Inconspicuous wealth

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GregoryPalamas

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Dear Friends,

I was reminded of our now closed discussion on “unaffordable housing” when I read this quote. I’m not sure how exactly but perhaps this will help us in our thinking.

"Most wealth is inconspicuous. The man down the street driving the nice car and living in the mansion could easily have greater debt and a lower net worth than the stealthy and wealthy plumber who drives a beat-up truck but seems to work only when he doesn’t feel like fishing."insightoftheday.com/images/greenbutton.gif
Loral Langemeier
Author of The Millionaire Maker
 
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GregoryPalamas:
Dear Friends,

I was reminded of our now closed discussion on “unaffordable housing” when I read this quote. I’m not sure how exactly but perhaps this will help us in our thinking.

"Most wealth is inconspicuous. The man down the street driving the nice car and living in the mansion could easily have greater debt and a lower net worth than the stealthy and wealthy plumber who drives a beat-up truck but seems to work only when he doesn’t feel like fishing."insightoftheday.com/images/greenbutton.gif

Loral Langemeier

Author of The Millionaire Maker
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That’s pretty much the truth.
 
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GregoryPalamas:
Dear Friends,

I was reminded of our now closed discussion on “unaffordable housing” when I read this quote. I’m not sure how exactly but perhaps this will help us in our thinking.

"Most wealth is inconspicuous. The man down the street driving the nice car and living in the mansion could easily have greater debt and a lower net worth than the stealthy and wealthy plumber who drives a beat-up truck but seems to work only when he doesn’t feel like fishing."insightoftheday.com/images/greenbutton.gif

Loral Langemeier

Author of The Millionaire Maker
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That is very true…but let us not forget that the opposite can also apply🙂
 
Karin,

You are correct. I think the author was trying to interpret the story of the “Little Red Hen”. Almost no one reaches the Bill Gates level but most of us could reach a comfortable retirement, if we live long enough. The key is to always leave below ones means.

I’m not always successful in that. I could cut back on a few things I have and do now, but then one needs a little fun along the way. The principle still holds: If you live below your means and always save something for the future you will be comfortable in old age. If you always live above your means you will wind up poor and you too can become a Wall Mart greeter.

CDL
 
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GregoryPalamas:
Karin,

You are correct. I think the author was trying to interpret the story of the “Little Red Hen”. Almost no one reaches the Bill Gates level but most of us could reach a comfortable retirement, if we live long enough. The key is to always leave below ones means.
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Totally correct!
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GregoryPalamas:
I’m not always successful in that. I could cut back on a few things I have and do now, but then one needs a little fun along the way. The principle still holds: If you live below your means and always save something for the future you will be comfortable in old age. If you always live above your means you will wind up poor and you too can become a Wall Mart greeter.

CDL
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Totally true!

What we all need to remember is that we need to set GOALS, have a plan on how to attain those GOALS and third do everything possible or whatever is needed to get to those GOALS!

For some folks that may mean going back to school or a trade school for others thatmay just mean cutting back and saving more money and for others that may mean getting 2-3 jobs.
Where there is a will there is a Way!
 
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GregoryPalamas:
The key is to always leave below ones means.
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The further below your means…the more money accumulates…it is a very fun game for eccentrics. 😉
If not kept in check and done in the right spirit the fun can turn into greed.

Some people live to eat rather than eat to live.
Some people live to work and save $$$ rather than work to live from the fruits of their labor. The greedy person can become as blackened and desensitized as the morbidly obese drowning in fat.
 
It helps to tithe, buy “Streetwise”, and go to the Zoo once in a while.

CDL
 
Yep, agree with all of you 🙂 I guess that is why I think Hummers are ridiculous! :rolleyes:
 
Let’s not forget those who are disabled in any way. They don’t have the means to save for a fancy retirement and live at very low means.
 
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goofyjim:
Let’s not forget those who are disabled in any way. They don’t have the means to save for a fancy retirement and live at very low means.
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That isn’t goofy. That’s a good insiht. That is why we tithe and volunteer and always have. Most people can live below their means and still save for a nice retirement. Those who have handicapping conditions are to be lovingly helped by the rest of us. Among that help is to assist folk to be as self sufficient as possible.

CDL
 
The principle still holds: If you live below your means and always save something for the future you will be comfortable in old age. If you always live above your means you will wind up poor and you too can become a Wall Mart greeter.
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I wish it were that simple.

For nearly 30 years I followed my husband all over the world; Asia, Africa, Europe. I’ve been through coups, insurgencies, monsoons, battled malaria and green mambas, but also had quite the cocktail and caviar high-life in between. I usually laugh that my claim to fame in all that time is that I never lost a suitcase or a child.

At the end of those years of travel, my husband divorced me to marry someone else. Two years ago at the age of 57, I found myself working a part-time job (no health benefits) that was to convert in one month to a full-time job with benefits. I inconveniently, inconsiderately, and now inconsolably 🙂 managed to have 2 heart attacks 9 days apart before I reached full-time status.

More than $100,000. My medication came to more than my monthly mortgage and car payment combined. Needless to say, I do NOT take any medication, because if I did I would starve to death. I have NOT seen a doctor in 2 years because I cannot pay for their services.

Although I’m definitely living below “my means,” I somehow do not see retirement in my future…much less a “comfortable retirement” if that refers to being surrounded by material things and being free of financial concerns.

I work a lowly part-time job, no better…no worse, than a WalMart greeter. So next time you walk through those sliding glass doors realize that you are probably being greeted by me.

I wake up each morning and I thank God. I thank God that I have a roof over my head; I thank God that I have food to eat; I thank God that I have a job no matter how humble; I thank God that I’ve been given another day to try to get to know Him better. I’ve got a guardian angel that has never left my side, and I have God as my best friend, so actually I am more comfortable than I’ve ever been in my life.

Just me,
breeze
 
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Breeze:
I wish it were that simple.

For nearly 30 years I followed my husband all over the world; Asia, Africa, Europe. I’ve been through coups, insurgencies, monsoons, battled malaria and green mambas, but also had quite the cocktail and caviar high-life in between. I usually laugh that my claim to fame in all that time is that I never lost a suitcase or a child.

At the end of those years of travel, my husband divorced me to marry someone else. Two years ago at the age of 57, I found myself working a part-time job (no health benefits) that was to convert in one month to a full-time job with benefits. I inconveniently, inconsiderately, and now inconsolably 🙂 managed to have 2 heart attacks 9 days apart before I reached full-time status.

More than $100,000. My medication came to more than my monthly mortgage and car payment combined. Needless to say, I do NOT take any medication, because if I did I would starve to death. I have NOT seen a doctor in 2 years because I cannot pay for their services.

Although I’m definitely living below “my means,” I somehow do not see retirement in my future…much less a “comfortable retirement” if that refers to being surrounded by material things and being free of financial concerns.

I work a lowly part-time job, no better…no worse, than a WalMart greeter. So next time you walk through those sliding glass doors realize that you are probably being greeted by me.

I wake up each morning and I thank God. I thank God that I have a roof over my head; I thank God that I have food to eat; I thank God that I have a job no matter how humble; I thank God that I’ve been given another day to try to get to know Him better. I’ve got a guardian angel that has never left my side, and I have God as my best friend, so actually I am more comfortable than I’ve ever been in my life.

Just me,
breeze
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Wow, so there’s something to be said for socialised medicine after all?
 
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mumto5:
Wow, so there’s something to be said for socialised medicine after all?
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It depends upon how it is administered. I don’t think I’m interested in trading our system for any system that exists today. I don’t have any easy answers for Breeze but I do think the Church is supposed to step into such situations. The Muslims give 2 1/2%, or are supposed to, for just such situations. We have Deacons who are supposed to care for such needs. Breeze’s situation if the Church is aware of it, should be a great embarrassment to the Church.

I take it this was a “No fault divorce”? If it is this means that the same ignoramus government that divised a system that always hurts the innocent would also oversee a “socialized medicine” scheme. It doesn’t sound very promising.

Breeze, what has your Church done to help you if anything? Do you know a Christian doctor who will care for you without charging a fee?

One more thing: My father in law dumped my mother in law after years of cheating on her. The brain dead system split the assets 50:50, sort of, and mother is left in a rather difficult situations except for one thing. She has eleven children, and of course, several sons and daughters in law. We will not let her become destitute. Can your children help you in any way? Why are they letting you have to make a choice between food and medicine?

CDL
 
Breeze, please Google “free medicine” and explore the free or low cost help that is available for prescription drugs. All the major manufacturers have such programs and, I think there is a clearing house where one application will handle all your drug needs. It’s sure worth looking into and a lot better than simply not taking your medications. Good luck and God bless.
 
Geezer,

Good heads up. What about her children? Why aren’t they helping her? The State isn’t our Savior or at least not the only instrument of our salvation.

BTW I read about your tragedy. My prayers are with you.

CDL
 
Oopsie! Wasn’t trying to hi-jack a thread nor spin a tale of woe. 🙂 God has been good to me and has never given me more than I could carry.

It was just that the statement
The principle still holds: If you live below your means and always save something for the future you will be comfortable in old age. If you always live above your means you will wind up poor and you too can become a Wall Mart greeter.
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and then the statement by another poster
What we all need to remember is that we need to set GOALS, have a plan on how to attain those GOALS and third do everything possible or whatever is needed to get to those GOALS!
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reminded me of that joke… “Know how to make God laugh? Tell Him you made plans.” Somewhat in the same vein, “LIFE? Life is what happens while you’re making other plans.”

All the planning in the world, all the goals one sets and strives for, all the adherence to fiscal responsibility are not guarantees.
For many people, the poverty they find themselves in wasn’t due to lack of planning, failure to set goals, or the result of unrestrained spending on their part. Sometimes life just slaps you up the back of the head.

My point is God is good and the “comfortable retirement” I’m striving for and looking forward to will come, God willing, after I die.

Just me,
breeze
 
Breeze,

That is true, but I think I’m speaking for all of us, I do pray that you find all of the help you need on this side of heaven as well.

CDL
 
I must be living in a fog. The Unaffordable Housing thread disappeared. When I saw that it had a gold star I thought that was a good thing. It isn’t. Now the thread is gone. Sigh…

Next time I find a thread I like, like that one, I’m going to rate it highly. Maybe that will save it.

The topic of housing is a good topic. I know, a poster got a bit carried away, but so what? Live and learn.

Save your pennies so you have a chance at a good retirement.

CDL
 
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GregoryPalamas:
I must be living in a fog. The Unaffordable Housing thread disappeared.
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This is a tough one. I think the side tracking is an indication of the high frustration level that many experience by difficult set backs in life.
Save your pennies so you have a chance at a good retirement.
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Agreed…have a good perspective and balance in your life.

It is late here … tomorrow I hope to share a very special passage from a book that will help others get a good perspective on the material. world…until then…
 
From the Orchards of Perseverance by David Perata
A book of insights from nine Cistercian Monks. Learn more about the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance (Trappist) here.



I remember sitting in my room at the monastery reading one evening before bed when I looked up from my book and saw everything in the room before me as having at one time been an idea in someone’s mind: the bed, the chair, the table, the lamp, etc. And even when I dissected each object into the materials and processes that produced them, they to, had been merely ideas at one time or another; thousands upon thousands of ideas combining to make that bed, chair, table and lamp.

And then if I removed each of these ideas one by one – metal for tools to carve the wood, processes to forge the steel, plastic, textile, nails, plaster, paint, etc. – every item in the room systematically disappeared until the entire guest house had vanished from existence. Carried further, I continued to remove the ideas of humanity until everything on this planet that is human-made was gone, which left only nature in its original created form.

My experience that night brought home to me how we are truly co-creators with God of our own reality, and how transparent and frail that reality actually is. So if reality itself is merely an illusion – an untruth as Merton so aptly described it – why are we inclined to believe in this untruth and hold skeptical the spiritual realm?

And so I hope this passage is just a little food for thought for those who maybe struggling for perspective in the material world.
 
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