Thursday, February 18, 2010

Thrifty Thursday: Time isn't Really Money

Is time money? I've been pondering this.
I'm pretty sure, for me, it is not.
When you are figuring how much something costs & how to save money & you factor in "your time", what does that mean? Is that time you are taking off of work & therefore losing money? If not, then time is not really money. And, time really shouldn't be factored in. Apparently a stay-at-home deserves to make a 100k + salary. That is so nice & flattering. People are trying to recognize your hard work & value, but no one is going to pay you that money!
I guess, you could say time is money, if you are using your time to save money.
False - When I factor in the time that it takes me to weed my own front yard, it is cheaper to hire someone.
True - If I have the time to weed my own front yard, I am "making money" (i.e. saving money) for my family by doing it myself.
Are you considering the cloth vs. disposable diaper factor? Is it really correct to add into the money equation the extra time the cloth diapers will take you?
Time is valuable, though. That is very true. So, if you don't want to spend your time doing such & such, then, very good. Spend your time wisely, doing what you value.
Time isn't money. It is worth so much more.

6 comments:

Stef said...

Amen!

Mary Anne said...

I don't know how many times we have wasted time and money both in trying to save money. You do have to understand your abilities well enough to know if it is worth doing it yourself. Not to mention the frayed nerverves from trying to do something and not having it work too well!

Erin said...

That is true, Mom! We just thought we succesfully had a leak fixed & then it started leaking worse than before! The plumber is coming today...

LindaFaye said...

I think perspective is everything. I just realized a while back that there are some things on Earth that we won't have in heaven. Marriage is the one that stands out to me. Now how much more valuable is my time with my husband after that thought!

paisley and lace said...

Thankfully, today James fixed a leak with a 79 cent cure (without making it worse - we also have done that one - not just once, I might add). He even said a polite 'no thanks" to the salesman who said he needed an $89 part for the 79 cent fix. Although we would rather have someone else do it, during these tight times, I'm glad he knows how. He had a few jobs when he was young doing construction and fixing cars. I think it would be benificial for my boys to have such jobs. Anybody hiring? :)

I like your logic here Erin. You always have good things to think about.

LindaFaye said...

I think perspective is everything. I just realized a while back that there are some things on Earth that we won't have in heaven. Marriage is the one that stands out to me. Now how much more valuable is my time with my husband after that thought!