Eugenie Grandet and the Value of Money

I can't think of anyone who is more stupid than the old Grandet in his handling of wealth. Most of us must be very familiar with Eugénie Grandet written by Honoré de Balzac. Eugenie's father, old Grandet, is super rich, yet with his morbid frugality, he forces his wife and daughter to live miserably like paupers. He hates spending money. His only joy in life is to amass wealth to the insane extreme. Old Grandet's attitude toward money should serve a reminder to us that the purpose of money is to make us live a better life.

After we moved to the east coast, everything costs like twice of what it does in Kansas, from housing to grocery to property tax. A relative and I talk about this extra expense. I shared with her this.

The money you earn and save is not yours until you spend it on yourself. Of course we always put aside some money just in case and life insurance. Since we can afford the extra cost living in the east coast, why not? Always keep in mind: the purpose of money is to make your life better now. Money should always be spent in the way that makes you happy and healthy today. Money means nothing to you if you just save somewhere. Eventually whatever left unspent will all be taken away from you when you leave this world.