At CatapultU, we believe that everyone deserves access to the knowledge and tools they need to thrive—no matter their circumstances. Financial literacy is a foundational part of that journey. Today, we’re excited to feature this insightful piece by Marci S. Grossman, CPA (aka MoneyMarci), that breaks down the evolution of money and how understanding its role can empower us to make informed decisions.
The Evolution of Money
It’s not about the money. It’s about understanding the money. Money is a tool used to trade what you have for what you need or want.
It is assumed that money evolved from the barter system. In the barter system people exchanged goods and services for the goods and services that other people provided. This was fine when you wanted what your neighbor had, and vice versa, but didn’t work as well when your wants didn’t match.
Enter the various forms of money. Whether a society used gold, silver, salt, rocks, whatever, there became a common valuation of sorts that allowed people to buy or sell what they wanted to, without having to match up wants with the other participant in the exchange.
That was, in my opinion, the most major change that occurred. After that, whether we use paper, coins, credit cards, or digital money (cryptocurrency) the concept is pretty much the same.
Now it’s all about the value of the items in the exchange. When you work, you are exchanging time for money. When you pay someone to do something for you, whether it is shopping, mowing your lawn, preparing your tax return, etc. the conversation switches to how much is that exchange worth to you. If it is something you can do or learn to do, is it a reasonable price for the time and effort that it saves you? Is it worth paying someone else to do it or would it be a better value for you to do it for yourself?
In your life you will be continually determining the value of things. Whether it is how much you earn for the job you do or how much you are willing to pay for products and services you want. Ultimately it is your responsibility to make financial and life decisions based on what something is worth to you.
Think of it this way. I can go to a fast-food restaurant and buy a meal inexpensively. The taste and quality are what they are, and the price is valued accordingly. I can go to a chain restaurant to buy a meal for slightly more money, with assumed higher quality food and taste. Or I can go to a high-end fancy restaurant, think fine china, linen tablecloths and napkins(!) and pay a lot more with presumed higher quality food and taste. In each case I will have put food in my body and will be hungry again in a few hours. Based on other life choices I may or may not have the finances to have the options of making that choice. Of course, I could always stay home and cook but supplies and ingredients also cost money so make sure to factor that in when determining your least expensive choice.
At the base level, that is what money is. An easier method to exchange what you have for what you want. The better you understand it, the more you can evaluate your choices.
Closing thoughts from CatapultU
At CatapultU, we’re proud to feature contributors like Marci, who are passionate about making financial education accessible to all. The better we understand how money works, the more we can evaluate our choices and make decisions that align with our values and goals. CatapultU is committed to bridging the gap in continued learning and education, especially for those facing financial challenges. Together, we can build a future where knowledge is truly within everyone’s reach.
Ready to help us bridge the learning gap?
If you’re a nonprofit organization supporting individuals who would benefit from free, skills-based learning, we invite you to explore becoming a CatapultU Resource Partner.
Nonprofits are already doing the work. CatapultU simply adds another resource to your toolkit.
Together, we can connect the adults you already serve to meaningful learning opportunities that support confidence, stability, and growth.
👉 Learn how to get involved at www.catapultu.org or email us at support@catapultu.org. Discover how your organization can offer LaunchPad Learning Access Grants to your community.
Let’s make learning accessible—for everyone.
About the Author, Marci S. Grossman
Marci S. Grossman, CPA has over 30 years of experience spanning public, private, and non-profit accounting. She is the author of MoneyMarci’s Guide to Financial Literacy, founder of MoneyMarci, and the voice behind the “Marci Talks Money (and Life)” podcast—where she makes financial concepts accessible, relatable, and empowering for everyday learners.
“I believe financial problems due to lack of understanding create extra stress in our lives, some of which could be avoided with more knowledge. My goal is to educate people about money, while also working to remove the taboo of talking about money.” – Marci
🔗 www.moneymarci.com
To learn more about Marci’s work, visit
www.moneymarci.com or on social media at https://www.facebook.com/MoneyMarci/