Rebel Talk: True Time Value of Money

We’ve all heard the phrase “time value of money.” In finance, it means a dollar today is worth more than a dollar tomorrow because of its earning potential. But when you really stop and think about it, the equation flips on its head. The real value isn’t just money over time—it’s the value of time itself.

You can always make more money. You can always chase the next deal, the next opportunity, the next paycheck. But time? That clock never stops. You don’t get it back. And the older I get, the more I realize that money isn’t the finish line—it’s the tool. The goal is freedom. The goal is the ability to buy back your time.

Buying Freedom, Not Things

It took me years to understand this. Early on, I thought success meant stacking up the scoreboard with material wins: the house, the cars, the toys. Don’t get me wrong, those things can be fun, but they pale in comparison to the real currency of life—freedom of time.

Freedom of time means being able to say yes to experiences that matter. It’s the power to press pause on the grind and be fully present for the things that truly count. And that freedom doesn’t just fall into your lap. It’s built through late nights, early mornings, sacrifices, and choices others may never see.

A Trip That Matters

This trip I'm on isn’t just another vacation—it’s something far greater. My dad is in his mid-70s now. Three years ago, we took our first Alaskan fishing trip together. For him, it was heaven. He loved every minute of it—the wild air, the fight of the fish, the peace of the water. For me, it was more than just fishing. It was watching my father light up doing what he loves most.

Now, three years later, we’re back. And I don’t take that lightly. I don’t always have the freedom of time—life, business, kids, obligations, they all stack up. But this trip? This one matters. Because the truth is, I don’t know how many more of these we’ll get.

And that’s the whole point of building your life with intention. That’s why you push through the grind when you don’t feel like it. That’s why you invest in yourself, your and your future. Not for the things—but for the moments.

The Real Flex

Here’s the truth: the world conditions us to chase things. To work ourselves to the bone for the big house, the fancy car, the watch, the “show.” Social media has turned life into a highlight reel where everyone is flexing their latest purchase, hoping it fills the void.

But let me tell you—the real flex isn’t the show, it’s freedom. The freedom to spend a Tuesday afternoon fishing with your dad. The freedom to take your kids on adventures. The freedom to slow down when the world is screaming at you to go faster.

Whether you’re grinding in a career or building your own business, the mission should be the same: set yourself up, now or in the future, to buy back your time. Build this life. It's not too early, and it's not to late. That’s where true wealth lives. Not in the “stuff” that fades, but in the freedom that lasts.

The Lesson

The time value of money isn’t really about money at all—it’s about time. It’s about putting yourself in a position where your hard work and sacrifice compound into something greater: the ability to spend your time how you choose, with the people you love, doing what matters most.

Money can earn interest. But time spent well earns memories. And those pay dividends that no bank statement can measure.

So wherever you’re at in your journey, keep your eyes on the bigger picture. Grind, sacrifice, build—but never forget why you’re doing it. Buy back your time. Invest in moments. Because at the end of the day, the greatest return on investment is freedom.

Stay Relentless,

Ryan