Comments on: Financial freedom is outdated; try optimism instead http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/22/financial-freedom-is-a-myth-try-optimism-instead/ Advice at the intersection of work and life Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:26:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Charlie http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/22/financial-freedom-is-a-myth-try-optimism-instead/comment-page-1/#comment-259860 Charlie Wed, 07 Sep 2011 14:25:00 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/22/financial-freedom-is-a-myth-try-optimism-instead/#comment-259860 Hi Penelope: You are right in that money should not determine happiness.  I feel sorry for those people. I heard the following story from a tax attorney that made me go "hmmmmm" and would like your take on it. The tax attorney is busy from the time he gets up to the time he goes to bed.  Planning, going to meetings, etc.  He became an attorney probably b/c he was interested in helping others and because it was an admiral career. He then asked himself that he one day would like to have his finances all squared away and enough to afford him a lifestyle that gave him lots of time to spend with family and friends. He then saw a homeless person with all the time in the world, talking to his "buddies."  They were only concerned about the basics, i.e. eating, bathing, sleeping but with so "little" to worry about, they had a LOT of time. Now, I define financial freedom as when all your bills can be paid with passive income so that you HAVE the time to spend with family and friends. So, I think the problem is how much does one need (in expenses) in order to be happy, which is what we all want to be, right?  So, we do need money to fulfill happiness.   Do you think that if that homeless person was optimistic about life, would you consider him wealthy? Like I said, it made me go "hmmmmmm" when the lawyer pointed out that the homeless have all the time. Love to hear your take on what wealthy means.   Hi Penelope:

You are right in that money should not determine happiness.  I feel sorry for those people.

I heard the following story from a tax attorney that made me go "hmmmmm" and would like your take on it.

The tax attorney is busy from the time he gets up to the time he goes to bed.  Planning, going to meetings, etc.  He became an attorney probably b/c he was interested in helping others and because it was an admiral career.

He then asked himself that he one day would like to have his finances all squared away and enough to afford him a lifestyle that gave him lots of time to spend with family and friends.

He then saw a homeless person with all the time in the world, talking to his "buddies."  They were only concerned about the basics, i.e. eating, bathing, sleeping but with so "little" to worry about, they had a LOT of time.

Now, I define financial freedom as when all your bills can be paid with passive income so that you HAVE the time to spend with family and friends.

So, I think the problem is how much does one need (in expenses) in order to be happy, which is what we all want to be, right?  So, we do need money to fulfill happiness.  

Do you think that if that homeless person was optimistic about life, would you consider him wealthy?

Like I said, it made me go "hmmmmmm" when the lawyer pointed out that the homeless have all the time.

Love to hear your take on what wealthy means.

 

]]> By: Financial Brilliance, 28 Unique Bits | Jack Green's http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/22/financial-freedom-is-a-myth-try-optimism-instead/comment-page-1/#comment-254080 Financial Brilliance, 28 Unique Bits | Jack Green's Sat, 02 Jul 2011 04:49:57 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/22/financial-freedom-is-a-myth-try-optimism-instead/#comment-254080 [...] Financial freedom only solves small problems. – “You know what really determines our happiness levels? Not money, but how optimistic we are and how often we have monogamous sex. Money cannot solve big problems, like cancer or world hunger or happiness. Money solves small problems, like, can you have a big wedding, can you go on a good trip. Small problems are what people talk about when they talk about financial freedom.” – via Brazen Careerist [...] [...] Financial freedom only solves small problems. – “You know what really determines our happiness levels? Not money, but how optimistic we are and how often we have monogamous sex. Money cannot solve big problems, like cancer or world hunger or happiness. Money solves small problems, like, can you have a big wedding, can you go on a good trip. Small problems are what people talk about when they talk about financial freedom.” – via Brazen Careerist [...]

]]> By: judy lh http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/22/financial-freedom-is-a-myth-try-optimism-instead/comment-page-1/#comment-247874 judy lh Wed, 06 Apr 2011 15:43:53 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/22/financial-freedom-is-a-myth-try-optimism-instead/#comment-247874 Hello Penelope- I was terminated from my last joob- please help with how to interview and turning into a positive experience- thanks Hello Penelope- I was terminated from my last joob- please help with how to interview and turning into a positive experience- thanks

]]> By: Green Stickman http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/22/financial-freedom-is-a-myth-try-optimism-instead/comment-page-1/#comment-246911 Green Stickman Thu, 31 Mar 2011 06:30:45 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/22/financial-freedom-is-a-myth-try-optimism-instead/#comment-246911 The term "financial freedom" is misquoted by many people. Thinking that they can have wealth in an instant! Anyways, this is a great article. I myself by the way is writing articles about financial freedom. If you may allow, I am posting a link (you can remove it if it is not ok with you): http://www.gayward-concepts.com/your-allies-to-financial-freedom/ This article is all about our “Allies to Financial Freedom”. These allies are time, compound interest and leverage. For me, it is not bad to be financially literate. The problem with others (specifically those who sell books about financial freedom)exaggerates everything. Thank you in advance! I hope you will allow my post. More power to your site. The term "financial freedom" is misquoted by many people. Thinking that they can have wealth in an instant!

Anyways, this is a great article. I myself by the way is writing articles about financial freedom. If you may allow, I am posting a link (you can remove it if it is not ok with you):

http://www.gayward-concepts.com/your-allies-to-financial-freedom/

This article is all about our “Allies to Financial Freedom”.
These allies are time, compound interest and leverage.

For me, it is not bad to be financially literate. The problem with others (specifically those who sell books about financial freedom)exaggerates everything.

Thank you in advance! I hope you will allow my post. More power to your site.

]]> By: Fire Grate · http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/22/financial-freedom-is-a-myth-try-optimism-instead/comment-page-1/#comment-234905 Fire Grate · Mon, 08 Nov 2010 14:34:50 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/22/financial-freedom-is-a-myth-try-optimism-instead/#comment-234905 the thing is that financial freedom is sowehow difficulat to achieve and it requires a lot of work _ the thing is that financial freedom is sowehow difficulat to achieve and it requires a lot of work _

]]> By: Paula http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/22/financial-freedom-is-a-myth-try-optimism-instead/comment-page-1/#comment-221696 Paula Sat, 27 Feb 2010 16:43:13 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/22/financial-freedom-is-a-myth-try-optimism-instead/#comment-221696 Money solves or ameliorates big problems as well, Penelope, and you may not realize how privileged you are not to realize it: *not* "Can I have a big wedding?", but "Can I move into a larger apartment that's not next to a crackhouse after getting married?" *Not* "Can take a trip in my own Lear jet," but "Can I afford to take off work long enough to take a trip?" (Good point that where you're going and whom you see are more important.) And what you've missed here is that for many "financial freedom" is defined not by *wants* not being curtailed by what can be afforded, but by what many would see as *needs*... such as your ability to take your child to professionals to care for his autism, or my ability to go to the dentist (I have serious dental issues were made much worse during years when I and my parents could not quite afford adequate care.) Since bloggers are people rich in either spare time or money--either they own their own computer or have time to access someone else's--their/your/our idea of "financial freedom" is several steps above the FF aspirations of most people, who are interested in freedom from crushing debt, and freedom to live in relative health and comfort. Money solves or ameliorates big problems as well, Penelope, and you may not realize how privileged you are not to realize it: *not* "Can I have a big wedding?", but "Can I move into a larger apartment that's not next to a crackhouse after getting married?" *Not* "Can take a trip in my own Lear jet," but "Can I afford to take off work long enough to take a trip?" (Good point that where you're going and whom you see are more important.) And what you've missed here is that for many "financial freedom" is defined not by *wants* not being curtailed by what can be afforded, but by what many would see as *needs*… such as your ability to take your child to professionals to care for his autism, or my ability to go to the dentist (I have serious dental issues were made much worse during years when I and my parents could not quite afford adequate care.) Since bloggers are people rich in either spare time or money–either they own their own computer or have time to access someone else's–their/your/our idea of "financial freedom" is several steps above the FF aspirations of most people, who are interested in freedom from crushing debt, and freedom to live in relative health and comfort.

]]> By: John http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/22/financial-freedom-is-a-myth-try-optimism-instead/comment-page-1/#comment-194772 John Fri, 28 Aug 2009 08:47:25 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/22/financial-freedom-is-a-myth-try-optimism-instead/#comment-194772 Interesting blog, but what is touted as 'brazen' here is in actual fact deep-rooted conservatism and morality. When the author writes about the limitations of money on personal lives she is really writing about greed, which is what our society is brainwashed into simply because it generates big profits for capitalism and empties our wallets, thus continuing the cycle of wanting more. We already know this. Saying that financial freedom is outdated, however, is hopelessly naive. As we get older and our health may potentially affect our ability to enjoy a comfortable retirement, our income is a necessity. Positive thinking won't pay our bills or feed us. Money gives us more options in life, whether we like to admit it or not, and the quality of life we live has a direct relation to our environment and career. Chasing money aggressively may be foolish, but it is the gap between rich and poor that people are trying to fill in for themselves to achieve a more free life. As for monogamy and sex, this is subconscious preaching. Infidelity and divorce are two words society seems to hide from couples wishing to marry, yet as we all know they continue to happen. This argument seems to hint of 'just shut up and stop being so greedy and love your spouse and we'll all get along better'. I suspect the author was a pampered young woman who is now trying to set society straight with her enlightened moral views. Sex is good anytime, for anyone: either single, married, or divorced! The religious-like convictions of websites and self-help books on optimism that fill bookstores are a multi-billion dollar industry that few actually benefit from. The idea of thinking positive as a sole necessity to actual happiness is misleading. Adversity and critical thinking teach us more than hope or faith ever will. Learning and taking risks in life, while making mistakes along the way to significant achievements, are what bring real freedom and joy to life. Happiness is to be earned. Interesting blog, but what is touted as 'brazen' here is in actual fact deep-rooted conservatism and morality. When the author writes about the limitations of money on personal lives she is really writing about greed, which is what our society is brainwashed into simply because it generates big profits for capitalism and empties our wallets, thus continuing the cycle of wanting more. We already know this. Saying that financial freedom is outdated, however, is hopelessly naive. As we get older and our health may potentially affect our ability to enjoy a comfortable retirement, our income is a necessity. Positive thinking won't pay our bills or feed us. Money gives us more options in life, whether we like to admit it or not, and the quality of life we live has a direct relation to our environment and career. Chasing money aggressively may be foolish, but it is the gap between rich and poor that people are trying to fill in for themselves to achieve a more free life.

As for monogamy and sex, this is subconscious preaching. Infidelity and divorce are two words society seems to hide from couples wishing to marry, yet as we all know they continue to happen. This argument seems to hint of 'just shut up and stop being so greedy and love your spouse and we'll all get along better'. I suspect the author was a pampered young woman who is now trying to set society straight with her enlightened moral views. Sex is good anytime, for anyone: either single, married, or divorced!

The religious-like convictions of websites and self-help books on optimism that fill bookstores are a multi-billion dollar industry that few actually benefit from. The idea of thinking positive as a sole necessity to actual happiness is misleading. Adversity and critical thinking teach us more than hope or faith ever will. Learning and taking risks in life, while making mistakes along the way to significant achievements, are what bring real freedom and joy to life. Happiness is to be earned.

]]> By: smith http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/22/financial-freedom-is-a-myth-try-optimism-instead/comment-page-1/#comment-191780 smith Thu, 20 Aug 2009 06:38:02 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/22/financial-freedom-is-a-myth-try-optimism-instead/#comment-191780 you've got a great blog, very informative and the advice is absolutely spot on. That ray is mesmorizing, I love it. Good layout too, great work. you've got a great blog, very informative and the advice is absolutely spot on. That ray is mesmorizing, I love it. Good layout too, great work.

]]> By: kevin http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/22/financial-freedom-is-a-myth-try-optimism-instead/comment-page-1/#comment-189703 kevin Sat, 25 Jul 2009 15:56:43 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/22/financial-freedom-is-a-myth-try-optimism-instead/#comment-189703 Brilliant review, Is there any true way to financial freedom? Well I've been doing affiliate marketing for some time now and have also done a couple of good reviews like the <a href="http://www.cb-cashxx.com" rel="nofollow">CB-Cash System</a> and more recently the <a href="http://www.resellers-heavenx.com" rel="nofollow"> Resellers-Heaven Review</a> Feel free to drop me a comment on any of my blogs for quick approval and I will comment on your blog as well. If you have any tips for quick SEO rankings with google please email me. As I said before Great post! I’ll subscribe right now with my feedreader software! Keep the blog updated and keep up the good work. Cheers Brilliant review, Is there any true way to financial freedom? Well I've been doing affiliate marketing for some time now and have also done a couple of good reviews like the CB-Cash System and more recently the Resellers-Heaven Review Feel free to drop me a comment on any of my blogs for quick approval and I will comment on your blog as well. If you have any tips for quick SEO rankings with google please email me. As I said before Great post! I’ll subscribe right now with my feedreader software! Keep the blog updated and keep up the good work. Cheers

]]> By: kerry http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/22/financial-freedom-is-a-myth-try-optimism-instead/comment-page-1/#comment-186019 kerry Wed, 20 May 2009 03:22:16 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/22/financial-freedom-is-a-myth-try-optimism-instead/#comment-186019 Financial freedom to me is to be able to have what I have in my life now, knowing my financial future is secure through proper PLANNING. The icing on the cake is if I have the means to help others and actually do so. I always want to work at something that I enjoy. If I didnt have to work to have the above, I might still work anyway. That is what makes me happy. If I have even more riches I simply could give more to others seeing as Iam allready happy. Yes I do know that giving to others does not have to involve money. Its just that some people are in a position of needing more money so they can have a reasonable amount of the basic physical comforts. food, shelter,transportation ,insurance etc Financial freedom to me is to be able to have what I have in my life now, knowing my financial future is secure through proper PLANNING. The icing on the cake is if I have the means to help others and actually do so. I always want to work at something that I enjoy. If I didnt have to work to have the above, I might still work anyway. That is what makes me happy. If I have even more riches I simply could give more to others seeing as Iam allready happy. Yes I do know that giving to others does not have to involve money. Its just that some people are in a position of needing more money so they can have a reasonable amount of the basic physical comforts. food, shelter,transportation ,insurance etc

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