'Would You Rather Have More Time or More Money?' 6 Students Answer

Think back on your week: what could have made it better? Maybe having a few more dollars in your bank account could relieve financial stress, or perhaps, spending more time with those you love could cheer you up. Whether you desire more money or time, what you value most often depends on your goals, priorities, hobbies, and stage of life. We asked students from colleges and universities around the United States, “Would you rather have more time or more money?” We received thoughtful perspectives from both sides of the debate. Some students chose time because they valued family and flexibility, while others preferred more money for financial security and future opportunities.

1. Money can bring financial stability

“Childhood and young adulthood made it easy for ‘more time’ to be my answer because at that age, I did not need more money. I grew up with every material need of mine met. Now that I’m in my mid-30s, I understand that while money can’t buy happiness, it can buy stability. Having more money would make it easier to sleep at night, for one. I would not have to worry about whether I can pay my bills, or have to choose between fixing my car and buying groceries…More money would change my life in that it will buy me peace of mind, and there is no substitute for that.”

Katherine S. Towson University

2. Time can help you strengthen connections

“If I had to choose between more time or more money, I would most definitely choose more time. Time is so much more valuable than money, as it gives you the opportunity to meet amazing people who can make a difference in your life, as well as be that person to make a difference in someone else's life…Personally, if I had the extra time, I would use it to invest in the relationships I currently have with my family and friends, while also trying to find people with whom I can build new relationships.”

Logan C. University of Central Florida

3. Money can build generational wealth

“Upon graduating from Alabama State earning my degree in Mechanical Engineering, I will not only be a first-generation college graduate, but the first successful black engineer…The agency of my ultimate goal is the hardships that I was forced to endure; however, that financial freedom and generational wealth will ensure that neither myself, nor my community have to go through those things again…That is why I would choose more money. Achieving that financial freedom and generational wealth would be life changing for me, my family, and my community.” 

Isaiah P.  Alabama State University

4. Time can allow you to be present

“I’ve seen firsthand what it costs a kid when the adults in their life are just stuck in survival mode, constantly exhausted and spread too thin. When you are just trying to survive, you don't have the luxury of being present. My kids deserve more than just surviving. They deserve a mom who can listen to their stories without checking the clock or worrying about the next shift. Having more time means I can turn a house into a home and be the solid foundation they can lean on. I am choosing to break a cycle, and that takes more than just a bank account. It takes presence. The biggest impact of this choice is finally getting to stop running and actually enjoy the safety I am building for them.”

McKayla S. St. Louis Community College

5. Money can help you become debt-free

“The impact of being debt-free would be tremendously beneficial to my mental health. It would allow me to be more successful both in my studies and as a practicing veterinarian. I currently live in a state of constant financial anxiety, knowing that every dollar I spend is a dollar which will have to be taken out as a loan, accumulating interest for the next twenty-five years of my life, or even longer. To alleviate my future burden, I work overnights, averaging ten hours of overtime weekly. I also voluntarily put myself on-call every day off that I have, sacrificing my freedom to reduce the future debt I will accrue…And I believe that taking on the challenges veterinary school will inevitably bring would be much easier to overcome if I could take them on debt-free.”

Caroline E. Washington State University

6. Time can help you focus on what matters most

“With more time I would finish my degree with full presence rather than divided attention. I would sit with my parents on a weeknight without the clock running. I would volunteer more consistently, build the dental outreach nonprofit I have been quietly designing in my head for years, and give back to the communities that look like the one I grew up in…Money can be rebuilt. Opportunities to earn it come around again. But the years my parents spent exhausted in that apartment, the nights they missed, the moments that dissolved into shifts, those do not come back. I am working toward a career that I hope will eventually give me both. But if I had to choose, I would choose time, and I would spend every hour of it on something that mattered.” 

Sameer K. Merrimack College

Now, it’s time to decide: what side of the time vs. money debate are you on? Unfortunately, there will always be a trade-off. Spending money could save you a certain amount of time, but saving time can sometimes cost money. At the end of the day, it’s more about a healthy work-life balance than comparing bank accounts or calendars. Whether you decide on the minutes or the millions, the real goal is making sure your choice benefits the lifestyle you want today and supports your long-term goals in the future.