Impoverished Indulgence and Entitlement

The Other 1 Percent seems to have more areas of agreement than most other "groups."  It's not that we agree on everything, but we agree on a number of basics and that's enough to not focus on the differing details.  Also, there's the fact that the Other 1 percent is busy and doesn't really have a great deal of free time to play the blame game.  We know the system of perpetual motion can't self start or self-recover.  We already know that, as well as realizing money is like water, in that, it will seek it's own level . . .

As some are just sure raising the minimum wage to $15.00 an hour will repair this broken economy, others are flying to the other extreme, just sure it will collapse the economy.  The economy is already collapsing under the printing presses.  Increased minimum wage will only reduce the buying power of what's left of the Middle Class.  I've been in ministry long enough to hear folks' various economic struggles and it's really not about the income, it's about management and priorities.  Scripture says we are to be faithful in the little things and we'll be given much.  I know for a fact and have shared with others, G-d will not give us more of what we already cannot handle . . . and that includes money!

Consider this, in regard to raising the minimum wage.  There are already people making between $14.00 and 18.00 an hour that still can't make ends meet.  There were people making that wage back when minimum wage was $5 something and they were still going upside down in cars and houses.  And that is not about distribution of wealth, that's simply a choice of lifestyle.  If there were to be a redistribution of wealth, within a matter of months, the wealthy would once again be holding the majority of the money and the people now crying for redistribution would once again have empty pockets.  When someone chooses to live beyond their means, they are going to be behind, all the time, with an excuse every time; regardless of how much they make.  We've all read about real estate moguls and millionaires filing bankruptcy.  It's possible to live beyond one's means on every level of income, and it is also possible to live within one's means on even low income levels, as long as one is willing to work and prioritize responsibly.  

I remember my days of being poor, and that's certainly not to say I'm wealthy now, but my days of not being able to make ends meet was a clear case of not being right with G-d and not being responsible with my income.  I wasn't a partier, I just simply lived with poor priorities and kept company with folks who did the same.  Americans make choices, then try to create an image of success or victimhood, but the choices are made. Many simply choose other priorities and indulgences knowing, yes knowing, someone will provide their basic needs.  There's no reason on earth, someone making $12.00 an hour cannot afford their own groceries, but there are many.  If the family is large, then assistance is available on that income, but management is still the key that makes the difference between independence and need.

Whether it's SNAP cards, automatic deposit, food pantries and community services, taking the shame out of begging has created an atmosphere of impoverished indulgence and entitlement.  

The Cost of Living

With the price of oil plummeting, I'm expecting to see other costs destabilize.  At this point and time, I'm not even sure what that really means or could possibly entail, but without the gold or silver standard, and so many global currencies; oil is really the global standard.  If the American dollar now has more buying power regarding a barrel of oil, I think that usually means deflation or inflation is coming.  I think both are on the horizon.  Economy experts have forecasted an improved 2015 for America's economy, but much of that is based upon oil and gas, while the price of oil has dropped dramatically.

I believe we're going to see another drop in the value of tangible assets, or at least the selling power of them and I think we're going to see an increase in the cost of living.  The Great Repression of 2008 brought about a real change in the economic climate of this country, with a severe drop in the standard of living for the Middle Class.  In going back to campaign rhetoric of our current leader, he frequently used the term "working class" in reference to what used to be the Middle Class.

In recent conversations, I've experienced not sticker shock, but what I would call "Cost of Living Shock."  I truly had not realized how far out of the economic loop this homesteading lifestyle had taken me.  My daughter started it, last year when we were talking about her sister's move.  I had said something about them being here for a month and giving me $200.00.  My daughter just looked at me over her wine glass and asked, "Two hundred dollars, what's that even begin to cover?"  I then stopped and thought about how much my kids talk about their cost of living, especially the one who had given $200.00 . . . so I certainly quit feeling guilty for having taken almost enough money to cover the cost of my internet overage through their stay.  I have now heard others speak of their income, their monthly expenses, and in many cases, their continued need for assistance.

Obviously, some of the cost of living has to do with money management.  I choose to be frugal to a point, but really, I buy what I need and usually what I want.  I just don't require a lot of high tech gadgetry and I still prefer investments to just purchases.  I don't know that I'll be here in 40 years, but if America is still in business, some of the things I've implemented here in Goshen could still be operational and of course, much of the homesteading lifestyle is perpetual.  As others describe their income, I'm shocked.  I've been out of the mainstream workforce for so long, I had no idea people actually complained about the level of income I'm hearing about.  I can't imagine how they find a way to be broke with that much income!

Our economy did not recover and it's shaky.  We can't keep mismanaging our income and expect G-d, government, or charity to continue to provide.  Wealth does not begin in the wallet, it begins in the way we think and manage.  

Moving to Lifestyles

Being a member of The Other 1 Percent really isn't so much about just money.  The One Percent may claim the same thing, but the reality is, their money is what sets them apart in the deep, deep belief of Capitalism.  I'm not holding that against them.  The 98% claim to have standards against The One Percent that would better serve all mankind.  To be honest, I would of course financially fit into the 98%, probably not even as high as the middle, but I simply do not share their priorities.  It's my personal belief that a sudden redistribution of wealth would result in the money migrating back to the same hands, once again in a very short time.  That thought is far from original.

Although I don't consider myself financially wealthy, I have invested in assets, rather than consumer goods.  That is a big difference between The One Percent and the 98%.  While the 98% claim The One Percent should be more giving, very few of the 98% are as generous with their own earnings as they expect the wealthy to be.  It's fairly safe to say, the 98% spends a larger percentage of their available cash on what they want for the short term, than the wealthy do, whom they are attacking.  It's just that the wealthy have more dollars to play with.  There are some in this country who inherited their money, but the self-made One Percenters paid a price that most of the 98% can't even imagine, much less willingly accomplish.

I can't relate to The One Percent.  Money doesn't seem like a security to me.  Stock investments are clearly in the control of the powers that be.  Gold and silver are only of value if there are buyers or those who will accept it in exchange of goods.  Paper and coins are not edible, the paper will burn, but not long enough to keep anyone warm.  Paper and coins are not substantial protection against the elements of nature.  The reality is, we live in a society in which the rich will remain rich, because they are in control of what is purchased, and most of the poor will remain poor, because they subsist on wages to purchase consumer goods, which are not assets.  There is no investment for gain in the financial choices of most of the 98%.

The main difference, as I understand it at this time, is the Other 1 Percent are drawing a different line between needs and wants, and investing toward that end.  The Other 1 Percent is a lifestyle, rather than just another percentage placeholder in the economic imbalance of our society.

The Other One Percent is moving to our Lifestyles Section and we're adding a link to a more mainstream concept in investments and business, just to stay abreast of where our economy is really heading.

Wealth

Just what it is to be wealthy?  What is the definition, these days, of weath?  Are Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, and Warren Buffet an example of what it is to be wealthy or do they just have a lot of money?  By worldly standards, money and wealth seem to be interchangeable terms.  How many of us are discounting our "net worth" because we aren't millionaires?  I could launch into all the other things in life that are of value, like relationships and health, and those are clearly important; but I'm going to keep it practical and tangible.

My children think I live like a squirrel in winter and I suppose a number of people think living off the land is a sign of poverty, but the truth is, I like the way I live.  My total monthly bills are less than the average car payment.  That's not to say, expenses don't come up, because they do.  Things break and they wear out, but those are incidents rather than regular expenses.  By maintaining a low monthly budget, financial stress is minimal.   Also by maintaining a low monthly budget, when expenses do arise, they are simply met and life moves on.

As a society we tend to measure wealth by accumulation of money and status, but I have a different perspective.  A friend and I were talking the other day and I don't think I gave indication of my shock, but she mentioned expenses and what it would take to live "comfortably."  To be honest, I don't think I'd be comfortable having to deal with that much money.  I'd be trying to figure out what I was supposed to actually do with that much money.  I'd feel obligated to start some sort of philanthropic organization or something.  That would be a huge responsibility for me, a burden actually. 

My definition of wealth affords freedom from financial stress.  One of my true marks of freedom is the way I handle my bills.  On a monthly basis, I have two personal bills and usually one business expense.  Those three bills go over the visor in the buggy, until my semi-monthly trip to town.  In less than five minutes, those checks are made out and in the mail.  All other expenses are handled in cash.  

Living debt free, and stress free is wealth.  Less junk to dust would be even better.  More importantly, though; when it comes to true wealth . . . Having enough to share, at a moment's notice, is wealth.