In the big picture, wealth is not about money.
Wealth is a measure of our capacity to live and thrive into the future. In an economy where currency is the medium of exchange, money allows you to pay for shelter, food, clothing, transportation, entertainment, and more. So we think in terms of how much money we have and how long it will last. The more money, the more wealth.
But wealth comes in other forms too.
I have always learned to do things for myself. I can do repairs around the house, make furniture, cook food, and maintain my car among other things. All those skills add to my wealth because they’re as good as money. I don’t have to pay $300 for someone to fix my oven because I can to it for $20 in parts: a net wealth increase of $280.
Depending completely on money is also a bit risky. There may be situations, like a hurricane flooding your city, where having money does little for you. When the economic systems break down, then other kinds of wealth come into play. In that kind of situation, my neighbor who has stockpiled emergency supplies in his basement would be considerably wealthier than me.
Come to think of it, maybe I should order some canned food.
