This. All basic needs taken care of for my family. A little extra so we can indulge in the occasional luxury. On the face of it, it doesn't sound like that should be hard to accomplish. The reality is it will take me and my wife many more years of saving money to get to this stage. We both make above average incomes. I shudder to think what it must be like for the average american family. The system is messed up. There was a time when only one income was enough. These days most families are barely getting by with 2 incomes.
You're missing the point. I'm just saying that I really don't care much about material things unless they are essential to my livlihood and career. If there was some new expensive gadget that made my job 10 times easier then I might shell out big bucks to buy it, not because I wanted to be first person I know to have it. And I only desire having what I need to function in life (car that doesn't break down easily and that's fuel efficient, home that's not impoverished and always infested, clothes to wear, etc...), if those big time luxuries come into my life they'll come from someone else giving them to me or maybe me being able to buy them for pennies on the dollar. Otherwise, I don't need what is in general worthless crap.
No you still don't get it. When I'm fully recovered financially after making a few mistakes in my youth, I won't care about the excessive fluff. Heck, forget when I get to that point, that's how I am now. I don't need the, in my opinion, somewhat worthless items that people spend so much on. For example, I currently have a flip phone and have pretty much no desire for an iphone or something cutting edge because all I care about is having a phone to call and text on. As a bonus, it also has the internet. I drive a Honda and I'm just fine, feeling no need to impress anyone with a Lexus or some expensive car. If someone wanted to buy me stuff then I'd be flattered but I still don't need that stuff because by comparison to most people in world, I have plenty. Anything more than the basics is just gravy.
You really are fantasizing. Most people are not going to be interested in helping to build their own home and wouldn't take care of a garden or a fish farm.
And FTR, because I know I may have come off the wrong way earlier in the thread, I don't do favors for others because I expect or want something in return. I do genuinely want to help people in the community and uplift people's spirits. It is from doing that that people look to thank you and either help you or buy something in return. For example, my grandfather did many favors from our elderly next door neighbor, including taking out her trash each week. Her and her daughter were so thankful they bought him a card and Christmas gift. He didn't ask for it and would have still be fine with just having helped out but appreciated the sentiment. I'm the type of person who would emulate that behavior.
Well if you think you might get a Christmas card for helping out your neighbors, then that's more reasonable. Earlier it looked you thought you would get nice things because you were thoughtful. Because if you think anyone will buy you a car or anything really worth some money simply because you were kind to them, you're going to be out of luck. Personally, when someone does something nice for me, I don't feel I owe them anything. Simply because when I do something nice for someone else (rare, and usually by mistake), I don't want anything in return for it.
"Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose, Nothing don't mean nothing honey if it ain't free, now now. And feeling good was easy, Lord, when he sang the blues, You know feeling good was good enough for me, Good enough for me and my Bobby McGee."
And, you missed my point. For example, someone who is greatful for how I've treated and helped them in the past may buy me a new high quality (and possibly expensive) car as a token of their appreciation. This is an odd example to use. As I posted, you are living in a fantasy world if you think this might happen. Your example of a Thank You card or Christmas gift that your grandfather received is more realistic and common. Also, expensive cars, nice houses, iPhones, big screen TVs, nice clothes are not "worthless crap".
there's nothing wrong with the system. it's the people who live beyond their means who feel entitled to luxuries they can't afford so they run their credit. a family (of four) used to get by with only one income because they lived in houses just big enough to fit everyone comfortably. these homes were usually 2 bedroom, 1.5 baths. now the same family thinks they need a home with at least 3 bedrooms (heaven forbid there kids have to share one) and two baths, and a backyard the size of a soccer field. the excessive space leads to more costs in taxes, repairs, and utilities. and because the family unit is separated by walls literally, each individual has to have their own entertainment with xboxes and ps3s, ipads, etc. instead of living as a family when the limited space forced you to.
If he let it be known that he would finance the building of earth homes there would be a waiting list. You are right not every poor person would do it, but there would be enough...
Considering every input station since birth has told them those things are not wants but necessities. . . it is not so strange they pursue them with gusto. What would the U.S. Look like if everyone lived within their means As a society we are a contridiction If we meet someone living and comfortable with the minimum . . we disgusted . . "Don't you want MORE out of life." Then if they do over reach we critisize then as well. Rocket RIver
Perhaps it was a bad example but my point is that I'm not going to go out of my way to be things which I find meaningless other than that they may impress people I care not to impress. Things like that will land in my lap, either through an excellent deal or it being bought for me (some of them I really don't even want, as I'd pass on a virtual steal on a mansion if I could afford it). As for the last paragraph, with rare exception, yes, that stuff, if not worthless, is not necessary. For example, I said I had a flip phone that has the 'Net and it also has the GPS. If it didn't have GPS, it wouldn't faze me as I could just go to Mapquest and get directions, talk to people about the best/easiest-to-remember routes and stop and ask for directions. Yes, who cares about a big screen TV? I don't even require HD, it's just a luxury as is cable for that matter. Clothes are a split decision as it is smart to have clothes that will last (though at some point enough is enough) but some stuff is just excessive. I've never paid for a severely overpriced pair of Jordans and never clamored for any just to impress people. Heck, as much fun as it was watching Hakeem, Thorpe, Horry, Moochie, Steve, Cat, Yao and Tracy growing up, seaosn tickets to the Rockets does not mean much to me personally (not criticizing any of you and I still may one day actually be able to watch them again as well as attend the occasional game, but I don't need to see them that much in person). And there are many more examples. I mean, it's good that society progresses and our technologies and lives are made easier but I feel no need to keep up with the Jones.'
If you read the thread, you'd know I never said I wanted to be poor or not work but I don't desire to be filthy rich for many reasons.
It funny you say that since I have been in the national spotlight (via the internet) at a low level before (remember my thread on autographs?), not that you don't think I'm just pulling that out of my rear. Actually, had I had more patience years back instead of trying to get to the top immeadiately, I'd probably be very rich (maybe not a millionaire but more than enough to live comfortable) but it turns out that was a blessing in disguise because I view the top of certain industries as being very corrupt since they put you in positions that could compromise your integrity (similar to Dave Chapelle's views expressed on his 'Inside the Actors Studio and Oprah interviews).
With all due respect, I think you're trying too hard. It's like you're trying to rationalize to yourself why it's OK that you haven't been more successful than you've managed to be thus far. There's no reason to lose sleep over what you have or have not done yet. I suspect that you're pretty young. Just keep working at it.
I'm not losing any sleep over this at all. Back in the time period I'm referring to, I was trying to be super rich so I could buy a bunch of stuff, including houses and cars (yes, with an -s) and impress pretty women while being the man, often times renting out the VIP in nightclubs (yes, I was heavily influenced by hip hop culture). But now I've come to some new perspectives on life and the things I used to think were so important, especially social status and money, don't mean as much anymore. Certainly in this world you need money and having enough of it to be flexible is desireable but God, to me, has become more important than any of this material non-sense going on. It's why I keep saying I'm done trying to impress people, that leads to so many problems in the world. I'm just explaining why money is not the all-important thing to me that others feel it is and thus how they can't understand why I say things that I have in this thread.
