Having the one true Master is true success!
I explored Larry Burkett's financial teachings in the 90s. Later, in 2013, I discovered Dave Ramsey's books at the local library. Their teachings offer remarkable insights into escaping consumer debt. The pages contain some truly profound thoughts. Surprisingly, they also suggest committing to a new form of bondage. What the crud? I'll explain more in later blogs.
I read the book "Die Broke," and interestingly, similar to the previous two authors, the latter half of the book advocates the opposite of its title, focusing on how to preserve your wealth. I was under the impression that the goal was to have the check to the undertaker bounce, to pass away with nothing, akin to the film "Brewster's Millions." Alas, it seems the author had a compelling point initially.
I stumbled upon a blog by a Canadian finance guru. He had some impressive insights, but then he suggested riding a bicycle in freezing temperatures to "save the planet." Recently, a 34-year-old former student of mine was fatally hit by an SUV. I find both bicycles and SUVs to be problematic. Moreover, he advocates for extreme frugality, yet he bought a brand-new Tesla for $70,000! It's baffling. I'm curious about how he justifies this to his followers, but I detest reading comment sections. Perhaps it was an April Fool's joke. Regardless, I have no intention of navigating a 10-speed amidst traffic.
Chattel slavery, the ownership of another human being, is indeed condemned in scripture, unless it is misinterpreted as some ancestors did. Conversely, indentured servitude, which involves working for someone for a set period, is acceptable. According to scripture, the maximum duration was seven years, and the servant had the right to leave if treated cruelly. However, in America, the practice of indentured servitude has been taken to extreme levels.
If our livelihood depends on our job to the extent that we fear severe loss, then we are akin to indentured servants. These servants often drive the same vehicles and inhabit similar dwellings as the wealthy and independent persons, blurring the lines between classes. Imagine if all debts were called in tomorrow with the alternative being imprisonment; the result would be shocking. Only 23 percent of the country would remain free people. It's fortunate that debtor's prisons are a thing of the past, eh?
In America, there are innumerable overlords, and one of life's challenges is to avoid as many as possible. Although I'm not currently employed, I'm still subject to some local authorities. For instance, if we fail to pay $270 monthly in property taxes, we risk losing our townhouse. This wouldn't happen immediately, as there would be several annual warnings. For a while, it might seem like we're evading taxes. However, Wesley Snipes' experience shows the consequences of such an approach.
Transporting oneself over long distances can be costly, but to avoid navigating among fast-moving projectiles with inattentive drivers, one would need a metal protective transportation box. This safety equipment is also subject to taxation.
If we need fuel for our vehicle, then we also pay taxes for the roads we travel on. It may seem absurd, but it's part of the American Dream, isn't it? These are just a few of the living expenses that come to mind.
The tariffs in question were established by voters a century prior to our birth, and they appear inescapable. While living off the grid and cultivating our own food remains a possibility, it's debatable whether it constitutes an improvement over our present lifestyle. In the end, we probably find ourselves serving others, though some may be kinder than others. My resolve is to steer clear of the most tyrannical authorities that our nation continues to permit to rule.
The credit card overlords (Consumer debt): These companies are quite predatory. They entice you with their services at the start of college, offering low interest rates to buy almost anything within a set spending limit. However, this revolving interest rate is misleading and subject to change without notice. Before we knew it, we had been tied to their service for over a decade, and disentangling ourselves was challenging. We have family and friends who are still involved with these companies. Nevertheless, we have fulfilled our obligations and will not go back.
The moving metal overlords (Cars): Commercials are constantly broadcasted on television, showcasing individuals in their sleek, shiny cars, singing along to music. They seem joyful and attractive with sunglasses on, hair fluttering in the breeze, exuding wealth and freedom. Such imagery inspires us to emulate them, leading us to visit the local Car Dealership. Unfortunately, they don't have the high-status vehicle we desire, only a more affordable model. The sales team spends hours persuading us that this car will meet our needs perfectly, claiming that it's a sought-after item and we might lose the opportunity to own it.
After being persuaded that this gleaming status symbol was indispensable, they devised ways for us to acquire this amalgam of plastic and metal. For a term of 60 months at a 14 percent interest rate, we could operate this apparatus that promised to enhance our lives. Indeed, the company was correct, but only for the initial month.
We reveled in our elevated self-regard and the device's performance. However, it soon became apparent that the costs were higher than anticipated, and we sought to return this financial drain. We found ourselves ensnared, facing only undesirable choices. It turned out we had been misled regarding the transaction and the state of the shiny object. A 60-month contract for a service item felt like an eternity.
We've learned our lesson and won't purchase a vehicle in this manner again. It's absurd to become virtually enslaved to a device that requires as much upkeep from us as the service it provides. It's wiser to purchase mechanical devices outright and save funds for their maintenance. I refuse to be at the beck and call of a machine ever again. My hope is to use my current vehicle until it's no longer operable, and I've set aside funds for its replacement.
It's easy to sidestep these overlords since the transaction necessitates our physical presence and a writing tool. Exercise extreme caution when signing on the dotted line and maintain a distance from professional salespeople. They excel in their craft and should never be underestimated.
Countless times, I've stopped by "stealerships" just to look and found myself making a purchase. They are masters at selling status, a realization that often dawns on us much later. We will not serve car debt ever again. If you're a man under 40, they've already got you pegged. Don't boast about outsmarting the car salesman; the car was bought after all. So, who really outsmarted whom?
The property overlords (The Forever Home): The concept of a forever home may not apply to humans today unless we consider nursing homes, urns or 6 feet down. Our culture is nomadic, gravitating towards better opportunities. Our townhouse fits our current needs, but the future is uncertain. Significant changes, especially concerning the health of loved ones, could occur within the next five years. Moreover, my wife's job must become more manageable to prevent certain burnout.
Wood, sheetrock and paint are terrible masters. We have to mend the structure constantly or it will collapse. We have to keep the devices in our box functioning or depreciation will result. All human beings need four walls to protect us from the weather, but some people decide to be in bondage to their habitat for bizarre reasons.
The costliest mindset regarding our humble abode stems from the comparison trap. For instance, our countertops were installed in 2007. Since then, many have upgraded their culinary worktops to various woods or stones. The problem is, while our surfaces are in top-notch condition, they appear quite mundane next to the modern, gleaming stone slabs. What should be our next step?
This type of behavior to us is a total waste of funds. These types of changes are silly when what is already in place is perfectly serviceable. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".
Securing a place to rest our heads is already costly. Yet, some choose to transform their homes into grandiose statements. White appliances have fallen out of favor, replaced by stainless steel ones that suggest culinary expertise. Despite this, my culinary skills extend to preparing spaghetti and meatballs from Costco.
We replaced our 18-year-old appliances as they had worn out. We're hopeful that the new ones will also last for 18 years. A decade from now, whatever the latest trend may be, it won't matter to us. As long as the dishwasher functions well, its appearance is of no concern.
But I digress...............................
We don't wish to be at the service of a house; rather, we want our costly structure to serve us. That's the reason we paid off the 'four walls' ahead of time and only replace things as necessary. And indeed, necessity does arise. In addition to new appliances, this residence required a new roof last year. Ouch!
Indeed, most homeowners find themselves replacing nearly every part of the structure after living in it for several decades. This includes even the floor surfaces. Yet, this scenario is often referred to as the "American Dream," the "Forever Home," or some such term.
Math enthusiasts have crunched the numbers on renting versus buying. Surprisingly, the long-term savings of owning a home over renting aren't as substantial as one might think. How is this possible?
Consider that every 15 years, a home typically requires a new roof, flooring or carpet, and appliances tend to reach the end of their lifespan. As a renter, these are concerns for the landlord. However, as a homeowner, these expenses fall squarely on your shoulders.
What are the benefits of investing in a plot of land with a box on it? Such a property can be sold for a substantial sum in times of need. The equity in our home provides financial flexibility for the future. It can be leveraged to fund long-term care. As someone who values frugality, I recognize significant savings by not frequently upgrading my residence for the sake of status.
Many people watch an excessive amount of television and are persuaded that a fully functional household item requires replacement. The pressure mounts when all the neighbors engage in this facade. Moreover, stainless steel in the kitchen is outdated, and "black stainless steel" is the current trend. And next year this trend may switch to "white stainless steel" or some such nonsense. The salespersons could bring back the orange, brown, and yellows of the 70s! Then what are we going to do?
Our 55-inch TV, with only a 4k resolution and 144-megahertz refresh rate, pales in comparison to the 65-inch model with a 240-megahertz refresh rate—or so they say. We really can't see the stark contrast since our eyes are wearing out and we watch reruns.
These are the three worst masters in America, in our opinion, since they demand so much time, money, and stress. Makes sure that the cars and houses serve you. There is no upside with predatory lenders like credit cards.
The Best Master in the World: The supreme master is the God of the 66 books of the Scriptures. We have devoted most of our lives to His service and can affirm His goodness. Although we were warned about the dreadful masters, we did not take heed of those cautions.
He advised us against borrowing money, likening it to slavery. Despite this, we continued to use credit cards and other forms of borrowing. In hindsight, He was absolutely right.
He advised us to be satisfied with what we have. Had I heeded this advice, we might only be on our third or fourth vehicle by now. It's disheartening to consider the amount of money we've squandered in transportation.
In our time on Earth, serving others is a universal calling. Choosing to serve only oneself often leads to negative outcomes, which is a common reason for the dissolution of marriages. Pursuing material possessions also tends to result in disillusionment and sorrow. Thus, the most fulfilling path is to devote oneself to serving the Creator and fellow human beings to the greatest extent possible.
I'm tired and my back hurts.................................................................later.
