Ripe & Ready, Fast & Heady, he ran for his life ... but life had moved on...
I know a lot of folks are feeling the crunch. I'm not just talking about the infamous 'Credit Crunch' ... I'm talking a true financial crunch. I spent $30.00 this morning making sure I had a half a tank of gas. That's something to say when I drive a beat up Cutlass Sierra. That's the one thing about cars and me, I'll buy them in cash and drive them until they are a rusted shell of their former self. That's one thing I don't waste money on.
I wish I could tell you wages are going up, taxes are going down, Health Care will be one less of a worry, gas prices would be remotely reasonable anytime soon, and the Chicago Cubs will be winning the World Series this year. I can't though. What I can do is share a phrase that I loved from the moment I heard it. You may be surprised to learn that phrase came from one of those fake phony mindless Professional Wrestler Types.
I've wined and dined with Kings & Queens, slept in alleys eating pork & beans.
'The American Dream' Dusty Rhodes said that. Ironic, since a version of that very 'American Dream' is under more scrutiny than Barack Obama attending a right wing dinner party.
I took two things from that highlighted statement above; I've been there, I've done that. I've sipped the finest Red Wines and went to bed in the coldest of confines ... awaking in each case to the knowledge that I have to Adapt or Die!
Money is an interesting thing. When you really think about it, the concept is so meaningless, yet it substantiates our existence and helps to challenge the very existence we constantly try to substantiate. Here a piece of paper, there a coin, let's be honest about one thing under the scope of it all. I don't much care what you believe happens after you leave this earth (in the physical, old-age, aspect at least), because 'that thing called Money' is something you probably can't take to the grave ... or next adventure.
Money is vital though, it allows me to smoke a cigarette, drink a beer, type some words, live under a roof, and play 'hide the pinky with Politicians everywhere.' Money may well be the so-called 'Root', yet we are the ground it grows from. One may ask, "Yo, Sardi, can you think of a better way if this money thing is such a problem of human kind?" My answer, "Not right now." We are stuck with it, it's damn time to make it work. There's no better time for that than when it is in its most curious state...the psychological one!
Money is one less thing to worry about. At the end of the day, with my conscious clear and free, I'm not thinking about how I'm going to pay my next utility bill, I'm thinking about how my existence will make ME and those around ME ... happy, or at least better off for knowing me.
Money is a short-cut to thinking.
Yup, I'm ripe and I'm ready. I just want to make sure I'm fast and heady ... I don't want life to move on, I want to move life. Whether I'm dining with Kings & Queens or sleeping in strange alleys eating pork and beans, or sailing clouds and golden streams ... there's a method to this madness.
Give a stranger a hundred dollar bill and witness how fast they leave their feet in joy. Especially if they are poor ... even though by receiving it they may be that much poorer...
J.M.S.
- This is why I need an editor! I finish these things in 5 minutes and wonder why they aren't utterly brilliant!?!? -
Sardi... that's why you need one of these, so you can do your current job as a hobbie and always eat and drink with the Kings. Speaking of which, you'll be doing that this Thursday night, right? ;o)
Seriously... very thought provoking and so much truth to what you mentioned. O think those that have done it all, while eating and sleeping in the alleys per se, are those that appreciate all that life has to offer.
Overall, well said... and well wrotten.
Jason, The money thang is certainly a conundrum. Remember a few years ago some dude paid $4 million for a Mark McGuire ball? Painted an idiot while the seller painted as savvy. Then there's some modern art that looks painted by a monkey and still no one buys it. Go figure ;)
We were in Reno once on a bus trip, lost all of our money gambling, we were sick about it. A guy hit a jackpot right by us and gave us a $100 bill. Wow, we felt so much better. Then we spent it gambling. Ah, youth!
Another psychology of money is the concept of something for nothing that gamblers seem to swear by.
From now on, every time you make a professional wrestling reference I am going to comment on your post.........the only problem is........It might take me a while to get back in the groove of what the heck you are talking about.......so my first few comments could be totally random!
Pork and Beans give me gas lil bro ....can I eat something else while dining with Kings and Queen's? Come to think of it....maybe they need a little excitement in their lives with me at the table lol! Needless to say... the legacy I leave behind will no doubt be hilarious. :)
Jason,
Are you off your Prozack?
Bill
Money is just green paper with some old dead guys on it... damn electric company sure seems to like receiving it though. As for fillups... we spent $600 bucks filling up the MH a couple of weeks ago... this morning I put $94 in the truck. Seems lots of folks like that green stuff.
Jason, remember the statement, "real estate is feast or famine". I didn't like that statement too much, so stopped using it. But, I thought of it reading your post, thinking of sleeping with kings and queens or eating pork and beans. That my friend is life, been there done that.
Money's only value is to have enough to meet your needs and meet the needs of others. That is how I know I am rich, if I can help meet the needs of others.
I love you buy old cars for cash and drive them til they breakdown, that my friend is wisdom !
Jason
A thought provoking post! We are not defined by how much we have but rather who we are inside.
Jason,
Face it...unless they come up with another way for goods and services to be exchanged...money is the onlt way for us to keep some sort of order. The only bad thing is that it separates people into different classes which makes it unfotunate for some.
Buying old cars for cash and driving them until they rust out is fine for folks in the mortgage business. However, active real estate agents don't have that luxury.
There was a time when I could claim "I'll drive it until it rolls over on it's back and spins it's wheels".
Then it broke down on the beltway with 2 buyers aboard. Then it broke down in a community in southern Calvert County that does't get cell signals.
No more. When your business depends on a vehicle "at the ready", you just can't keep them that long.
Three vehicles ago, I drove a Chevrolet Blazer for 275,000 miles. That was too long.
Sardi, You're absolutely incorrect. Firstly, it's brilliant and insightful. Secondly, it only took 5 min because it came from the heart. But, you are so correct in thinking about how my existence will make ME and those around ME ... happy, or at least better off for knowing me. Yes, we can't get away from money, for it's what allows us to buy goods and services, but it surely does not need to rule our lives. And yes, we are all better off from knowing and acquainting ourselves with you.
Maybe money will disappear before you know it...... Hot off the presses this morning is the latest court ruling the Paper Money is Discriminatory!
Jason, I want one of those machines that Jeff has?!! Where do I sign up?
Another song quote You're a slave to money then you die. . .
Funny, I said to my assistant just yesterday, The next real estate boom market, I am selling rental properties and getting rid of all the "stuff". Takes too much energy and brain space, adds to stress- done with that.
Once again, I ponder your brillance.
People still use money? With prevalence of on-line banking, direct deposit, debit and credit cards, people still carry cash? : -)
<<just read your tags, think I feel ill>>
Jason, I really enjoyed this post. Very well written and very true. It brings to mind:
"Your cash ain't nothin but trash" Steve Miller
I haven't been into money for quite a few years now. Which is a good thing since I don't have any:)
John Wesley (Methodist Church) said:
"Make all you can, save all you can, give all you can"
He also said:
"Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can."
When John Wesley died, he literally had 1 pence to his name. He had lived his financial life perfectly!! he worked hard, made lot's of money and gave all of it away except for what he needed to live on. He balanced out his account perfectly.
Belonger - I'll be there Thursday, I love hanging with the 'Jesters':-) Thanks though, sounds like you got the gist of what I was saying ... regardless of whether it came off as more gray than black and white.
Lenza - There can be a hefty price tag on nostalgia, no?
Virginia - Oh, the irony. Reminds me of a story which may not correlate to yours at all. Back in the day, I used to be able to walk to work. I had 5 $20.00 Bills in one pocket, $20.00 worth of change in the other ... a seemingly distressed man came up to me and asked if I had any spare change. Rather than part with the impressive amount of coin in my one pocket, I gave him a $20.00 Bill and moved on...
David - I'm not a gambler, at least by that practice. I have that type of personality though, my trips to Atlantic City are few and far between because of it:-)
Stewart - That's the beauty of this network, even a random comment can garner you 25 Big Ones!!! You'll love my next post then, "Hulk Hogan's Cure to the Credit Crunch, brother!"
Sis - For one time and one time only ... you've left me speechless:-0
Bill - What do you think?
Jesse - You're right, that green stuff is pretty popular. Perhaps 'Money' should run for Political Office:-)
Missy - "Money's only value is to have enough to meet your needs and meet the needs of others. That is how I know I am rich, if I can help meet the needs of others." Exactly!!! I could of condensed this post into that very sentence, very well put!
Alison - No matter how much that statement is repeated, it couldn't be more true.
Neal - Yup, nature of the beast! I don't see us replacing money anytime soon....
Lenn - Good point. For me, it also helps that I don't do much driving outside of 'to and from' work. It probably would be much different if I was on the other side of the equation.
Grossman - You truly are too good to me amigo. Thank you, would you like to get paid via cash or check;-)
Dan - Alright, I'll check out the link....
Dan - Alright, I'll check out the link....
Audrey - I LOVE that song!!! You're pretty astute yourself;-)
Sandra - Does this mean you won't be making it Thursday evening?
Mr. Dan Cummings - Interesting article.....
Bryant - I was brought up Methodist and I'm ashamed to admit I never knew that about John! That's amazing to me!!!
"...Money for nothing and your kicks for free"
Jason, it's The love of money is the root of all evil.
I am not sure what you mean by Money is the short cut to thinking. Too often I have observed that is the bypass around thinking. And free money is the biggest bypass.
That being said, I too have kings, queens & beans thing, several times in my life. I prefer it somewhere in between.
Jason, you amaze me. You are funny, articulate and way deeper than you let on. I loved this post! Money isn't everything until you don't have any, and I sure miss the more prosperous times when I didn't need to think about it so much. If Sally hadn't already claimed you, I would name you another honorary little brother... I've already adopted Neal and Lenza.
Well said Sardi. Although you should maybe take some of Brutus's happy pills. Money is a concept and it can rule you or you can rule it. You're absolutely right though. At the end of the day it's not how much you have but how much you have given.
P.S. I'm better off for knowing you. Now go make some $$
Mike - I agree with you on several levels, especially with preferring somewhere in between. As far as what I meant by 'Money is the short cut to thinking' .... I'll leave that up to interpretation, for now:-)
Jason, I LIKE not being poor. With that said, having experienced enough cycles, it's viewed more as a timing issue than the crux of my existance- there's a certain grace in being able to accept less and be OK with it. I'm not sure that I'll ever "flourish" being poor; but I'd rather have less and do the best that I can with whatever cards are dealt than waste my time thinking, "DAMN! I NEED money." Talk about priorities that can negatively impact the business that we do get in this market. If "money is the shortcut", it's not a shortcut that is palatable. Guess I'll never be "rich"...
"Keep your eye on the prize". What's the prize anyway? You summed that up terrifically with, 'At the end of the day, with my conscious clear and free, I'm not thinking about how I'm going to pay my next utility bill, I'm thinking about how my existence will make ME and those around ME....happy, or at least better off for knowing me.' That my young freind is the prize. The rewards of which just happen to be the all important dollar. Keep your eye on the prize,and the benefits are endless. As always, a thought provoking post.
J: It is not good for my leasing business for you to drive a stupid beat up Oldsmobile and blab that to everyone in the Rain... and be proud of it, and get pats on the back, no less!!!!
Sheesh you are the furthest thing from an Oldsmobile guy that I can imagine. Please do not tell me it is silver or beige or I will be even more disillusioned, as I had pictured you in a black Porsche.
Now maybe you think I am kidding, but remember I actually was very successful for years leasing cars to handsome young mortgage brokers like yourself and enhancing their image by getting them in something that would make them feel successful and inspired. How you can feel inspired in an Cutless is beyond me. Oh, wait, you were inspired...to write a post about struggles with money.
Tell me this is your work car and there is something else stashed in the garage that does not fit the tone of this post.
You need a different car even if it is used...and you pay cash.
Jason, I just read a quote by Sidney Poitier that ties in with this post:
"Money will command your attention. Allow it a proper place in your life, but deny it a throne. Money means many things, but nothing so much as a yardstick by which your measure will be taken. The need of it, the use of it, the power of it, the Love of it will be used by others to define who your are and who you are not. Even you may use it it to determine how you should perceive yourself. Be careful: Money is also known to be a relentless slave master. If I have learned anything form this balancing act it is the importance of defining your worth in your own terms."
Okay, so I'll probably get the usual grief for 'featuring' an article that doesn't really deal with real estate. But ya gotta admit, this one's another gem of classic Sardinese, right?
Just a couple of complimentary quotes:
"He who dies with the most toys still dies." "Money IS NOT the root of all evil. The "Love" of money is the root of all evil."
And lastly, "What good is it, what sense does it make, if I win the Lotto, or make a huge killing in the stock market, climb the corporate ladder of shattered dreams, pursuing profit at all costs, forsaking my family and friends, exchanging love for loot. What is the value in amassing unlimited wealth, presitge, power, and fame, if, at the end of the day, I am still clueless or ambivalent about eternity."
Susan - Thank you very much! I'm not sure if you want to adopt me though, poor Sis has her hands full.
Beth - Hey, I'm very happy and I'm certainly not chasing shadows like that crazed dog of yours:-) I'll be getting a new deal over to you very soon!
Laurie (Options Realty) - I like your outlook, mine is much of the same. In my mind, that's a "Rich" way to live.
Geary - Agreed! Now, can you advance me a cool $10,000:-))
Janet - It is Silver! I'm not a 'Car Guy' at all, which is peculiar since I grew up in a town where that was indeed the 'cool' thing to do. I have no need for fancy car, I'd go horseback if I could:-)
Susan - A Sidney Poitier reference! Outstanding!! Wonderful & Very True Quote.
Rich - You get grief? I appreciate the thoughts man ... and the feature. Whether it is 'worthy' or not is for whomever reads to decide. As far as your quotes, fantastic! I watched something on the tube some months back about former Lottery Winners whose fortune turned out to be their demise...
Money is nothing but a tool. Use it like a tool and one can make more. Use it like a fool and one will have none.
I'm thankful for my money. At the end of the day, it seems to be about all I can count on.
Kevin - You little poet you:-) Well said!
Jennifer - I highly doubt you really feel that way.
Sardi - Congrats on the gold star. Put it on my account! :)
Money. About it, a great man once said he'd give all he had up...for just a little bit more. I can't recall exactly who said it but it might have been Homer Simpson. Regardless, an interesting post as always.
Janet, It is silver. Jason is unique in many ways, as everyone who reads him knows. One of the most unique qualities about him is his complete disinterest in the car he drives. A Yugo or a Ferrari is the same thing to him-a way to get to work or the grocery store.
And as always, your account is in good standing.
You think you know me that well? How do I feel?
btw... I love the car you drive...
We have gas stations in the area that still have auto shut offs at $75. Ha! Go figure... even the gas stations didn't think a tank could possibly cost that much!
Adapt away folks... while we watch the news peeps argue if we're really in a recession or not...
Jason, boy can I relate. Living in Santa Barbara (lifestyles of the rich & famous) and making it work on what a title and escrow guy can make is a challenge. You can't ever lose your perspective on being happy, because there is always someone around here flaunting millions. Thanks for the post!
Goodwin... Pretty darned sad if your car can hold $75 in gas!!
Bill - Shocking that you are quoting Homer Simpson:-)
Jennifer - I love that you love the car I drive;-) That's all that really counts!
Sara - Recession, what's that?
Greg - No worries mate, I know what you mean. Thanks!
Jennifer - Agreed, she must drive a freaking tank!
Jason, I don't know if you are off your Prozack (not my words) but I have to ask: did you come up with "I don't want life to move on, I want to move life" because I love it and with your permission I'm going to use that phrase.
Jason- I know you're happy but think how truely warped your writing if you were on doggie happy pills! I think you should post a picture of the shaggin' wagon...
Mana - I have never took that Prozac stuff ... push-ups, writing, & beer are my 'medicine' for this thing called life:-) As far as that sentence, I did come up with it to my knowledge. It was part of a poem I wrote almost 10 years back. Go right ahead my friend...
Beth - I wish I still had a picture of that beauty:-)
Jason -- I feel like I should be paying to read your work. . .ironic. . .
"Homer Simpson" wasn't he Jimmy Carter's National Security Advisor?
The only Carter quote I remember is what his brother Billy said to the Secret Service "What's the problem? I went behind the tree!"
Bill
Lori - That's a very high compliment that isn't deserved, but thank you! Perhaps I'll set up a PayPal account for the International Bank of Jason Sardi:-)
Bill - Lol, aren't we the comedian:-)
Jason, as I drive around Central to south Fl in my Older, but still beautiful Cad, I am mindful of the cash/ credit crunch. Gas prices vary wildly, as much as 20cents a gallon from one area to another. But buying a more fuel efficient car would not make math sense, because I would have to spend thousands to do that. Like you, I have not had a car payment in years, don't plan on having one soon either.
All I can add is that I made a concious effort a few years back to get out of debt, and increase savings. We buy in bulk where it makes a strategic difference, and have two refrigs and a freezer for taking advantage of good deals.
This business will not get greatly better for a while unless we find a way to get financing for qualified buyers. I find it disturbing that it is easier to get fundingfor a 15 million dollar deal than for a 128,000 home for one of my VA buddies.
First of all, love the customization on your blog page. Second, how many chickens would it take to barter for a house?
Jason - it will be interesting to see which part of the "W" economy we are in... are we on the way UP (with all that extra cash we have from the Economic Stimulus Package) or are we on the way DOWN with Gas being $4 bucks a gallon? I'm of hte opinion that you need to enjoy the day. We can only do what we can do -
This is the Jason I love to read! I too have dined with kings and well, you know the rest. Some of the wealthiest people I have known were not happy. In fact, sometimes their money was a burden. That said, it wouldn't hurt to have some right now!
If I had more of it (money that is) I'm sure my comments on this subject would be so much more educational.
Jason: What a wonderful blog. You write so well. Money money money!! I am still happy without much than when I had a lot. Just need enough to pay the bills for now
Mike - Years back, I had wild & horrible spending habits. My spending is more like yours now. And I hear you on commonsense financing for qualified buyers.
Kelly - The customization was all Jennifer Bukaty:-) As far as the chickens, don't you know Real Estate is Local? Here in Allentown, you'd need about 2500 chickens for a Median Priced house;-)
Eleanor - Carpe Diem! Amen...
Diane - Awwww, thanks. Perhaps a throw a few Ben Franklin's down to Lake Norman:-)
Gerald - I learned awhile back it doesn't necessarily take brains to make money ... and vice versa:-)
Dianne - Thank you. Paying the bills is a comfortable feeling.
Jason- Money is not everything, but it ranks right up there with oxygen!
I've been rich and I've been poor, and rich is WAY better!
Money is only a form of energy. You either attract it to you or repel it from you.
Money can't keep where your mind can't hold you. Look at Mike Tyson, absolutely broke after Millions! It is a frame of mind and what thoughts we hold about money.
Money can be used for evil or for good. Money is NOT either. It is just energy.
When things get the way they are right now, it is a good thing in a free market. It is good because it creates new thoughts, new ideas, new inventions.
During hard times more millionaires are made than in good times. More great inventions are invented. We live in a great country.
There are amazing rags to riches stories... only in America!
Very, very, astute comment Katerina! Sounds like you are ripe & ready:-))
Somewhere in this office is indeed a photo of the final day of the 'shaggin wagon'. It will be my quest to find that, along with the moving written tribute to the beast that was. Be back!
So did the words of the great Virgil Runnels aka The American Dream Dusty Rhodes inspire this post?:) Yes and I know most of the real names of wrestlers.:)
Yes we have to adapt or die. Life will pass you by whether you are rich or old if you don't enjoy every minute you can
I took a workshop on the psychology of money -- and the money is only a symbol for a lot of other things. It is very complex -- it is the underlying values and core that make one truly wealthy.
Hi Jason,
You never disappoint my friend, great stuff! :)
Sardi...
The only thought I'm left with after reading this is...
Money is the root of all evil.
Please excuse me if I've mimicked anyone...I'm not reading 60 comments to see if it's been said :)
TLW...ROAR!
Thanks for the great post .... once again. Ah, yes, money. I've had a little and I've had alot. I can tell you, the "alot" seemed much better, since now I have a "little".
It is pretty bad when it takes $40 to fill up a Neon. What's up with that?
Jason - Thanks for a thought provoking post. You raise a lot of interesting points. Well done!
Being poor with money sure as heck beats being poor without money. Good post.
Jason,
That was a brilliant post! I have to admit that I've started driving more slowly these days so as to be more fuel efficient. I think we all need to work on this (what an understatement.)
Very thought provoking post. The one thing money can't buy you is ' happiness.' I agree with TLW. I was going to write it and then saw that it was written.
I actually met Dusty Roads years back...he is and was a Trip..in reading your post again, I find more to comment on..At the age of 24 I was nearly rich ..house on Millionare row, all the trappings...All I can say is take some money out of every transaction and pay yourself first ...things that you think are so important will pale in later inspections...Having cash and cash flowing investments is the difference between comfort and stress.. being able to take a cruise or a dinner at Mac Donald with the same effect on your finances... I was talking today with a mortgage broker who had a flashy Benz and big house afew years back...he got himself so leveraged that he had to go back to substitute teaching, and now rides a Small Honda Moped type and has a rental from a friend of mine that also came up more slow and steady..Where was I going..
I am watching American Idol, first Hour with some Cruzan 151 and Coke...I don't smoke(money saved) and when I drink I like the Good Stuff.. The last case of Cruzan Estate Rum I had imported from St Crois was so good, yep, so good you don't feel like you need to share... I will chek in wit u l8tr
Ps..dude that was from me
To the person who wondered about people still carrying cash....that's a scary thought. We're not far off from having banking information stored in computer chips implanted in our skin. The technology exists.
Hi Jason...guess I'm not signed in....and I read almost every commnet....until I got to that comment about paying to read you posts.....no, no....I refuse LOL :) I guess she meant your writing is pretty good :) I just saw that and though heck yopur money post has run full circle now .....BTW I used to always drive a car I paid cash fork, and when it died I bought another one. To me a new car, or a status car doesn't hit it....just give me something to get from A to B...safely :)
Jason,
You speak much truth. There is a quote by Ruth Smeltzer that I like "You have not lived a perfect day, even though you have earned your money, unless you have done something for someone who will never be able to repay you".
Rich or poor, it's good to have money.
Money may not solve our problems, but not having any, sure creates some.
Powerball here I come...lol
Money is a way to keep score. You don't need money to be happy, but it does help!
You know, it's funny. I didn't recognize the pic, but I recognized the writing style immediately.
Great writing. I think it might be one of your best.
:-)
Hi Jason -- I asked someone to read this (not my hubby, Dr. John), and do you believe this, she said, "The guy smokes!" Just goes to show you what catches another's attention. Thoughtful and fun piece of Sard(i)onic wit.
Jason you have a way with words and I guess the beer makes you ponder lifes peculiarities. Cos its certainly queer that man who stands up straight, physically anyway, has this obsession with items in his possesion. and the green stuff, it stinks but its so sweet - how can we live with it how can we survive without it. Just love the saying about dining with royalty and eating pork and beans - its a well travelled stomach. and I agree a car is a hunk of metal to get you from point a to point b but silver - thats another sign of legendary money - cross my palm.
You can write and you can dance; well anyway I know you have tasted good food and bad and drank beer. & you can write - I enjoyed the post. Dont stop
Jason,
By the way...when I look at your new photo from a distance..it looks like your giving someone the finger with your phone..is that a message?:)
I must say I've enjoyed reading through this thread:-)
Geary - If you can find that pic and the poem I wrote along with it, be my guest!
Neal - Yup, imagine a post being inspired by a Pro Grappler:-)
Russ - True that!
Joan - Sounds like a very interesting workshop, I'd be very interested in something like that.
Suzanne - Thank you!
TLW - Does this mean you'll up my allowance;-)
Jennifer - Nobody can rationlize to me what's going on with fuel prices ... another reason I drive as little as feasible.
Tom - Thank you Sir, have a great weekend!
Barbara - Interesting take, you have a point.
Diane - That is an understatement, WE all need to collectively do more.
Gita - That it can't. It has been written and proved on several occassions.
Mike - I can't wait one day to sit down and have the 'Good Stuff' with you:-)
Alan - As much as I'd like to joke about you writing for the Sci Fi Network, you are probably more right than most would think.
Kathy - So you wouldn't pay, eh? Damn, I'm going to have to step it up a notch:-)
Cynthia - Excellent quote, never heard that one before. Can a brother have a cool grand;-)
Marilyn - You are right there as well.
Stuart - Remember little old me:-)
Wayne - I'm fixing to have me an undefeated season:-)
Thank you Terry! Perhaps I'll quit smoking ... eventually.
Jennifer - Interesting perspective, looks like you have a creative side as well!
Neal - Here's to you kid:-)
Jason, Loved this post.
Money is vital though, it allows me to smoke a cigarette, drink a beer, type some words, live under a roof, and play 'hide the pinky with Politicians everywhere.' Money may well be the so-called 'Root', yet we are the ground it grows from.
This is so true!
Money can be used to help people in many ways other than self greed, and I like having it more than not!!
Thanks Judi, have a great weekend!
Bill - I, like many, would agree...
Money just makes you more of what you already are. If you are an ass, you will be a rich ass. If you are kind, you will be rich and kinder
Brett - I wish I could agree with you, I really do. Yet, money changes some folks ... for the worse. I understand your premise though....
"You're dead for a real long time, you just can't prevent it
So if money can't buy happiness, I guess I'll have to rent it."
-"This is the Life", Wierd Al Yankovic
Great post, my friend. I'm late to the party. Your line about giving someone $100 bucks is brilliant. The last two lines are close second.
I love that Bryant brought up Wesley. That guy kicks theological ass (C). (yes I just copyrighted that phrase. You need to do that once in a while.)
60% of the people on this planet struggle to live on less than $2/day.
Joey - I've GOT to read up on Wesley and I will. Struck my curiousity quite a bit. And you just had to throw a 'Yankovic' reference in, didn't you? Heck, in hindsight, this wouldn't of been a post without it:-)
714-943-0444
:-)
Well said my friend! I've certainly adapted and lucky for me I did it before I had to and survived while others couldn't. For the record, I'm with you on the car thing...I drive a 1994 Jeep that is coming up on 200,000 miles and I see another one in my future!
Keep in mind that in real estate we have made 3% commission now we have additional expenes ie cell phones, fax, lap tops, air cards, web site hosting, we make less money vs. years ago, however the price we pay for technology however we should have a increase in our commissions. OF course that will never happen.
~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Lynn 911 Dallas Top Real Estate Team
Dallas homes for sale, Over 4,000 Dallas home foreclosures, Dallas homes for rent,
Dallas Real Estate Website: http://www.lynn911.com
Email: 911@lynn911.com
Dallas real estate office: 972-699-9111
Todd - Ahhhh, I'm hoping to hit the 200,000 mile marker myself. Not all of mine, but I really need to turn that thing into a 'Beater'.
Lynn - Commission increases/decreases/stabilty in all facets of the Real Estate Industry are another post all together. From the Mortgage side of things, I'll be doing another post (did one awhile back) on that very subject.
Hi Jason - We're feeling it here too. Wow! How far can the money go? We watch every penny we spend now. We live in Absarokee, Montana and everyone here are going back to the bases. Like what? Horse! It cheaper then gas. I love your post! Thank you for sharing this post.
Cheryl - Montana?!!? I hear it beautiful in that area. Horseback may be an alternative option, it could be the only thing to keep this economy stable:-) Ok, bad joke:-(
Great post - I have recently read one of the best books I have seen on money. If it hasn't been already mentioned, "Your Money or Your Life" by Joe Dominiquez offers good values based financial wisdom, along with a thorough assessment of psychological and cultural issues realated to money.
Ron
Ron - I'll have to check that out, it sounds very interesting. Thank you for giving the heads up on that one. One thing I've been harping on for awhile now is Education about Finances ... from an early age, both in our schools and at home. It's funny, I didn't give a rat's beady behind about Money until the age of 26 and then said to myself, "I might as well learn about this tool that is part of the backbone in the Society in which we live." I've come far, yet have much growing to do myself.