When we talk about financial planning, we often begin and end with money—how to earn it, save it, grow it, and protect it. We explain the “Time Value of Money,” show how ₹1 today can become ₹10 tomorrow, and warn investors against the silent thief called inflation. But in all this, we miss out on something far more important—the Value of Time itself.
You must have heard, and its true also that money lost can be earned again. Time lost never returns. But still time doesn’t get the value it deserves.
We all get the same 24 hours in a day. But what we do with those hours makes the difference between feeling rich or restless, successful or stuck, fulfilled or frustrated. Yes, Feeling RICH and FREE is a factor of having More time rather than having only Money.
There’s an old saying: “Tell me where you spend your money, and I’ll tell you what you value the most.” Let me offer a more accurate variation for today’s world:
“Tell me how you use your time, and I can tell you whether you’ll be wealthy, successful, and content.”
Because time, not money, is your most limited resource.
Time Management Is Financial Management
In financial planning, we often obsess over returns. ROI — Return on Investment — is one of the most quoted phrases in our conversations. But rarely do we talk about another, equally crucial metric: ROTI — Return on Time Invested.
Think about this: you might spend hours every week “researching” stocks, watching expert videos, comparing mutual funds, or experimenting with the latest app that claims to offer the best investing experience. But if investing is not your domain, not your profession, and not even something you truly enjoy, ask yourself: what are you gaining?
Ever since fintech platforms entered the investment space, they’ve promoted a sense of control and cost-saving. Yes, you may be avoiding commissions or advisory fees. But what you’re paying instead, often without realizing it, is your time and attention. And unlike money, time is not a renewable resource.
You may feel productive. But are you really making progress? Or just staying busy under the comforting illusion of doing something valuable? (Read: The Real Cost of Free Financial Advice)
Meanwhile, that same time could have been invested in a morning walk to care for your health, a relaxed meal with your family, an hour lost in a book that expands your thinking, or a good night’s sleep that resets your mind. Even a 30-minute conversation with a trusted financial planner could help you cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters.
The truth is, time invested wisely creates wealth, not just financial wealth, but the wealth of well-being, strong relationships, peace of mind, and the ability to grow and earn more in the long run.
The Real Wealth is Wellness
Let’s look beyond money for a moment. What does “being wealthy” truly mean?
To me, real wealth is being well in all areas of life. Financial well-being is only one leg of the table. The others are physical and mental health, meaningful relationships, and a sense of purpose in your profession or personal life.
And all of these, without exception, are deeply influenced by how you use your time.
You may have all the money in the world, but if you don’t have time to enjoy it, what’s the point? Money invested now can be used later—but only if you’ve also invested your time well in your health and relationships. There is a balance that needs to be maintained.
If you don’t have time for a walk, time for a laugh, time to rest, time to reflect, or time to reconnect—what’s the point of having all the money? Who are you saving money for?
Time is what you need to earn, nurture, and enjoy everything else in life.
Learn the Difference: Wasting, Spending, Investing
Let’s take a very simple, everyday example. Imagine you have one hour of free time in the evening. What do you do with it?
- If you spend it endlessly scrolling through social media, watching what others are doing, feeling a little FOMO or fatigue, you’ve just wasted that hour.
- If you spend it watching an Influencer video, switching tabs between apps, trying to “catch” a good stock tip—but without clarity or a plan—you’ve merely spent that time.
- But if you use that hour to listen to a thoughtful podcast while walking, or call your parents for a relaxed chat, or sit down with your advisor to review your goals, you’ve invested that time.
Same one hour. Different usage. Entirely different outcome. (Also Read: Signs you have an Unhealthy Relationship with Money)
The wasted hour adds nothing. The spent hour gives you a false sense of productivity. The invested hour compounds in knowledge, in health, in relationships, in clarity.
And over a month, a year, a lifetime—this small difference in how you treat your time becomes the big difference in how your life turns out.
A Small Story from a Real Client
One of my clients, let’s call him Anuj, is a high-earning professional. A few years ago, he spent hours every week trying to optimize his investments. He followed experts on Twitter, joined Telegram groups, watched countless YouTube videos, and kept switching his mutual funds every few months. Despite all the effort, he was not satisfied with his investment returns,
When we started working together, I asked him a simple question: “If you invested these 5–6 hours a week into building your skill or spending time with your family, what would happen?” (Read: The Distracted Investor – Always confused, Rarely Profitable)
He laughed and said, “I’d probably get a promotion sooner and have fewer fights at home.”
We simplified his investments. Invested as per his Risk tolerance and Set clear goals. He got back his time. And over the next two years, not only did his portfolio grow with far less effort, but he was also more present at home, took up a weekend course that helped in his career, and finally made time for daily exercise.
All because he stopped chasing returns on money and started focusing on returns on time.
Use Money to Buy Time—It’s Not a Sin
Many people think hiring help, paying professionals, or outsourcing tasks is an expense. But often, it’s the smartest investment.
Use money to buy back time—when it allows you to focus on higher-value things. (Read: How to select the best financial advisor for you?)
If a good advisor can save you 10 hours of confusion and help you avoid 10 mistakes, isn’t that worth the fee? If ordering in food once a week gives you an extra hour with your children, isn’t that worth it too? Businesspeople think this way — they keep teams in place for recurring and important tasks. They delegate and outsource strategically so they can focus on higher-value decisions. That’s how they grow. And as equity investors, if we truly want to grow, we need to think like businesspeople.
This mindset shift — from trying to do everything ourselves to focusing on what matters most — is a form of intelligent time management. And ultimately, that’s what creates wealth — in your finances, health, relationships, and life.
Time isn’t just precious. It’s sacred. Spend it like it matters. Because it does.
Final Thoughts: Time Compounds Too
We all understand the power of compounding when it comes to money. But time, when used wisely, compounds in even more magical ways.
A few mindful hours a week invested in your health today will save you from hospital visits tomorrow. Time spent building trust in relationships today will carry you through life’s ups and downs. Time used to learn, reflect, or rest will sharpen your ability to earn, connect, and grow.
So the next time you review your finances, also review your calendar.
Ask yourself not just “Where is my money going?” But also: “How am I using my time?”
Because at the end of the day, financial freedom means having more time to live on your terms, not just more money in your bank.
What do you think? What is more valuable – Time or Money?
