What is one of your favorite things that you’ve been able to do with your money?

When my wife and I were young and money was tight, living below our means allowed us to have the financial margin to solve the problems that money can solve. As we kept our spending frugal we gained enough margin to start businesses and employ people. Being a small business owner is, according to twelfth-century Jewish philosopher Maimonides, one of the highest forms of charity.

None of my employees are charity cases, but that is exactly what Maimonides had in mind. The best businesses help people reach their fullest potential of productivity and service. And as employees find their area of genius, they help others through their productive work. Take “charity” in its fullest sense of kind actions toward others and employing people is renewable charity.

I hope you have enjoyed a month of asking this question of several money mavens. I hope that it inspires you that money can be used to support your life goals.

David John Marotta, AIF®, CFP®, is President of Marotta Wealth Management, Inc. of Charlottesville, Virginia providing fee-only financial planning and wealth management at www.emarotta.com and blogging at www.marottaonmoney.com.

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December, 2011 features several money mavens answering this question.