Favorite quote or money motivator?

[shultice24]

Henry David Thoreau's Walden - there were a lot of profound thoughts in that book that I think will have a permanent effect on my entire lifestyle, money included.

If he is observing the world from where he's at now, I shudder to think of what his opinion is regarding our materialist lives.

A couple of my favorite quotes are:

"Most of the luxuries, and many of the so-called comforts of life, are not only not indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind."

"The farmer is endearing to solve the problem of a livelihood by a formula more complicated than the problem itself. To get his shoestrings he speculates in herds of cattle. With consummate skill he has set his trap with a hair spring to catch comfort and independence, and then, as he turned away, got his own leg into it. This is the reason he is poor, and for a similar reason we are all poor in respect to a thousand savage comforts, though surrounded by luxuries… And when the farmer has got his house, he may not be the richer but the poorer for it, and it be the house that has got him."

[LuxLiving]

"Very few people have knowledge of their true expenses. Because they do not consider intermittent and irregular expenses as regular monthly obligations, their expenses turn into emergencies and financial crises."
— Mary Hunt

[jasonnoguchi]

Its silly to buy the lottery and even sillier not to buy if the jackpot is high.

[LuxLiving]

“It's really hard to come up with $1000 but it’s easy to find 1000 ways to save a dollar or two!” ~Tightwad Kitty, Saving Advice dot com blogger

[LuxLiving]

"My idea of being rich — or at least of feeling rich — is to have no debts, mortgage, or overdraft and to be able to pay all bills by return post. This may seem a fairly modest ambition, but if everyone in the West were in this position our societies would indeed merit the term "affluent," and the world would be a much happier place." ~~Paul Johnson, British historian and author

[LuxLiving]

Hat tip to Copenhagen...

"I dream a dream to change the world,
But don't know where to start.
I am just one person, one tiny little part.
They told me I could do it, if only I could see,
There is a way to change the world;

It starts by changing me." ~author unknown

[LuxLiving]

William J. H. Boetcker, a Presbyterian minister released a pamphlet titled Lincoln On Limitations, which did include a Lincoln quote, but also added statements written by Boetcker himself:


"You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred. You cannot build character and courage by taking away man's initiative and independence. You cannot help small men by tearing down big men. You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income. You cannot establish security on borrowed money. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they will not do for themselves."

[jasonnoguchi]

The feeling and appearance of wealth attracts more wealth.

[LuxLiving]

“If your outgo exceeds your income your upkeep will be your downfall." ~~?

[jasonnoguchi]

The grass is always greener on the other side because more money has been put into maintenance.

[shultice24]

Originally Posted by jasonnoguchi

The grass is always greener on the other side because more money has been put into maintenance.

That's a good one.

Content makes poor men rich; discontentment makes rich men poor. Ben Franklin

[LuxLiving]

"If ye love wealth
better than liberty,
the tranquility of servitude better than
the animating contest of freedom,
go home from us in peace. We ask not
your counsels or arms.
Crouch down and lick the hands which
feed you. May your chains set lightly
upon you, and may posterity forget
that ye were our countrymen."
~~Samuel Adams, speech at the
Philadelphia State House, August 1, 1776

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Perhaps in reply to Sam Adams, after that liberty had been gotten, we have Alexis de Tocqueville in Democracy in America commenting on how it makes us look at what others have when we are sure we are equals.

"When everything is more or less level, the slightest variation is noticed. Hence the more equal men are, the more insatiable will be their longing for equality...That is the reason for the strange melancholy often haunting inhabitants of democracies in the midst of abundance, and of that disgust with life sometimes gripping them in calm and easy circumstances."


Of course, Adams was talking to those who already had wealth, de Tocqueville about those who perceived that somebody else --somebody no better than themselves-- had greater money, goods, privilege, or position.

[Saving_spree]

One man with a dream, at pleasure, Shall go forth and conquer a crown, And three with a new song's measure, Can trample an empire down.
- Arthur O'Shaughnessy

[cschin4]

"Stop buying stuff you can't afford!"

I don't know who said that.

[LuxLiving]

“Success is having everything you need and doing everything you want. It is not doing everything you need to have everything you want.” ~from Jacob's Manifesto, Early Retirement Extreme: — A philosophical response to runaway consumerism

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Oh, here is another from the same source as Lux Living's last post:

Who would you be without your money? Would you have any value to the people around you beyond your family?

[jasonnoguchi]

Your Character Determines Your Destiny (and consequently, of course, the amount of money you will make)

[LuxLiving]

"The most important question is how can I manage my risks while still participating in the returns?” ~Russ T.

[mmgarren@yahoo.com]

You either control your money or the lack of it will control you.