I live just outside of the wealthy section of town

[Droopy]

Still working class by all means, but all I have to do is travel about a half mile to start seeing mansions. Financially speaking, it was probably a good move to buy this little condo. It should appreciate in value nicely over time. I'm not sure how good it will be for my soul, though.

I love to drive through the rich section. I can't help but fantasize about having enough money to buy one of those houses. It seems like my struggles would be over. I did some financial calculating earlier today and it looks like it's going to be all uphill for me until I'm at least 62 and maybe 67. And I'll probably still be living in this little condo after that and wishing that I could have been smart enough to make it through college.

But as I look back over my past I guess I'm doing pretty good right now considering where I came from. My first home out on my own was a 1969 model 10' by 50' mobile home located in a drug and crime infested trailer park. I bought it for $2000 and it was all I could do to make the payments and the lot rent and utilities. I was a machine operator making $7 an hour. Now days I'm doing substantially better that $7 an hour and I'm able to save money after all of the bills are taken care of. And my living arrangements are much more desirable.

So, who knows what the future may hold for me? I hope it's not truck driving until I'm 67. Maybe that would be good for my soul, but I don't believe in heaven anyway.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear Droopy!

You have taken the steps you needed to in order to have your life turn out this well!

I applaud you!

You never know where your life will lead you, but I think you're on the right track...

Congrats!

:yourock:

[Droopy]

4. Thanks for the compliment, Peggy

I guess some people know what they want out of life right out of the gate. And others, like me, have to wallow around in the muck and the mire for a while before we get it together. One thing I know for sure, I've seen people a lot older than me still struggling be it through their own doing or some unfortunate circumstance. I'm glad I'm not there.

One example is a guy who used to be neighbors with me in the trailer park. I'd say he was around 60 years old and he didn't have a pot to piss in. I couldn't sell my trailer when I decided to move out of the trailer park. I ended up giving it to that old guy.

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. I live in a trailer park, but just down the road from me are millon-dollar-+ houses

Life (and zoning) sure can be weird, eh? :hi:

[Droopy]

5. Yes it can

:hi:

[pitohui]

3. i live across the street from the rich folk

they have a gate and a guard, no strolling past their houses on a whim

[Droopy]

7. I guess my rich folks ain't as rich as that

But they sure do have some beautiful houses. I'll have to take pictures and post them on here some time.

[siligut]

6. I applaud where you have taken yourself as well.

One of the most important things to learn, life is a process. Enjoy and learn everyday. When you finally get to where you are trying to be, how you got there will be most valuable. When I drive by a huge McMansion, I am appalled by the waste and vanity.

[Droopy]

8. Thanks, siligut

"When you finally get to where you are trying to be, how you got there will be most valuable."

Now that I think about it, I do have a sense of accomplishment for what I've done with my life. I guess I could still be living in that little piece of shit mobile home right now.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

9. One thing I have learned in life is that the more you posses

the more your possessions posses you.

I had the fancy house in Mill valley with the big pool and the waterfall hot tub and two Ferrari's and all the junk that went with it. I was so busy paying for it all and maintaining it all that I never got to really enjoy any of it.

Don't let the image fool you. Half of the folks that live in the "rich" section are in debt up to their eyeballs and most of the rest of em are criminals.

Even now, in a little condo with a Ford pickemup truck and an old CRV, I find myself sometimes overwhelmed at the time I have to spend just trying to maintain all the "stuff".