i love my job. i really do. once again, today i came away feeling inspired and uplifted after visiting a lovely woman in her 90's. the topic of our discussion: money. she picked it and i simply listened and commented here and there. she spoke of the power of saving money and living simply. it was beautiful. in fact, it was already on my mind, so this must have been an inspired reminder for me. i am sure of it.
in her 65 years of marriage, they saved most of what they earned. they payed cash for their cars, furniture, vacations, etc. she told me that at a late age (65) she had wanted to purchase a reliable german car (mercedes). she had saved a little over $20,000. as she researched the price of the car she was wanting, she quickly realized that she would need another $10k to pay for the car in full. her decision: to buy a brand new ford car and take the rest of the money on a holiday.
this woman has an amazing world map posted on her bedroom wall with push pins indicating all of the areas she has visited...on each continent. their passion was to explore the world and meet new people. she did this and she did it with cash. nothing extravagant. they lived simple and traveled simple. her counsel to me: don't charge anything you can't pay for in full. i know.
she described the home that she raised her two children -- small, but it met their needs. now her two sons live in homes that are huge in size, which they must work long hours to afford and support (both beyond their retirement age). i was really amused when this lovely woman, who has very little sight but a sharp mind, tells me of her disgust for "donald trump's 1st wives third marriage" (i have to say that i was not completely aware of the details of ivana trump's latest nuptials, but now i am!). apparently they spent a few million dollars on their wedding and reception. to hear a woman who has lived over 9 decades describe her disgust for wasting money on selfish needs -- it truly does put this ridiculous event in perspective.
this is a woman who is happy with what she has -- truly satisfied with her life. she even said to me: "i have led a very full life, but i bet that many people today would think of themselves as impoverish if they lived the life i lived." so much wisdom. thank you for sharing.
