Money, what a drag...
My thanks to Pink Floyd for the intro...
Money is such a strange thing.
$5.00 can be an absolute fortune. It can literally be the difference between life and death for some people.
Or, it can be almost meaningless.
One person, in one circumstance, can agonize over the decision to spend $5. Another person can spend $500 with no thought at all.
And then there is the whole question of saving vs. spending...
Wouldn't life be so much simpler if you knew from the outset exactly how long you would live, and what major expenditures you would face along the way?
Some days I feel like I should save every penny I earn so that I can retire "comfortably," and not want in my "golden years." Or so that I can have a "cushion" "...just in case."
But then I think, what if I were to die tomorrow? Should I do without today, for a tomorrow I might never see?
Usually, I would say, "strike a balance." But even knowing what the "balance" is would take a fortune teller.
I am blessed in that all of my basic needs are met. Even many of my wants are met. But, I believe (and hope) that I am somewhat modest in my wants - at least relative to where I am in life. For example, I have two cars - extravagant, no? But, the newer of the two cars is eleven years old! Now, there are many people who would sell their soul for even the older of the two cars. But there are also many people who wouldn't be caught dead even in the newer of the two. Every now and then, I think that it would be nice to have a sporty new car. But, then I think "I don't really need a new car" and I wouldn't want to start making car payments again. And then I think "shouldn't I have enough in savings to buy, outright a new car if I wanted?
And what about charity? And helping your kids?
What is the proper amount to give, and to keep?
Just to reiterate... I am by no means complaining. I am incredibly fortunate. To even be able to have the time to wonder about such things, and to have the means to do so in this venue, demonstrates just how blessed I am.
Things would just be so much easier if I knew the answers...
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Posted by David at November 20, 2003 10:17 PM