Money as Worth Proxy: Introduction

BY NICOLE LAU

Series: Locus and Money - Worth in Wealth (Part 1 of 6)

"I am what I earn."

"My net worth is my self-worth."

"If I am wealthy, I am valuable. If I am poor, I am worthless."

Money is one of the most powerful worth proxies in modern society. For many people, financial worth has become synonymous with inherent worth.

This is external locus in economic form. And it creates profound suffering.

This series explores locus patterns in money and wealth—how capitalism teaches worth = productivity, why financial success does not bring lasting worth, and how to build a healthy relationship with money from internal locus.

Money as Worth Proxy

What Is a Worth Proxy?

A worth proxy is something external that you use to measure your value:

• Approval ("I am valuable if people like me")
• Achievement ("I am valuable if I succeed")
• Appearance ("I am valuable if I am attractive")
• Money ("I am valuable if I am wealthy")

Money is perhaps the most universal worth proxy because it is:

• Quantifiable - You can measure it precisely
• Comparable - You can compare yourself to others
• Visible - Others can see your wealth (or lack of it)
• Culturally reinforced - Society teaches that wealth = worth

Why Wealth Becomes Worth

1. Capitalism Teaches Worth = Productivity

In capitalist systems, your economic value is determined by your productivity and earning capacity.

"You are worth what you produce. You are worth what you earn."

This economic logic seeps into personal worth: If I earn more, I am more valuable. If I earn less, I am less valuable.

2. Money Provides Security

Money meets survival needs—food, shelter, safety. When survival feels threatened, money becomes life-or-death.

"If I have money, I am safe. If I do not have money, I am in danger."

This survival anxiety fuses with worth: I am valuable if I am financially secure.

3. Wealth Signals Status

In many cultures, wealth is a status symbol. It signals success, power, and social value.

"If I am wealthy, I am respected. If I am poor, I am invisible or looked down upon."

This social hierarchy reinforces: My worth depends on my wealth.

4. Consumer Culture: Buying Worth

Consumer culture teaches that you can buy worth through products, brands, and experiences.

"If I own this car, this house, this brand, I am valuable."

This creates endless consumption—trying to purchase worth that can never be bought.

"I Am What I Earn": Financial Identity

When Income Becomes Identity

For many people, income is not just money—it is identity.

"I am a six-figure earner." "I am a millionaire." "I am broke."

These are not just financial descriptions—they are worth statements.

The Locus Pattern

1. I am valuable when I earn a lot of money
2. I am worthless when I earn little or no money
3. My worth fluctuates with my income
4. I must constantly earn more to maintain worth

This is financial external locus. Worth depends on wealth.

Manifestations

1. High Earners: Worth Dependence on Income

"I am valuable because I earn $200K a year. If I lose this income, I am worthless."

Result: Fear of job loss, inability to retire, constant striving to earn more, fragile worth.

2. Low Earners: Internalized Worthlessness

"I do not earn much. Therefore, I am not valuable. I am a failure."

Result: Shame, depression, feeling invisible or less-than, difficulty advocating for self.

3. Unemployed: Worth Collapse

"I am not earning. Therefore, I am worthless. I am nothing."

Result: Identity crisis, depression, social withdrawal, difficulty seeking help.

4. Retirees: Loss of Worth

"I am no longer earning. I am no longer productive. I am no longer valuable."

Result: Depression, loss of purpose, feeling like a burden.

The Money Value Vacuum

What Is the Money Value Vacuum?

The money value vacuum is the sudden experience of worthlessness when financial worth is lost or threatened:

• Job loss
• Bankruptcy
• Financial crisis
• Income reduction
• Retirement
• Economic recession

When money = worth, losing money = losing worth. The value vacuum opens.

Why It Feels Catastrophic

1. Identity Collapse

"I was a successful professional earning $150K. Now I am unemployed. Who am I?"

When income is identity, losing income is losing self.

2. Social Shame

"People will judge me. They will see I am a failure. I am worthless."

Financial loss feels like social exposure of worthlessness.

3. Survival Threat

"I cannot pay rent. I cannot buy food. I am in danger."

Real survival anxiety fuses with worth anxiety, making the vacuum unbearable.

4. Comparison and Inadequacy

"Others are succeeding. I am failing. I am less-than."

Financial comparison reinforces worthlessness.

The Spiral

1. Financial loss or threat occurs
2. Worth collapses ("I am worthless")
3. Shame and depression set in
4. Difficulty taking action (paralysis)
5. Financial situation worsens
6. Worth collapses further
7. The spiral deepens

What This Series Will Explore

Over the next five articles, we will dive deep into locus patterns in money:

1. Capitalism and External Locus: Systemic Analysis - How economic systems teach worth = productivity/wealth
2. Scarcity Mindset and Worth - Financial anxiety as external locus, poverty and worth, abundance from internal locus
3. Success, Status, and the Hedonic Treadmill - Why more money does not bring lasting worth
4. Financial Failure and the Value Vacuum - Bankruptcy, job loss, and worth collapse
5. Money and Internal Locus: Healthy Relationship with Wealth - Earning, spending, saving, and giving from internal worth

Practice: Assessing Your Financial Locus

Reflection Questions

1. Do I believe my worth depends on my income or wealth?
2. Do I feel more valuable when I earn more money?
3. Do I feel worthless when I have financial difficulties?
4. Is my identity tied to my income level or financial status?
5. Do I compare my worth to others based on wealth?
6. Would I still feel valuable if I lost my income?

The Invitation

As you read this series, notice your financial locus patterns. Where have you placed your worth? In your income? In your net worth? In your financial status?

And ask: What would it feel like to know I am valuable whether I am wealthy or poor? What would it feel like to separate my financial situation from my inherent worth?

This is the journey we are taking together.

What Comes Next

The next article explores Capitalism and External Locus: Systemic Analysis—how economic systems teach that worth = productivity and wealth, the meritocracy myth, and consumer culture as worth-seeking.

This is where we examine the systemic roots of financial external locus. And where liberation becomes possible.