I've been unemployed since April, and I completely agree with these comments. I was on unemployment, then some crazy stuff went down in my family switched unemployment benefits.... they took forever. Needless to say I didn't go back on it, but since money is non-existant, I just may.
And always look for free things! If you live in Canada and have Air Miles... see how much you have racked up and start turning in those points! I've already recieved a $20 gas coupon and a free movie ticket for two which comes with two free sodas and a popcorn. My next reward is going to be either another gas coupon or a $25 gift certificate to eat out.
Money is not the root of all evil, the lack of money is the root of all evil. I really believe most of the people we consider "rich" are outstanding people. I believe most of them fund charities. They just don't go out and try to get the attention for their "giving"
I don't think money is inherently evil at all. It's simply a tool, a very powerful tool that can be used for good or for bad. Rich people are not inherently self-interested and self-serving.
There are greedy and self-serving rich people just like how there are greedy and self-serving poor people. Similarity, there are selfless and generous rich people just like how there are selfless and generous poor people.
Financial wealth can be acquired through numerous ways. It can be acquired through inheritance, or through hard work, or through criminal and dishonest acts! Being rich is not the ultimate end goal in life, but I would say that it is fairly admirable as long as it was achieved through hard work and is used to benefit the greater community.
Thank you so much for the informative and new information on how to check my tires effectively. Mine are in good condition *few!* but I didn't know all the different ways of checking them, I always had just been looking at the tread.
HAHA, Shanel your parents sound like my parents. Every time I talk to my mom all she could talk about is that her portfolio is going down.
I just find it interesting that what I witnessed in Communist China is becoming somewhat mainstream in America. There are tons of incentives to tax the rich and help the poor and the general message is that rich people are bad and the poor are helpless victims. I don't think it would come down to a bloody revolution and slaughter of the rich people in America, but it is still troubling and a little ironic how class warfare is so universal.
I love the 'history report' approach that the first commenter mentioned... I always get one.
Although, really, I usually buy used cars from people I know at church. Then, if they turn out to be lemons, the pastor can pay a call to them.... *evil grin*
But seriously, if possible to purchase from someone you know then you'll know the history. Other than that, I always take it to my mechanic, even though I do most maintenance myself.
I've never done this before, but you make it sound so possible I think I might give it a try for some extra christmas presents this year! Thanks for the great recipe... and the excellent comments. I always forget the ever-important step of sterilizing my jars when I do my first batch of jam for the year and I always end up with one ruined batch.
I wrote about this in "Greed v. Desire" at http://shanelyang.com/2007/11/23/greed-v-desire/ Basically, being greedy is wanting something for nothing or by cheating someone, while being desirous of wealth or riches is wanting whatever rewards are fairly deserved for hard work and risks born by the entrepreneur. This distinction is critical to not feel guilty about wanting to be rich. I went to all public schools here in the U.S. and most of my teachers at 3 different elementary schools (our family moved around a lot) in and around L.A. taught that just about everything is more important than money -- helping family, friends, and community -- but neglected to teach us that we do a lot more help if we had more money. They certainly didn't know how to make a lot of money and they obviously believed in giving back to the community (teaching in public schools in poor neighborhoods is no cake walk), so they just taught us what they believed.
On the other hand, my parents were absolutely crazy about money. Fighting all the time about it and treating it like it was more important than life itself. Ironically, that also turned me off to money. I did believe for many years that money itself was evil. So, it took a very long time for me to figure out the difference between greed and a desire for legitimate wealth. Now, I am pursuing it with all the hard work that every entrepreneur deservedly creates wealth. And, I won't worship it like my parents did, but help the community with it as my teachers always taught. That's the good of money!
What a great opportunity! I've got everything from cell phones and PDAs to record players and TVs that need a new home. I'll have so much fun cleaning out my closet without worrying about selling them on Ebay! Thanks for the link.
I get a highlight color that provides contrast but which is very close to my natural color. When I'm strapped for cash, if the highlights grow out it's not a dramatic thing and I can go up to six months between colors without it being too obvious... of course at this point it's been like 9 months... but oh well!
Also, if you use coupons and match them with sales you can get really cheap but good products. Last week I got Herbal Essences for $1 a bottle shampoo and conditioner each.
Wow, great post. I'm overwhelmed with different thoughts and opinions on this matter, but let's just say I recognize that this is a growing societal problem and I agree with you.
And to make things worse here in the US, we're in the midst of a presidential campaign where the candidates are both using this very issue of "wealth envy" as political ammunition.
I'm thankful for all the great entrepreneurial risk-takers out there, most of whom never achieve financial wealth, for they are the engine driving our economy and all it's dependents, myself included.
It's not the wealth. It's what people do with their wealth once they get it. Although I agree with your neighbor; once you're a boss, you DO worry about your employees more than money - IF THEY'RE GOOD EMPLOYEES.
My father in law is a very rich man in SE Asia. he uses his money to finance a church in his neighborhood and to supply free, nutritious food to the prisoners in the local jail. That's the right way to do it. Using your money to convince the poor that being poor is good isn't right. Please look over What's The Matter With Kansas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What%27s_the_Matter_with_Kansas) by Thomas Frank- and yes, I'll read a book and take a test on it if you do...
It depends. I completely agree that it's not the fact that you have money that makes you "evil." I work in an architectural firm for some really great people who do exactly as you describe and are doing pretty well for themselves, though not obscene (interesting, this qualifier) and I definitely see the sacrifices they make to be business owners. However, our clients are higher up on the scale (just for demographics, not for stereotyping) and I find in my day to day duties that I am often dealing with people (the clients) who really have strange priorities simply because they can, because they can afford to. They will pay our significant hourly fees in order to "fix" some inane aesthetic "problem" that anyone with a budget more like mine would decide isn't worth either the time or the effort, much less the cost. It is from witnessing this that I can then understand how people in positions of power can make decisions that seem crazy and irresponsible (evil?) to me. They've lost perspective, or any kind of perspective that I can relate to, and what to me would be a devastating financial blow is inconsequential to them. That's the essence of class warfare in my mind.
I had just used the deal to purchase " God Grew Tired of us" - a documentary about the "lost boys" of Sudan, - timely for putting Darfur in my heart prior to the Genocide Olympics,and scored "Factory Girl" - a movie on Andy Warhol, that I have been wanting to see! - Thanks for the Heads up!
Sometimes, doing things the hard way (like learning to spend less and work out of debit slowly) is better than a quick fix that a home equity loan might provide.
I agree that using a home equity loan to purchase an income-producing investment which covers the loan cost and yeilds more above that in income each month makes sense, however this is frequently not what people do- they just use the money for instant gratification.
Thank you for a wonderful post. I couldn't possibly agree with your statement more. I see a lot of class warfare going on, not only in the public at large, but especially online and even within personal financial blogs.
Your perspective as someone with a broader view of the world is deeply appreciated. I work for a very small dental practice, and I can say that the two dentists I work for look out for the patients and us employees before themselves, each and every day; I've never been treated so well in my life, and would do anything to see that they are successful. The fact that they make a respectable (not obscene) wage for their hard work and ENORMOUS risk is simple justice.
Thanks again.
O.K. First of all you can tell right away that you are a Play Station fan. The 360 has the best games out of all the systems and the way they set up the system its self as in the achievements and xbox live it is the system to have. The exclusive games for the 360 kill ps3 and especially the wii.I don't know how you could say don't buy this product because no matter what if it does break you can get a new one at no charge. I am not biased either I have owned almost all the gaming systems. To tell the truth I preferred the PS2 over the Xbox but the new gen games are better on the 360. Listen if your interested in buying a new system buy what you want to buy don't listen to somebody whos views are clearly biased. And if something breaks that has a warrenty and instead of taking it back, you make a bookend your a idiot.
I started using leftover crockpot roast for my enchiladas and my tamalles and I'm getting RAVE reviews! It's great, because then we're not stuck eating 'leftovers' all the time and it makes these two dishes about 1/2 as time consuming. I just shread any leftover meat I have and then I put it in the freezer until I'm ready to make enchiladas or tamalles - a quick zap in the microwave and some enchilada sauce or cheese & pepers and it's ready to go filling.
I always enjoy your posts and the different way you present of looking at what is or is not simple living. I had friends who thought simple living was living off their own land. They worked 12+ hours a day to make it...
Me? I enjoy living in a small place without a yard (I hate that gardening stuff) and while I own it, I own it because it is 4 times more expensive to rent a place with comperable space.
My natural hair color is mousy, grayish blonde. (I'm 25.) I hate it and have been dying my hair different colors for many years. Most recently, I've discovered my favorite dye ever: Henna.
It's cheap, organic, and the color STAYS. My ends are still brilliant red, even though I last dyed my hair in March. (Of course, the roots are another matter entirely, but that's easily fixed.)
A 100-gram box of henna costs about $8 and makes enough mix to dye my shoulder-length hair. Although the more you get, the cheaper it gets.
I can't find the figures online, but I remember that one of the surprising results of the "millionaire next door" study was that a significant number of millionaires (I think about 40%) don't use budgets! Instead, they let themselves use the paycheck-to-paycheck method of cash management, except that they put most of their money into a savings account first and then move only a portion into their checking.
I know that many people find a budget to be quite helpful, but I absolutely cannot keep up with one. Being essentially self-employed, I find the method of regular transfers out of my savings account to checking to be the best way to keep my expenses reasonable.
I've been unemployed since April, and I completely agree with these comments. I was on unemployment, then some crazy stuff went down in my family switched unemployment benefits.... they took forever. Needless to say I didn't go back on it, but since money is non-existant, I just may.
And always look for free things! If you live in Canada and have Air Miles... see how much you have racked up and start turning in those points! I've already recieved a $20 gas coupon and a free movie ticket for two which comes with two free sodas and a popcorn. My next reward is going to be either another gas coupon or a $25 gift certificate to eat out.
Money is not the root of all evil, the lack of money is the root of all evil. I really believe most of the people we consider "rich" are outstanding people. I believe most of them fund charities. They just don't go out and try to get the attention for their "giving"
I don't think money is inherently evil at all. It's simply a tool, a very powerful tool that can be used for good or for bad. Rich people are not inherently self-interested and self-serving.
There are greedy and self-serving rich people just like how there are greedy and self-serving poor people. Similarity, there are selfless and generous rich people just like how there are selfless and generous poor people.
Financial wealth can be acquired through numerous ways. It can be acquired through inheritance, or through hard work, or through criminal and dishonest acts! Being rich is not the ultimate end goal in life, but I would say that it is fairly admirable as long as it was achieved through hard work and is used to benefit the greater community.
Got some Christmas shopping done in August! Thanks!
Thank you so much for the informative and new information on how to check my tires effectively. Mine are in good condition *few!* but I didn't know all the different ways of checking them, I always had just been looking at the tread.
-Suz
Thanks Laura, for the browser update. I had no problems in version 5.0, but not everyone may have upgraded yet.
HAHA, Shanel your parents sound like my parents. Every time I talk to my mom all she could talk about is that her portfolio is going down.
I just find it interesting that what I witnessed in Communist China is becoming somewhat mainstream in America. There are tons of incentives to tax the rich and help the poor and the general message is that rich people are bad and the poor are helpless victims. I don't think it would come down to a bloody revolution and slaughter of the rich people in America, but it is still troubling and a little ironic how class warfare is so universal.
I love the 'history report' approach that the first commenter mentioned... I always get one.
Although, really, I usually buy used cars from people I know at church. Then, if they turn out to be lemons, the pastor can pay a call to them.... *evil grin*
But seriously, if possible to purchase from someone you know then you'll know the history. Other than that, I always take it to my mechanic, even though I do most maintenance myself.
-Suz
Thanks Linsey! My husband and I have been wanting to purchase a couple of DVDs. Thanks to you we paid less than $5!
A note to firefox users do your order in IE. The website freaked when I tried submitting my order via firefox 3.0.
I've never done this before, but you make it sound so possible I think I might give it a try for some extra christmas presents this year! Thanks for the great recipe... and the excellent comments. I always forget the ever-important step of sterilizing my jars when I do my first batch of jam for the year and I always end up with one ruined batch.
-Suz
I wrote about this in "Greed v. Desire" at http://shanelyang.com/2007/11/23/greed-v-desire/ Basically, being greedy is wanting something for nothing or by cheating someone, while being desirous of wealth or riches is wanting whatever rewards are fairly deserved for hard work and risks born by the entrepreneur. This distinction is critical to not feel guilty about wanting to be rich. I went to all public schools here in the U.S. and most of my teachers at 3 different elementary schools (our family moved around a lot) in and around L.A. taught that just about everything is more important than money -- helping family, friends, and community -- but neglected to teach us that we do a lot more help if we had more money. They certainly didn't know how to make a lot of money and they obviously believed in giving back to the community (teaching in public schools in poor neighborhoods is no cake walk), so they just taught us what they believed.
On the other hand, my parents were absolutely crazy about money. Fighting all the time about it and treating it like it was more important than life itself. Ironically, that also turned me off to money. I did believe for many years that money itself was evil. So, it took a very long time for me to figure out the difference between greed and a desire for legitimate wealth. Now, I am pursuing it with all the hard work that every entrepreneur deservedly creates wealth. And, I won't worship it like my parents did, but help the community with it as my teachers always taught. That's the good of money!
What a great opportunity! I've got everything from cell phones and PDAs to record players and TVs that need a new home. I'll have so much fun cleaning out my closet without worrying about selling them on Ebay! Thanks for the link.
-Suz
I get a highlight color that provides contrast but which is very close to my natural color. When I'm strapped for cash, if the highlights grow out it's not a dramatic thing and I can go up to six months between colors without it being too obvious... of course at this point it's been like 9 months... but oh well!
Also, if you use coupons and match them with sales you can get really cheap but good products. Last week I got Herbal Essences for $1 a bottle shampoo and conditioner each.
Wow, great post. I'm overwhelmed with different thoughts and opinions on this matter, but let's just say I recognize that this is a growing societal problem and I agree with you.
And to make things worse here in the US, we're in the midst of a presidential campaign where the candidates are both using this very issue of "wealth envy" as political ammunition.
I'm thankful for all the great entrepreneurial risk-takers out there, most of whom never achieve financial wealth, for they are the engine driving our economy and all it's dependents, myself included.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
It's not the wealth. It's what people do with their wealth once they get it. Although I agree with your neighbor; once you're a boss, you DO worry about your employees more than money - IF THEY'RE GOOD EMPLOYEES.
My father in law is a very rich man in SE Asia. he uses his money to finance a church in his neighborhood and to supply free, nutritious food to the prisoners in the local jail. That's the right way to do it. Using your money to convince the poor that being poor is good isn't right. Please look over What's The Matter With Kansas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What%27s_the_Matter_with_Kansas) by Thomas Frank- and yes, I'll read a book and take a test on it if you do...
It depends. I completely agree that it's not the fact that you have money that makes you "evil." I work in an architectural firm for some really great people who do exactly as you describe and are doing pretty well for themselves, though not obscene (interesting, this qualifier) and I definitely see the sacrifices they make to be business owners. However, our clients are higher up on the scale (just for demographics, not for stereotyping) and I find in my day to day duties that I am often dealing with people (the clients) who really have strange priorities simply because they can, because they can afford to. They will pay our significant hourly fees in order to "fix" some inane aesthetic "problem" that anyone with a budget more like mine would decide isn't worth either the time or the effort, much less the cost. It is from witnessing this that I can then understand how people in positions of power can make decisions that seem crazy and irresponsible (evil?) to me. They've lost perspective, or any kind of perspective that I can relate to, and what to me would be a devastating financial blow is inconsequential to them. That's the essence of class warfare in my mind.
I had just used the deal to purchase " God Grew Tired of us" - a documentary about the "lost boys" of Sudan, - timely for putting Darfur in my heart prior to the Genocide Olympics,and scored "Factory Girl" - a movie on Andy Warhol, that I have been wanting to see! - Thanks for the Heads up!
Sometimes, doing things the hard way (like learning to spend less and work out of debit slowly) is better than a quick fix that a home equity loan might provide.
I agree that using a home equity loan to purchase an income-producing investment which covers the loan cost and yeilds more above that in income each month makes sense, however this is frequently not what people do- they just use the money for instant gratification.
-Suz
Thank you for a wonderful post. I couldn't possibly agree with your statement more. I see a lot of class warfare going on, not only in the public at large, but especially online and even within personal financial blogs.
Your perspective as someone with a broader view of the world is deeply appreciated. I work for a very small dental practice, and I can say that the two dentists I work for look out for the patients and us employees before themselves, each and every day; I've never been treated so well in my life, and would do anything to see that they are successful. The fact that they make a respectable (not obscene) wage for their hard work and ENORMOUS risk is simple justice.
Thanks again.
O.K. First of all you can tell right away that you are a Play Station fan. The 360 has the best games out of all the systems and the way they set up the system its self as in the achievements and xbox live it is the system to have. The exclusive games for the 360 kill ps3 and especially the wii.I don't know how you could say don't buy this product because no matter what if it does break you can get a new one at no charge. I am not biased either I have owned almost all the gaming systems. To tell the truth I preferred the PS2 over the Xbox but the new gen games are better on the 360. Listen if your interested in buying a new system buy what you want to buy don't listen to somebody whos views are clearly biased. And if something breaks that has a warrenty and instead of taking it back, you make a bookend your a idiot.
I started using leftover crockpot roast for my enchiladas and my tamalles and I'm getting RAVE reviews! It's great, because then we're not stuck eating 'leftovers' all the time and it makes these two dishes about 1/2 as time consuming. I just shread any leftover meat I have and then I put it in the freezer until I'm ready to make enchiladas or tamalles - a quick zap in the microwave and some enchilada sauce or cheese & pepers and it's ready to go filling.
-Suz
I always enjoy your posts and the different way you present of looking at what is or is not simple living. I had friends who thought simple living was living off their own land. They worked 12+ hours a day to make it...
Me? I enjoy living in a small place without a yard (I hate that gardening stuff) and while I own it, I own it because it is 4 times more expensive to rent a place with comperable space.
Thanks!
-Suz
does peanut butter actually work any one know??
My natural hair color is mousy, grayish blonde. (I'm 25.) I hate it and have been dying my hair different colors for many years. Most recently, I've discovered my favorite dye ever: Henna.
It's cheap, organic, and the color STAYS. My ends are still brilliant red, even though I last dyed my hair in March. (Of course, the roots are another matter entirely, but that's easily fixed.)
A 100-gram box of henna costs about $8 and makes enough mix to dye my shoulder-length hair. Although the more you get, the cheaper it gets.
I can't find the figures online, but I remember that one of the surprising results of the "millionaire next door" study was that a significant number of millionaires (I think about 40%) don't use budgets! Instead, they let themselves use the paycheck-to-paycheck method of cash management, except that they put most of their money into a savings account first and then move only a portion into their checking.
I know that many people find a budget to be quite helpful, but I absolutely cannot keep up with one. Being essentially self-employed, I find the method of regular transfers out of my savings account to checking to be the best way to keep my expenses reasonable.