(Word count = 895 plus 67 words for About the Author)

Hearing someone say that she or he is "in it for the money" often sounds selfish, self-absorbed, ultra-materialistic.   Should it be questioned?   I think the phrase is shorthand for something much deeper.

At the cramped booth table Tuesday night at the diner, we tossed around ways to stimulate our monthly meetings of writers at which about forty people attend.   The five of us offered views about the importance of speakers, topics, fellowship, food, seat arrangement, attention-getting tricks to boost attendance, and a hundred other ideas.  

Then the discussion got personal and interesting.   Tom said he believed a core purpose of the writers group was to enable a member to further the process of getting published.   Dave seconded, and added that he was "in it for the money."   He said making money from his writing was really the most important goal for him.   I thought he was joking because the great majority of writers earn little from publishing.   But then he explained further through an analogy.   He said he has been playing guitar for fifty years.   He considered himself a professional guitarist, although his main occupation was different than music or writing.   Over the decades, friends would ask him to bring his guitar to various get-togethers and to play a few songs to entertain them and have fun.   With a serious look, Dave told us that he would respond to their request, "How much are you going to pay me?"    I chuckled, thinking he was kidding.   But he wasn't.   He said he felt that, because he was a professional guitar player, he was entitled to get paid for playing. I asked him if he regretted the lost opportunities of not sharing his playing, or enabling his friend's enjoyment of it.   He said, "No way," and adding that as a professional writer (in that he has earned royalties from published material), he deserves to get paid for his writing.   Thus he doesn't have an interest in sharing his work unless there is money to be made.

Two other men added that they, too, had money as a main objective despite the obstacles.   I jumped into the conversation and recounted one of our previous speakers, Arthur, who was quite comfortable telling our group that all but one of his published seven books sold less than 200 copies, and furthermore, that he did not care at all about profits.   Arthur was more concerned with getting his views on paper, freezing in time his feelings and ideas, and sharing them with whoever would read them now, and whoever may read them in the future.   No one at the table said they shared Arthur's view.   The conversation moved on.

Dave's "in it for the money" still was ringing in my head.   Not knowing him that well, I could only speculate on what he really meant by saying "in it for the money."   Perhaps he says that as a way to focus.   After all, money is a concrete goal and measure.   Being focused on making money can weed out other activities that may not be "productive."   Or, perhaps Dave was just putting up a wall so as not to reveal deeper emotions and beliefs.   Maybe he just did not want to face the possible fact that writing helps him to dig inside himself and mess around with uncomfortable feelings.

Then I started thinking about the real reasons other people may have when they use the shorthand expression "in it for the money."   Perhaps, they want the material comforts that money can buy so they can deal with the tough times life brings.   Maybe Eminem or Jay Z feels that way?   Or, maybe they enjoy the power and respect that is often bestowed on people who make lots of money. Is that why Donald Trump likes to make money.   Perhaps, it is a tangible reward for making hard sacrifices for years.   Does Tiger Woods and Bruce Springsteen feel that way?   Does money provide a measure of value otherwise overlooked?   Creative people often can go years, sometimes forever, without earning much money because their work is not appreciated in the marketplace.   Sometimes they are ahead of their time.   Sometimes it's due to poor marketing or planning or even bad luck.   For them, money can help their self-esteem.   Many of us walk taller when we are financially successful.   These fleeting thoughts were taking me away from the conversation at the table.   I decided to defer my analysis until my ride home.   

As I walked through the parking lot to my car, I wondered what were my deeper reasons when I use shorthand answers to people's questions?   When I'm asked why I help people with financial planning, I don't say "I'm in it for the money" but rather I say "like helping people with financial decisions, which gives me a sense of fulfillment."   That's true, but there is an even deeper layer.   I do it probably because I get a feeling of empowerment helping others in order to counter balance the feeling of not having enough influence or control in my own life.   Ironic.    Now, that's a realization that may lead me to my being more effective and making real positive changes in my own life, perhaps leading to improved relationships with family members, friends and clients.

So what shorthand answers are you giving to people about money and about your life?    Worth delving deeper?

About the author.

Frank Sisco is a CPA and Personal Financial Specialist, and author of many articles about personal finance and issues of life and money.   His firm, Financial Management Corporation, is located in New Rochelle, NY.  Frank makes his home with his wife and daughter in New Rochelle, NY.  He can be reached at 914.740.4422 or by email at ideasmoney@aol.com.  Visit his website at www.LifeAndMoney.com, which contains this and prior articles.