We tend to think of money simply as something we must have in order to buy what we want and need in life, and yet when you really think about it you start to realise that it is much more complex than that. For some, money is about material possessions, for others security, for others an indication of personal value, as in wealth, earnings, or gifts. For others money means love, power, kindness, compassion, control - just about anything you can think of in fact.

This week's tip is a story about money and what it can mean.

 'Can you not find a place in a hostel?' she was asking.  

'No,' said the girl, 'social services won't help me 'cos I'm single and I got no kids,' she said.  

'Where will you sleep tonight?' asked the woman.

'Well there's this place near the station,' she says, 'there's four of us see, there are heaters there and we get the cardboard round us to keep us warm.'

'Would you not be better in the doorway along there?' I asked her. 

'No,' she said, 'I tried that but there's a man in there, he's an alcoholic, and he shouted at me and told me to get out or he'd thump me.'

The woman had her wallet out by now, and was delving in the notes compartment. She pulled out two twenty pound notes, folded them and gave them to the girl. The girl looked at them with disbelief.

'Oh no,' she said, 'you can't give me that much, no no that's too much.'

I handed her my ten pound note. Her eyes widened, incredulous.

'I've got to give you both a hug,' she said, 'I've got to!'

She struggled to her feet, the soggy sleeping bag dropping round her ankles, and put her arms around me. I felt a soft, child's kiss on my cheek. 'I'll never forget this,' she said, 'I'll never forget this.'

Nor will I, I thought. 

Try this: 

What is money a currency for in your life?

Why do you want it?

What makes you part with it?

What does it bring you when you do?

Enjoy how you spend your money this week.

love

Anita