“I tell college students, when you get to be my age you will be successful if the people who you hope to have love you, do love you.” – Warren Buffett
I have spent the last 12 years devoting myself to the study
of the wealthy.
In all that time, I learned that they are right about one
thing: Money does not solve all your problems.
I thought when I finally had some money things would change. Everything would go my way.
Forget Murphy’s Law. Whatever can go wrong, will not go wrong! The money will cushion my fall. It will shield me from water, wind, and fire. I’m unstoppable. Right? Wrong.
My life actually hasn’t changed all that much. I still live
in the same house, drive the same car, have the same family and friends.
So, what the heck? Where are all the trumpets and parades? I
guess they’re down by the Macy’s Day Parade floats where they belong.
I know money is emotional. However, money is just a tool. It
is not good or bad. It is what you do
with it. Only you can decide. As Captain Planet would say, “the power is yours.”
So, be rationale.
BORROWING TO GET AHEAD
“Neither a borrower, nor a lender be; For loan oft
loses both itself and friend.” – William Shakespeare, Hamlet
I understand why people borrow. It is because at the present
moment they do not have the means to finance what they want or need at that
particular time. That is why people borrow extensively for college.
On the opposite side of that spectrum, is to lend money.
“Before borrowing money from a friend, decide which you
need most.”
However, in my observations on the task of lending, it often
comes with unforeseen consequences.
You lend money to a friend or family member thinking you are just helping them out. Right?
Bachelor Party 1984 with Tom Hanks and Adrian Zmed
Of course, they will pay you back. Unfortunately, I have seen more situations where people do not pay back their obligations; thus, ruining relationships with creditors, family, and friends.
When you lend money to a family member or friend, you do so out of trust. If that trust gets violated, it hardly ever gets repaired. The damage is done and many times is irreversible.
You can end up losing a friend and making an enemy such as a
business associate or contractor you decide not to pay. That is not a good
thing to have happen because you are likely to make an enemy with a long
memory.
The way Nyssa al Ghul (played by Katrina Law) said it when talking to Oliver (played by Stephen Amell) on the show Arrow put it so succinctly. I couldn’t have said it better myself.
Arrow on the CW
That is because people are wired to be self-serving. I do
not think it is done maliciously. I believe this is for survival. Memories are
self-serving. The purpose is to help you live and avoid danger. If you remember
that the stove is hot, then you are less likely to get burned. Something like
that.
However, Benjamin Franklin states, “Creditors have better memories than debtors.” You are supposed to pay your debts because it is the right thing to do. I’m like a Lannister, I always pay my debts.
Even if it meant for me to go without. That taught me self-sacrifice and discipline.
“Rather go to bed without dinner than to rise in debt.” –
Benjamin Franklin
I feel the way Shelley Long of Cheers fame said in in the film The Boyfriend School (Don’t Tell Her It’s Me) describes this phenomenon best. Her character’s name is Lizzie and she says to her brother Gus, played by Steve Guttenberg, “People always do the right thing. When it serves their purposes.” Exactly.
Scene from the film
DO NOT COVET THY NEIGHBOR
“I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it’s not the answer.” – Jim Carrey
Personal Branding expert, TEDx Talk and Keynote Speaker Leonard
Kim described the meaning of Jim Carrey’s words. He stated, “that everyone
chases money, wealth, success and fame, thinking it will bring them
happiness. Once they attain it, the
person sits there and thinks “That’s it?
That’s what all the hype was about?
I don’t feel happy. I don’t feel
fulfilled. I don’t feel anything.”
This was how I felt in a nutshell.
It was such an empty feeling. It felt so hollow. The only
thing I had was the relationships I had built up with people. So, I learned to
focus more on relationships than money.
I have no desire to buy a Ferrari, move to an expensive zip
code, buy tons of couture clothing, or start collecting valuables that may try
to take the place of some void.
Material possessions have not ever made me happy. Maybe,
that is why I hold on to stuff for so long and repair instead of replace. I
rarely shop. I don’t need anything.
The neighbor’s do not have to worry about keeping up with or competing with me or vice versa.
I am content to simply read and write. I try to focus on building relationships and not tearing them down. I do not want to hold grudges. Good luck to any person I have come across that we could not see eye-to-eye. I let you go with a full heart. I wish you no ill-will. I am happy being who I am.
I took a page out of another blogger’s book and focused on
my goals. I would do the following:
Help three people
Read two books on finance/personal development a month
Research organizations to donate to
Anything is better than someone asking me this.
IT IS OKAY TO SAY NO
“The difference between successful people and really
successful people is that really successful people say no to almost
everything.” – Warren Buffett
I like to observe people. Nothing gives you a better
predictor of future behavior than past behavior. You do not have to try and
people please. It is okay to say no when someone asks you for something.
Matter of fact, it is likely that saying no may save your friendship. Unlike what Robocop said, some things are not able to be fixed such as a lost friendship. No one wants that.
Robocop 1990
You are better off giving people the money they ask for than
expecting it back. If it is more than you can afford to lose, then don’t lend
it. Or just lend what you can afford to lose. It is just that simple.
Who cares if people get mad? It’s your money! They shouldn’t be coming to you simply because they think you are a soft touch. I once heard Pamela Anderson say that in an interview.
Always do what is in your heart. It is the only way not to be bitter and make sure you do not live life full of regrets. Better to say no and keep the friendship and your sanity intact.
“We shall see the crumbs of bread… and they will show us our way home again.” – Hansel and Gretel by the Brothers Grimm, 1812
Breadcrumbs are a series of connected pieces of information or evidence. People often refer to money as bread. The Grimm Brothers used breadcrumbs in their fairy-tale Hansel and Gretel for the protagonists to find their way.
Money gems are being dropped everywhere. If you look hard
enough. You can only find what you are looking for. So, look no further.
Greenbacks Magnet is about to show you where to look. Just follow the
money…breadcrumbs that is.
But first, who are the Brothers Grimm?
WHO ARE THE GRIMM BROTHERS?
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
“Some men are born to good luck: all they do or try to do
comes right—all that falls to them is so much gain—all their geese are
swans—all their cards are trumps—toss them which way you will, they will
always, like poor puss, alight upon their legs, and only move on so much the
faster. The world may very likely not always think of them as they think of
themselves, but what care they for the world? what can it know about the
matter?” ― The Brothers Grimm, The Complete Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales
The Brothers Grimm Jacob and Wilhelm, were German academics,
linguists, and authors who together collected and published folklore during the
19th century. They are best known for the publication of their works titled Grimm’s Fairy Tales in 1812. The book
contains 209 tales collected by the Brothers Grimm.
Some of their most famous tales include: Rapunzel,
Cinderella, The Valiant Little Tailor, Snow White and Red Rose, Briar-Rose,
King Thrushbeard, How Six Men Got On in the World, Rumpelstiltskin, Bearskin,
The Dancing Princesses (The Worn-Out Dancing Shoes), The Four Skillful
Brothers, and Hansel and Gretel.
My absolute favorite is Bearskin. A close second is the
Twelve Dancing Princesses. Both tales had flair and a lot of truth in them. The
antagonist in Bearskin reminds me Smeagol from The Lord of the Rings film, but that’s another story.
It has been so long since I have seen these tales, but I have never forgotten them and their theme of morality. I still use these stories as reminders to help others and do the right thing. For your entertainment, I have uploaded the videos from the Grimms’ Fairy Tales Classics from the late 1980’s. The show also ran reruns in the 1990’s.
Bearskin
The Worn-Out Dancing Shoes
The University of Pittsburgh has an online Grimm Brothers’ Home Page where you can read their classic tales. However, be forewarned that their stories did not always have the Happy Endings you are used to hearing in the more modern versions and retelling of the stories. They are, for lack of a better word, grimmer. Very different from another world-famous fairy tales author Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875). One of his most notable works was The Little Mermaid. It was turned into a Disney film in 1989 and is also my favorite Disney movie.
The original movie poster A picture worth a thousand words
One of the best scenes in the movie
I digress, let’s get back to the real reason for this post, the television show Grimm.
WHAT IS GRIMM?
Opening: “There once was a man who lived a life so strange, it had to be true. Only he could see what no one else can—the darkness inside, the real monster within, and he’s the one who must stop them. This is his calling. This is his duty. This is the life of a Grimm.“
Grimm opening credits with his introduction
Grimm is an American fantasy police procedural drama television series that aired on NBC from October 28, 2011 to March 31, 2017, for 123 episodes, over six seasons.
The story followed the journey of a Portland police homicide detective by the name of Nick Burkhardt (played by David Giuntoli), who is a Grimm. A Grimm keeps the peace and world order between humanity and the supernatural, which are called Wesen.
Nick Burkhardt played by David Giuntoli
What made this show so great was not so much just the title character, but all the characters who played his friends around him. This is one of the first and only shows where I have ever seen the supporting cast be just as important as the main character.
One of the best guest stars on the show was Martin Meisner played by Damien Puckler.
Meisner in action. Jaime Ray Newman as Angelina was the other best guest star on the show. Angelina presented herself as a passionate and violent Femme Fatale, dressing in leather and provocative clothes, riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and she was always ready to fight.
Just a taste of what her character is like on the show. Very fiery and combative. A fighter.
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6uwr0y
Jaime Ray Newman episode.
Hilarious.The Grimm cast
The show was also at times very funny. In addition, whenever the Grimm was discovered by Wesen, they would morph into their true selves and this made every episode fun, surprising, and unique.
The supporting cast consisted of the following actors: Russell Hornsby, Bitsie Tulloch, Silas Weir Mitchell, Sasha Roiz, Reggie Lee, Bree Turner, and Claire Coffee. The shows fight scenes were amazing. And the shows themes of the constant testing of morality was ever-present and consistent throughout the show just like that of the Grimm Fairy Tales. Each episode also started off with a quote from one of the Brothers Grimm fairy tales and let you know what that episode would be about.
The very first opening show quote. October 28, 2011.
Series opening credits
Love the intro music. It really gets your heart pumping. And the show is just as it appears.
“When words fail music speaks. – Hans Christian Andersen
In the opening scene of the Pilot espisode, The Eurhythmics Song Sweet Dreams is playing. This song ultimately led them to solve a case they were working on. When interrogating him they got nothing. It wasn’t what the perp said, it was what he sang or hummed. Gotta love music.
Hank: What’s that song?
Nick: Sweet Dreams.
Hank: Eurythmics. One of their better. [sings] “Sweet
dreams are made of these. Who am I to disagree…?”
GRIMM CAREERS
Opening quote:
“I am impelled not to squeak like a grateful and frightened mouse, but to
roar….” – Of Man and Mouse, Grimm, Season 1, episode 9
As you know career choice is very important, it can mean the
difference of having wealth and abundance or starvation and penury. And no
wants a Dickensian existence of poverty. So, choose wisely.
Get the education and training you need to succeed. However, I say do so affordably. It behooves you to do so. You could be stuck depending on others for their help and expertise when you’re in a pinch. Such as the likes of Monroe as Nick’s reluctant informant.
The Grimm diary
Monroe: What did you just get the books tonight?
Nick: You know about the books?
Another episode, like many…
Nick: Monroe, I need your help.
“What am I, your personal Grimmopedia?” – Monroe to Nick
I say do all you can to depend on self. You will always have
your own back. Otherwise, you have to depend on others for their help to remain
relevant in the workforce.
Monroe: Hello?
Nick: Hey, it’s Nick?
Monroe: How did you get my new cell phone?!
Nick: Are you kidding me? I’m a cop.
Too funny.
And don’t put all your money in the company stock.
It could go bankrupt and you could end up with nothing. Worse yet, people could leave you to clean up their mess or you could be left holding the bag. One word: Enron.
Do not walk, run down to your HR department and make sure they offer investments other than stock options mostly in their firm. Demand to have more options if you don’t. If not, open a Roth IRA and pick funds outside your company. Be aggressive. It’s your money dammit.
I think of myself like Brad Pitt said in the movie Troy, “We are lions.”
I am a lioness. I go for the gold. If one thing does not work, I get to work finding another way or pick another path.
To be successful, you must adapt. Like the Navy Seals were
taught in that movie Heartbreak Ridge; Navy SEALs Learn To Adapt, Improvise and
Overcome. Special Forces (United States Army) has a motto: De Oppresso Liber.
Which is Latin for “to free from oppression” or “to liberate the
oppressed.” The United States Navy Seals mottos are: “The Only Easy
Day Was Yesterday”, “It Pays to be a Winner.” Seeing a theme
here.
Your greatest asset is your mind and your ability to work.
Earning is what will help you build wealth. You cannot save money, if you have
no money.
You know who else agrees with me? Rambo. Check out the scene for yourself here.
Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo “I always believed that the mind is the best weapon”
Although, a fictional character, Rambo was trained in
Guerilla warfare. His objective was to win. However, he still had a moral
obligation to help others and he did. In life people make choices, he made his.
You will have to decide for yourself what is important to you because when it
is, you will find a way.
Below are the careers of the cast of characters on the show
and their median salaries according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics,
Payscale, or Glassdoor, which are the following:
Nick Burkhart – Detective ($65,860)
Hank (Nick’s partner played by Russell Hornsby) – Detective (65,860)
Wu (played by Reggie Lee) – Sergeant ($69,685)
Juliette (played by Bitsie Tulloch) – Veterinarian ($106,770)
Monroe (Nick’s right-hand man played by Silas Weir Mitchell)
– Woodworker ($30,192)
Sean Renard (Nick and Hank’s police captain played by Sasha
Roiz) – Captain ($80,593)
Rosalee (Monroe’s wife played by Bree Turner) – Retail shop store
owner ($38,000)
Adalind Schade (played by Claire Coffee) – Lawyer ($114,000)
GRIMM INHERITANCE
The infamous trailer.
“One feather is of no use to me, I must have the whole
bird.” ― Jacob Grimm, The Complete Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales
According to the book The
Millionaire Next Door, 80-86% of millionaires in America are self-made. Most
wealth is earned. Meaning less than 20% inherit their wealth. This is down from
a high of 50% or more who did so around the early 1900’s.
In the show, his aunt comes to visit to pass down to him his birthright. A trailer full of artifacts, heirlooms, and antiques that are priceless as they are irreplaceable and is full of Grimm and Wesen lore. It comes in handy throughout the series. And don’t forget the key.
This shows that what a family member does in the past can be
of significant value to their loved ones in the future. Work hard today to help
your future generations tomorrow. Case in point, Nick was always consulting
with the books in the trailer as a guide to help him in the show. Without the
books, he would have been lost. Had he been left to fend for himself, there could
have been dire consequences.
However, in the present day, most people are not receiving
large inheritances at all, if any. You are better off figuring out a profession
prior to even starting college. You can look for one that pays well such as
business, accounting, and engineering or are of interest to you.
WHAT MONEY BREADCRUMBS ARE THERE?
“Hansel took his little sister by the hand, and followed the
pebbles which shone like newly-coined silver pieces, and showed them the way.” ―
Jacob Grimm, Grimm’s Fairy Tales: Complete Edition & Over 200 Fairy Tales
Take a look around you. Who do you see doing well? Study what they study. Read what they read. Find out what they are doing? But make sure its legit and legal.
What products are selling like hotcakes off the shelves?
Invest in that company.
I’m sure you catch my drift.
Look for clues. Success leaves clues.
PRETTY GRIMM TO HAVE NO INHERITANCE
Opening quote:
“‘No,’ said the King. I’d rather die than place you in such great danger
as you must meet with in your journey.” – The Water of Life, Grimm Brothers
from the Grimm episode The
Inheritance
One episode showed Adalind meeting with a lawyer about her
mother’s estate. Not only did her mother had no assets, but she hadn’t paid her
taxes in like six years. In addition, her storage unit was only paid up to the
end of the month. After, that her stuff would be auctioned off or thrown away. This
is all too common nowadays.
Like I said before, most people do not receive inheritances
and if they do, it is not likely to be more than a few thousand dollars. You
are better off working to build your own fortune. Then it will not matter what
other people do with their money.
A GRIMM PRICE TO PAY
Opening quote:
“For me there are neither locks nor bolts, whatsoever I desire is
mine.” – The Master Thief, Grimm Brothers
Another episode showed that more artifacts were found that belonged to a Grimm in Europe. When Monroe’s uncle offered to sell it to Nick he asked for something like $250,000. Nick didn’t have that kind of money. Especially, on a cop’s salary. That’s a lot of money.
Monroe said that to his uncle. He said that was his price
and left.
Not being able to get your hands on a significant amount of
cash fairly quickly is a way to miss out on opportunities. You should always
have liquid cash in savings or a stash you can tap for emergencies. I started
my emergency fund with $25. My rainy day fund now consists of me saving over
$14,000 a year. I learned how important having a money stash from the fictional
character Scrooge McDuck.
Opening quote:
“It is not light that we need, but fire.” – Season 5, episode 1, The Grimm Identity
Lots of fight sequences happen at Nick’s house. So many that Monroe told Nick he should move.
I gave Monroe the slow clap. I had been thinking that very thing for like 2 seasons. Too many people knew where he lived.
There are times when jobs dry up. Factories and businesses
close. Like they said in the old days: Go West, young man! Or There’s gold in
them there hills! That lit a fire under mens a$$es to move with a sense of
urgency.
To get a fresh start, you may need to move. Move where the
jobs are.
Starting a business? Move where capital is plentiful and
free flowing.
The operative word: Move.
GRIMM FOSTERING THE PEOPLE
Opening quote: “Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen, nobody knows my sorrow.”
One of my favorite characters in the show was none other than Teresa “Trubel” Rubel played by Jacqueline Toboni.
She was a runaway that would be taken in by Nick. She is also a Grimm. The show got a whole lot more interesting and fun when she came along.
“Nobody Knows the Trubel I’ve Seen” is the 19th episode of season 3. It aired on April 25, 2014. This is Trubel’s first appearance on the show.
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6h924r
Throughout her time on the show, money was a constant stressor of hers.
For instance, she did some of the following:
Stole a pair of boots
Stayed in cheap motels
Asked for money for food
Did not want to take handouts
In another episode, she helped stop an illegal teen
shoplifting ring. She herself was basically living in foster homes and on the
streets until she met Nick. One of my favorite scenes was when she stole that
pair of boots. It was very slick.
Well, we have come to the end of this post. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did writing it. There was nothing like this show.
@mistergiuntoli I finally saw the last episode of Grimm. I just love the camaraderie on the show. Especially, you and Trouble. The chemistry between you too was great. I miss Hank saying: where are we supposed to be? Then its down the rabbit..er uh I mean Wesen hole.
Worry is the interest paid to those who borrow trouble. –
George Washington
Finance it! That should be slapped on bumper stickers across
the country.
There are now loans for just about anything you can think
of. Whatever your heart desires, you can finance. Almost.
My father would say that people need to learn discipline as
they want to do every whimsical little thing that comes to mind and this can
cause trouble in your life.
I learned at a young age that trying to get your little
hands on everything you crave is a gateway to higher levels of debt and
spending.
It starts with one video game and then balloons to buying
the console, accessories, new games every other week, and monthly subscriptions
to gaming magazines. That quickly escalates to $1,000 iPhones, $2,000 MacBook’s
and flying first class everywhere. Even if it is drivable and only a few states
away.
How is all this lifestyle creep paid for?
With plastic.
After working at a federal credit union, I got the inside
peek behind the financial curtain into many strangers lives.
Some people are clinging to their middle-class status like
the ones they had in their childhood upbringing, while others are dangling over
the financial edge and many more have fallen over the financial precipice
completely.
Financial institutions knowing this fact, as wages have been
stagnating since about 1979, are all too eager to fill that gap in earnings
with loans.
Let’s find out what type of debt is out there awaiting
consumers that are not financially savvy enough to avoid them or are left with
few alternatives to avoid them in the first place.
NO CASH, NO PROBLEM
Quick to borrow is
always slow to pay. – Proverb
How many times have you heard commercials that say your job
is your credit? Get real. Your credit is your credit.
Miss enough payments and that job means nothing. They will
repossess anything.
I saw this up close and personal at the credit union. I saw
cars getting repossessed, families stressed out and on the edge of a financial
cliff, and those with bad credit had it the worst of the lot.
Is your credit score too low or in the 500’s? Forget about
it. Either you will not be able to borrow or it will be at interest rates so
high you will be paying off that sweater you bought for your kid’s 3rd
birthday when your kid goes off to college.
Do not be fooled into thinking companies are being so nice
to give you this product for low monthly payments. That low monthly payment of
$42 over 24 months is still over $1,000!
If you must borrow, get those scores up. That way you pay
less interest.
IS IT FOR SALE?
Of course, it is! Everything is for sale. And its pricey
too.
“A business that makes
nothing but money is a poor business.” – Henry Ford
They will let you subscribe to just about anything, for a
fee. Much unlike this blog, which you can subscribe to for free, you have to
pay for anything you deem necessary or desired for your life.
Just because it is for sale does not mean you are not
shelling out big bucks for it. Case in point, if an item is on sale for 25%,
then you still have to pay 75% to take the item home with you.
I say skip the for sale signs and racks and focus on only
buying quality products that you need and truly want, but that you can actually
afford.
BUY NOW, PAY LATER
As an individual who
undertakes to live by borrowing, soon finds his original means devoured by
interest, and next to no one left to borrow from – so must it be with a
government. – Abraham Lincoln
This is what I feel is the old bait and switch. Sure, you
can finance it now and pay later, but later is going to be a long time and it’s
going to cost you…A lot.
I say avoid paying interest and forever and a day.
No one ever went broke
underestimating the taste of the American public. – H. L. Mencken
Over the years, I have started noticing more and more that
not only is everything for sale, but it is able to be financed.
What has been really glaring has been the new loans that
have crept up and put out in the main stream for the last 10-15 years.
What loans am I talking about?
Holiday Loans (for Christmas Presents)
Vacation Loans (finance that cruise)
Internship Loans (finance additional training
along with college tuition)
Summer Loans (for the gap between Fall and
Spring college semester)
Care Credit (healthcare financing)
Hurricane Loans (National Disaster Loans)
Government Assistance Loans (Government shutdown
loans)
That’s right. If you have never heard of some of these loans
listed above, that is because they are not often advertised except during
certain economic times or periods or places such as college campuses or certain
banks.
Do you really want to finance Christmas?
You take out a loan for $1200. You have 12 months to pay it
back with interest. The time you were supposed to be saving (the
previous 11 months) you were repaying this loan. That leaves you for no funds
for the following Christmas. You go to the bank and they say, “we have this
loan that could help you out.” Just skip it.
Better yet, have the family pull names out of a hat and just
buy a gift for that one person. Save a
fortune. Your bank account will thank you.
The ones that really get me steaming are the National Disaster and Government assistance loans. People are in a vulnerable position and you want them to go into debt! More debt! Really?!!
No one plans for national disasters. You can plan your
finances, but some things are not all foreseen.
For instance, some people lost their homes during the most recent
hurricanes in Puerto Rico and Texas. The insurance companies were saying they
had to pay a deductible to get their home rebuilt. This was to the tune of
$5,000! Most people don’t just have that type of money laying around.
Borrowing will only put you deeper into debt and unable to
save when an emergency like this happens.
The worst by far is government assistance loans for the
government shutdown. Folks would not need a loan if they could save. Now, you
want more of their money, which they don’t even have? What sense does that
make.
I say focus on building up the rainy day fund so you are not
caught out in the financial rain without a savings umbrella.
HOW MUCH IS THAT LEXUS IN THE WINDOW?
“A business that
tries to save money by not advertising, is like a man who tries to save time by
stopping his watch.” – Henry Ford
It’s all about advertising.
That’s why so many people are pulling up in Target parking
lots wearing Gucci boots, carrying a Louis Vuitton purse, all the while texting
on an iPhone on to buy $10 socks that are marked down and dare I say it On Sale.
I see more folks driving luxury vehicles now than I have
ever seen in my life.
What happened to just needing to get from Point A to B?
Please do not let the smell of new leather cause you to have
empty pockets. No car or gadget is worth going into debt over. Or worse yet,
going broke.
On one television show, I saw a mother of two young kids
trying to see if she could come up with the rationale to finance a $100,000
car! Do not do that. It is not worth it.
Sell to the masses, eat
with the classes. – Henry Ford
It has been often stated, if you sell to the classes, you’ll
dine with the masses. But if you’ll sell to the masses, you’ll dine with the
classes.
Another spin on this quote is this one here.
Sell to the masses, eat with the classes. Sell the classes,
go belly up!” – John F. Savage
It is said the majority of people rent this world from a
minority of people. That is how it goes. Unless you change the status quo.
Become an owner. Keep more of your money and always invest.
They make it all too easy for you to sign on the dotted line
and then have to fork over 25% of your paycheck just to pay for your items.
I want to pay for the item, get it handed to me, then
transaction over. Installments suck!
I say save for what you want.
Not sure where to start.
Just start small. Even saving $5 a week just to get in the
habit of saving is better than doing nothing and having no savings at all.
So, please do not sign on the dotted line. Do everything you
can to save. It will be your safety net should real disaster strike because
when it does it’s like lightning. It usually strikes fast and more than once.
Play good defense and save. Surround your financial house
with savings. Do not get tackled because you left your wallet open, figuratively
speaking.
Earn the spotlight on your own merits. You’ll feel better. – Serena
I was reading a book when I decided to take a walk down memory lane and watch Gossip Girl on Netflix.
For those of you that may not know or remember the show, Gossip Girl was a show about privileged American socialite teens at an elite and exclusive academic prep school in Manhattan’s Upper East Side (UES); whose every move was texted out through an eblast via tips to an anonymous site called Gossip Girl.
What is Gossip Girl and what it does?
What’s the difference between gossip and scandal? So glad you asked, UES Forever. Anyone can commit a minor indiscretion and generate a day’s worth of buzz. But in order for gossip to birth a true scandal, it requires the right person to be in the wrong place. – Gossip Girl
Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip. – Will Rogers (1879-1935)
The show was on the WB, then the CW, and aired from September 19, 2007 through December 17, 2012. The show was narrated by Kristen Bell (as Gossip Girl). Scandals, scoops, and hemlines run amuck. The show may have had a serious lack of ethics, but it did make for some interesting television.
Gossip Girl is based on a popular book series of the same name written by Cecily von Ziegesar. The adapted television series in 2007 came about from the book series she started in 2002.
Gossip Girl will always have a special place in my heart.
It was in 2007 that I heard this line from the show: You know, Dad, there’s this thing called MySpace where you can post all of this information online. Save some trees, have a blog. – Dan Humphrey
It peaked my interest in blogging. Then, I started this one, Greenbacks Magnet, 9 years later.
Some of the dialogue may be a bit harsh in its tone and delivery, but there was some truth behind some of their words.
Gossip Girl likes to keep things classy and somewhat true. – Serena van der Woodsen played by Blake Lively
Serena is so grateful because she likes to see the best in people. I like to see the truth. – Blair
So, let’s get right into it.
MEET THE MONEY PLAYERS
You got me thinking. If my class is so important to you maybe I ought to make it worth your while. So for the next seven weeks it’s fewer models and martinis, more flow charts and footnotes.– Colin Forrestor played by Sam Page
Last month, on Thanksgiving Day, I decided to watch some Thanksgiving themed movies and television episodes. And I settled on watching Gossip Girl.
The series follows Upper East Siders throughout their never ending drama filled lives that is often self-inflicted. It Girl Serena van der Woodsen is centered around it all and is the star of the show. Her friends and family make up the rest of the cast.
One of my favorite scenes is actually from the first episode of the series. It was a face-off that was incredible between two young women and it set the tone for the show.
The 4 top-billed (in my opinion) and main cast includes the following:
Blake Lively as Serena van der Woodsen AKA S
Leighton Meester as Blair Waldorf AKA B
Chace Crawford as Nate Archibald AKA Golden Boy
Ed Westwick as Chuck Bass Always
If you pay close attention to their conversations, they are dropping some serious money gems.
These little nuggets of life and money wisdom, when interpreted and applied correctly, could transform lives and bank balances.
Let’s begin.
WORK FOR WHAT YOU WANT
Never in my 16,982 hours of schooling have I ever been sentenced to detention. – Blair
Throughout the show, the main cast is always discussing their futures and going to college.
It was almost incessant in the amount of pretentious ponderings of how to be sartorially correct while interviewing for a top spot as a Yalie. And yes, that is a quite accurate assessment of the character known as Blair on the show.
Blair would look and act so innocent and demure like she couldn’t melt butter, but her stare and looks were as cold as ice. Very entertaining.
Here she goes on one of her tirades.
I am so a better fit for Yale than that Rory. – Blair
Now, she’s belittling and disparaging the character of one of my favorite shows Gilmore Girls.
But enough of the $50 words. Let’s talk about the rest of the show.
They attend the fictitious Constance Billard School for Girls and St. Jude School for Boys. In addition, throughout the show you may hear them casually drop names of other schools.
In the Gossip Girl (book series) — it contains the line “two little Sacred Heart girls in their cute red and white checked pinafores were walking an enormous black Rottweiler” on page 86 in the first novel of the series.
Many of the parents are part of high-society and are on boards of prestigious organizations, own businesses, and live in penthouses. They go to great parties, opening nights to the ballet, and fashion week.
You get the impression that these kids know to base their lives around money and making sure to earn piles of it is a must.
They are tireless paragons of poshness. The parties are lavish, the lifestyle is glamorous, and the fashion is couture and expensive. Makes for a great show.
What I noticed was that everyone in one way or another was working hard at trying to make their own way in the world apart from their rich and or famous families.
They chased their dreams relentlessly. Like a boss.
And made huge sacrifices to get what they wanted.
Great leaders only need three hours of sleep! – Blair
They worked, started or interned at major businesses, magazines, for fashion designers, newspapers, literary writers, politicians, and fashion houses.
You’re not likely to get or keep those gigs for long if you are playing around.
“When and if we end up together, it has to be as equals.” – Blair
Yes, indeed. Be independent.
BET ON SELF
Here’s my advice: Have a little faith, and if that doesn’t work, have a lot of mimosas.– Blair in the Wild Brunch Season 1 Episode 2
My family is really into waffles. – Jenny Humphrey sister of Dan Humphrey played by Taylor Momsen
If you want something, go get it. Have some faith in yourself. And good food and conversation go together. I have learned a lot about people when having lunch with them. It’s a great way to build relationships. My favorite meal is brunch. I too love waffles!
Their membership is so restricted, it makes Soho House look like a halfway house. – Blair
They say of you want to increase membership to something then increase the selection criteria.
The Ivy League have made this an art form. As you see on this show, even the wealthy were concerned about their college admissions. There was even some talk of donations to a school to get in. In the end, you see deep down, we all have our insecurities. Accept it, and move on.
I have learned that I am no better than anybody else, but I am always just as good.
KNOW YOUR WORTH
You deserve someone who would move mountains for you if he had to. – Blair to Serena
Normal people don’t get an endless number of chances, no matter the situation. That’s just you. – Dan to Serena
I have heard people say that well-behaved women seldom make history. At least that is what Eleanor Roosevelt said. I guess you can take her word for it as her husband FDR made history.
“I have an idea for you: quit. Your boss is a bi*ch. Let’s go to lunch.”
I have actually done just that very thing. I quit a bad job. Got a better job. And never looked back.
“I’m not a stop along the way, I’m a destination.” – Blair
That line could be someone’s Bumble Bee bio. I call it sophisticated confidence.
“He ended up treating me like something he owned instead of something he earned.” -Blair
You’re worth more than a guest lecture fee, everyone knows that. – Dan to Serena
A man who own a tuxedo shows that he has the means and can afford to provide for his family – Blair in Belles Du Jour Season 4 Episode 1
One of my favorite lines from the show comes from none other than Nate Archibald while talking to Chuck Bass.
Excuse me? Where’s my boy? “Seal the deal.” “Tap that a$$.” “Money marries bigger money.”
Wow. Money marries bigger money. That’s kind of cold, but ok.
I could care less about his Bassets and probably he’s filtering his assets through some foreign government so I won’t know. – Blair on Chuck Bass.
S: So you hired escorts? B, you couldn’t just tell your mom you don’t have friends at NYU?
B: Prostitutes are people, too, and they have a lot of disposable income. – Serena and Blair
Yes, people are focused on income, A LOT.
Take a cue from them and subscribe to The Wall Street Journal, pick up Fortune, TIME, instead of a gossip magazine and follow financial experts on Twitter. Become a devoted student of money, and you can master the science of getting rich.
Jane Austen also so eloquently puts how much emphasis people put on income in two of her novels. And also how to treat others with or without money.
FOR THE LOVE OF HEADBANDS
I know you disapprove of me, but can’t you at least do so in a tuxedo?– Lily van der Woodsen played by Kelly Rutherford
This show loves their tuxedos. And themed parties. Masquerade. Kiss on the Lips. You name it.
It is often said when you look good, you feel good. Well, I concur. You feel more confident as well.
I remember going to a job interview where some folks didn’t take it seriously. I wore a nice dress and some of the men wore suits while others wore jeans.
After I got hired and when I later started the job, I noticed on my first day that all the people that got hired were the ones that were well-dressed.
If you know one thing about GG, you know it’s all about the fashion.
The well-heeled wear nice heels. Blair was known for her love of headbands. People were always giving her grief about it.
Your era is over, and so is that headband. – Jenny
No headbands in college, okay? – Dan to Blair
Et tu, Dan?
SvdW was known for her fantastic sense of style.
And she had more loose interpretation of a school uniform than any person on the planet. The Tie Goddess. See for yourself.
EDUCATION IS PRICELESS AND THE PRICE OF INTELLECTUALISM
S:Wow, and I thought college would be different from high school.
B:Who would want that? – Serena and Blair
These kids were not just applying to any colleges, but the Ivy League. They wanted to be HYPsters (Harvard, Yale, Princeton) or the like. What Blair called the Holy Trinity of colleges. Which are all expensive colleges. We are talking $50,000 USD per year or more.
It was a constant stressor of theirs during the shows first four seasons. Case in point, here is a list of the schools they were trying to get into or that their parents attended.
For instance, Serena wanted to go to Brown and that college and Harvard are where her parents went. Blair wanted Yale and Nate was considering UCLA over Dartmouth like his father. There was also talk of Columbia, Georgetown, and NYU on the show.
It just goes to show you that getting an education is still mighty important.
Serena van der Woodsen or SvdW for short – Brown University, Columbia University
SvdW parents attended – Harvard University and Brown University
Fun show Fact: SvdW dropped out of Brown at the last minute because she wanted to find herself and she felt that moving away to another city wouldn’t help her achieve that. The classic one-year hiatus otherwise known as the infamous gap year before entering college.
This is what Blair had to say to her about going there.
Your deductive-reasoning skills are perfect for a place like Brown. An enclave of trustafarians and children of celebrities who major in drum circles and semiotics, whatever that is. I can’t wait for you to come home next Thanksgiving a militant veganista, anemic and proud. – Blair
It left me speechless.
Blair Waldorf – Yale University, Columbia University, New York University (NYU), NYU – Tisch School of the Arts
Nate Archibald – Columbia University, Dartmouth
Chuck Bass – Columbia University
Dan Humphrey AKA Lonely Boy played by Penn Badgley – NYU
Vanessa Abrams played by Jessica Szohr – NYU
Eric van der Woodsen played by Connor Paolo – Sarah Lawrence
Some character’s shots at the sheepskin, in my opinion, and other honorable college mentions include:
I’m telling you, I learned everything I know about women from Judy Blume’s Forever. – Dan
According to List Challenges, “Gossip Girl” (2007 – 2012) : here is a listing of some of the favorite authors and books of the characters or simply the ones mentioned by them and showed along these 6 seasons, books studied in university, etc.
Many characters also name dropped or were caught reading well-known books by famous authors.
I love the Snowflake Ball. It reminds me of Anna Karenina, only by Anna Wintour. – Serena
Maybe if we become famous writers one day, they’ll publish [our letters] after we die, like Sartre and de Beauvoir. – Vanessa
They also liked to travel extensively. Especially, in Europe such as Paris, France. In addition, they speak more than one language such as French while in Paris.
Elliott’s the perfect mix of smart and fun: He speaks three languages, but he has a subscription to People magazine. – Eric
List of titles includes:
House of Mirth by Edith Wharton – read by Juliet Sharp played by Katie Cassidy
The Lorax by Dr. Suess – Mentioned by Dan
Colette by Gigi – Blair read this on a bench in Paris
Jane Austen books – Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Mansfield Park, Northanger Abbey, Persuasion
Charles Dickens novels – A Tale of Two Cities, A Christmas Carol, Oliver Twist, Les Grandes Espérances
C. S. Lewis books – The Chronicles of Narnia, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
William Shakespeare – Othello, Romeo and Juliet, MacBeth, Henry V, Hamlet, King Lear
A few other famous works, Rabbit Redux by John Updike, Cyrano De Bergerac by Edmond Rostand, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, The Crucible (Arthur Miller), Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte), I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Dr. Maya Angelou, The Art of War, The Crucible (Arthur Miller), Madame Bovary, The Old Man and the Sea (Ernest Hemingway), The Beautiful and Damned (F. Scott Fitzgerald), Cinderella (Charles Perrault),The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, Faust, In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, Anna Karenina by Tolstoy, Walden, The Great Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald), and Beloved by Toni Morrison.
There, I have just given you a reading list that every good high school student or Ivy League hopeful should have. Some of which I have read. My favorite author is Jane Austen. A close second is Louisa May Alcott, as I just love Little Women and the 1994 film starring Winona Ryder. But Austen’s Sense and Sensibility (1995) just amazes me every time. That along with Pride and Prejudice (2005) and Emma (1996).
The rich seem to be highly educated. They also tend to get ahead in life. Therefore, be well-read.
However, these trust fund babies did end up leaving college and higher education after a while to set out for their own fortunes in the real world.
For people like us a college degree is just an accessory. – Chuck
So, this too let’s you know that it is not always about what you know, but who you know.
You never know who you may run into at expensive coffee shops, libraries, restaurants, college, and hotels like the Palace in New York.
So, go build up those relationships.
MONEY AND RELATIONSHIPS
Just to clarify, I do think you deserve to be with someone who makes you happy. – Dan
True words indeed.
I read, like, five self-help blogs on how to turn friends into lovers. Yes, they used that word. – Dan
Come on, Cece’s heart pumps secrets and gin. – Dan
And there was lots of secrets on this show. Relationships and secrets were everywhere.
Sex is meaningful, like art. And you don’t rush art.– Dan
All great things are built or done slowly.
If you watched this show, then you may remember the season 3 episode with Lady Gaga. Here is her take on relationships that is so Blair Waldorf.
“Some women choose to follow men, and some women choose to follow their dreams. If you’re wondering which way to go, remember that your career will never wake up and tell you that it doesn’t love you anymore.” ― Lady Gaga
Marriage
Settling down means death. Less sex, more silence. – Blair on marriage
Blair also had some of the best lines on the show. EVERY. SINGLE. EPISODE.
Case in point, check this out.
And she actually said this too.
That’s the thing. You need to be cold to be queen. Anne Boleyn thought only with her heart, and she got her head chopped off. So her daughter Elizabeth made a vow never to marry a man. She married a country. Forget boys. Keep your eye on the prize, Jenny Humphrey. You can’t make people love you, but you can make them fear you. For what it’s worth, you’re my queen. I choose you. – Blair
As, I am a history buff and studied up on Queen Elizabeth I of England, my mouth fell open when she said this.
Check it out here.
And I am not the only one who feels she should get some praise for her talented banter.
C: It’s a facility for the disturbed or addicted.
B: You must have your own wing.
C: You don’t get enough credit for your wit.
– Chuck and Blair
If you go back with an uncertain heart, there will be drama and disaster for all. – Blair
You better believe it. In life and relationships, to be successful, you have to commit.
LOVE
B:Love me?
C:Always.
– Blair and Chuck
They were the best characters on the show, in my humble opinion. The two of them together was gold. Take a look for yourself.
But ultimately, I have learned that love is what we are all looking for.
MONEY DOESN’T BUY HAPPINESS
Trouble is moving in, and it’s looking to make the Upper East Side it’s bi*ch.– Gossip Girl
You would think that folks in tuxedos and ball gowns are the happiest, but these people seemed so unhappy.
Happiness can’t be measured in things. It comes from having the things that really matter like people who love you for who you are.
Doing the right thing takes courage and strength. At least that’s what I’ve heard. – Blair
Well, I hope you had fun going down memory lane with me and I will bid you adieu in the best possible way to end this post.
