Are you still happy?

[MntnMan62]

I can sometimes understand the feeling that if only I had xxxxxxx dollars I'd be happy. But I spent 30 years working with some of the wealthiest people on the planet. Sure, some of them are, or at least appear to be, pretty happy. But there are plenty of them that are downright miserable unhappy bastards (and bitches). If find that the ones who are self made tend to be the happiest, although there are exceptions. And the most miserable are the ones who inherited their money. So, what is the key to being happy? I think first and foremost you need to feel comfortable with your position in life. It helps to have achieved some measure of success in making money for yourself, whether it's climbing the corporate ladder or owning or running a successful business. You also need to have quality relationships in your life. Family, friends and the like. Because that's your support structure. I don't care whether you have all the money in the world, there will be difficult times that you need help getting through. There are other things that help with happiness but these are just the major ones. Many more than there is room or time for here. And as for this Covid thing, I keep thinking that hopefully by this time next year, we may be actually able to drop the masks. But probably not before then. Anyone who is an anti-mask, anti-social distancing and anti-vaccine is only ensuring that the time it takes for things to truly see some semblance of normalcy will be longer.

 

[danondrums]

Abundant wealth won’t create happiness, but poverty can certainly cause depression and other illnesses.

 

[satisfiedwimp]

Abundant wealth won’t create happiness, but poverty can certainly cause depression and other illnesses.

I totally agree with you. It's all about moderation. You need to find your balance.

 

[MrInsanePolack]

During next winter’s flu season, I’ll probably wear a mask when I go shopping. Covid vaccination will be widespread and I won’t worry much about it but seasonal flu will probably go around again. I don’t think the clean habits learned will continue. Sick people will go to work as before. Previously, wearing a mask would be considered crazy. In the future, I would only be considered slightly paranoid, which is what I am about germs anyway.

Wearing a mask doesn’t bother me. I plan on using it in the future in crowded places, even after Covid mostly goes away.

My kid had a fever the other day after work. I brought up the states influenza weekly report. Since september, there have been only 69 positive tests for the flu. It's almost non-existent this year. I'm sure it's the masks and social distancing. I feel like I might keep the mask also.

My kid didnt have the flu or covid. She had an infection.

Our mandatory mask decree was lifted 2 days ago. I still see lots of folks wearing them. I had to take my dog to the vet yesterday and forgot mine in the car. I felt very irresponsible even though no one else at the vet was wearing one.

 

[blinky]

Don't care much about the virus, got the flu twice (!) only worry 'bout my aging mother.
The thing I'm concerned with is going through a divorce. Bummer, even though it's me that initiated it...

 

[doggyd69b]

I can sometimes understand the feeling that if only I had xxxxxxx dollars I'd be happy. But I spent 30 years working with some of the wealthiest people on the planet. Sure, some of them are, or at least appear to be, pretty happy. But there are plenty of them that are downright miserable unhappy bastards (and bitches). If find that the ones who are self made tend to be the happiest, although there are exceptions. And the most miserable are the ones who inherited their money. So, what is the key to being happy? I think first and foremost you need to feel comfortable with your position in life. It helps to have achieved some measure of success in making money for yourself, whether it's climbing the corporate ladder or owning or running a successful business. You also need to have quality relationships in your life. Family, friends and the like. Because that's your support structure. I don't care whether you have all the money in the world, there will be difficult times that you need help getting through. There are other things that help with happiness but these are just the major ones. Many more than there is room or time for here. And as for this Covid thing, I keep thinking that hopefully by this time next year, we may be actually able to drop the masks. But probably not before then. Anyone who is an anti-mask, anti-social distancing and anti-vaccine is only ensuring that the time it takes for things to truly see some semblance of normalcy will be longer.

You can't view yourself through the eyes of others. You don't know how you would act if you were in that position (having a lot of $$$) Maybe some are unhappy because with all the money also comes the responsibility of managing a huge enterprise, maybe those are the people that inherited and not the ones that originally made it (which are usually used to working hard to get things done). I am sure you are a hard worker and like anyone enjoys success when you have it. I a have also seen from being on both ends of the coin that people in "1st" world countries don't even know how good they have it and constantly complain about how their lives suck. Tell that to the people in the Phillipines who have to go dig food out of the dumpster to eat that day...or to the people in war torn countries that don't even know if they will have water to drink that day, then tell me your life is hard in a safe/stable country and with lots of money and success to boot... I feel that if you are depressed with all that then any little difficulty or issue in your life will take you to the edge and you will end up badly... By the way this was not directed at MNTNMAN62 this was directed at those who don't know how good they have it...

 

[MrInsanePolack]

MONEY...brings happiness...don't let anyone steer you otherwise. Until I win the lottery I'll only have glimpses of happiness.

My grandfather had more money than he knew what to do with and was still a grumpy ass SoB. All that man did was complain.

Casino games have better odds than the lottery, but are still slighted towards the house.

I have been trying to figure out how to beat the financial system without criminal activity for a looooooooooong time. Working is the safest bet still.

 

[someguy01]

I have been trying to figure out how to beat the financial system without criminal activity for a looooooooooong time.

You either A) have money already and therefore have an "in" or B) you rob them.
Remember that some 70% of new/small businesses are started with family money, not hard work.

 

[MrInsanePolack]

You either A) have money already and therefore have an "in" or B) you rob them.
Remember that some 70% of new/small businesses are started with family money, not hard work.

There in lies the problem. I'm not in group A and wont participate in B. The "it takes $$$ to make $$$" is truth.

 

[GetAgrippa]

My wife came from a poor family (both just high school grads though Mom did get accounting degree after her and her sister raised) she bought her wedding dress and payed for her way through her masters degree and then medical school-number one in her class. The males hated her-wondered how I could be married to a women who is smarter and will be more successful (LOL people think doctors are smart-what kind of fool question is that?). Anyways she just always works and always excels and always organized-I'm none of those things LOL.
I've always been really proud of her-she did it on her on (her faith is really important to her and as a child she always knew she would be a physician-was a volunteer candy striper and all that) and after some twenty years in private pediatric practice became a hospice director to take a big cut in pay because it's the job she feels God has led her to. I wish I had that kind of blind faith/personality/etc. I'd probably have a No-Beall prize LOL. She's salt and I'm pepper so it really balances itself. I was raised more with a silver. spoon-it did me no favors really my spoon went from my mouth to my nose, nothing had value because I didn't really have to work for it or earn it-I worked sure-crappy kid jobs (often my Dad would set us up for my bros and I so we would likely go to college and not want to do that job again-which is pretty brilliant-we all went to college) but you get paid squat-however he'd give me a big handful of cash and tell me to get lost. Which is exactly what I did for quite a few years ROFL. I think about the Rockefeller's son Michael that probably got ate by crocodiles-it seems with wealthy robber baron their offspring rebel and get eaten by crocs or lost in civilization like I did ROFL. I wonder if I had been raised in a different environment-minus two psychotic brothers and a bunch of yahoos how I might have turned out different. Maybe I'd be normal-just kidding that's got to be genetic. I can't complain life has been very good to me.

 

[Bozozoid]

Well?..they say you have better odds of getting struck by lightning than winning the lottery. Those same odds go for the ones holding the winning tickets every month or so. Are my odds as good as theirs?..magic 8 ball says yes.

 

[MrInsanePolack]

Well?..they say you have better odds of getting struck by lightning than winning the lottery. Those same odds go for the ones holding the winning tickets every month or so. Are my odds as good as theirs?..magic 8 ball says yes.

And lightning has less parameters than the lottery. Its randomness is even more random.

Good luck! I'm still looking for my sure thing. I'm not that lucky.

 

[yammyfan]

I follow a blended approach to money. I buy lottery tickets occasionally but I work hard at a good job as insurance. I try to spend wisely and not rack up debt. I don't invest though which is something I intend to get on in the near future.

 

[Xstr8edgtnrdrmrX]

I follow a blended approach to money. I buy lottery tickets occasionally but I work hard at a good job as insurance. I try to spend wisely and not rack up debt. I don't invest though which is something I intend to get on in the near future.

same here...I just started investing a few years ago..and am looking to get into that as a hobby in a way down the road...my dad did pretty well in the stock market up to and after retirement, but 9/11 really screwed him over. He got out of it after that...

I think I am going to save me money differently than I have in the past...i already live pretty frugal...most of my friends call me a hermit...which I don't deny in many ways.

 

[Yamaha Rider]

Abundant wealth won’t create happiness, but poverty can certainly cause depression and other illnesses.

Absolutely.

 

[doggyd69b]

invest in real estate if you can afford it. It doesn't have to be a super expensive property, just some fixer upper that you can work on and later rent or AirB&B or sell for more than what you got it. I am seeing that as a possible source of income, I have 3 years left in the military then I will have to retire, while the retirement check will be nice, it won't be enough for me to not need to work so I am now starting my second degree, maybe work 10 more years after the military to get a second retirement and at that point I would be able to not work anymore.. of course it would be nice to win the lottery but I can't count on that so I have to be realistic. I also can't complain about my life if I am not putting the effort to make things better...Can't complain I do have a great life.

 

[Xstr8edgtnrdrmrX]

invest in real estate if you can afford it. It doesn't have to be a super expensive property, just some fixer upper that you can work on and later rent or AirB&B or sell for more than what you got it. I am seeing that as a possible source of income, I have 3 years left in the military then I will have to retire, while the retirement check will be nice, it won't be enough for me to not need to work so I am now starting my second degree, maybe work 10 more years after the military to get a second retirement and at that point I would be able to not work anymore.. of course it would be nice to win the lottery but I can't count on that so I have to be realistic. I also can't complain about my life if I am not putting the effort to make things better...Can't complain I do have a great life.

I did that...and it sucked...especially being a rental owner/manager. I spent more money dealing with damage issues of all and any kind than gaining any kind of equity back. It was like being an adult baby sitter. My parents owned 4 or 6 rental/flipping properties and they loved that...always being consumed by some kind of update or repair....bruh...that is my biggest nightmare!!!

However, I AM looking into buying some (seemingly) useless pieces of land out in the sticks, that will be worth some $$$$ in 10 year when they city grows out there. For now, I would use them as camping spots, or to build mountain bike trails on. We are also definitely looking to move out of the city and build a small retirement dream "castle" on one of the said pieces of land

 

[doggyd69b]

Going to Augusta Ga, I've seen a lot of properties from 50 to 100k that are fixer uppers and can definitely be sold (not rented because I agree with the renting nightmares). but also you can do airB&B which is a short term rental and set limits (they have the gold tournament which attracts lots of people during the season, so if you could get some land (which there is lots and for cheap there) and build a few small rentals solely for that.. you could do well. But that is not going to be my main source of income, I will have a retirement (military) plus I will have another income from the next job so that would only be extra income. And there are lots of land with access to big ponds (stocked with fish) or the lake so a camping compound can be built, who knows just plans but very doable.

 

[cbphoto]

I have been trying to figure out how to beat the financial system without criminal activity for a looooooooooong time.

Bill Hwang figured it out with Archegos. They worked a derivatives deal with many big banks, and a few got stung.

https://www.finews.asia/people/34136-who-is-bill-hwang

 

[felonious69]

I was going through this thread again.
I like to laugh and everyone around me knows it.
Was talking to Kyle at work yesterday, and told him "I used to be seriously angry...all the time!"
He exclaimed: "You?!?!?" "YOU?!?!?"
"All the time!"
I just eventually realized how unproductive and unhealthy that was.
Was talking to two of my bosses once and one says: "Wait...you're allergic to bees and you mowed that WHOLE ditch?!?!?"
Told her: "I was unemployed for almost a year...That shit is depressing...You're my boss and you told me to take that hedgehog you rented and mow that ditch...I do what I am told"
"Bees I can deal with...I have been hit by a car three times! I've even been "hit" by refrigerators twice!"
They both laughed.

I am not a "Lucky" person and I don't count on luck.
I do play the "big" lottery once in a while because it's obvious I am not gonna retire comfortably on what I am making right now.
And I DO believe that a YUGE chunk of change would change my outlook on things for the better.
I am 56 and know who most of the assbags are. It's not like, if they knock on my door, I HAVE TO answer.