The Wealth Money Can’t Buy: Why This Book Changed How I See Life (And Why You Might Need It Too)
Lately, I've been thinking a lot about wealth. Not the kind you see on Instagram—designer bags, lavish vacations, or six-figure months (though hey, nothing wrong with those if they feel good to you). I’m talking about the quiet, soft, deeply rooted wealth—the kind that money could never buy.
And honestly? A book called “The Wealth Money Can’t Buy” put it all into words for me. This isn’t a book about budgeting or investing. It’s about seeing the richness already woven into our lives—the simple, beautiful things we often overlook in the rush to "have more."
Why I love this book:
Yesterday, I sat with my grandmother, who’s now 91. Her name is Ans Bakker van der Pluijm, a talented painter, a radiant soul, and honestly, one of the wealthiest women I know in the ways that truly matter. (You can see her beautiful art here.)
As she sat there, telling me stories about raising my father and my uncles, three amazing men who adore her and still take care of her every day, I couldn’t help but feel it. Wealth isn’t numbers in a bank account. It’s the legacy of love, health, connection, and simple joys.
She lost her husband more than 15 years ago, yet she radiates contentment. She kept on painting. She eats well. She’s surrounded by amazing friends. She has her family, her sons, her grandkids, and now, my son, who makes her a proud great-grandmother. And as I watched her smile while holding my little boy, it hit me hard: This. Is. Wealth.
3 Gentle Lessons I Took from the Book (and From My Gran Gran Too):
1. Stop counting what you don’t have. Start noticing what you do.
It’s so easy to obsess over what’s missing:
A bigger house
More clients
The “perfect” body or relationship
But wealth often hides in plain sight:
The ability to take a deep breath
A meal shared with people you love
A body that still lets you move and experience life
The feeling of watching your child or loved one smile
Ask yourself: “What’s something I’d miss terribly if I lost it tomorrow?” That’s wealth.
2. Measure wealth in moments, not money.
My grandmother’s life is a beautiful reminder of this.
Her “wealth” isn’t in what she owns, but in:
Sunday lunches with family
Long chats over coffee with friends
Painting sessions that light up her soul
Seeing her great-grandchild giggle
She’s shown me that the richest people are often the ones who’ve learned how to enjoy the small, seemingly ordinary moments.
3. Your Legacy is the true currency.
Watching my dad and uncles love and care for her? THAT is wealth.
Her legacy isn’t in possessions—it’s in the way she raised kind, generous, respectful sons who now carry that love forward.
She planted seeds decades ago that are still blooming.
It makes me ask myself:
Am I planting seeds today that will still matter 30 years from now?
That’s a question this book—and her life—quietly, but powerfully, invites us to reflect on.
How you can start feeling wealthy right now (simple steps):
List 10 things you’re grateful for today, without mentioning money.
Reach out to someone you love and tell them why you appreciate them.
Do something today that your future self (or family) will thank you for, no matter how small.
Spend time outside, savoring something simple—fresh air, sunlight, flowers, trees.
Find one way to slow down this week and enjoy where you are.
The older I get, the more I realize this:
Wealth isn’t something you chase.
It’s something you uncover, right where you are.
So if you’ve been craving peace, ease, and a softer approach to life… this book might just be your next read. And if nothing else, maybe today’s the perfect day to call your grandmother, or simply sit with your family, and notice how wealthy you already are.
