Sure, it's easy for me to say, because I've got plenty.But it wasn't always so.When my father divorced my mother and left us to fend for ourselves, times were tough.But somehow we muddled through.I got scholarships, grants, and loans enabling me to go to college.I acquired a decent job with an advertising agency and eventually had my own agency.I sold the business and worked for a Bell System division for about 25 years, leaving with a large buyout.Today, my wife and I run a small, home-based, website business, 'The Nurse's Choice,' providing health information and doctors referred by nurses.She is also retired from nursing and teaching.So what is the fascination with money? Yes it buys things and allows a certain amount of freedom, but can it buy happiness? I've been poor and well off and prefer the latter.But was I miserable going without? No, it was simply different and so I made other choices.We didn't have a television so I read library books.Every Saturday was 'go-to- get-some-books' day.I was excited to bring home new adventures of the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, or Sherlock Holmes.Because of all that reading, I became smarter and wiser.Eventually, I would even become an author.So, how did that hurt me?I couldn't afford to go out or take vacations.So I stayed in the neighborhood and interacted with others around me.I learned to socialize and relished the value of friendship.We didn't have a car, so I walked everywhere. to school, to the park, and to the market.I became fairly fit and trim.We couldn't afford to waste money on junk food so I bought quality essentials like milk and fruit.Good nutrition was another byproduct of that lifestyle.I got an after-school job to help my mom make ends meet.I learned about business, and and what it takes to be a good employee.Later, when I was in college, I worked then as well.I understood that money was a goal and necessary for my wellbeing.But I was very careful in my spending because of how hard I had to work to achieve it.I had many friends in school and college that were wealthy, but they kept their distance.We didn't socialize, as I wasn't in their league.The roommate I was assigned, back in my freshman year, was extremely rich.He went only because his family thought he needed the college experience.But after a year of partying, smoking dope, womanizing, and skipping most of his classes, he flunked out.I was on scholarship and couldn't afford any of his antics.But it made me wonder.How could a spoiled rich kid be so stupid?After graduation, when I was working full time, I got my first credit card, but was still very frugal indeed.I did manage to go out for dinner with co-workers, but also enjoyed the quiet, cheaper meals at home in my apartment.Now fast-forward to my life today.I still clip coupons and watch my expenses.My wife and I travel and enjoy our home.But, even with a sizeable savings account, we both recognize the importance of frugality.Am I much happier now? Did the money make a difference? I can honestly say that relationships are the things that return the most joy.Apart from all my material possessions, my wife provides all the love and attention I need.All the rest of the 'stuff' is mere window dressing.When all is said and done, the lessons learned from being poor are far more entrenched than any other.Money has been a part of my life that served as a tool.The real reward is the living itself, while having money isn't.Myth busted!
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Mythbusters: Having Money Solves Everything
Sure, it's easy for me to say, because I've got plenty.But it wasn't always so.When my father divorced my mother and left us to fend for ourselves, times were tough.But somehow we muddled through.I got scholarships, grants, and loans enabling me to go to college.I acquired a decent job with an advertising agency and eventually had my own agency.I sold the business and worked for a Bell System division for about 25 years, leaving with a large buyout.Today, my wife and I run a small, home-based, website business, 'The Nurse's Choice,' providing health information and doctors referred by nurses.She is also retired from nursing and teaching.So what is the fascination with money? Yes it buys things and allows a certain amount of freedom, but can it buy happiness? I've been poor and well off and prefer the latter.But was I miserable going without? No, it was simply different and so I made other choices.We didn't have a television so I read library books.Every Saturday was 'go-to- get-some-books' day.I was excited to bring home new adventures of the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, or Sherlock Holmes.Because of all that reading, I became smarter and wiser.Eventually, I would even become an author.So, how did that hurt me?I couldn't afford to go out or take vacations.So I stayed in the neighborhood and interacted with others around me.I learned to socialize and relished the value of friendship.We didn't have a car, so I walked everywhere. to school, to the park, and to the market.I became fairly fit and trim.We couldn't afford to waste money on junk food so I bought quality essentials like milk and fruit.Good nutrition was another byproduct of that lifestyle.I got an after-school job to help my mom make ends meet.I learned about business, and and what it takes to be a good employee.Later, when I was in college, I worked then as well.I understood that money was a goal and necessary for my wellbeing.But I was very careful in my spending because of how hard I had to work to achieve it.I had many friends in school and college that were wealthy, but they kept their distance.We didn't socialize, as I wasn't in their league.The roommate I was assigned, back in my freshman year, was extremely rich.He went only because his family thought he needed the college experience.But after a year of partying, smoking dope, womanizing, and skipping most of his classes, he flunked out.I was on scholarship and couldn't afford any of his antics.But it made me wonder.How could a spoiled rich kid be so stupid?After graduation, when I was working full time, I got my first credit card, but was still very frugal indeed.I did manage to go out for dinner with co-workers, but also enjoyed the quiet, cheaper meals at home in my apartment.Now fast-forward to my life today.I still clip coupons and watch my expenses.My wife and I travel and enjoy our home.But, even with a sizeable savings account, we both recognize the importance of frugality.Am I much happier now? Did the money make a difference? I can honestly say that relationships are the things that return the most joy.Apart from all my material possessions, my wife provides all the love and attention I need.All the rest of the 'stuff' is mere window dressing.When all is said and done, the lessons learned from being poor are far more entrenched than any other.Money has been a part of my life that served as a tool.The real reward is the living itself, while having money isn't.Myth busted!
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