The Love of Money

I find myself sitting in a very strange situation in which I have a view from what seems like both ends of the continuum in regard to "the love of money," here in America.  I'm not really trying to tell all the family business, but in the past week, I've gotten to hear about it from both extremes, and both extremes can agree on one thing.  I'm doing it wrong!  I'm really not speaking out of turn, as they both speak quite openly about their perspective when it comes to money.  Another point to make, is both extreme perspectives were given by the ones who have married good providers.  Both of these women have explained to me about money, while neither have ever had to support themselves for any length of time . . .  Actually, my mother has never had to support herself and my daughter, only briefly.

I have no idea how much money my parents have, but they do own a significant amount of land and their home has been paid for for over a quarter of a century.  Daddy has been pretty much able to name his own price, professionally, since he retired.  He is skilled in an area that simply requires years of cumulative knowledge with experience and great leadership qualities, so even at 75 years old, he gets calls.  As they used to say in the 50s and 60s, my parents are "comfortable."  In the past year they announced they are getting their affairs in order and it seemed to take months and professionals, so I'm thinking they should be set to live out their golden years with as much security as is possible in these times.

On the other end of that spectrum is my daughter and her husband.  He also makes fantastic money, but he and my daughter lavish themselves in "living for the moment." They don't own their own home, still making a car payment and last I heard both still have outstanding debt on student loans for degrees neither of them use.  My daughter refers to it as a "rockstar lifestyle."   She's voiced more than once, she's expecting an economic collapse and they'll simply take on a nomadic lifestyle.  She's pushing 40 and he's just a few years younger than I am.  So there are the two extremes and I'm somewhere not even in the middle.

In the event of collapse, I plan to be a place of refuge, but not for those who expect the collapse and refused to prepare.  So this will not be a refuge for broke, unprepared, aged rockstar wanna-bees.  Also, off this continuum, unlike my parents; I don't plan to retire.  Unlike many boomers, I didn't invest in big retirement stock plans, but as it turns out, I'm not any worse off for that decision.  I did invest, but not in Wall Street.  I plan to be working, until the day I die.  Some say I'm ridiculous and that's okay.  Now, the point of this article goes beyond anyone's income or lifestyle, but rather, I get to hear the judgment and the justification of both extremes.

My mother, of course, views her materialism as "blessing."  She listens to the religious prosperity guys and the conservative talk show hosts.  She doesn't see it as the "love of money," it's American Christian Capitalism!  She is quite vocal in her admonishment of the way my daughter handles money.  In her estimation I did not give my daughter a proper value of money.  "I know, right!"  Once I voice my disdain for my daughter's values, she lightens up and then defends her.  Since my goal is to drop the subject, that works! My mother's big concern is outliving their money.  She told me she'd spend every dime if my dad's health needed.  And well she should, he's the one that earned it!

On to my daughter's amazing observation.  She refers to her grandparents' money management has hoarding.  But then, she also refers to my business inventory as hoarding.  She has a wonderful vocabulary but frequently misuses terms, for exaggerated effect.  She believes in spending everything her husband earns, on themselves and immediately.  I got to view their family vacation to Vegas this year, and watched a granddaughter skyjump off the stratosphere.  My grandson said he had the choice of doing that or two rides because the jump cost over $100.00   My daughter calls her grandparents, greedy hoarders, while her lifestyle is superficial opulence and waste.

In this country we've gone completely extreme and both ends are "the love of money."   When money is more important than people and fear overrides faith, it's a problem.  I think in the case of Daddy, their net worth reflects the result of his hard work and good management.   On the other hand saving in fear, amassing off of the hard work of others, or spending in frivolous waste, is all very self-focused and just different forms of greed.  I don't share my parents view of the importance of money, but they are always generous with gifts for family, especially grandchildren.  I have come to see, while the wealthy are blamed in this country and often falsely accused, "the love of money" is not always reflected in a big bank account.   Sometimes small bank accounts reflect greed of instant gratification and self-indulgent pleasure.