Money = Happy

My broke ass wouldn't know.

 

dope will get ya through hard times without money better than money will get ya through hard times without dope

 

money is a neutral tool. in consumerist society, we believe we need money to survive. there are those who strive to attain self-sufficiency, but this is not a goal everyone can reach for, or that for that matter one that everyone wants to reach for. to put a qualtiy value on money, calling it good or bad, is pointless, because it's really only a symbol, and yet it's not going away anytime soon. but putting an emotional value on money is self-defeating. you will never have enough money, therefore you will never have enough happiness. seeking fulfillment in possessions alone will only lead to a continuing cycle of isolation and want.

missfontella, i genuinely like you. i have read many of your posts, and can see we have some things in common. it grieves me to see you seemingly stuck in such patterns of self-defeat. i can only wish that you find true and lasting happiness soon.

 

I completely agree! All the people who argue against it are just trying to seem like "good" people.

I love money and I spend lots of it every day AND I'm happy.

I couldn't care less if people call me shallow.

 

Here is the way I look at it....

If I somehow obtained enough money that I could live comfortably (not extravagantly, mind you) for the rest of my life, without ever having to work, I could focus my time and energy on much more meaningful things, like my music or my writing. Or a number of other things for that matter!

Maybe I'd have enough money to donate to charities, to know that I am doing something to contribute to more than just myself.

As sad as it may sound, money enables people to do things they otherwise would not get to do. It's the truth. Of course people can go overboard, wallowing in the reality of their own wealth.

But that's not everyone. Not everyone is a materialistic money whore, but there isn't one person on these boards who would refuse $1,000 if I offered it to them.

If I want to travel the world, I can't do it if I am broke. Things cost money and everyone likes things - no matter if those things are material or otherwise - despite what those who dispute that statement might claim.

Of course I could probably live just as comfortably without a lot of money, but would I get to do everything I wanted to do?

Give me a log house, secluded somewhere in the countryside and resting on a creek, and I'll be happy.

Modern, capitalist society forces people to lead a mundane life, which is a depressing thought (unless you're lucky). It seems like for the most part people are either slaves to the system, or part of the system. One side is getting screwed and the other side is profiting off of the people getting screwed.

Is there any middle-ground? Sure, but it dwindles more and more as time progresses, it seems.

All I can say is that I'd rather have money than no money at all. Money is needed to survive in a westernized country such as the ones most of us live in. All I know is that in a matter of survival, I'd rather be at the top of the food chain than the bottom.

In the end, I think everyone gets fucked either way.

 

i could help you spend some of it if youd like.....i know just what to spen it on to maximize bang for the bucks on the happiness tip !!

 

Are you talking about drugs? Cuz I don't do drugs...those are for...well not for the type of person I am.

 

ok, i've already ranted at justin about this. i really, really hate the term "poor". when we speak of someone who is poor, it brings to mind poor posture, poor manners, poor workmanship...other things being done poorly.

i once attended some local political debate - i was high as a kite on prozac at the time so i don't really recall who the candidates were or what the issue was they were choosing to make a public scene bickering about. i was there with a group of people, and many of us were on welfare or disability. both candidates kept referring to "the needs of the have-nots". i think they were carrying on about the damn bus terminal, that's such a controversy here so that no one will notice that the schools have neither nurses nor librarians. and i thought, well, that really burns my crumpets! i wanted to stand up and say "excuse me, but we would appreciate it if you would stop talking about us as if we weren't in the room." i was, however, with someone who had asked me nicely to promise to behave myself in public, so i regretfully kept my mouth shut.

but i also resented being defined by my possessions, or lack thereof. at the time i was on welfare and getting groceries and occaisonal meals from food not bombs, and yet i look back at that as one of the richest times in my life, for both me and my son. what i think is ironic about this is that those i have known who have believed they were living in poverty have clinged to their possessions, and amassed such an amount of useless things that their homes were cluttered and their lives disorganized. this includes myself, in a big way.

but i don't like the label "low-income", either. i think this term confuses quality and quantity. i am not qualified as a person or citizen by the quantity of dollars that passes through my hands on a weekly basis. as i pointed out earlier, money is a symbol, but it is a symbol of trade value (and often not a very accurate one) not a symbol of personal value.

"lower class" is simply an outright bigoted term; it implies an inflexible heirarchy not just of wealth but of birth. a friend of mine suggested using the term "working class", and indeed, it sounds very noble, but what of the ones who cannot or do not work? what of the disabled, the seeking, the luckless? are they less as people or citizens?

in frustration my friend asked me, "well just what would you like to be called, then?"

my answer: "my name is liz."

 

^^^^sounds like an after school movie

 

i was talking about all the cool things $ can procure .if i wanted to say sompin id say it

 

Oh...well come on over then.

 

ive lived in ny in the catskills and in manhatten i like it there but i suggest we meet in caracas or sao paulo cus a hundred thou in brazill buys one mill two in realestate and services ect ...beyond the exchange rate its the fun factor nyc used to be so fun but now its outside to be found

 

I would love to have enough money to not have to work. I probably would work though, just on my own terms and without pressure. I would pursue the matters that I'm passionate about and would donate to causes I feel are worthy. I would travel constantly and continuously educate myself. I don't believe in displaying your wealth so I wouldn't buy fancy clothes or yachts or whatever some rich folk do to fit in w/other rich people. I would shun that aspect of wealth. But I would adore the freedom that tremendous wealth provides.

 

I am not a good person..hehe
And I am as poor as they come.
And I am never happier than when I am sitting in my own apartment, eating a can of cold spaghetti O's.

 

First of all, you have no idea what type of parent I am. Secondly, I'm preparing my children for the real world. I am attempting to nuture strong, spiritual, kind, and PRACTICAL people. My girls cheer to teach them about self-confidence, teamwork, and about finding their own personality in a different setting (other than school). My son is starting karate soon for many of the same reasons. Those activities cost money. I can sit in my house and "be creative" all I want and then tell my children how the world works but that wouldn't help them. The real world doesn't play by my rules. The real world is a pretty harsh place if you don't know it. You don't have to become what is around you but you have to know WHAT is around you. So do you. Raise your children your way. And I'll do me. And for for future reference, I don't play the shyt when it comes to my kids. The next time someone attacks my parenting I will not be this polite. I usually hit people for shyt like that.

 

When my sister had a kid I was truly amazed at how much money it costs to raise them. Even just the essentials.

I also agree that it's good to put kids into activities...I was always doing activities and now I'm outgoing. My brother hung around the house and never joined activities and now he's shy(and lazy, lol)

Anyway...it's possible to have money and not be shallow. I don't know why people can't grasp that.

 

money is not the only ingredient to happiness, but realistically, i think it is one. there is, of course, such a thing as too much money, although most people never have the opportunity to experience that end of the spectrum.

 

I'm sure you're a wonderful parent. It is expensive to raise kids, one of the reasons I may choose not to. Karate is a great idea! I teaches discipline and gives people confidence, plus it's fun!
Everyone has their own ideas about how to raise children, unless someone is abusing their kids or neglecting them, etc., I don't think anyone should criticise.