We’ve all heard the saying: “Money can’t buy happiness.” And it’s true—no amount of money can fix a broken heart, heal a grieving soul, or fill the void of a life lacking purpose. But there’s another side to the story, one that often gets brushed under the rug in idealistic conversations: money may not buy happiness, but it can buy you freedom. And freedom, when used well, often leads to happiness.
Freedom to Say “No”
How many times have you said “yes” to things you didn’t want to do—just because you couldn’t afford to say no? A job that drains you, a toxic relationship you’re stuck in for financial support, a city you hate but can’t leave due to rent prices.
Money changes that. With enough financial security, you’re not trapped by survival. You can walk away from environments, people, or obligations that drain your peace. You get to make decisions based on desire instead of desperation.
Freedom to Invest in What Matters
True freedom isn’t about sitting on a beach all day (though, hey, that’s nice too). It’s about being able to pour your time, energy, and resources into the things that align with your values.
Maybe it’s starting a nonprofit. Maybe it’s staying home with your kids during their early years. Maybe it’s traveling the world, writing a book, or taking a sabbatical to work on your mental health. Money buys you the option to do these things—without it, those choices are often just dreams on a vision board.
Freedom to Stop Hustling for Every Penny
Financial stress is one of the top causes of anxiety, burnout, and relationship conflict. Living paycheck to paycheck doesn’t just wear out your wallet—it wears out your soul. When you have money, you buy back time. You can outsource the chores you hate, work fewer hours, or quit side gigs that are slowly eating away your joy.
It doesn’t mean you won’t work hard—but it means you’re not trapped in a constant state of hustle just to survive.
So, Is Money the Goal?
No. Freedom is the goal. Money is just the tool. Chasing money for the sake of luxury, status, or competition will never fulfill you. But using it intentionally—to create space, peace, options, and rest—can bring you a life that feels rich in every way.
So the next time you hear, “Money can’t buy happiness,” remember: that’s only half the truth.
GOOD FOR: those seeking a quick adventure close to Fillmore County in Minnesota. It will only take you an hour going in and out of the cave.
BECAUSE: it is a cave in the middle of farm fields. Like hectares/acres of corn and soybean fields.
I MEAN: I was working in a small town in Iowa that was an hour away, and there wasn’t much to do for the weekend in that place. So, I was like, why not search for a mini adventure?
AND I FOUND: Niagara Cave in Minnesota.
IT’S COOL: Literally, because it was a constant 48F all throughout the year inside the cave (make sure to wear a hoodie before entering the cave), and the entrance was like the door of the fridge, and figuratively, because it was underground and was discovered through the three little pigs (I will not spoil and let you know the story when you visit the place).
ENTRANCE FEE: was 28.77 (year 2025). And only guided tour is allowed. You need to book an appointment, but if it is not a busy season I guess you can just do walk-in. We did book our tour on the day itself but there’s still a couple of slots available when we reached the place.
MY FAVORITE PARTS: are relearning stalactites and stalagmites and when they meet they form the column. Our guide was a senior high school student, but he was really good at explaining the stuff. It was my first time seeing fluorescent stalactites, and they are fascinating when you point your UV light on them, and it’s like you are a wizard from Harry Potter. Lastly, you will experience a complete darkness at the end of the tour where your eyes really won’t adjust and see anything.
BUT PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH THE CAVE FORMATION: this lady kept touching the formation despite the tour guide telling our group not to, because it disrupts the formation of stalactites and stalagmites. Please respect any place you are visiting and follow the rules.
NOT IDEAL IF: you are coming all the way from the other side of the world and have a week or two in the US. Do not get me wrong. It was a unique and mesmerizing underground cave, but one day is enough to get around here, and then you will need to travel a distance to get to another touristy spot.
I was driving and listening to the random songs the radio plays and I heard this song the first time. I didn’t know it at all. The lyrics were sung with clarity and emotion. It hit me. And, I realized tears were rolling down my cheeks, and the road became blurry, so I had to pull over.
It was the grief I had been delaying from a loss I will never recover. The song was beautiful, but each word was like a cruel premonition I was glad not to hear before the bad news came to me.
It was the nightmare I would wake up due to wetness on my face. I never wanted it to happen.
The song is from Dean Lewis, entitled, HOW DO I SAY GOODBYE. And it goes like this (with my remarks for each line)…
Early morning there’s a message on my phone (It was 4am CDT when I received the message) It’s my mother saying, “Darling, please come home” (It was my kuya saying, tatay is gone, could you come home?) I fear the worst, but how could you leave us all behind? (My worst fear is now reality) There’s so much to say but there’s so little time (There are so many things I dreamt for him, but little time to turn them into life)
So how do I say goodbye (How do I really say goodbye?) To someone who’s been with me for my whole damn life? (From birth until 2021, I was with him) You gave me my name and the color of your eyes (Literally, he gave me my name cos my mom was still unconscious from the C-section) I see your face when I look at mine (I see your nose when I look mine, an insecurity that I learned to embrace) So how do I, how do I, how do I say goodbye? (How do I?)
When I couldn’t, you always saw the best in me (He was my number 1 cheerleader) Right or wrong, you were always on my side (When I doubt myself, he was there to lift me up) But I’m scared of what life without you’s like (I couldn’t imagine my life without you, but then it’s my life now) And I saw the way she looked into your eyes (I saw the way you looked into us, to live our lives and not worry about you anymore) And I promise if you go, I will make sure she’s alright (I could say that nanay looks alright)
So how do I say goodbye (I still can’t) To someone who’s been with me for my whole damn life? (You can’t expect me to. It was 3 decades of my life you were with me, loving me unconditionally) You gave me my name and the color of your eyes (Luzviminda, dark brown eyes – all came from you) I see your face when I look at mine (I see the love you gave when I don’t desperately crave for another guy’s attention) So how do I, how do I, how do I say goodbye? (In time)
And there’s no way you could ever let me down (You left, but you fought a good fight) Gonna steal some time and start again (No time to steal, but will start again without you) You’ll always be my closest friend (The first man who showed me how love should look like) And someday we are gonna make it out (I will try to make it out of this life for you) Just hold the light, just hold the light (You’d always be that star shining the brightest to light me up when life is getting dark)
So how do I say goodbye To someone who’s been with me for my whole damn life? You gave me my name and the color of your eyes I see your face when I look at mine So how do I, how do I, how do I say goodbye? So how do I, how do I, how do I say goodbye?
When you grew up in a tropical place where you only have sunny or rainy days, I bet they’ll choose summer and would say they hate the cold. You can’t be surprised to know that they like all four seasons – summer, spring, summer, and fall, as I do.
That is why it is difficult to choose only one of these four. But, if asked what season I hate the most, in the blink of an eye, I know the answer right away.
Let’s go back to the tropical place where we get 20+ typhoons every single year, and we only have sunny and rainy days — without hesitation, I would say that I hate the rainy days. No offense to farmers in drier places who need water for their crops. Rain gives me anxiety, and I guess no one likes that feeling.
When I started living in a landlocked place with much less rainfall than where I grew up, I met people who found calm and solace in the sound and smell of rain. With a smile on their face, they would ask me if I felt the same. My answer has always been a NO.
Plants love it. But I am far from being a plant.
I played in the rain as a kid, but as I grew up, I saw how it had been destroying our house and peace of mind — the reason you won’t find any rain sound in my playlist despite claiming it to put you in sleep.
For me, rain often meant strong winds trying to peel off the iron roof of our house, heavy downpour leaking and wetting our beds, and eventually, flooding damaging our things (notebooks, clothes, etc.).
Strong winds made my heart beat 180 times per minute as I heard the creek coming from the roof, indicating that our roof might get blown away. The continuous howling of the wind at night was our alarm clock with no cancel/stop button, waking up the whole family. Next thing I knew, we were all grabbing wires tied to the roof and its foundation and helping each other save our house for the next 3 to 5 hours until this typhoon passed by our town.
Heavy downpours of rain would mean that we must try to sleep with a bucket next to us to catch the water dripping from the roof, albeit not rest until the heaviest part of the rain had passed. We needed to check every minute if the rain was about to come into our house.
Then, there was the flooding. It meant we needed to lift things like our fridge, couch, television, etc., things we find important, so they would not be damaged by the flood. It also meant to expect snakes, toads, or crickets to swim inside the house to find shelter, which added to my anxiety during typhoons. Ugh.
I don’t know if it was due to hormones or mainly the film that made me cry the week I was binge-watching When Life Gives You Tangerines. Nonetheless, the film gave me a better look at the perspective of a father, mother, and child of different ages and generations about life and its inevitable struggles, especially if you are not from a wealthy family.
I didn’t get why couples (Ae-sun and Gwan-sik) who grew up poor and had a difficult life would be so reckless to rush into a relationship and give birth to children (Geum Myeong, Eun Myeon, Dong-Myeong) while they are still struggling themselves. For me, it is selfish, but the silver lining is that kind of love is rare. A love that is patient, conquers all, and endures hardships. The love between Ae-sun and Gwan-sik, and their love for their kids – is the kind of love not everybody can and will experience.
As their children, I hope you soon forgive them, as that’s what they knew right then, and they tried their best to raise us with their best knowledge. Be gentle to your parents and love them every day, despite their imperfections.
Solo travel may seem like a challenge, but who knows, it could be an adventure of a lifetime? I wasn’t planning to go solo, but my friends’ stars didn’t align with mine. Then, I had the chance, so I took it. I swear I was freaking scared since I will be alone and it will be my first time, but I couldn’t say pass with Grand Canyon!
Why Travel Solo?
Postcard-like scenery: When I went there, my first stop was just breathtakingly unbelievable – it was like being inside a postcard. The colors are just stunning, which makes you think how amazing the world is.
Doable for quick or long trip: I was only there for a day, very quick, but worth it. You can enjoy these views for half a day, but I recommend a longer stay to fully experience the canyon.
Self-discovery: This place made me realize that I can conquer places I thought were impossible to get my feet on. I realized that I am capable of things that my mind can conceive. I just need to work hard and have a little pixie dust of luck.
Must-See Spots in the Grand Canyon for Solo Travelers:
South Rim – The most popular viewpoint for the Grand Canyon. You can’t miss the iconic Mather Point or Yavapai Point for unforgettable photo ops!
Hiking the Bright Angel Trail – A classic Grand Canyon hike! It’s one of the most accessible, taking you deep into the Canyon for jaw-dropping views.
Grand Canyon Skywalk – For thrill-seekers, walking on this glass bridge with a view straight down to the Canyon floor is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Desert View Watchtower – Experience a less crowded spot with incredible views and an incredible historical landmark.
Havasu Falls – If you’re looking for something off the beaten path, hiking to Havasu Falls is a unique experience filled with crystal-clear waters and breathtaking scenery.
Tips for Solo Travelers:
Safety First: Always let someone know your itinerary and check-in regularly. Cell service is limited in many parts of the park.
Pack Smart: Bring plenty of water, snacks, and sunscreen—staying hydrated and protected from the sun is crucial.
Plan Your Stay: From camping to luxury accommodations, there’s a place for everyone! Consider staying at Grand Canyon Village for easy access to all major sights.
Respect Nature: Stay on marked trails, leave no trace, and take only memories.
Solo but Not Alone: The Grand Canyon is a popular destination, so you’ll never truly be alone. Take advantage of ranger-led programs to meet other like-minded travelers!
What to Pack for Your Solo Grand Canyon Trip:
If you have a car, then you can overpack. But you do not need to. Backpacking is very possible. Please note that you will need to bring the following and be prepared for extensive hiking.
Sturdy hiking boots
Water and/or sports drink
Sunscreen
Camera (no need for fancy ones, your phone’s enough)
Power bank (because there’s a lot of images to capture)
First-aid kit and any personal medications
Light jacket for chilly mornings and evenings
Snacks like energy bars
Final Thoughts:
The Grand Canyon is one of the most majestic places on Earth, and there’s no better way to experience it than on your own terms. Solo travel here isn’t just about seeing a natural wonder; it’s about embarking on a journey of personal growth, adventure, and connection with the wild.
Ready to take the leap? The Grand Canyon is waiting!
As in all we want to do in life, it always comes with uncertainties. I have been hearing this tiny voice in my heart – to do something way different from my path now.
I am not disclosing it yet because I want to see if I will get that point. Just imagine this hypothetical scenario: you finished your medical degree after 12 years of focusing on this path since you thought you wanted to do this for the rest of your life, and you realized one day, when you were 32, that you wanted to be an airplane pilot.
Would you change your career? You are uncertain whether you will become a pilot, and if you do not succeed, how can you bounce back? I know 32 is not old, but it is also not young. I am scared. But I do not want to regret not trying what that tiny voice in my heart is asking. It looks so daunting, but then I am more than capable of restarting again (except financially, though I always believe that if there’s a will, there’s a way).
Let me reflect on this post and see if I will make it 10 years from now. I hope I make it to something my body, mind, and soul crave for and will enjoy doing.
My January 2025 was filled with happy memories from our 22-day Europe tour and here is our itinerary that you can copy on your upcoming trip.
Day 1 – Athens, Greece (arrived at 7am in the airport); visited Roman Agora and, Acropolis.
Day 2 – Flew from Athens, Greece to Rome, Italy; walked around the city since we arrived late.
Day 3 – Vatican City; attended the Sunday’s mass and walked around then went back to Rome.
Day 4 – Rome, Italy; went Italian food crawling, visited the Colosseum.
Day 5 – Pisa, Italy; went to the leaning tower of Pisa then traveled to Venice, Italy at night.
Day 6 – Venice, Italy; walked around Venice, rode the Gondola ($90 for two people).
Day 7 – Milan, Italy; went to Duomo di Milano and Sforzeco Castle museum.
Day 8 – Train to Switzerland; went and walked around Luzern and Zurich in Switzerland.
Day 9 – Traveled from Switzerland to Munich, Germany; Walked around the town.
Day 10 – Munich, Germany; walked around the town and did German food crawl.
Day 11 – An hour away from our hotel in Munich, Germany, was a frozen lake we went to.
Day 12 – Traveled from Munich, Germany to Frankfurt, Germany; walked around Frankfurt.
Day 13 – Met a friend in Frankfurt, Germany; more food crawling.
Day 14 – Walked around the town Frankfurt, Germany. Stayed here longer because of a friend and I got my Schengen visa in this country as well.
Day 15 – Amsterdam, Netherlands; visited Anne Frank’s Secret Annex and Red Light District.
Day 16 – Brussels, Belgium; Belgian food crawling and chocolate tasting, went to Grand Palace.
Day 17 – Ghent, Belgium; had Belgian waffles, went to Gravensteen Castle.
Day 18 – Calais, France; had crepes, walked around the shore.
Day 19 – Paris, France; went to the Eiffel tower and Louvre museum.
Day 20 – Nazare, Portugal; went to Praia de Salir do Porto, Portuguese food crawl.
Day 21 – Obisos and Lisbon, Portugal; went to a town surrounded with walls, did seafood crawl.
Day 22 – Barcelona, Spain; went to Sagrada de Familia, traveled to the airport to go back home.
The key is to find a hotel near the train station or the places you want to visit. Also, if you arrive earlier than the check-in, do not be shy to ask the hotel person if you can leave your things with them. Most of them let us leave our things, and we walked around without our bags.
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