Is Money Worth More Than Time
COUNSELLING
Written by Rachel Mehaffey
The Number One Question I Asked When I Left My 20 Year Career
Time or Money: The Ultimate Dilemma
Would you prefer to have time to do what you want or money to spend on what you want? This was the critical question I faced when I decided to leave my 20-year career. It was among many considerations, but this question stood out as one of the two most significant deciding factors.
I knew I was no longer fulfilled in my career, and continuing down that path meant compromising other areas of my life, likely in unhealthy ways. I realised that my purpose lay outside of the job I was spending most of my time doing. More than friends or family and even things I enjoyed doing was work. But when it came to my lifestyle, this question became pivotal.
The Time Trap of a 9–5 Life
We all struggle to find time when we’re stuck in the 9-5 grind from Monday to Friday. Add in commutes, chauffeuring kids, and general day-to-day living, and there’s hardly any time left to "do what you want." Sure, I had four weeks of vacation every year, ample funds to spend on holidays, and the ability to buy nice things to prettify the house. Retail therapy was always an option. However, the idea of learning something new or mastering a hobby was simply unfeasible.
So great, I was afforded 48 out of every 52 weeks a year to not working for 'the man'. Add in school holiday obligations, and that's pretty much no time at all. But we are working to have a comfortable retirement, right? If the average person dies 11 years after they retire and you cannot take money with you, is it not time to reevaluate that logic? Live progressively through your lifetime rather than saving for a finite period of time when your body, mind, and health are no longer in their prime. Your kids already grown and flown the coop.
While money made my lifestyle comfortable, it didn’t afford me much time to truly enjoy it and it was not like what I was spending my time on was something I liked let alone loved.
The Allure of Free Time
So I sat on the other end of the question spectrum and began to imagine a life where I could work my own hours, take the dogs out whenever I felt like it, attend a pilates class at a reasonable hour, and leisurely prepare meals daily instead of frantic batch cooking. Would this make me happier? The thought of spending time with my daughter without having to juggle meetings, sleeping in when I was tired, and starting my workday at 10 AM sounded, well, more than reasonable. Choosing my office location each day for flexibility and crafting my schedule to my own rhythm seemed liberating, but more than that, it felt like that was where life was meant to be lived. In the balanced space of earning and living not working to live without time for life.
Sure, those four weeks of luxury getaways would be replaced by interstate road trips and camping. My wardrobe would downsize, and brand names would give way to generics. The distraction of online retail therapy would vanish but was that truly the biggest cost of getting back my time?
Purpose vs. Lifestyle
This is what it truly boiled down to: would having less money initially, but more time, be enough to make the biggest of life's changes? When I considered the earlier pondering of purpose against the argument of more things over more time, the decision really was a no brainer.
Even if we have all the money and lack anything material, we still crave time. We can buy things, but we cannot reclaim time, no matter how hard we bargain. Living a life with a full bank balance but forfeiting purpose and compromising on time was simply non-negotiable for me. At 44 one observation undeniable is, the years seem to pass quicker with each circling of the sun. Age is exempt of no one. We all have finite days to spend on the living and most of us are spending it working and filling it with stuff to find purpose when purpose is the reason we are here, our work is what we are doing to fulfil it. The money is a byproduct not the driver of our passion & the time we give back to what we truly love honours the wider world. It's Ikigai really.
In the end, for me, it came down to the simple fact money can be made, but time cannot be bought. Fulfilment comes from doing what you love, not from trying to love what you do. This realisation led me to prioritise time and purpose over money and material comfort. While the transition has its challenges, the freedom and happiness that come from aligning my life with my values are immeasurable.
I guess the conclusion I drew was the real currency we have in this life is health & time and that is what I wanted to spend the rest of my time on.
Rach xx
I'm Rachel Mehaffey
Hey, I'm a Single Mumma raising her little lady while running her own business & teaching others it's never too late to start again.
I love working at home in my trackies with my 2 pups snuggled in my lap. My mission, to help others back themselves to live the life they want with no doubts every darn day!
WHAT ARE YOU THINKING
Discover how you view the world by uncovering your mindset type
The SOUL STASH
PODCAST
A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS
FREE QUIZ
03 BENABLE
The ONLY free auto affiliate platform out there. Invite only so use the link as a gift from me to you CODE: Q2GS8
Courses
Mindset
Career
Life Audit
Purpose & Perspective
Find Your FOCUS
Subscribe To Blog
Choose your topics sent straight to you.
A MINDSET RESET
The Subconscious Reset Aimed at Self Sabotage
Say hi to the self that’s been hiding.
Mindset is your most powerful muscle. I'm sure you've heard the term 'mind over matter' many times. But what if I told you it's true..
We take care of the body, it's time to prioritise the mind.
Before you dive in ... Hey, I'm Rach!
I'm your in home life coach, a nerd when it comes to the body & mind. My vibe is teaching you how to thrive.
An Adelaide born life coach, podcaster, educator & dog obsessed animal lover. My purpose is giving you the tools to Level Up your life. I'm so happy you are here.
TAKE THE QUIZ!
ARE YOU READY
TO LEVEL UP?
Instead of the gamebox your mind is your mainframe IRL. Let's cut the static & get laser focused on making your the lead character in your life so I can show you specifically what your type of mindset needs to never be held back again!
Free tools to start your Life Level Up
FREEBIES
Downloads
Discover the working of Ikigai & start down your path of discovering your purpose
Hack your Habits with my Top 5 complete with your how to plan so you can start today!
What's your Self Sabotage Style? Get my FREE workbook. Discover your sabotage type & start learning how to name & shame it.
Coach & Friend -
Let's connect!
A writer at heart hankering to be your pen pal! Allergic to junk mail I send only what you benefit from. Real strategies, workshop style challenges, unwavering encouragement & things you didnt know (but soooo... want to) - Direct to your inbox. You in?
A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS
03 BENABLE
The ONLY free auto affiliate platform out there. Invite only so use the link as a gift from me to you CODE: Q2GS8
