33 Best Time Is Money Tattoo Ideas
Stephanie Patterson
Table of Contents
About Time Is Money Tattoos
It’s all about the hustle these days. Working hard every day can reap lots of rewards, but it isn’t always fun. To commemorate this work ethic, tattoo lovers get inked with designs that symbolize their dedication and commitment to success. This often comes in the form of money tattoos.
Time is money tattoos have been popular contemporary ink designs for years. They’re rooted in hustle culture and the drive it takes to become wealthy. But, among other interpretations, the design also holds power and lets other people know your values and motivations.
The time is money tattoo can be designed in multiple ways. The classic design can be interpreted and tweaked depending on the client and artist.
In terms of design, there are plenty of options—from hourglasses and dollar signs to clocks and bills. Still, there’s no doubt that the tattoo is here to stay.
If you’re looking to dive into the tattoo world, let this be your guide. This business-minded design may not be for everyone, but maybe it’s for you. I might be able to help you make your final decision before dropping that deposit.
After reading this guide, you’ll know:
- The best time is money ideas
- What time is money tattoos mean
- Placements for time is money tattoos
- Average price range
- History of the tattoo
What Do Time Is Money Tattoos Mean And Symbolize?
The phrase “Time is money” comes from an essay written by Benjamin Franklin. Simply put, it means that you’ll be paid for the amount of time you spend working.
So, working hard and making smart use of your time will get you where you want to be financially and help you achieve all of your worldly aspirations.
This also means that wasting time equals wasting money. This essentially puts a monetary value on precious minutes. So, time is money tattoos represent this philosophy.
Obviously, you can’t replace time, and if your goal is to attain everything you could want, you must seize all the time you have with proper time management.
Like other money-related ink, the people who get it also understand that money is power. And they realize that there’s no way to gain that power without being committed to their career and using their time wisely.
So basically, the time is money meaning is pretty straightforward and career-driven.
Where To Get A Time Is Money Tattoo
Before getting any tattoo, it’s essential to think about where you’ll get inked. Time is money tattoos are typically designed as intricate sleeves or larger pieces, so it’s not unusual to see them on shoulders and arms.
Of course, there are a couple of other areas where your tatt will thrive, including the following:
- Hands: Hand placements are pretty popular among tattoo addicts (especially if they’re running out of places to cover!). You can cover your hand with a time is money design with surrounding money imagery and ticking clock motifs.
- Torso or Chest: Instead of going for a symbolic design, you could get straight to the point by tattooing the phrase across your chest or stomach. You can always opt for the classic gothic or cursive fonts, but you’ll get your message across either way.
- Legs: You could also opt for a lower leg or thigh tattoo. While the clock motifs are more popular, an hourglass is sleek and can be designed to look beautiful anywhere on your legs.
- Arm: As I mentioned, the arms are a popular placement for any time is money design. A half-sleeve forearm in black ink isn’t uncommon, especially for this tattoo. But you can opt for a bicep placement if you’re looking for something easier to cover up.
- Shoulder: The shoulders are the perfect canvas for more intricate time is money designs. It gives you and the artist a lot of room to draw up something creative and different outside of the usual time is money tattoos.
So, there are many placement options for these tattoos. Keep in mind that in some cases, the longevity of the tattoo will depend on its location. For example, something on your hands might fade faster because of handwashing and other activities.
Of course, it’s important to follow your artist’s aftercare instructions to ensure that your tattoo will always look fresh, regardless of the placement. If you take good care of it, your time is money tattoo can likely last 30-40 years (which is worth the money!).
A bold time is money design will require more upkeep, so I’d keep that in mind when making your final decision.
How Much Do Time Is Money Tattoos Cost?
All tattoo prices vary depending on several things—including the artist, size, color, and the amount of time it takes to complete the tattoo.
A deposit is typically required for any tattoo to secure your appointment. The cost will depend on the artist or the studio they work for.
Every artist is different, but your first payment will probably be around $100. This amount is usually taken off of your tattoo’s total cost.
Artists also follow rates. You might be looking at a few sessions for a bigger piece like a time is money tattoo. So, if an artist charges an hourly rate, you can expect to pay up to four figures. But, of course, it could be less than that if you opt for a less complex tattoo design.
Plus, you’ll have to consider the size. If you’re not down for a half-sleeve commitment, something smaller won’t cost you as much because it takes less time. So, ironically, you’ll be spending less money if you spend less time in the chair.
Colored ink also costs a few extra dollars. Additionally, many artists might only do color designs and base their pricing on the final drawing, skill level, and how much time they spend on it.
So, you can expect a pricier receipt with all the time they put in. But, opting for black ink might be more cost–effective for some people.
Lastly, you also have to factor in the amount of time your tattoo will take. For example, something intricate like a whole or half-sleeve might take multiple sessions to complete. If you need more than one session, you can expect costs to increase.
To find the right artist, I recommend doing as much research as possible. This doesn’t just help you find the style you want but also allows you to get prepared regarding budgeting.
Tattoos aren’t cheap, but you’ll be able to find a talented artist that stays within your desired price range.
33 Best Time Is Money Tattoo Designs
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History Of Time Is Money Tattoos
Tattooing dates back to ancient times, but it’s unclear when the time is money tattoo became popular. However, there’s no denying that it’s a classic design that isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Of course, you can trace the philosophy back to Benjamin Franklin’s essay. But, in more recent times, career and money-focused people transformed the phrase into an artistic medium. This tattoo is trendy among men, who typically opt for a half-sleeve black ink design.
The time is money tattoo design isn’t the only dollar-driven tattoo available. There are many other finance–focused designs that ink addicts love. For example, there’s a chance you’ll find money bags, dollar bills, or even Mr. Monopoly tattooed on someone.
Money rose tattoos are another popular option. The rose typically symbolizes beauty, while the money represents control and power. The combination of the two can show off a person’s dedication to work, similar to the time is money design.
In addition, these tatts can be seen on different celebrities, rappers, or influencers who are all about the hustle.
So, while the history of these tattoos isn’t clear—other than their relation to the famous Franklin quote—you can find money-focused tattoos on many influencers and rappers.
Ultimately, dollar-driven images are everywhere. And even if the origin of these tattoos’ is unclear, money will always be on peoples’ minds (and bodies!).
Which Celebrities Have A Time Is Money Tattoo?
While there aren’t many noteworthy celebs with a time is money tattoo, money is a common tattoo theme seen among the rich and famous. Entertainers, including Lil Wayne, are fully tattooed with different symbols and pictures to depict their desires and motivation.
Lil Wayne has ‘CASHMONEY’ tattooed across his torso, which was one of his first tattoos. Clearly, he stayed true to his grind and is one of the most influential people in the rap industry today.
Dollar sign tattoos are also pretty popular since they’re easy to hide. For example, model Sarah Snyder has dollar signs inked on like a ring on her right thumb. It’s simple, subtle, and easily concealed for photo and commercial shoots.
Regardless of who is getting which tattoo, it’s important to find a time is money tattoo design that you’ll be happy to have. Remember to do your research on artists and find a tattoo style and budget that suits your needs—especially if you’re aiming to respect your own hustle and grind.
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