Money and Honesty?

**Greebo** · 10-07-2009, 06:53 PM

Originally Posted by 0911laob

not nice greebo.

Didn't you know? I'm the resident smart***

**Incognito** · 10-07-2009, 08:43 PM

In my lifetime, I've known all kinds of people, and I can say that most of the wealthy people I've known have many character flaws, and some have serious vices. Greed is the biggest one; also, power... they hold onto that no matter what or whom they hurt. Position is also very important to them, as they see themselves as "exalted" among their fellows. They know all the ins and outs of their business, and will cut corners and cheat if they can get away with it. The bottom line is profit.
When their kids get in trouble, they pay fines to get them off. They'll cheat on their spouses, yet maintain a sham lifestyle to maintain their community position. They enjoy the high life, but their servants work at minimum wage. They are constantly seeking the most advantageous position for themselves and shoving other people out of the way, or using other people as a rung in the ladder of their social and economic climb to the top. They know more lies than most people, and will tell them with a straight face, and without a suggestion of a conscience, and if they are in trouble, their lawyers will tell more lies on their behalf.
With money as their goal and center, they have made many compromises in order to gain and keep it.

I've also known some people who are wealthy but who also have good character. These are the ones that have had good sense, good habits and good breaks and they have risen to the top. They live well, but are also in touch with their fellow man, have loyal friendships, serve their community, reach out to others.

* * *
"How hard it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven".
"The love of money is a root of all evil."

**mauimagic** · 10-07-2009, 08:51 PM

The wealthy people I've known have for the most part been full of integrity and honesty - it has been a pleasure and a good learning experience to be part of their lives.

**Thevail** · 10-08-2009, 02:45 AM

Originally Posted by money blogger

Hi everyone,

I think the general concensus has reached a verdict.

Anyone can become wealthy, honest or not.

For the purpose of this discussion, let's decide to stay on the honest side of the scale. And let's define wealthy as $5 million in savings at age 60.

What would you do, starting now, to ensure you were wealthy?

Thanks in advance for your imput, I'm sure a lot of people will benefit.

I think that rich people are often quite a bit nicer than poor people. But then, rich people (generally) already feel successful and have nothing left to "prove" to anyone. They're not trying to cover up feeling inferior.

(note: I am not saying that all rich people are nice, nor that all poor people are mean. As with any other artificial division or "group" of humanity there are pretty peaches and rotten apples in every category.)

Also, quite frankly, they're a lot less stressed out than people who constantly have to worry about finances so generally they're in a better mood.

When I was a kid we were po.. we couldn't even afford the last two letters.

And there was a girl in my class named Sarah, and for the area, Sarah's parents were rich. That kid was treated to more spitefulness, hatred, and abuse than nearly anyone else in our class.

All those kids treated her as if SHE were judging them and finding them lacking. They treated her as if SHE was the one making fun of THEIR clothes, when it was exactly the opposite.
You get the picture.

Sarah's parents used to give me Sarah's hand me downs. I never got teased for wearing them. I DID get teased for being Sarah's friend.

It may be "harder for a rich man.. blah blah blah.."
But it is MUCH harder for a bitter, resentful, covetous, prejudicial, POOR man to get into heaven than it will ever be for the rich man.

I'm not even sure I actually do want to be wealthy.. not because I think rich people are bad or wierd, but because it seems like an awful lot of work to get that way, and I'm kinda lazy!

But in general..

Be debt free..(pay off that mortgage!)

Then be prepared for life's little (and not so little) surprises with adequate savings.

Then buy dividend stocks, and put that money into a high yield savings account, or re-invest depending on the market.

But the biggest thing will be.. to keep my current life style. We'll make more physical dollars as the years and inflation go on, but if we continue to live our current lifestyle (never buy a new car, no CC, used furniture, DIY home improvements, drink coffee at home not from an expensive store, etc.) we WILL slowly but surely get ahead.

**Incognito** · 10-09-2009, 11:01 PM

I'll just take the Lord's word for it and let Him be the judge.

**Thevail** · 10-10-2009, 01:45 AM

I won't. I make up my own mind.

**Moonface001** · 10-10-2009, 08:37 AM

I don't think such a narrow statment is true or not true. There are both selfish rich people and selfless rich people. But out of the two I would rather be the second. I also think that a person who got rich by being ethical, nice and fair at the end of the day has more than the person who got rich by being greedy and mean. I also think it takes more of a person to treat all people well then to be mean... that's too easy. Being nice despite of others is a test of character.

As to having $5 million at 60 - 65, well I'm not too sure. My plan is to learn how money works rather than work just for money. This involves investment, business and a thrifty lifestyle that prevents debt, wasting money and resources.