Day 24: must be funny

I remember the first (and last) time I ever saw the movie Fiddler on the Roof. It prompted many thoughts and questions including but definitely not limited to: Why is Dad making us watch this? Why is this guy playing a fiddle on the roof? WTF is a fiddle anyway can't we just call it a violin? Some of life's toughest unanswered questions.

I don't remember much of the plot - there were some sisters? With meddling parents? Looking for husbands? - but, of course, I do remember one thing very, very well:

If I were a rich man, Daidle deedle daidle Daidle daidle deedle daidle dumb

Ok I don't remember many of the lyrics or know how to spell the weird gibberish he sings after every line, but I do know what's important, that it inspired one of Gwen Stefani's best bangers of all time (or did Gwen inspire Tevye the Dairyman....?)

If I was rich girl

Na na na na na na na na na na na See, I'd have all the money in the world, if I was a wealthy girl

Now that is pure lyrical genius.

Anyway, Fiddler on the Roof isn't the only musical with a thought-provoking number on the human desire for financial stability and monetary wealth. Remember this hit from Mamma Mia? (Ugh, I sound like a musical theatre nerd. I'm not, ok? I don't even like musicals. I mean besides High School Musical 1, 2, and 3 obviously.)

Money, money, money Must be funny In a rich man's world Money, money, money Always sunny In a rich man's world

Now if I wasn't already confused by the dancing dad bod with his small wooden instrument, this whole thing about money being funny really stumped me. Money is not funny. Money makes the world go round. And that's pretty serious, right?

Leaving my job left me without a source of income. And for someone so frugal they buy household products at Dollar Tree (not Dollar General or Family Dollar, Dollar Tree, where everything is a dollar) and consider Taco Bell a splurge, the thought of not having money padding my bank account was - is - scary.

I've always been tight with money. I pride myself on balancing the teeny tiny tightrope between saving smart and spending smarter. Sure, I make spontaneous splurges every now and then, but I've never been late on a credit card bill or just barely scraped by on rent or had to borrow money for utilities.

That frugality, or cheapness some might say (Wanna share an appetizer for dinner? Can we split this Uber fare? Are you going to finish that wine?) has only intensified since quitting my job. I forego Target for Walmart. Resist online shopping. Drive the extra mile for cheaper gas.

But it's also heightened my awareness to the things worth spending a little more on. A bigger tip for an especially great waitress. A slightly over-the-top card to send home for Father's Day. A really thoughtful birthday gift for a longtime friend. A meal for the homeless man on the street corner. A big batch of your brother's favorite cookies (for him, not you. Well, both).

The list of things not so worth it things is even longer, and each day it grows as I discover that my happiness doesn't come from having the newest, nicest things. It comes from treating others with love, respect, and kindness, and - when I can - spending money on things, and people, that really matter.

And for those closest to you, the ones who know you don't have extra money to blow, it means even more when you spend on them. My mom told me once about someone whose goal in life was to always be financially stable enough to pay for the whole meal - to say "my treat" - whenever eating out with a friend. I've tried this a few times, and it really is the best feeling to plop down your card on the check, look across the table, and say "This one's on me."

In the past 24 days, I've learned money doesn't make the world go round. Sure, it can make things a lot easier, and maybe it is funy in a rich man's world, but it's just money. Green paper that smells weird and carries a lot of germs.

Growing up, my parents always said we were "rich in love." I'd roll my eyes and wish so desperately we were rich in the normal way, rich like my friends. But all these years later I look back and wouldn't change a thing. "Rich in love" is the richest rich there is. And I'm a billionaire.