Have you ever thought about what your life would look like if money wasn’t something you had to worry about?
I think this is one of the most interesting questions you can ask yourself. Yes, daydreaming is fun, but this question can also help you think about how you want your life to look.
For some people, money means security, like having enough saved so they can sleep better at night, knowing the bills are paid. For others, money is about freedom, like having the option to travel, spend more time with family, or enjoy a slower pace of life without stress.
The truth is, no matter where you are financially, this question helps you think about what you truly want out of life.
So today, I want to talk about this idea with you: What would you do if money wasn’t an issue?
Why I Started Asking This Question
Recently, I asked my newsletter readers this very question: If money wasn’t something you had to worry about, what would you do with your time?
The answers were so much fun to read!
Some people said they’d travel more (and listed off some really amazing trip ideas!). Others wanted to spend more time with their kids and grandkids, and a surprising number said they’d actually keep working – but only on the projects that brought them joy.
Many, many readers thanked me just for asking this simple question because it really made them think about their lives.
So, I decided to turn this into an article to expand on the topic a little more.
Note: I do want to say that no one said anything super out there, like buying a huge mansion or living on a 200-foot yacht. All of the responses were super relatable, and, for many – actually quite doable! I think this was interesting to notice because it shows that most people’s dream lives aren’t about living in crazy luxury or massive wealth. What people really want is time, freedom, and peace of mind. They want to slow down, spend time with loved ones, and enjoy the things that make life meaningful. It’s a good reminder that sometimes what we’re really chasing isn’t money itself – but the life we think money will help us create.
Common Answers People Shared
I noticed some common themes when I asked this question, such as:
1. Spending more time with loved ones
Many people said they’d love to spend more time with family.
That could mean being home when kids get home from school, babysitting grandkids, or having long dinners without thinking about rushing out the door for work the next morning.
2. Traveling the world
Travel is one of the most popular answers I heard, and I completely understand why.
It doesn’t always have to mean selling everything and living out of a suitcase, either. For some, it’s one big trip each year. For others, it’s a dream of living abroad for a few months at a time. For some readers, it was RVing and being able to be outside more.
3. Starting creative or passion projects
Readers told me they’d write books, start nonprofits, create art, or finally launch a small business idea they’ve been thinking about for years.
For many, these are things that just feel too risky when money is tight. But when you take away the financial pressure, it’s easier to think about finally going after those creative dreams.
4. Slowing down and enjoying life
Sometimes the dream isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing less.
That might mean reading more books, spending time in nature, gardening, or simply having the time to cook a meal without feeling rushed.
I really related to every response I received, but this one was probably the one that I’m most after right now. I always feel like I am rushing things or not really enjoying the little things in life, and this is an area that I would really like to improve on for myself!
5. Giving back
A lot of people also said that they’d use their time to volunteer or support causes that matter to them. I completely understand this, as it can feel hard for many people to spend enough time in this area.
Why This Question Matters So Much
You might be thinking: Okay, this sounds nice, but I still have bills to pay. Why should I even ask this question?
Here’s why – it’s not just daydreaming.
I think it’s a question that can also help you:
- Understand what truly matters to you. When you imagine life where money isn’t stopping you, I think it becomes clearer to realize what matters to you.
- Have meaningful goals. Instead of chasing what you think you’re “supposed” to want, you can focus on the life you actually want to build.
- Keep motivated. Paying off debt, saving money, or starting a side hustle feels easier when you know what you really want in life.
Also, I think it’s just fun to spend a little bit of time and think about what would actually make you happy in life. I really enjoyed reading everyone’s answers, and they all helped me think about my life as well.
My Own Answer to This Question
When I ask myself this, for me, I’d spend more time with my family, travel more, and continue writing and running my business – but with fewer hours and less stress. The question also made me think about small and large changes that I could make right now that would help me be happier and enjoy life more.
In many ways, my dream life is what I’ve already built, and I’m super grateful for that. It didn’t happen overnight, but I’ve created a life where money doesn’t control me anymore (well, not as much as it used to!).
That doesn’t mean I’m perfect (I definitely still think about money a lot, and there are some changes that I would like to make still!), but it does mean I get to decide how I spend my days. And to me, that’s amazing.
How You Can Get Closer to Your Dream Life
I don’t think you need to win the lottery to start living a little closer to your ideal life.
Here are some steps you can take today.
1. Write down your “dream life”
Get a piece of paper (I think writing this down is fun, but you can also just type it into your phone or computer, of course), and describe what a typical day would look like if money wasn’t something you had to think about.
Don’t hold back or worry about being “realistic.” This is your chance to dream big and get clear on what really matters to you.
Here are some questions to think about that can help guide you.
Daily life:
- What time do you wake up, and what’s the first thing you do?
- Where do you live – a beach house, a cabin in the mountains, a small city apartment, or maybe on the road full-time?
- How do you spend a typical morning, afternoon, and evening?
- Who do you spend your time with each day?
Work:
- Do you still work, or have you retired early?
- If you work, what kind of work would you want to do – something creative, meaningful, flexible, or just fun?
- How many hours would you work each week, and what would your ideal schedule look like?
Money and lifestyle:
- What kind of lifestyle do you have – simple and minimal, or adventurous and full of travel?
- How much money would you need to feel comfortable and secure?
- What kind of things do you no longer spend money on because they don’t matter to you anymore?
Relationships:
- Who are the people closest to you?
- How do you spend time with family and friends?
Recommended reading: 12 Simple Habits for Living a Happy Life
2. Compare it to your current life
Now that you’ve written down your dream life, take a step back and look at where you are right now.
I don’t think this step is about judging yourself or feeling behind. Instead, it’s about understanding the difference between where you are and where you want to be. I think that once you can see the differences between your current life and your dream life, it becomes so much easier to make small, real changes that move you closer to that dream.
To start, you can go through your notes and highlight the parts of your dream life that already exist in your current life. For example:
- Maybe you already spend quality time with your family each evening.
- Maybe you’re doing work that you actually enjoy.
- Or maybe you’ve already simplified your lifestyle so you have less stress.
Then, look at what’s missing. For example:
- Do you wish you had more free time or flexibility?
- Are you spending too much time working or commuting?
- Do you want to feel healthier, less rushed, or more financially stable?
- Do you wish you just had more time to read books, relax, or volunteer?
Writing these out helps you see where your time, money, and energy might not be aligned with what truly matters to you.
And, you may be able to make some changes toward your dream life by looking for small overlaps that you can build on. For example:
- If your dream life includes more travel, maybe you can start by taking a short weekend trip every few months.
- If your dream life includes working fewer hours, maybe you can set better boundaries or find ways to earn extra income from home.
- If you want to feel more peaceful, maybe you can simplify your mornings or spend less time on your phone.
These small changes may not seem like much, but they add up – and they help you start living as if money wasn’t controlling all of your decisions.
3. Pick one small step
You don’t have to completely change your life to move closer to your dream life – you just need to start with one small step.
So, think about one small thing you could start doing today that aligns your current life with the one you dreamed of earlier. Here are some ideas:
- Start a small savings goal. Open a separate account for something that excites you – a future trip, a new experience, or a small emergency fund – and set up automatic transfers, even if it’s just $20 a week.
- Make time for what matters. Block off time for something you’ve been putting off, like reading, painting, or calling a friend.
- Simplify your schedule. Look at your calendar and see if there’s one thing you can say no to this week to make more room for what you actually enjoy.
- Start living like the person you want to become. Even small habits – like how you spend your mornings or how you talk about money – can shift how your life feels day to day.
You don’t need to have everything figured out, and I completely understand that thinking about how you can reach your dream life can feel very overwhelming.
Due to this, I recommend that you just focus on the next step that you think will push you in the right direction.
Recommended reading: I’ve Done Over 20 Side Hustles in My Life: Here’s What I Think of Each
4. Find meaning beyond money
As you start making changes so that you can reach your dream life, remember that money is just one piece of the puzzle. What most people really want – once the stress of bills and work fades away – is a sense of purpose or enjoyment.
Think about what gives your days meaning. It might be helping others, creating something, spending time with loved ones, or learning something new. Purpose doesn’t have to be tied to a career or a paycheck – it’s about doing things that make you feel alive and connected.
Once you figure out what that looks like for you, start building more of it into your everyday life now, not later. You don’t need to wait until your finances are perfect or retirement begins to enjoy things in life.
Examples of Small Changes You Can Make
Here are some ways to start moving closer to your dream life.
- If you want more time with family: Try rearranging your schedule to have one night a week that’s 100% family time, with no distractions.
- If you want to travel more: Start a “travel fund” jar or account and add just $20 a week. It adds up faster than you think.
- If you want to pursue a passion project: Block out one hour each week to focus on it. Even just one hour is better than nothing.
- If you want to slow down: Pick one thing you can cut from your schedule this month. It could be as easy as saying no to a meeting or unsubscribing from something that clutters your time.
If Money Wasn’t an Issue, What Would You Do With Your Life? – Summary
I hope you enjoyed my article today on what you would do with your life if money wasn’t an issue anymore.
For me, I really enjoy thinking about this question because it can really make you think about life and what you want your future to look like.
The question “What would you do if money wasn’t an issue?” isn’t about pretending money doesn’t matter – it’s about helping you figure out what you’re working toward.
When you know what truly matters, it’s easier to set financial goals, stay motivated, and make decisions that align with your values.
So I’ll leave you with this: Take a few minutes today to answer the question for yourself. Write it down, think it through, and see what comes up.
So now I want to hear from you: If money wasn’t an issue, what would you do with your time?
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