Here’s a truth no one argues with: life is just easier when you’ve got a little extra cash. Not because money buys happiness—but because it buys choices. One of those choices? Generosity.

The more money you make, the more freedom you have to help others, whether it’s donating to causes you care about, picking up lunch for a friend, or investing in someone’s small business dream (even if that someone is you). It feels good to give—but it’s even better when it doesn’t leave your bank account gasping for air.

On the flip side, when money’s tight, you often have to depend on others. That’s not a crime—it’s just reality. But if you want to move from “Can I borrow twenty bucks?” to “Can I help you with twenty bucks?”—the best way to do it is by growing your income and building a habit of saving and investing.

Here’s the kicker: the more you invest, the more your money works for you. And when your money is working for you, you don’t have to work quite as hard for it. That’s not a pipe dream. That’s just good money sense—and maybe the beginning of a more generous life.