Then the quote casts everyday spending in a new light: purchases are not just exchanges of money for goods, but exchanges of future time for present gratification. If an item costs a day’s wages, it effectively costs a day of your life. This perspective makes budgeting less moralistic and more concrete—what is this purchase taking from my future schedule?
At the same time, some spending can legitimately “buy back” time. Paying for childcare, a reliable appliance, or a service that removes a recurring burden can convert money into freed hours and reduced stress. The point isn’t to spend less universally, but to spend in ways that increase your control rather than erode it. [...]
