often hard to find the line between enough and "needing" more. And I don't think you can generalize that OOT communities manage to avoid this mentality, but it just doesn't take as much money to make it there.
Irina -
I hear what you are saying, and know that I, too, would be willing to give more of my time to a job I found rewarding and fulfilling. But at some point, I think you have to draw the line, and I do think there are those out there who are mainly motivated by the money.
Semgirl and Sara -
Thanks.
Joe -
Competitiveness is another one I don't know if I understand so well - I would rather be motivated by wanting to do well personally, rather than "beating" someone else. But then again, I'm not in a field like yours, nor would I choose to be. Enjoy your money :)
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