Why are you not a Millionaire? (pay, commercial, sell, live)

[stoutboy]

Dazzleman makes a strong point, though. Here you are denigrating the intelligence of others--they are not as smart as they think they are, according to you, but you fail to demonstrate the proper command and usage of the most basic English grammar. It severely detracts from your argument and destroys your credibility.

Originally Posted by mikeyking

Ok, so you are not going to answer the question then? Just take it back to a discussion about grammar - I am guessing your not a millionaire.

[mikeyking]

Originally Posted by quijote

Most of the great philosophers, writers, artists, musicians, scholars, scientists, and such in the world were not rich or particularly good with money. In order to be a great philosopher or whatnot, it's necessary to start from the beginning like everyone else. Some meet with fame and acclaim, most don't. Similarly, some people work their whole lives to accumulate wealth--some succeed, many don't. But that doesn't mean people shouldn't learn things and create knowledge or culture in their own way. Not everyone can be a Mozart or Edison or Rockefeller. So what? We at least have the option of knowing who these people are, enjoying their work, and maybe even contributing to a minor conversation about them. Why not?

A high level of financial wealth may be a benchmark of intelligence for you, but that is not a universal value. Indeed, some very smart and talented people see moderation and humility as more virtuous. In my view, the accumulation of vast wealth is not a worthy goal if that means the person sacrifices intellectual growth and cultural development along the way. Sure, that person--if lucky--can retire early, but s/he will never regain that lost time, and--to me, at least--might be a rather boring person with little to talk about. Similarly, a person who slogs away at a job for decades without building wealth or developing intellectually may be just as boring in the later years. The key, for me at least, is to strike a balance between work, saving, learning, and such. Life is too short to run on the treadmill or postpone fulfilling experiences. And after we die, we will have to leave it all behind: wealth, books, computers, degrees, and all other signs of our efforts.

Before the capitalist age, most societies valued a liberal (that is, generous) approach to money. Only in the past couple hundred years or so, accumulating wealth at the expense of other activities has been enshrined as a great social value--at least for some people (Jews have been historically stereotyped and excoriated for having a capitalist ethic). Many people within the Western world still see generosity as a virtue and hording as a vice. I personally value a balanced approach to finances, as too much saving is self-deprivation for a future that only *may* be possible, and too much spending or generosity signals a certain lack of self-control and too much living in the moment.

One could very well reformulate your question a bit: if some people have been talented and smart enough to save lots of money, then why haven't many of these people (presumably) produced great literature, music, art, philosophy, science, and such during the free time their wealth affords? If financially wealthy people are so truly talented, shouldn't they be capable of elevating the cultural and aesthetic level of society?

I agree money is not a benchmark of people's talent. There are many people who just can bothered just raking up cash in the bank, and want to enjoy their lives, having a balance. From writing books, art, research, music - but sometimes money can be a by product of success.

My point is people who run around shouting about survival of the fittest, everyman for himself, self interest and capitalism, there entire outlook in life revolves around envy toward those above and snobbery to those below, they oppose benefits for old people and unemployment benefit, they oppose the minimum wage, they probably supported the tax payer bailouts of the banks, support tax cuts for corporations.

This attitude is apparent in most workplaces where generally its everyone working for themselves, with snobby, pompous, self serving careerist types usually with an over inflated opinion of their own talents - but ultimately spend most of their lives working for others for a salary.

There the overall point was - When I meet money hungry, ultra capitalistic, careerist, self serving types - I say to them - Why are you not a millionaire? Why are you just working for salary? They will say they work because they enjoy it, its now about money - to which you point but isn't the only thing you talk about is usually money?

My point is if your going to run around with an ultra capitalistic attitude - At least be able to put it into practise in your daily life - Walk the Walk -Make a million, just don't go around talking the talk for the rest of your life.

I meet so many people with this self serving, money grubbing attitude who have failed to acheieve anything financially.

[dazzleman]

Originally Posted by mikeyking

I agree money is not a benchmark of people's talent. There are many people who just can bothered just raking up cash in the bank, and want to enjoy their lives, having a balance. From writing books, art, research, music - but sometimes money can be a by product of success.

My point is people who run around shouting about survival of the fittest, everyman for himself, self interest and capitalism, there entire outlook in life revolves around envy toward those above and snobbery to those below, they oppose benefits for old people and unemployment benefit, they oppose the minimum wage, they probably supported the tax payer bailouts of the banks, support tax cuts for corporations.

This attitude is apparent in most workplaces where generally its everyone working for themselves, with snobby, pompous, self serving careerist types usually with an over inflated opinion of their own talents - but ultimately spend most of their lives working for others for a salary.

There the overall point was - When I meet money hungry, ultra capitalistic, careerist, self serving types - I say to them - Why are you not a millionaire? Why are you just working for salary? They will say they work because they enjoy it, its now about money - to which you point but isn't the only thing you talk about is usually money?

My point is if your going to run around with an ultra capitalistic attitude - At least be able to put it into practise in your daily life - Walk the Walk -Make a million, just don't go around talking the talk for the rest of your life.

I meet so many people with this self serving, money grubbing attitude who have failed to acheieve anything financially.

With the types you're talking about, it's usually not that they don't make enough money, but that they live beyond their means trying to appear as if they have more money than they actually do. Therefore, they remain deeply in debt, living paycheck to paycheck, even with a high income.

There's another type of people -- n'er do well know-it-alls who never make any money, but think they know everything about money.

[mikeyking]

Originally Posted by dazzleman

There's another type of people -- n'er do well know-it-alls who never make any money, but think they know everything about money.

This is exactly what I mean - people who think they know everything about money, careers, business - who pontificate, talk down to others - like they have it all sorted, - but in reality all they have ever done is work in pretty average job, earn an average income - to which you say to them if you know it all - THEN WHY THE F***K are you not a millionaire?

[dazzleman]

Originally Posted by mikeyking

This is exactly what I mean - people who think they know everything about money, careers, business - who pontificate, talk down to others - like they have it all sorted, - but in reality all they have ever done is work in pretty average job, earn an average income - to which you say to them if you know it all - THEN WHY THE F***K are you not a millionaire?

I think people who pontificate are annoying regardless of how much money they've made.

I don't judge people by how much money they've made, and people aren't millionaires (which isn't really that big a deal anymore) can be very smart and knowledgeable about a lot of things.

It's all in how it's presented.

[mathjak107]

a million dollars is nothing today. in fact anyone with a home and some money in a 401k here in long island is probley already there.

the old term millionaire as it meant takes almost 8 million today.

the term is more a connotation of life style than an amount anymore.

heck, someone with a million bucks doesnt have a rolls today , they have a leased civic.

hit my first million in my early fifties and have since multiplied that a few times at just about 60.

[stevemorse]

when I was younger I would say, ohh when Im older Im gonna buy this, or that or this. Now that I am older and have millions, money cant buy anything I want! My father to be happy, my dead mother to not be dead, my sister not to be sick and for myself bigger muscles. Money cant buy anything that I want now. Ironic.

[animalcrazy]

Originally Posted by Repubocrat

I am 34, single, no kids, grew up in a family that always encouraged us to be the best we can be but my parents always told us that happiness has nothing to do with being wealthy.

For a guy like me, making between 60-100K is more than enough. I think like an investor, not like a consumer, therefore, I like to save/invest my money and live below my means.

I don't understand why some people are so obsessed with driving a BMW, living in a 3000 square feet home. I mean, a luxury car is a money pit, buying a large home is an even more idiotic financial decision in my opinion, given the time and the cost of maintaining such property.

I drive an old pick up truck and not having a materialistic mind is my personal key to happiness. Most people don't realize that the more stuff they buy, the more stuck they become.

I take pride in not being one of the sheep who still believe that happiness will come from material things. Once you realize that it does not, the whole dream of becoming a millionaire does not seem to make any sense.

Also, I have a job that allows me to take more time off than most people and I have been traveling a lot lately. In my opinion, traveling is one of the best things anybody can do.

I really don't envy any millionaire who is working 80 hours/week and does not even have the time to travel, see the world and enjoy life while they are relatively young.

I have found the lifestyle that makes me happy, therefore, trying to be a millionaire at this point in my life sounds like a futile pursuit.

We think a like except to the money issue. We don't have children so the money is more of a security issue. We travel a lot as well, but I spend more money on the kids in our life and animals than I do on myself. I have only had one new car my entire life. It's ten yrs. old with 43k miles and I still love it. Warren Buffet is my hero. The money doesn't define him either. We still live way way below our means but we don't need any more things and our house is perfect for us.

[stan4]

Originally Posted by quijote

Most of the great philosophers, writers, artists, musicians, scholars, scientists, and such in the world were not rich or particularly good with money.?

Actually, until fairly recently, they were usually rich (family money, business owners)...which is why they had the time to put towards these endeavors.

Nowadays, it's different.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by mikeyking

Ok, so you are not going to answer the question then? Just take it back to a discussion about grammar - I am guessing your not a millionaire.

I think you meant, "I am guessing you're not a millionaire".