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Much of the reason I have been so happy is because I have not bought anything on credit or carried a credit card balance since 1971, when I paid off my Datsun 510. . I believe credit has largely destroyed many people's prospects for happiness. Money isn't everything----unless you're in debt. Then it is, and then it will suck the life out of you.
Much of the reason I have been so happy is because I have not bought anything on credit or carried a credit card balance since 1971, when I paid off my Datsun 510. . I believe credit has largely destroyed many people's prospects for happiness. Money isn't everything----unless you're in debt. Then it is, and then it will suck the life out of you.
Interesting. .. I hadn't thought of it, but "me too". . . the house has been paid off for years, and the last car I bought was purchased with cash. I have a credit card, but do not "need" to use it, not because I have plenty of money, but because I live within my means, and this is VERY IMPORTANT to me. I have gone so far as to draft an advance care medical directive that will have the effect of NOT creating debt just to "keep me alive". . . it's that important!
Made some good choices (or lucked out!) and [1] married the right woman, [2] had a couple of really good kids, [3] had a great career with the federal government (as did my wife), and [4] we're enjoying the hell out of retirement.
I wish things could be better for our kids. Both are working like dogs to get by (our son moved back home, and I know it bothers him). We help in any way we can, and consider ourselves fortunate to be able to do so. Just in the last couple of months things have started looking much better for them both, and that of course adds to my happiness.
I am very happy with my life. I am married to a wonderful husband, have 3 great children, one grandson and hopefully more will come. My husband was/is great with money. I'm like Scarlette, I'll worry about tomorrow later! But, we are both retired, our house and vehicles are paid for. We are not having to touch our 401 (yet) and live just like we always have - which is not extravagant at all - but are able to do most everything we have on our "bucket list." I think my only regret is really not going to college.
My mother was a single mother of 7 children and as the older kids graduated from hs, they got jobs and helped with the younger ones. Which made all of us better people and who we are today. (When one of us does something that we KNOW our mother would not have approved of, it's like - Lord I hope Janie missed this.)
My children all went to college and only one had student loans, etc., but that's because he ended up in Julliard for a PhD and we still had two others to send to college.
So, I'm very happy with my life - not many regrets and still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.
After living in a thatched roof hut in the Bolivian Amazon for a year a decade ago I realize I have a hell of a good life now, especially when compared to the majority of the people in the world. I've got a degree and a stable job, a house, wife and kids, two good cars and all the trappings of a "good" middle class life and might even have it all paid off in 20 more years.
But I can't say I'm happy. In fact, the people I lived with in Bolivia seemed more happy than the people I live around now. Life feels hollow and unfulfilling. Luckily I have lots of pills from the doctor to make that feeling go away....
After living in a thatched roof hut in the Bolivian Amazon for a year a decade ago I realize I have a hell of a good life now, especially when compared to the majority of the people in the world.
Sorry, but a "majority of the people in the world" are not living in a thatched roof hut in the jungle.
I'm also sorry you spent a whole year of your life in a simple uncomplicated environment and did not learn anything at all about how people find happiness and joy and fulfillment in their lives without MastarCards. When I paid $20 a month rent for a house in Paraguay, I did not get the feeling that my neighbors here in America have a "hell of a good life" compared to my neighbors in Paraguay. In fact, I didn't really look forward to coming back here at all.
Let me guess. You were a missionary who went down there to convert them to your way of life, and had a vested interest in your prejudice that their life was inferior.
Let me guess. You were a missionary who went down there to convert them to your way of life, and had a vested interest in your prejudice that their life was inferior.
Much of the reason I have been so happy is because I have not bought anything on credit or carried a credit card balance since 1971, when I paid off my Datsun 510.
Sorry, but a "majority of the people in the world" are not living in a thatched roof hut in the jungle.
I'm also sorry you spent a whole year of your life in a simple uncomplicated environment and did not learn anything at all about how people find happiness and joy and fulfillment in their lives without MastarCards. When I paid $20 a month rent for a house in Paraguay, I did not get the feeling that my neighbors here in America have a "hell of a good life" compared to my neighbors in Paraguay. In fact, I didn't really look forward to coming back here at all.
Let me guess. You were a missionary who went down there to convert them to your way of life, and had a vested interest in your prejudice that their life was inferior.
I was a 20 something adventure starved guy who traveled across South America for the hell of it and happened to make some friends in Bolivia so I stayed for a while. And I don't regret it. But I'm confused...you agree with me but I am also stupid for it? Why do you have a burr up your ***** anyway?
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