What is the meaning of "Wealth and children are the adornment of the life of this world"? And why was wealth mentioned before children? Is wealth better than children?

The mention of wealth before sons in the verse is because the adornment of wealth is universal to all individuals and at all times, and it is a means for the survival of the self. In contrast, sons are an adornment only for fathers and a means for the survival of the species. The need for wealth is often more acute, and wealth is an adornment in itself, unlike sons. This is supported by Sa'd's supplication against Abu Sa'da for having many children and little wealth, which indicates that having many children with little wealth is a misery.