It’s the root of all evil
It pays the bills,
It may heal your ills
And bring you thrills.
According to Wikipedia, money is anything that is generally accepted as payment for goods and services and repayment of debts. For everyone, we interpret and treat money differently. Whether it is the abundance of wealth or the lack thereof there is a certain level of importance which we all seem to place on the precious commodity. From the Forbes list to the United Nations Poorest Countries list we seem to rank everything from those who do not have it to those who have it and may waste it. We live in a world where it seems to have a voice you should have cash to care.
If you grew up in an environment where everything is lavish, fabulous and expensive, you will view money differently from those who did not. It is highly probable that when you enter a certain level of wealth your expenses tend to be higher than others. It is true because you have to keep up with the lifestyle you live. One at this rank does not imagine the day when they will have nothing. Therefore, they will invest in portfolios, real estate and make other investments to maintain their wealth. The responsibilities that come with the lifestyle are also important. Case in point – Casey Johnson. Who knew someone could be kicked to the curb from a family who seemed to have everything? It seems more and more families with a vast amount of wealth are throwing out those family members who could appear to put the family’s wealth in jeopardy. Those who are rich sometimes are forced to continue that legacy to maintain their stature. On the contrary, persons who are rich can mismanage their wealth and become poor. Fantasia, the American Idol winner recently on Oprah opened up about her fall from grace. After buying her home and settling in, she had problems keep it. Her home fell into foreclosure and at one point she was unable to buy a pizza, her card failed. Money can be easy come and easy go. It takes proper financial management and financial sense to keep it.
For those who grew up in a poor background, they understand the importance of money. For many, money is the way out of poverty and they will place all their focus on avenues that could get them out of that state. Whether it is a talent, education or an illegal activity, poor people in the right environment can charter a new course out of poverty. We have seen numerous stories of people who did not have it but with the right attitude and approach they were able to live a better life. Oprah, Jay Z, and Hilary Swank just to name a few have gone from the lowest echelon to some of the richest people in our world.
However, people who are poor see money differently. People who are poor or who are in destitute positions do not see the importance of saving for the future and having investment accounts. Give someone who is poor a bank card with funds that could keep them for a month and see how fast that money goes. They tend to see money as short term, so they spend it to make them content in the moment. While there are others that if you give them the same amount they wouldn’t spend most of it because they understand the position they are in and have an idea of where they would like to be.
Money today is perceived based on cultural attitudes as well. In our world today, young people are materialistic. We tend to focus on what is in, the latest Bling and fashions. The entertainment industry is pushing this attitude of ‘you can have it all’ and at all costs.
Money and the abundance of it can last a lifetime if we understand the basic concepts. As human beings we need to live within our means and recognize that if we spend more than we earn we will be poor. No one wants to be poor; we want to be independent, strong and able to survive. With rising standards of living and costs going up, the worst thing that could happen to us is to lack needed funds. Money can be our way out of poverty but it can also lead to our own detriment.
It is significant that we inculcate cultures where we are not so highly materialistic but we begin to inspire people that can handle wealth without ruining their lives in the pursuit of it. Sure money is good and wonderful to have but the love of it could ruin our lives.
Corve DaCosta's Blog 
Ah, yes money…you see, I have been walking up and down US1 trying to get some money…prostitution is the greatest business in the world…you’ve got it, you sell it, you still got it…but in my case; at .25cents a throw it is kind of hard to become a millionaire…lol
good post Corve.
saludos,
raulito
http://fromtop2bttm.blogspot.com/
Award for you here: http://2a24.wordpress.com/2010/02/19/a-new-award/ 😉
Thanks so much.
Excellent post. All of your points are so very true. It’s a tough battle when you have the values of how to live within your means and you’re couple with someone who sometimes can be easily influenced to spend on the here and now.
Interesting you say that because the latter point you made was the inspiration for this post. And what I have learnt is that people see and think about money differently.
Money is the root of evil. However, money is needed. I grew up in a poor background. I’ve grown more since then and have become more financially stable. I thank God for being able to work and be a musician on top of everything else. Money should not be a persons main focus. I got to a point to where I was about to sell myself and considered drugs, but I’m glad I didn’t take that route. God will supply.
I rencenly joined a Facebook group, something like: “Money doesn’t guarantee happiness but I prefer to cry in a Porsche”.
Now serious, I come from a humble background and I’m tired of being broke, but I also know happiness is not about how much money you make but what you make of your money and what you get to do without really spending that much. I learned that from my parents. When last financial crisis hit Spain, my 64yo father just shrugged and said: “Another crisis? I’ve seen a good bunch of them, and I’m still here”.
money cannot buy happiness or health, we need it to survive but it doesnt float my boat, great post, would be nice to have u over to my blog, its been a while 🙂
I have been at your blog …maybe i need to leave comments when I do – leave a stamp 🙂
Very well put!
I didn’t have it and now that I do manage, I understand the need to be wise but also not hang on so tight that I remain as if I didn’t have it. But alas, there’s no hanging on with bills to pay and mouths to feed, so it flows. Wisely.
I’ve found that it’s mostly an illusion. I grew up poor and did whatever I had to do to become comfortable. But I quickly learned that while it’s great to be in a position to know that you and your loved ones will not suffer from hunger or homelessness, money and possessions do not buy you happiness.
Moving to a fixer-upper in Spain, I have fewer possessions than even when I was a child. We have no TV, no microwave, no washer or dryer, no good furniture, no central heating or AC, and our bathroom is outside. This has been a monkish existence and it has done me a world of good. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my life. I live in the moment and appreciate every little thing now whether it’s a conversation with a stranger, or a meal.
If you live your life in the present moment at all times, you find that nothing whatsoever is lacking. Life is Perfect!
Very entertaining post Corve. Thanks for sharing.
Quite an entertaining post Corve….I enjoyed it a lot. Take Care!!
Beautiful post.
U did your homework on this,
smart post!
Thanks.
Very provocative post. Money is a necessary evil. Necessary because you need it to get the things you need/want. Evil because it can be dangerous in the wrong hands. Everyone (rich and poor) should take a class in financial education and wealth building.
more money, more problems..
Wow Corve…that was so well said…a lesson for us all…I grew up in a very wealthy community, but was dirt poor..the contrast was palpable to say the least…now I have moved back tho the community and am on the upside of it..it feels good…!!But i dont care about it..I do not buy expensive cars and clothes..only pocketbooks (only Coach, no Louie’s, I got kids to go through college)..we shop at Target and Macys, and I try to get a deal on everything..LOL…I still have a fear of being poor again…but I try to work on it…have great day..!
it’s my favorit movies. I like it and I want to see this movie again.
This is really a good post. You present it so balanced.
When it comes to money, what you teach your children is critical but to me like in everything else, it must be accompanied with a lot of prayers.
Very good point.
This post is really cool. Nice blog. Check my blog out.
When reading this, it reminded me of whne I was in Form II – Sister had written on the blackboard, “Love makes the world go round” . Some wit had written underneath – “Yes, but money gives it a push.”
Sister wasn’t best pleased!
Cheers.
Melbourne Daily Photo
Thanks for following
hi corve!
i personally think that money is just a concept, a mere representation of the things we deem important. You’re right taht the love of it only ruins one. There’s still a few things that arent bought with money.
Good day! 😉
As a good friend of mine told me, “money is energy” so I pass it on…it becomes bad energy when folks try to keep to themselves or make others do certain things to get it from them…
Money…..
The more you have
The more you want
The less you want
The better you feel
🙂
I have always thought of this as a chicken and egg argument. Are poor people just poor at managing most aspects of their life, so therefore they think of money in a short term fashion, not in a big picture way? It doesn’t seem to be about the money really. Like you said, more about the way you think about money. You can see how true this is when you hear all the stories about people winning huge lottery winnings and then going broke. I just want to scream every time I hear that. How can you win millions of dollars and then go broke? I feel like I would have a blast managing that money to last as long as possible…well, until my bank failed and it all went poof or into Goldman Sach’s pocket.
Corve,
This is laying it right on the line. We talk about sustainable development for other countries not our own. I don’t want to comment on the national deficit (others have said it all) but there’s also state deficits, city deficits, and the unsustainable lifestyles in our own homes.
I think many people who grew up poor understand sustainable lifestyles better than those who grew up rich. But then there is another poor, who can’t see the way out and up.
Very thoughtful post, Thank you!
Ann T.
Thanks for the feedback Ann T. Greatly appreciated.
an award 4 u, please enjoy your time!
😉
Will check this out. Shortly
Quite a nice article. I saw a site with a post almost identical to this one a couple of weeks ago. This post is a week older so I recon they have just copied and eddited it. I’m not accusing you of copyright abuse it’s merely just warning that it’s. I can not recall the page, sorry (age thing)