Millionaire gives away his fortune because it made him miserable

[Sanity Claws]

"My idea is to have nothing left. Absolutely nothing," he said. "Money is counterproductive – it prevents happiness to come."

http://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/millionaire-gives-away-fortune-which-made-him-miserable-2054476.html

I thought this group would like this story. Is this part of the ascension? Or just his own unique path in life?

[Kookaburra]

1. Feels like it...with the ascension

For some it would be a burden, so they would give it away, and for some it would be the means to accomplishing good things for the world. Good on him for realizing what the deal was for himself.

[MorningGlow]

2. I'll take some!

...Oh wait. Not the point, is it? :D

Just kidding. Actually I've never wanted lots of money either. Just enough to pay off debts and have some tucked away for my dotage. Doesn't look like that's going to happen, though, so I don't bother fussing about it. I go from day to day instead.

Anyway, I like this part of the article: "More and more I heard the words: 'Stop what you are doing now – all this luxury and consumerism – and start your real life'," he said. "I had the feeling I was working as a slave for things that I did not wish for or need."

We certainly are lied to a lot, aren't we? "Chase the carrot and don't think."

And this part made me think of famous people and how so many end up flipping out: "It was the biggest shock in my life, when I realised how horrible, soulless and without feeling the five star lifestyle is," he said. "In those three weeks, we spent all the money you could possibly spend. But in all that time, we had the feeling we hadn't met a single real person – that we were all just actors. The staff played the role of being friendly and the guests played the role of being important and nobody was real."

Must have been a real jolt to wake up in the middle of that and see it for what it really was.

It's nice that he's also taking the money from selling his possessions, adding it to his cash, and giving it away to individuals/small ventures in Latin America. Great idea.

[rosesaylavee]

3. Wish more would think like that...

and find me. :hi:

Very tight times here. Very tight.

[lildreamer316]

4. I'm sorry you're having a hard time, rose...

It's a bit scary for us too, but so far so good. As Morning Glow said, we take it day by day.
BIG :hug:

[Cleita]

5. Funny one of my accounts years ago, a billionaire and big muckety muck with

a national drug store company back then, used to cry on my shoulder all the time about how meaningless his life was. I once suggested that he give his money away to help the poor and he looked at me as if I had said blasphemy. Yet, after taking care of his heirs and I don't think they would have need more than a few million each to have a nice income, he could have used his money to build schools, hospitals, animal shelters and any number of endeavors that could be done with endowments and I think he would have found that his life would have gained meaning. I wonder how many others just don't get it?

[Fire Walk With Me]

6. I believe that you can live comfortably on the interest from $1,000,000.00.

Or, you could use that interest to fund shelters and programs.

[kentauros]

7. You'd probably have to do the latter after taxes with "just" one million.

I don't know what the rates are for sure, but it's at least a third from the initial amount, then likely a third from the interest. Still, you'd end up with some hefty amounts of money to give away as you continue your living as you are right now :)

I'm reading Greg Mortenson's book "Three Cups of Tea" and he has said that for the cost of one US soldier in Afghanistan ($1,000,000) he could build 30 schools. Those schools are also building peace in the region, even with the Taliban. Imagine that. Peace with the Taliban, not with bullets, but with books :D

If I had the money to give away, that's where it would go, right now.

[FirstLight]

8. wow...

I just posted in GD about "what if all the money RAN OUT"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7686455

This story is the opposite take, money can't buy you happiness, eh?

I'm diggin the idea that consumerism is eating itself and those at the middle and bottom of the pile are seeing that there is more important things to live for. Community is making a comeback!