paintedlady said:

When I was 19, I was pregnant and working in a nursing home. I was fortunate enough to meet real wise women who lived long and prosperous lives.

Many of these older women were worldly, well traveled, and would share their fabulous memories with me, yet they ended up being very lonely facing their last years.

They told me they all wished they had more time.... with their loved ones.

In the end, their money didn't grant them happiness, so I took their advice.

So I use money as a vehicle, to help me to spend more time with my children.

I am broke and I left school, (I was working on my degree and I have 2 young children, now 9 and 7). I couldn't afford school, AND the expenses of raising 3 children alone with no support from family to watch them while I went to school at night.

So I took my lemons and made lemonaid, so to speak.

I gave up pursuing my dreams temporarily in order to spend my days raising my kids. I recieve heavy criticism over my choices everyday from my unsupportive family.

I refuse to have latch key kids, no one is there for them but me. So I work seasonally doing what I love, designing gardens. I make very little money from that, but my expenses are very low. I gave up many things and now live a very simple life with my 3 kids.

I have all the time with my children I want. I work when I want. I love the work I do. I love working in my community and I volunteer my time and talents in my neighborhood. I laugh and play with my children daily. I spend my days frolicking on the beach and the parks with them. Soon, my kids will be old enough to be left alone, so I can join the rat race again, back to the grind and competition. I have no regrets, zero stress and life is wonderful.

[Edited 6/2/10 20:20pm]

Great

Do I want more money? Yes.

Do I want so much money I no longer care about or remember its value? I dunno. I think I don't but, shit, it would be nice to have that option.

missmad said:

paintedlady said:

When I was 19, I was pregnant and working in a nursing home. I was fortunate enough to meet real wise women who lived long and prosperous lives.

Many of these older women were worldly, well traveled, and would share their fabulous memories with me, yet they ended up being very lonely facing their last years.

They told me they all wished they had more time.... with their loved ones.

In the end, their money didn't grant them happiness, so I took their advice.

So I use money as a vehicle, to help me to spend more time with my children.

I am broke and I left school, (I was working on my degree and I have 2 young children, now 9 and 7). I couldn't afford school, AND the expenses of raising 3 children alone with no support from family to watch them while I went to school at night.

So I took my lemons and made lemonaid, so to speak.

I gave up pursuing my dreams temporarily in order to spend my days raising my kids. I recieve heavy criticism over my choices everyday from my unsupportive family.

I refuse to have latch key kids, no one is there for them but me. So I work seasonally doing what I love, designing gardens. I make very little money from that, but my expenses are very low. I gave up many things and now live a very simple life with my 3 kids.

I have all the time with my children I want. I work when I want. I love the work I do. I love working in my community and I volunteer my time and talents in my neighborhood. I laugh and play with my children daily. I spend my days frolicking on the beach and the parks with them. Soon, my kids will be old enough to be left alone, so I can join the rat race again, back to the grind and competition. I have no regrets, zero stress and life is wonderful.

[Edited 6/2/10 20:20pm]

Great

Making money is only fun, when you love what you do. I think the career chosen is more important than the money for most people IMO.

Unless you are a musiscian, then you work to make money to do what you love.

paintedlady said:

missmad said:

Great

Making money is only fun, when you love what you do. I think the career chosen is more important than the money for most people IMO.

Unless you are a musiscian, then you work to make money to do what you love.

Agreed, atm I'm doing what I love- but it is slow- opening up a business and online store- can't wait to make a salary out of it, if i can.

JoeTyler said:

And I'm not talking about the money needed in order to buy a car, a house, to feed your kids, to get a proper education or similar situations. I'm talking about the greed, the "I want a bigger house, a more powerful car, more expensive suits, be able to go to more expensive clubs,etc." attitude.

I enjoy the Internet, music, Tv, trendy clothes, movies, etc. as much as the next guy but I've always tried to draw a clear line between myself, who I am and what I really need, and the bullshit that many corporations and advertisements try to sell us.

Deep in my heart, I think that the real human needs are sex/love, food, and a good nap, and a house, of course . That's all folks. Life would be (is) easier that way.

Why so many people are so depressed because of their lack of "money" is beyond me. In the end, we'll be all dead, so who gives a fuck about money?

Thoughts?

[Edited 6/2/10 17:12pm]

Well, I'm not a fan of money. Especially when using money to judge people's character. That's just wrong. A man's/woman's character is judged by their actions, not their wealth.

Yeah, I dream sometimes to have the comforts that comes from a more "money-rich" lifestyle....but if I want them, I work like a dog to have them. But they aren't mandatory in my life. I don't expect luxury to just fall into my lap. And that is probably what annoys me most with people who want "the better life". They complain about their present life and how much it sucks, but they DON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. If you want a better life, make the change and work for it..

Personally, I'm not a material person. If I had extra money, I'd like to use it to give back and help make the world a better place. Donate generously to charity, or better yet, start one. All I really need in life, is God, music, the love of my family and friends, a roof over my head, food, and a child (which will come one day, I hope).

But as far as living the glamourous life....it's not necessary. Althought having a taste of it now and then never hurt anyone.

paintedlady, you rock! I know there will be many bountiful blessings for you ahead!!

paintedlady said:

When I was 19, I was pregnant and working in a nursing home. I was fortunate enough to meet real wise women who lived long and prosperous lives.

Many of these older women were worldly, well traveled, and would share their fabulous memories with me, yet they ended up being very lonely facing their last years.

They told me they all wished they had more time.... with their loved ones.

In the end, their money didn't grant them happiness, so I took their advice.

So I use money as a vehicle, to help me to spend more time with my children.

I am broke and I left school, (I was working on my degree and I have 2 young children, now 9 and 7). I couldn't afford school, AND the expenses of raising 3 children alone with no support from family to watch them while I went to school at night.

So I took my lemons and made lemonaid, so to speak.

I gave up pursuing my dreams temporarily in order to spend my days raising my kids. I recieve heavy criticism over my choices everyday from my unsupportive family.

I refuse to have latch key kids, no one is there for them but me. So I work seasonally doing what I love, designing gardens. I make very little money from that, but my expenses are very low. I gave up many things and now live a very simple life with my 3 kids.

I have all the time with my children I want. I work when I want. I love the work I do. I love working in my community and I volunteer my time and talents in my neighborhood. I laugh and play with my children daily. I spend my days frolicking on the beach and the parks with them. Soon, my kids will be old enough to be left alone, so I can join the rat race again, back to the grind and competition. I have no regrets, zero stress and life is wonderful.

[Edited 6/2/10 20:20pm]

I wish more mom's were like you. I guess some do not feel they have the option. I personally do not see a point of having a child if someone else is going to care for it.

If I lived near you, we could have a small gardening business.

I have always tried to live within my means and never spend money on "unneccessary" things. That way when times get tough, I am not going to miss those comforts.

To me, taking care of my family and making sure we have the basic necessities is more important than an expensive handbag.

Material possesions have never made me happy.

Being in debt is too stressful.

Ace said:

That doesn't mean you shouldn't be sockin' away as much of it as you can, for your retirement. Too many people leave that 'til it's way too late and regret it. Deeply.

That is one thing that I used to be good at.

It stresses me that I have not been so good about it lately.

It's not a black and white issue for me. Like other people here, I've chosen to work in a field that doesn't pay well but is one in which I enjoy going to work most days, I work with similar minded people and it is realtively low stress.

I think I can also say that, considering my species, I am not very materialistic - I possess very little, still live in rented accommodation and, apart from music, only shop on a needs basis.

I have also had periods where I didn't work at all, and had just enough money to surivive - and I can say in all honesty that they were some of the most peaceful and productive times of my life.

On the other hand, I would love not to work at all. There are many other things I would rather be doing - I would love to spend a year or more in the wilderness just observing wildlife - I would love to volunteer on various projects and there are som many things I would dearly love to study.

If I had more money, I would be able to do more of these things possibly - so if this is one of those secret millionaire things - yes, thank you.

Otherwise, money doesn't have a large part to play in my decision-making process.

TonyVanDam said:

Not to say that everyone is wrong (as a matter of fact, everyone has the right positive attitude! ), but love & happiness does NOT put gas in the car, put a roof over your heads, put food on the table, OR put clothes on your back.

And it sure as hell does NOT keep the tax collectors OR the bill collectors off your backs neither.

Exactly!

I got kids who will eventually go to college, I give a BIG DOSE of fuck about "money".

paintedlady said:

When I was 19, I was pregnant and working in a nursing home. I was fortunate enough to meet real wise women who lived long and prosperous lives.

Many of these older women were worldly, well traveled, and would share their fabulous memories with me, yet they ended up being very lonely facing their last years.

They told me they all wished they had more time.... with their loved ones.

In the end, their money didn't grant them happiness, so I took their advice.

So I use money as a vehicle, to help me to spend more time with my children.

I am broke and I left school, (I was working on my degree and I have 2 young children, now 9 and 7). I couldn't afford school, AND the expenses of raising 3 children alone with no support from family to watch them while I went to school at night.

So I took my lemons and made lemonaid, so to speak.

I gave up pursuing my dreams temporarily in order to spend my days raising my kids. I recieve heavy criticism over my choices everyday from my unsupportive family.

I refuse to have latch key kids, no one is there for them but me. So I work seasonally doing what I love, designing gardens. I make very little money from that, but my expenses are very low. I gave up many things and now live a very simple life with my 3 kids.

I have all the time with my children I want. I work when I want. I love the work I do. I love working in my community and I volunteer my time and talents in my neighborhood. I laugh and play with my children daily. I spend my days frolicking on the beach and the parks with them. Soon, my kids will be old enough to be left alone, so I can join the rat race again, back to the grind and competition. I have no regrets, zero stress and life is wonderful.

[Edited 6/2/10 20:20pm]

Beautiful post!

I wish I share the same sentiments as you though(no regrets and zero stress ) but make no mistake, I'll reach that destination, god willing.

I was a teen mom as well and that was the biggest ass kick that helped me leave the projects and eventually, out of the country.

I have so MANY plans and aspirations which are the reasons why I'm not stress free, still in college(graduation will be in 2012) and I've been saving quite a sum of money for the past couple of years to buy this piece of property in Arizona where I'm planning to live and start my business in the near future.

In the meantime, I've been biting finger, closing my eyes and running like hell to accomplish that.

vivid said:

It's not a black and white issue for me. Like other people here, I've chosen to work in a field that doesn't pay well but is one in which I enjoy going to work most days, I work with similar minded people and it is realtively low stress.

I think I can also say that, considering my species, I am not very materialistic - I possess very little, still live in rented accommodation and, apart from music, only shop on a needs basis.

I have also had periods where I didn't work at all, and had just enough money to surivive - and I can say in all honesty that they were some of the most peaceful and productive times of my life.

On the other hand, I would love not to work at all. There are many other things I would rather be doing - I would love to spend a year or more in the wilderness just observing wildlife - I would love to volunteer on various projects and there are som many things I would dearly love to study.

If I had more money, I would be able to do more of these things possibly - so if this is one of those secret millionaire things - yes, thank you.

Otherwise, money doesn't have a large part to play in my decision-making process.

...

If I was gay, I'd marry you... why can't I find a woman like you??

JoeTyler said:

vivid said:

It's not a black and white issue for me. Like other people here, I've chosen to work in a field that doesn't pay well but is one in which I enjoy going to work most days, I work with similar minded people and it is realtively low stress.

I think I can also say that, considering my species, I am not very materialistic - I possess very little, still live in rented accommodation and, apart from music, only shop on a needs basis.

I have also had periods where I didn't work at all, and had just enough money to surivive - and I can say in all honesty that they were some of the most peaceful and productive times of my life.

On the other hand, I would love not to work at all. There are many other things I would rather be doing - I would love to spend a year or more in the wilderness just observing wildlife - I would love to volunteer on various projects and there are som many things I would dearly love to study.

If I had more money, I would be able to do more of these things possibly - so if this is one of those secret millionaire things - yes, thank you.

Otherwise, money doesn't have a large part to play in my decision-making process.

...

If I was gay, I'd marry you... why can't I find a woman like you??

There are women out there like that. Though not many, I must admit.

MrsMdiver said:

JoeTyler said:

...

If I was gay, I'd marry you... why can't I find a woman like you??

There are women out there like that. Though not many, I must admit.

.edit

[Edited 6/3/10 2:07am]

JoeTyler said:

MrsMdiver said:

There are women out there like that. Though not many, I must admit.

No.

There are some expensive things that I like, but my life doesn't depend on them. I'd like to own a house, but I don't dream of anything fancy. It's a shame that what used to be such a normal part of life in the past decades has now been made mostly unobtainable due to the greed of people operating on that market.

I own some relatively expensive music equipment, but the total sum of those doesn't exceed what most people have put into their cars. Sure, I've got a Moog synthesizer, but at least I don't pay for gas.

Most people who live in nice houses, wear jewelry and drive around in fancy cars also seem to be in debt. So I'm not sure if anybody these days is really that rich. If you ask me, if you're in debt - you're poorer than the average guy that's not. Especially if you've put the money into things that do not maintain their resale value - cars, home entertainment etc.

MrsMdiver said:

JoeTyler said:

...

If I was gay, I'd marry you... why can't I find a woman like you??

There are women out there like that. Though not many, I must admit.

Trust me - there aren't that many men like that either. I mean gay men don't automatically start planning for a family, but then there are so many more important things to do , like shopping.

Oh, and Joe - you're looking at things arse about face. If you marry me, then you will be gay - I can assure you of that. " />

I most definitely give a fuck about money. It allows me to have the things I want to have, do the things I want to do, and still be able to take care of the wife and 2 kids.

We should all live in an Org hippie commune... Grow our own food, make crafts to sell at flea markets and festivals, explore the wilderness, and in the evening we could all sit around a campfire singing prince songs...

But seriously, I have always said I just want to have enough money to pay our bills and build a savings acct, and some left over to spend however we want... We have VERY little debt which makes up proud...We have no credit card debt, we are making 1 car loan payment (hubby has a company car for the 2nd car) I live in a fabulous apartment because I refuse to own another home in this shitty market, So we have achieved our goals!

So yes, money is very important, especially when we have small children, but we all have to learn how to live without "keeping up with the Jones's" I think thats where alot of people get in trouble....

I have no debt other than my mortgage. I have a 401k (retirement savings for you non-americans who might not know) I have been contributing to since I was 22, my company matches what I put in up to 5% of my current income, and that account is being professionally managed.

So really, I’m set. I don’t need any more than I have and in fact I’m trying my best to learn to live on less. I’d like to start my own business in the next year or so, which means I won’t be making nearly what I’m making now for a while.

I have always been the kind of person who spends money on experiences rather than things. Travel, shows/concerts, meals out, that kind of thing. In the last couple of years I’ve acquired a few material possessions (my new condo, fancy home theatre system, heck – even my iPod seemed like a splurge to me) but I really don’t aspire to much more.

I don’t even own a car.

tinaz said:

We should all live in an Org hippie commune... Grow our own food, make crafts to sell at flea markets and festivals, explore the wilderness, and in the evening we could all sit around a campfire singing prince songs...

But seriously, I have always said I just want to have enough money to pay our bills and build a savings acct, and some left over to spend however we want... We have VERY little debt which makes up proud...We have no credit card debt, we are making 1 car loan payment (hubby has a company car for the 2nd car) I live in a fabulous apartment because I refuse to own another home in this shitty market, So we have achieved our goals!

So yes, money is very important, especially when we have small children, but we all have to learn how to live without "keeping up with the Jones's" I think thats where alot of people get in trouble....

I think a lot of ppl get into trouble trying to make it look like they have money and lots of toys.

So, where is this commune going to be? I will start packing.

MrsMdiver said:

tinaz said:

We should all live in an Org hippie commune... Grow our own food, make crafts to sell at flea markets and festivals, explore the wilderness, and in the evening we could all sit around a campfire singing prince songs...

But seriously, I have always said I just want to have enough money to pay our bills and build a savings acct, and some left over to spend however we want... We have VERY little debt which makes up proud...We have no credit card debt, we are making 1 car loan payment (hubby has a company car for the 2nd car) I live in a fabulous apartment because I refuse to own another home in this shitty market, So we have achieved our goals!

So yes, money is very important, especially when we have small children, but we all have to learn how to live without "keeping up with the Jones's" I think thats where alot of people get in trouble....

I think a lot of ppl get into trouble trying to make it look like they have money and lots of toys.

So, where is this commune going to be? I will start packing.

Im thinking california... Colorado is gorgeous but the winters are BRUTAL!

tinaz said:

MrsMdiver said:

I think a lot of ppl get into trouble trying to make it look like they have money and lots of toys.

So, where is this commune going to be? I will start packing.

Im thinking california... Colorado is gorgeous but the winters are BRUTAL!

I don't think most non-american orgers would be willing to move to the US.

JustErin said:

tinaz said:

Im thinking california... Colorado is gorgeous but the winters are BRUTAL!

I don't think most non-american orgers would be willing to move to the US.

..... Id go for anywhere in the caribbean then!!

JustErin said:

tinaz said:

Im thinking california... Colorado is gorgeous but the winters are BRUTAL!

I don't think most non-american orgers would be willing to move to the US.

I'd move to Canada!

And I'll take the UK or the Netherlands too.

ooh - and I'd totally move to Italy. We can grow grapes and make wine and have big family-style dinners on the commune.

um, yes. I give a LOT of fucks about money. It doesn't drive me, but I need it to provide the way I want to live.

Not that I live some rich lifestyle. However, food, electric, gas, etc. etc. all cost money and no hippie outlook on life is going to change that shit.

So yeah, I give a fuck about money. I miss those 4 figure bonuses my wife used to bring home every couple months....but whatever, she cooks like a mother fucker in the kitchen, so it's cool.

JustErin said:

tinaz said:

Im thinking california... Colorado is gorgeous but the winters are BRUTAL!

I don't think most non-american orgers would be willing to move to the US.

Ok..... Canada it is then.

I do not think everyone moving to the UK would be a good idea. This country is PACKED. No more room. Oh and the taxes are high.

Looks like we should go to Canada!

CarrieMpls said:

JustErin said:

I don't think most non-american orgers would be willing to move to the US.

I'd move to Canada!

And I'll take the UK or the Netherlands too.

ooh - and I'd totally move to Italy. We can grow grapes and make wine and have big family-style dinners on the commune.

Oooooooooo italy!