Abraham, although I have never been homeless, we came very close when I was a child. Our recreation was playing with an old hand me down Monopoly set by candle light because Mom couldn't pay the electric billAbraham wrote:Take Down Sicko,
I hear you, but...
When one is wealthy, the mind regarding cost takes different directions.
Having once (for many years as a child up to the age of 15 years when I took over the captaining of my life) experienced extreme poverty - sleeping under bridges, abandoned cars, sneaking into barns after the sun goes down to spend the night, or simply on the ground without benefit of tent or even a blanket, etc. going without food for days and days on end, wearing filthy clothes, wearing inadequate clothing for the weather constitute being poor and I of course hated it. (and that's just the material things) I can now, after years of honest effort buy whatever I want.
So, still being somewhat frugal, how could I not, after experiencing poverty? (It kinda stay stays with you, irrespective of wealth, I guess like being a kid of the depression...?) I sometimes buy some very costly something that might provide greater service. Or, perhaps, simply because I want it...
Why not?
I can't take it with me and I'm getting long in the tooth...
BTW, I regularly donate an enormous amount of money and goods to my immediate family.
Give to organized charities and their familiars?
No.
Why?
I experienced their magnanimity as a child - it was fraudulent...
Organized charities are a fraud.
Either give to your family if they need your help or your immediate neighbors or community or state, but giving to an organized charity is wasting your money. yeah, yeah, I know, some will protest their charity is on the up and up, maybe, I doubt it, unless it's for animals, then maybe...
Guess, I'm ranting, so I'll stop.
I agree with your statement that the mind takes different directions. I learned early to be thankful of what you have and to take good care of it so it will last. Now that I am "better off" I still try to take care of my things.
I also agree with your statement about most charities not being on the up and up. However, I have been giving to the Scottish Rite Hospital for years. I have seen first hand what they do for children without ever asking for a dime from the families. That is one reason I became a Mason, to further support the Hospital. Same goes with the Shriner's Hospital, also a Masonic organization that doesn't ask the families for money. Those 2 and the DFW Humane Society are the only charities we give to. As for our kids, if they need help, they know we are there but we have taught them (or most of them) to take care of what you have.