Money is a game
If you don't have enough, money is not a fun subject. Any time you're worried about making rent or paying off debt or scraping together enough for groceries, money does not feel like a game. But what is money, really?
Money is just a physical/digital representation of value. If you want to buy a gallon of milk, it's much more convenient to pay a couple bucks than to barter other goods or offer your services in trade. But that's exactly what your money represents. It's the value you added to society through producing something that other people want, working for someone else who had money, or loaning out your money to people who need it.
If you are living in poverty, one of the best things you can do for yourself is start treating money like a massive strategy game. Most people who level up in the money game do so by working extra hours, avoiding debt, and saving as much as they can. That's how you get out of poverty. You may need help to get started, but if you don't put in the work your situation doesn't change in the long term.
When you reach a certain level, the money game can get boring. You don't need more to survive, retirement is decades away, your budget is on auto pilot, and you're coasting on 40 hour weeks and 1-2 vacations each year.
It's at this stage where a lot of people start to take big risks to keep the game fun. You can start a business, throw money at crypto, or try any number of other things. In my opinion, you need a healthy outlet to take financial risk at this stage of the game. You'll definitely be able to retire if you play it safe, but a small amount of risk can motivate you through the middle years.
As long as you're not betting everything you've worked for, risk is good. Manage the potential downside (don't lose your house or your family) and keep playing the safe game, but devote a percentage of your income to taking risks.
-Luke
P.S. I believe there's significant opportunity for web3 to make the money game fun for more people--not just by making people rich, but to build dApps that gamify earning, saving, and investing with extrinsic motivators.
P.P.S. Your life's purpose isn't just to make money. Don't play the game too hard.