By Margaret Bonanno
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
“Being rich is having money; being wealthy is having time.” This memorable line from Margaret Bonanno is a powerful statement that challenges the way we think about success, using money and time as its core ideas. As a Margaret Bonanno quote about happiness, it resonates deeply in a world where so many people equate wealth with material abundance. This quote offers a fresh perspective that has both emotional impact and practical relevance, inviting us to reconsider what truly matters in life and helping us connect with a deeper sense of happiness and fulfillment.
What Does This Quote Mean?
Margaret Bonanno’s quote invites us to examine the difference between being rich and being truly wealthy. On the surface, “being rich” refers plainly to having a lot of money, cash, or assets—the sort of wealth that shows up in dollars and bank accounts. This is the version of wealth that society often celebrates: material comfort, the ability to buy what you want, to travel, to own impressive possessions. It’s tangible and often easy to measure.
But the second part—”being wealthy is having time”—cuts deeper. Here, Bonanno flips the usual definition of wealth on its head. She points out that money is only one kind of resource. Time, though, is a currency that everyone possesses in limited supply, and you can never buy more of it. You can always make more money, but you can’t create extra hours in your day or more years in your life.
Looking at it like this, the Margaret Bonanno quote about happiness is a reminder that true wealth may be about owning your time. It’s the freedom to spend your days how you wish—pursuing passions, building relationships, resting, or simply being present. The deeper insight here is that happiness is closely tied to how you use your time, not just how many dollars you have. A packed schedule with no breathing room can make even the richest person feel poor, while someone with free time to enjoy life can feel deeply grateful and content, regardless of their bank balance.
In short, Bonanno challenges us to rethink our priorities. She asks us to consider: Are you working just to build your net worth, or are you investing in experiences, rest, and happiness that only an abundance of time can offer? The quote lays out a path to a more meaningful and joyful life—one where wealth is measured in moments, not just money.
How Can You Use This Quote in Life?
Margaret Bonanno’s words have the power to spark real change in how you approach work, happiness, and your daily choices. Here are five practical ways to put this Margaret Bonanno quote about happiness into action:
1. Value Your Time as Much as Your Money
Start treating your free time as a non-renewable resource. When making decisions, weigh the cost in hours alongside the dollar cost. If a higher-paying job requires you to sacrifice precious family time or personal well-being, ask yourself if it’s truly worth it. Being willing to say no to overtime or unnecessary commitments helps protect your most valuable asset—your time.
2. Prioritize Life Experiences Over Shopping Sprees
When you spend money, consider directing it toward experiences that create memories—like outings, creative hobbies, or time with loved ones—rather than accumulating more stuff. The richness that comes from shared moments, learning something new, or simply watching a sunset lasts far longer than the pleasure of a new gadget.
3. Design Daily Routines to Build in Breathing Room
Many people fill every waking hour with tasks, meetings, and chores. Take conscious steps to schedule blocks of time for doing nothing, for play, or for simple rest. Use your calendar not just for work deadlines, but for relaxation, reading, exercise, and creative pursuits. This helps you reconnect with what makes you genuinely happy.
4. Set Boundaries That Reflect Your True Priorities
If your time always gets hijacked by other people’s demands or expectations, you’ll feel stretched thin, no matter how much you earn. Learn to communicate your need for uninterrupted time, whether that means saying no to social invitations, turning off notifications, or carving out time for yourself and your loved ones. Boundaries help you guard your happiness.
5. Rethink Your Definition of Success
Society often celebrates wealth in terms of big paychecks or luxury goods, but take a step back and build your own scoreboard: what does success mean to you? Maybe it’s a quiet evening with your dog, a morning with your children, time to read or volunteer. By recognizing that happiness isn’t always about money, you free yourself to pursue a life that feels truly abundant.
By actively applying these ideas, you begin to build a life that’s not just rich in dollars but also wealthy in hours, relationships, and joy.
✨ The Motivation Message
You are not here just to fill your bank account—you are here to fill your days with meaning and joy! Margaret Bonanno’s wisdom is your permission slip to cherish each moment and guard your time as the precious gift it is. When you start seeing your hours as your ultimate treasure, you naturally make choices that align with lasting happiness. Money pays the bills, but time is what makes your life your own.
Let this quote remind you that your value is not measured by your paycheck but by how much life you get to live on your terms. It’s okay to set boundaries, say no, and design a life where you have room to breathe, play, and rest. You deserve the feeling of abundance—not just in your wallet, but in your ability to choose, to dream, and to connect with those who matter most.
So, here’s your challenge: Today, make just one decision that puts time before money. Watch how it shifts your mood—and maybe even your whole outlook! Tomorrow is shaped by the choices you make today. We believe you can do it!
About Margaret Bonanno
Margaret Bonanno, who was born in 1950 and died in 2021, was an American author best known for her work in science fiction and her thoughtful explorations of human nature. Throughout her life, she wrote novels, essays, and stories that delved into the complexities of emotion, identity, and fulfillment. Bonanno’s unique voice reflected a worldview shaped by curiosity, compassion, and a desire to ask big questions about what it means to live well.
Her most famous works include several Star Trek novels and the critically acclaimed “The Others” trilogy. Bonanno believed in looking beyond surface-level definitions of success, challenging her readers to reconsider how they define happiness and meaning. The quote “Being rich is having money; being wealthy is having time” captures the heart of her philosophy—a call to value the intangible riches of life just as much as material wealth. In her storytelling and in her life, Margaret Bonanno encouraged people to seek balance, create genuine connections, and find joy in the simple, fleeting moments that make up a fulfilling life.
