Market volatility (changes in quoted prices for shares) seems to get a lot of headlines. Why is that? I mean, did Carlos Slim Helu really lose billions, like Buffett and Gates, or was it just paper gains getting marked back down?

Hence my question in the title. I am convinced that it isn't money that makes the world go round, its the world that makes money go round. There is lots of money out there - more than any of us could ever use. Money (aka capital) is far from scarce, it is almost infinite in supply - and it seeks out and follows decent risk-adjusted returns. It is just one medium of exchange by which differences in demand for, and supply of services and goods get traded out. And while money in the bank has potential value, its actual value only comes to light when it moves - when a good or service is sold/bought. Its lack of intrinsic value is startling - you can't eat it or do anything meaningful with it - except spend it! 

So - understand money! There are three kinds - your capital (aka your balance sheet, or "store of wealth"), your earned income (your income (less expenses) from supply of goods or services, whether you are in business or fortunate enough to be employed), and your passive income - the delightful sustainable trickle from your capital, sometimes described as "second hand money". It seems there are tickertalkers with a focus on each of these - and the ones wise enough to use some of the second to start building or growing the first, and who can also plough some of the third back in, will get wealthy fastest.

Keep it simple.

Stuart