One evening, Mr. Thomas Perkins, a young man with wisdom, made a comment that I have continued to think about over several months. He began discussing the term subtle money. He explained that subtle money is not flashy, but if you look closely, you can see the money. The fact that a young man even thought about subtle money is very remarkable. He is on his way to being a very successful person and no doubt will be a positive influence to all of those around him.
The definition of subtle is: “so delicate or precise as to be difficult to analyze or describe; delicately complex and understated”. Subtle basically means that something is not obvious. Conservative (a true conservative and not the political term) is another word to describe the act of being subtle.
Subtle money is not broadcast to everyone. It may be in investments, real estate, and for some—in a coffee can, mattress, or a safe. Subtle money people are the ones that have reached a certain maturity level financially. They realize the importance of wealth versus debt, and they understand that having subtle money is like fertilizer on a yard. The fertilizer is not something to brag about, but when you see how green your yard turns after you apply it, you realize and appreciate the impact it produced. Similar to fertilizer’s affect on our yard, subtle money has a lasting impact on our entire financial well-being.
There are people in our midst that may not look like they have wealth, but they have secured their financial future. We all should take a more subtle approach with our finances. It is perfectly fine to have luxurious items that you desire and can afford to pay for. On the other hand, it is also perfectly fine to be the owner of conservative items and take a more subtle money approach with your finances.
Our society is not based on people living with subtle money. Many people desire to show their wealth (or lack of it) in material things. When you are content in whom you are, you will be a better person and will not worry about what you have or do not have. When we as a people and as a country stop measuring our success by how much “stuff” we have, it will make all of us better. Remember, just because you cannot see a person’s money, does not mean it is not there. They may have Subtle Money…