How much does it cost?

What do you think money can buy?

When I talk to people, I like to ask a simple question: If you had three wishes, what would you ask for? Many people put “money” at the top. But when I ask the follow-up—What would you do with a lot of money?—most people don’t have an answer. They feel they should get the money first and figure out the purpose later.

Of course, money can buy happiness, safety, or opportunities. But it’s more than that. Money isn’t happiness. Money isn’t safety. Money isn’t opportunity. Money is just a number somewhere. It’s a tool, not a goal. And collecting tools without knowing what they’re for rarely helps you get the job done.

Yes—making, saving, and growing money can be fun. But we should spend more time understanding our goals, because goals define how much money we actually need and shape how we acquire it. When we know the goal, money becomes a tool that serves it—not something we chase endlessly.

Take something simple: if I want to take a trip to Japan, money is the tool that makes the trip possible. But the real goal is meaningful memories with Kate—sharing great food and travelling comfortably together. If I start from my goals, I know exactly how much it costs—and I don’t waste years chasing money without ever going.

That’s just a small example. But what about the bigger things? Owning a business. Living freely. Retiring comfortably—do you know how much it costs?