DailyBlog : What Can Money Not Buy

** The first two books in my six part dystopian series have officially made their way out into the world! Check them out!
For the sake of blogging and self-exploration and contemplation, I’ve been slowly making my way through answering questions from this list

Today’s Question : What can money not buy?

Well, “happiness” would be the simple, extremely cliche answer, but let’s be more specific than that 😉
I’m not going to lie, money can buy a certain level of comfort and stress-relief. Having a stable job with a decent salary, knowing my rent and bills will always be paid, it helps. I was a grifter in my twenties, I did odd jobs, moved a lot, traveled a lot (sometimes literally penny-broke by the time I returned from a trip), but in my thirties I’ve “settled down” and I live a tame, mostly predictable life. I wouldn’t say it’s stress-free, but any stress I have in my life now is manageable, and it involves things more internal than external.
But money cannot erase the past or undo psychological damage. I’m grateful that I love my job and that I make a livable salary, but I still have struggles due to the things I’ve been through and I assume I always will. Our experiences fundamentally change us and even if I won the lottery, that wouldn’t be any different. I can understand, especially in a world where salaries and the cost of living aren’t nearly as compatible as they used to be, people thinking money will solve all of their problems, but it will only solve certain problems. It’s not a magic-wand, it won’t bring “happiness.” It’ll just give you a cushion. Luckily I never had the disillusion that money would solve all of my problems, so I’ve never been disappointed in my adjustment from grifter to a “nine to five” life. It’s all about keeping a realistic perspective.