Posted: 2/20/2004 11:14:22 AM EDT
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Like most people I like money. I enjoy having it for security and the things it buys. But beyond basic necessity and comfort I don't require great wealth nor do I actively seek it. I grew up rather priviledged, and while I didn't have my own large account I lived in a big house in a nice neighborhood and got most of the things I wanted. But I decided early in life that these things were not my highest priority. I do realize that only a person of means and advantage has the opportunity to make such a decision however. I developed a general dislike for most people of great wealth. I don't dislike them in the Michael Moore (I'm a jealous communists) sense, but wealthy people are often like a beautiful woman in that they don't 'have' to develop a decent personality or conduct themselves in a positive manner so they often do not. Really it is more of not being impressed by their wealth and seeing the represhensible ones for who they really are. I also don't understand why wealthy people are ever anything but the nicest people on the planet, if anyone can afford that disposition it is certainly the wealthy. Again, don't get me wrong. I'd love to come into millions of dollars and get everythng I ever wanted and have a lot of fun but I don't 'need' it. And I completely fail to understand the people who are millionaires but spend 80+ hours a week to obtain and maintain their wealth. I'd rather work half as much and have half as much money. Basically if I can pay my bills, have a place to live and food to eat and have a few dollars left over to play with that is all I really 'need.' Beyond that free time to do as I choose is much more important to me than extra money. Now I understand the guy who HAS to put in overtime to provide for himself and his family but that is far different from a millionaire who is seeking greater wealth. I don't begrudge him his wealth, I just don't understand it. |
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I love money, I wish I had more of it. They say money doesn't buy you happiness, but I say funk that. Money would buy me a big ol' camp way up north, a boat on a lake, and a couple sets of ATVs and Snowmobiles... THAT...would make me very happy indeed. I like money. A lot. If you run into any surplus, I'll be happy to take it off your hands. [:D] |
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Free time and time spent with the family is more important to me than lots of money. I quit a job that paid over $140,000 a year because of the hours (70+ a week) and took a job that pays less than half that but only requires 40 hours a week of my time. My wife also quit her job (making $55,000 a year) when the children were born so she could raise the kids rather than having a daycare raise our kids. So we no longer drive new BMW's and don't get to summer in Hawaii but we do spend alot of time together as a family and I still have plenty of time for my hobbies. We do fine on just my salary and the kids are much better off, it's worth it. |
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Quoted: I love money, I wish I had more of it. They say money doesn't buy you happiness, but I say funk that. Money would buy me a big ol' camp way up north, a boat on a lake, and a couple sets of ATVs and Snowmobiles... THAT...would make me very happy indeed. I like money. A lot. If you run into any surplus, I'll be happy to take it off your hands. [:D] OH, I agree. But that isn't what I said. Everyone likes money. But how important is it beyond the basic comforts and necessities? Will you do anything for it? Will you compromise your values for excessive wealth? |
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There was a contemporary Christian song a few years back entitled, "All I Need, I Already Have". Kind of sums it up for me. I am comfortable, but not rich. But I am happy, with a great family and wonderful grandkids that love me. Money can't buy that. I am thankful. |
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I understand what you say Steyr in that some people should realize that there is more to life than work...there's play too. Many times though... the reason that the self made ultra-wealthy are where they are is because their work IS their play...and it is because of their genuine interest in what they do that got them where they are. The motivation wasn't just the money...more of a consequence of their actions whether they realize it or not. It gets back to the Randian notion of the secondary consequences of achieving the "common good" of society through rational self interest and pursuit of one's goals. Then you have the stereotypical spoiled brat who achieves their wealth through inheritance. The best example I can think of on the spot is Paris Hilton given her sudden media exposure. Talk about not developing decent qualities because they dont have to. No one will ever get me to support abandoning inheritance, but if I were suddenly Zippy The WonderDictator and lounging in my family room watching TV...enjoying a few beers...and Paris should suddenly be plastered all over the screen, I'd be hard pressed not to dictate a sudden appropriation of all her wealth and watch her flop about in the streets like a salmon swatted from the river by a big ol' bear. |
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I have been poor in the "UH-OH!" sense and it is certainly a very bad thing, but would I significantly change my life in ways I did not like to make more money, like leave my friends and family to move to somewhere like Boston or Los Angeles or Singapore where I could not do a lot of things I like (like have my guns with me) and be near my loved ones in order to make a lot more money-nope! I do disagree about wealthy people being unpleasant, or whatever. Most people that are wealthy are wealthy because they built up their own business, I think they are no more, or less likely to be unpleasant than anyone else. People of inherited wealth are probably more likely to have some character defects than most people, but I have a friend I shoot with regularly that is from a wealthy family and stands to in herit a lot some day, nicest guy around and I'd pick him to stick up for me in a fight or help me out of jam as quick as any of the guys I grew up with in the country who didn't have a penny. |
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I have a plan to make a lot of money. I will not stop until I succeed, though I will not do anything immoral to do so. You don't HAVE to. Unfortunately, people who are not rich and don't know how to get rich seem to think the only way to amass a lot of money is through unethical means. That is usually a way to make themselves feel better too, i.e. "Well, yeah he has a lot of money but at least I'M honest!". By the way I grew up in a relatively poor household. My parents were both high school dropouts. When I was young my dad had to come into my room in the morning sometimes and borrow a couple bucks in quarters from me to buy enough gas to get to work. My parents both got their GEDs and my dad went to night school to be an Electrician and now runs his own company. Btw I am 28, married, 1 kid with one more on the way, run my own business, live in a $250,000 house and my wife doesn't have to work. That is important to me (wife doesn't have to work) and that takes money. I want to be financially secure and retire in my 30's, that takes money. I don't want to live month to month working for somebody else convincing myself I'm doing it "because I like it" and try to tell myself money is not important. So to answer your question yes money is important to me, and I don't have nearly enough of it. Btw, my definition of "rich" is someone who has enough wealth that they don't have to work for the rest of their life. Making $100K-$200K/year is not "rich" but upper class or affluent... especially if you spend all that money as you earn it. There are plenty of broke doctors making 6 figures. |
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I would probably be unhappy if I was poor, because I would consider it my fault, rather than blaming society, like liberals do. I hear a lot of people that grew up during the depression though, that say they were poor and didn't even really know it because most everyone else was too. Most of them were happy because of a nice family. To be honest, this is why I don't understand why more people aren't interested in being a school teacher. The pay isn't the greatest in areas without much of a tax base, but is suprisingly high in many city and suburban areas. In fact, in my county, there are many that make over $100,000. The advantage to this job is, you have job security, and if you don't teach summer school, you basically hardly ever work on Sat. or Sun. and you only work about ten months a year. After all, after you get a roof over you head, isn't the main thing a sane person would want would be time off? |
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Because someone who's worked hard for their money can appreciate not having to sacrafice family time, personal time and such just to get by every month. Some of us are Those who started out in plusher beginnings tend not to truely appreciate what they have because of their start. While those starting from the scratching by paycheck to paycheck level would appreciate that kind of life. Not having to worry about comming up with the money the monthly bills, and the unexpected events of life. You want to understand here you go. AT 14 I started working to help my family, Dropped out, went back to school worked my ass off and finished at 16 then back to working. Now I'm 27 make 39K/y OT included, My wife is a full time student, I'm covering the expenses for us, caring for my 80yo grandmother her SS is only 600 month(Ex govt employee, govt lost her employment stuff so no pension has been paid for the last 30 years) and my sister who's a little off if you cath my drift. Between the stress life and work (50hrs a week) on graveyard, and covering everything I didn't have time to take care of myself good enough. Grey hairs started to appear, And now I'm paying for it. Last may I almost died, 2 years of ignoring a medical problem (I couldn't afford a doctors visit) ended up in ICU and was diagnosed with Ketoacidosis/New Type 1 diabetic. My organs where shutting down and blood was toxic. I now take 4 shots a day Requiring 2 different insulins, and all related meterials $200 a month, My wife is epileptic (can't drive) on expensive meds $386, and then there's my grandmothers meds $130. those are after the insurance discounts. On top of a my hospitalization bills and other medical expenses. I scrape by monthly. By parents can't help as I make almost double what they make. And the hole I'm in keeps getting deeper. As of yesterday's eye doc visit for my grandmother now needs for the 3rd time in a year (molecular degeneration) new glasses. I have to come up with $355 by sometime next week. I'm proud to have what I have, My AR might be a hesse but I value it more then the wealthier of this board ever could about their stoner's, colts or m16's. And we need a new furnace. I found a guy who will install one $100 over costs, but have to come up with the money. I have nothing but worries in my daily life reguarding finances. I'd shoot myself but then everybody would be screwed even worse. Didn't mean to rant but sit back absorb that for awhile and look around at what you have then ask yourself why someone would want to be wealthier. |
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Quoted: Because someone who's worked hard for their money can appreciate not having to sacrafice family time, personal time and such just to get by every month. Some of us are Those who started out in plusher beginnings tend not to truely appreciate what they have because of their start. While those starting from the scratching by paycheck to paycheck level would appreciate that kind of life. Not having to worry about comming up with the money the monthly bills, and the unexpected events of life. You want to understand here you go. AT 14 I started working to help my family, Dropped out, went back to school worked my ass off and finished at 16 then back to working. Now I'm 27 make 39K/y OT included, My wife is a full time student, I'm covering the expenses for us, caring for my 80yo grandmother her SS is only 600 month(Ex govt employee, govt lost her employment stuff so no pension has been paid for the last 30 years) and my sister who's a little off if you cath my drift. Between the stress life and work (50hrs a week) on graveyard, and covering everything I didn't have time to take care of myself good enough. Grey hairs started to appear, And now I'm paying for it. Last may I almost died, 2 years of ignoring a medical problem (I couldn't afford a doctors visit) ended up in ICU and was diagnosed with Ketoacidosis/New Type 1 diabetic. My organs where shutting down and blood was toxic. I now take 4 shots a day Requiring 2 different insulins, and all related meterials $200 a month, My wife is epileptic (can't drive) on expensive meds $386, and then there's my grandmothers meds $130. those are after the insurance discounts. On top of a my hospitalization bills and other medical expenses. I scrape by monthly. By parents can't help as I make almost double what they make. And the hole I'm in keeps getting deeper. As of yesterday's eye doc visit for my grandmother now needs for the 3rd time in a year (molecular degeneration) new glasses. I have to come up with $355 by sometime next week. I'm proud to have what I have, My AR might be a hesse but I value it more then the wealthier of this board ever could about their stoner's, colts or m16's. And we need a new furnace. I found a guy who will install one $100 over costs, but have to come up with the money. I have nothing but worries in my daily life reguarding finances. I'd shoot myself but then everybody would be screwed even worse. Didn't mean to rant but sit back absorb that for awhile and look around at what you have then ask yourself why someone would want to be wealthier. Things will get better. |
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I grew up relatively poor, and and it makes me no difference whether I die rich or not. A large inheritance is not the best gift that a father can give his children. A love of God, honor, and duty is the very best gift that any father can bestow upon his children. The rest is window dressing. BTW: [red][b]And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.[/b][/red] [i]Jesus[/i], Matthew 19:24 Eric The(ChurchMouse)Hun[>]:)] |
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im playing "mega millions" today and if i win, ill put in into the bank and live off the interest. i'll make sure i have a steady allowance to buy nice things: a house, a nice car, pay off school loans, and i would retire at 25 and spend my time doing what i wanted (shooting guns, travelling, what have you) but i wouldnt need mansions, jets whatever to make me happy. i'd probably stay in hostels in europe and eat at two or three star places, because i'd still be doing what i wanted... i'd donate most of my money to causes that i thought were worthwhile and im sure spend a large chunk of money on pet projects that i thought could make a difference in live of others. it's not going to happen, but it is an example of my vision of why money doesn't make me happy. money is necessary to be "comfortable" and right now im jobless and defiantely "un-comfortable" but i know it wouldn't take much to get me there. the biggest problem is keeping myself from constant incremental adjustments in what it takes to keep me "comfortable" as long as in 10 years i still think its okay to eat ramen twice a week "becasue it's cheap" I'll be doing fine. |
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Money makes the world go around The world go around The world go around Money makes the world go around It makes the world go 'round. A mark, a yen, a buck, or a pound A buck or a pound A buck or a pound Is all that makes the world go around, That clinking clanking sound Can make the world go 'round. |
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Quoted: I do disagree about wealthy people being unpleasant, or whatever. Most people that are wealthy are wealthy because they built up their own business, I think they are no more, or less likely to be unpleasant than anyone else. That isn't really what I said. There are also gorgeous women who are nice but not ALL of them are. But just as certain really good looking women define themselves soley on their appearance many well to do people define themselves according to their money and possessions. There is a certain type of person that if they didn't have a Mercedes, Rolex and house in the Hamptons wouldn't consider life worth living and see others who don't have these things as less than they are. I could never give money such a priority. Now when you are dead ass broke money equates survival. But you eventually reach a point (hopefully) where more money is just 'play money.' I really, really, really like 'play money' but I'm only willing to do so much to acquire it. |
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Wealth is a state of mind. I know for a fact that most of the self made millionaires (some with even way more money than that), you could strip them of every single thing they own, all their money, and 95% of them will be back where they were, or better within a year. It really is a way of looking at things. |
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There are any number of things I wouldn't do for money. Kill. Push dope. Kidnap. Etc. If I could find a job riding Harleys for a living, or shooting ARs, I'd be all set. Seriously, I think you'll find the greater satisfaction in giving of your goods, whatever they are, to someone in need. No expectation of recognition. No thanks. No notice. Just go by the meat market and buy some beef/chicken and drop it off. Very rewarding. I know someone very well who had it all. The house, cars, jet-skis, Harley, etc. and STILL couldn't find happiness. I told him if he wanted to feel better, start giving it away. He lost it all, did time in prison, lost wife and daughter, and now is homeless, broke; for what? He kept thinking "the next thing and I'll be happy". Did he HAVE to have the new 'Vette? Durango? Blazer? Harley? Let me put it this way. In a hundred years, who's going to care? Or even remember? Cuz it isn't important. God. Family. Countrymen. That's all there is. |
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I don't care what anyone says, I'm happier when I have money. I can be happy without money but my happy factor goes up in direct relation to the amount of money I have. Now, I have never had enough money to max out my happiness so I really don't know if there is a point at which having more money would have no effect on my degree of happy. I would really really like to find out though. I bet if I had a billion dollars I would be so freaking happy my face could split from the grin. |
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I gave up a rather lucrative career in the Entertainment Industry and moved my family from Kali to AR to be closer to my wife's family and to raise my kid in a more moral setting. Money is not everything but it does help pay the bills. I appreciate what God give's me. |
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Quoted: Wealth is a state of mind. I know for a fact that most of the self made millionaires (some with even way more money than that), you could strip them of every single thing they own, all their money, and 95% of them will be back where they were, or better within a year. It really is a way of looking at things. But Michael Moore said that it's a lie that you can become rich in America, so we should sock it to the fat cats who want it all for themselves. |
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When I was a kid growing up in Malaysia, my dad was earning about $10 000 AUD(my family's only source of income), about $7000 a year working as a doctor in a government hospital to repay them for them helping pay for his education in Australia. We barely scraped by and only got by through some help from family and friends. We moved to Australia when I was about 2 and although better off than in Malaysia, we were still poor. My family (mum, dad, sis and I) lived with my grandparents for a while until we could afford to stay in our own place. As a doctor, dad got better money, but since he was basically new, he didnt get that much. Mum worked as a science teacher for a school IIRC. Mum got another job as a Biotechnologist (she has a degree in Biotechnology) but the company went bankrupt after about 10 months of working there. She was lucky to work that long there as they laid off everyone except her, cos she was the least paid and one of the most hard working. After that she stayed home to raise my sis and I. Mum tells me that when I was young, she looked at things and wished she could buy them for us but she couldnt as we couldnt afford it. We could only afford it when my sis and I had already grown out of it. Now my dad is getting very good money. Mum is still not working and doesnt need to, but shes doing some marketing thing for fun. Although we are well off now, we all appreciate the value of money, which is why we dont drive BMWs and such, just toyotas. I think I dont spend that much money. When i buy clothes, they are on sale (but pants are always alot) and I dont buy alot of things such as CDs and games and things i deem useless. However, due to my dress sense and that, which doesnt cost much of course, I am deemed "rich". We arent "rich" but merely affluentish, and we save our money as we know what its like to not have any. People here often exaggerate how much doctors earn, so as soon as they discover my dad is a doc, I am blown off as a rich snob. I find some truly "rich" people are very snobby and ignorant, thinking that everyone else is as well off as they are and shunning people who are "poor". That being said, some of them are nice and are really great people. Money is nice to have, but it isnt the most important thing in life. God and love are by far more important, as are many other things. |