Bankruptcy of purse or bankruptcy of life?

[AZ Jim]

I enclosed this in a post but upon reflection...Think it deserves to have it's own post.

Sterling Hayden in his book "Wanderer" wrote this, Think about it....

"I've always wanted to sail to the south seas, but I can't afford it." What these men can't afford is not to go. They are enmeshed in the cancerous discipline of "security." And in the worship of security we fling our lives beneath the wheels of routine - and before we know it our lives are gone.

What does a man need - really need? A few pounds of food each day, heat and shelter, six feet to lie down in - and some form of working activity that will yield a sense of accomplishment. That's all - in the material sense, and we know it. But we are brainwashed by our economic system until we end up in a tomb beneath a pyramid of time payments, mortgages, preposterous gadgetry, playthings that divert our attention for the sheer idiocy of the charade.

The years thunder by, The dreams of youth grow dim where they lie caked in dust on the shelves of patience. Before we know it, the tomb is sealed.

Where, then, lies the answer? In choice. Which shall it be: bankruptcy of purse or bankruptcy of life? ”

 

[Josiah]

I hear you Jim. But but that's just not who I am. I have known any number of carpe diem kind of guys and gals who lived for today and put nothing aside for tomorrow. What occurred to them they did, what they coveted they bought. They found living on the edge exciting. A lot of them ended up in serious debt, addicted to something that use to feel good but now leaves them feeling very bad. More often than not they were/are a serious burden to their families and loved ones. Living under an interstate overpass gets old quickly especially as you head into your senior years.

I will freely admit that I went in the opposite direction with an almost pathological fervor and I'm sure that opting for something more in the middle would be most conducive to a fulfilling life. Still I take some pleasure in knowing all my loose ends are neatly secure even though I have to private pay $250 every day for the foreseeable future for my wife's nursing home care.

 

[Ameriscot]

Carpe diem here. We're secure with good pensions so we go on adventures. We aren't going to live forever so grab it now! We never have to think about health care costs as we have one of those 'evil' socialist universal health services.

 

[Josiah]

I remember having the nursery tale of the Three Pigs read to me as a child and I guess it made a significant impression on my young mind. If the wolf came to my house he could huff and puff all he wanted but he wouldn't blow my house down.

 

[oakapple]

I think that Ameriscot has it right. To be secure, and go on holidays when you can, or just out and about and whatever you fancy.However, this only works because you ARE secure.To fling cash about and make no preparations for tomorrow is just plain daft.None of us knows how long we are to live, and it won't be fun when we are 90 living in poverty.However, if you have some spare money and you have some dreams, then why not follow them?

 

[Ameriscot]

I think that Ameriscot has it right. To be secure, and go on holidays when you can, or just out and about and whatever you fancy.However, this only works because you ARE secure.To fling cash about and make no preparations for tomorrow is just plain daft.None of us knows how long we are to live, and it won't be fun when we are 90 living in poverty.However, if you have some spare money and you have some dreams, then why not follow them?

Yes, it is daft to just throw money away and not think about the future. We never pay interest on credit cards, etc. We don't stay in 5 star hotels when we travel (okay, we have a few times), in Thailand we stay in a house on the other side of the road from the beach instead of the expensive beach-side houses, we sometimes go to more expensive restaurants but not often, in Thailand the majority of our meals cost less than £10 for the two of us, in the UK when we eat out it's at Wetherspoons, when we visit Australia the only big expense if the airfare as we stay with family, same with US trips, same with Uganda trips.

We are tight with money in some ways, extravagant in others, and the rest of the time we are reasonable. Our car is a 2003. It would cost more to buy a new car than to stay in Thailand for 3 months. Priorities.

 

[AZ Jim]

I admire Sterling's words but the fact is I am too secure minded to follow his steps. I have always been "insurance poor" for the same reason. I have everything insured except my trash can!

 

[SifuPhil]

I remember having the nursery tale of the Three Pigs read to me as a child and I guess it made a significant impression on my young mind. If the wolf came to my house he could huff and puff all he wanted but he wouldn't blow my house down.

You do realize that in the original Three Little Pigs tale that the third pig, the only one to survive because of his construction of a brick house, in the end commits premeditated murder by boiling the wolf?

To me, that speaks of the often cut-throat behavior of brick layers.

 

[Josiah]

I'm told that sauerkraut goes very well with boiled wolf.

 

[Denise1952]

I enclosed this in a post but upon reflection...Think it deserves to have it's own post.

Sterling Hayden in his book "Wanderer" wrote this, Think about it....

"I've always wanted to sail to the south seas, but I can't afford it." What these men can't afford is not to go. They are enmeshed in the cancerous discipline of "security." And in the worship of security we fling our lives beneath the wheels of routine - and before we know it our lives are gone.

What does a man need - really need? A few pounds of food each day, heat and shelter, six feet to lie down in - and some form of working activity that will yield a sense of accomplishment. That's all - in the material sense, and we know it. But we are brainwashed by our economic system until we end up in a tomb beneath a pyramid of time payments, mortgages, preposterous gadgetry, playthings that divert our attention for the sheer idiocy of the charade.

The years thunder by, The dreams of youth grow dim where they lie caked in dust on the shelves of patience. Before we know it, the tomb is sealed.

Where, then, lies the answer? In choice. Which shall it be: bankruptcy of purse or bankruptcy of life? ”

I was pretty much forced to see this, and he wrote it just as I see it now. I think those that "get" to read this, and can grasp it, understand it, will be far richer then those that don't. Thanks Jim, denise

 

[chic]

I do believe it's important to seize the day, but I also believe in financial security. If forced to give up one for the other, I'd sacrifice adventure for wealth and security.

 

[Ameriscot]

I do believe it's important to seize the day, but I also believe in financial security. If forced to give up one for the other, I'd sacrifice adventure for wealth and security.

You can have both. All adventures don't have to be expensive.

 

[Josiah]

I think several of you are advocating a middle way that includes both concern about security AND a willingness to follow your dreams. That makes a lot of sense, but the OP wasn't advocating that it said
"They are enmeshed in the cancerous discipline of "security." And in the worship of security we fling our lives beneath the wheels of routine - and before we know it our lives are gone." That doesn't leave much room for preparing for a rainy day. I guess my reaction is to wring my hands when I see what a tiny percent of Americans have adequately prepared financially for retirement.

 

[QuickSilver]

Remember that fable of the Grasshopper and the ANT? Thanks to Aesop... I've always been the Ant

I[SIZE=-1]N[/SIZE] a field one summer’s day a Grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its heart’s content. An Ant passed by, bearing along with great toil an ear of corn he was taking to the nest.	[SIZE=-2] 1[/SIZE]
“Why not come and chat with me,” said the Grasshopper, “instead of toiling and moiling in that way?”	[SIZE=-2] 2[/SIZE]
“I am helping to lay up food for the winter,” said the Ant, “and recommend you to do the same.”	[SIZE=-2] 3[/SIZE]
“Why bother about winter?” said the Grasshopper; “we have got plenty of food at present.” But the Ant went on its way and continued its toil. When the winter came the Grasshopper had no food, and found itself dying of hunger, while it saw the ants distributing every day corn and grain from the stores they had collected in the summer. Then the Grasshopper knew: [SIZE=-1]“IT IS BEST TO PREPARE FOR THE DAYS OF NECESSITY.”[/SIZE]

 

[AZ Jim]

QS I'm a uncle, you can be an ant or even a aunt or both if ya want. :lofl:

 

[SeaBreeze]

You can have both. All adventures don't have to be expensive.

I agree Ameriscot, you can have both, I wouldn't completely sacrifice one for the other.

 

[Ameriscot]

I agree Ameriscot, you can have both, I wouldn't completely sacrifice one for the other.

Me either. I do know how lucky I am and I appreciate it very much. I was poor for decades as a adult and I could never live like that again.

 

[Denise1952]

I do believe it's important to seize the day, but I also believe in financial security. If forced to give up one for the other, I'd sacrifice adventure for wealth and security.

I don't think that's what it means, that we have to give up one for the other. I took it to mean that we need a healthy balance. My nephew is a good example I believe, maybe a little biased, lol. Yesterday was his 30 year anniversary at his company/job. But yet he's been around the world basically, on vacations. His wife bought him a skydiving trip on his last year birthday They have fun, enjoy their life. He is higher up in the company, worked his way up from the bottom

 

[Denise1952]

I agree Ameriscot, you can have both, I wouldn't completely sacrifice one for the other.

This is how I took the reading to mean

 

[AZ Jim]

Anyone not familiar with Sterling Hayden should read this. He was an interesting guy an enigma in some ways. Hated making movies, and one said "If I had the money, I'd buy up every negative of every film I was in and have one hell of a fire!"

 

[Denise1952]

I know who he was, as an actor, and always loved his acting. Now I find I love his writing as well.

 

[WhatInThe]

I hear you Jim. But but that's just not who I am. I have known any number of carpe diem kind of guys and gals who lived for today and put nothing aside for tomorrow. What occurred to them they did, what they coveted they bought. They found living on the edge exciting. A lot of them ended up in serious debt, addicted to something that use to feel good but now leaves them feeling very bad. More often than not they were/are a serious burden to their families and loved ones. Living under an interstate overpass gets old quickly especially as you head into your senior years.

I will freely admit that I went in the opposite direction with an almost pathological fervor and I'm sure that opting for something more in the middle would be most conducive to a fulfilling life. Still I take some pleasure in knowing all my loose ends are neatly secure even though I have to private pay $250 every day for the foreseeable future for my wife's nursing home care.

That's my take and basically what I've witnessed. Some people say you buy what you want and don't worry so much about the money. But no money leads to a poor daily quality of life especially for those who don't worry about price tags and are always seeking "the experience". They were there, they did this, they did that blah blah blah. Also know people all about the brand. To them buying 'a name' gives them status since they use brand X. Unfortunately I know people like this who had to declare bankruptcy and almost bait you to buy or spend so you will go down to their level and minimize their poorness by their very own hand.

I digress, but "the experience" won't pay bills 365 days a year, won't eliminate hunger or a crappy one room efficiency.

 

[chic]

That's my take and basically what I've witnessed. Some people say you buy what you want and don't worry so much about the money. But no money leads to a poor daily quality of life especially for those who don't worry about price tags and are always seeking "the experience". They were there, they did this, they did that blah blah blah. Also know people all about the brand. To them buying 'a name' gives them status since they use brand X. Unfortunately I know people like this who had to declare bankruptcy and almost bait you to buy or spend so you will go down to their level and minimize their poorness by their very own hand.

I digress, but "the experience" won't pay bills 365 days a year, won't eliminate hunger or a crappy one room efficiency.

I agree to an extent. Sometimes experience lends us knowledge we otherwise would not have which could lead to financial remuneration. It doesn't always work out this way though. My grandparents were business and home owners who lived the good life in the '40s, '50s, and '60s. They didn't travel much but entertained always and had wonderful lives, both successful and fulfilling. Both ended up requiring chronic care in their later years and were not financially prepared for that. I'd never want to end up that way, honestly.

 

[WhatInThe]

I agree to an extent. Sometimes experience lends us knowledge we otherwise would not have which could lead to financial remuneration. It doesn't always work out this way though. My grandparents were business and home owners who lived the good life in the '40s, '50s, and '60s. They didn't travel much but entertained always and had wonderful lives, both successful and fulfilling. Both ended up requiring chronic care in their later years and were not financially prepared for that. I'd never want to end up that way, honestly.

There's THE experience and there is just killing time uneconomically. I know people that traveled around the country for sporting events and concerts to say they were there, literally "I was there". They also "lived" it up charging up a lot of alcohol & food bills from expensive restaurants again to say they ate there to impress-so what you paid $50 for a piece of steak and $10 for a beer. Not only are they officially bankrupt now they have had a harder time giving up that life than junky giving up their crack. They are in 100% misery when they go to a McDonalds or can't even go to a local sporting event or concert, they cry like they are a homeless person who actually has not eaten in a few days.

Platitudes can put you in the poor house and give you experiences no one wants.

 

[Ameriscot]

There's THE experience and there is just killing time uneconomically. I know people that traveled around the country for sporting events and concerts to say they were there, literally "I was there". They also "lived" it up charging up a lot of alcohol & food bills from expensive restaurants again to say they ate there to impress-so what you paid $50 for a piece of steak and $10 for a beer. Not only are they officially bankrupt now they have had a harder time giving up that life than junky giving up their crack. They are in 100% misery when they go to a McDonalds or can't even go to a local sporting event or concert, they cry like they are a homeless person who actually has not eaten in a few days.

Platitudes can put you in the poor house and give you experiences no one wants.

Those people are idiots. I travel to a place because I want to be there and explore it, not just so I can say I was there or to add a country to my list. And I just can't see eating at a really posh restaurant just so I can say I did. I will sometimes go to a nicer restaurant because I know the food and atmosphere are extra special. As for $10 for a beer, that would be the price in many American airport bars. We don't spend what we can't afford.