Around this time last year, a bride decided that she should have her dream wedding to the tune of $46,000 USD or $60,000 CAD. A young Canadian woman had a severe sense of entitlement and decided the heck with streamers, rice, and a DJ she wanted the grandest wedding of all.
In what world should anyone have to PAY for YOU to get married! That was your decision not mine. Why should guests have to pay $1,500 to watch you eat cake and dance off beat to My Endless Love? This is insane!
I realize the average cost of a wedding is between $30,000 and $45,000 which in many parts of the country is the cost of a college degree, but is it worth it? Regardless, of your answer when did it become the responsibility of wedding guests to pay for it?
This woman sounds like she has been watching too much of the Kardashian’s. They have the means to pay for their shindigs, she doesn’t. Either change the channel or stop guzzling the Kardashian Kool-Aid because this type of behavior is persona non grata (unwelcome).
The bride actually cancelled the wedding and left her now ex-fiance because guests wouldn’t pony up the money. What does she think this is?
Even CEO’s, senators, movie stars and Beyonce pay for their own parties! If you want someone else to foot the bill, then I suggest you sign a Nike deal as big as the $1 billion one that LeBron did or find a way to turn your wedding into a conference or business meeting and write it off on your taxes!
She at one point said,
“What is $1,000? What is $1,500? Clearly not a lot. It would be quite manageable and within budget.”
Really?!!! Many people have still not recovered from the financial crisis of 2008. The savings rate in America is hovering around less than 5 percent. And many are unable to save for retirement with around 30 percent of Americans having $0 in savings or for retirement.
Since when is a wedding more of a priority than putting food on the table. If I’m writing a check for something, I PREFER to give it to the needy and not the greedy.
Notice how easy it was for her to say the word budget to everyone else except HERSELF.
And at one point she did admit that she wanted to be a kardashian for a day.
Some potential attendees that paid up and then actually came to their senses asked for their money back. The not-soon-to-be bride said no to giving back their deposits until they pay her back for her emotional distress.
At this point, friends and relationships are ruined and destroyed. All over money.
This is my suggestion. If you would like to get married, please set up a budget and not a Go Fund Me. Then stick to it. No wedding or amount of money is worth losing relationships with friends and family.
Money will flow in and out of your lives but good friends and loving family are priceless.
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.
Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you. – Oprah Winfrey
I fully agree with that statement. I learned from Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin, to do what excites me. So, every post I write is a topic that I am excited about.
I write what’s brewing around in my head, what is burning in my soul, and straight from my heart.
Sometimes, I think of that scene in Spider-man Homecoming when Tony Stark (Iron Man played by Robert Downey Jr. aka RDJ) meets Peter Parker (played by Tom Holland).
You can check out that scene here.
He says this to him:
Tony Stark: Why are you doing this, huh? What’s your MO? I’ve got to know, what gets you out of that twin bed every morning?
I ask myself that question. What gets me out of bed every morning and gets me going? If it doesn’t excite me, then I’m not going to do it. And that is exactly how I feel about writing for this blog.
This blog will be very lively and spirited. That’s me. Full of energy.
GET EXCITED
I don’t plan to bore you. I want to be the place you go to wake up to. Like a radio station. I want people to come here to learn new things, get inspired, and when they leave to feel good.
I also try to only do what excites me in my personal life as well. There’s no fear of missing out for me. If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen. If not, move one. There’s always another rainbow, opportunity, or chance for adventure somewhere. I say, onward and upwards.
Obviously, Oprah needs no introduction. You know the face and you know the name.
She has won multiple Daytime Emmy’s, been nominated for an Oscar, and is regularly asked to attend and speak at major events all over the world.
Well, Oprah once did the commencement address at Wellesley in 1997. In her address, she discusses 5 important lessons she has learned for a better life.
Here are the 5 quotes from Ms. Oprah Winfrey that have inspired me and I hope they do the same for you.
OPRAH ON LIFE
My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style. – Maya Angelou
Life is a journey. Every day experiences will teach you who you really are.
I remember reading a book and a man commented that he witnessed someone being mistreated. When he asked the man why he didn’t say mean things back to those who were saying awful things to him, he responded, “You cannot fight hate with anger. You can only show peoplewho you are by how you live your life.”
Indeed.
See my post on how to thrive by working harder than others that I learned from Jay Leno
When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time. – Maya Angelou
2. When people show you who they are, believe them the first time. This is especially helpful with men. Don’t force them to beat you over the head with the message.
I have definitely learned this lesson.
In this life, if you want to not only survive and thrive, then you must learn to weed out the good from the bad apples quick!
Check out my post on what can happen to people that learn to value things more than people.
Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. – Marcel Proust
4. Be grateful. Keep a daily journal of the things you are grateful for. It will keep you focused on the abundance in your life.
It most certainly helps to think about all you do have, instead of what you don’t.
OPRAH ON HAVING VISION
Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. – Melody Beattie
5. Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life because you become what you believe.
We have to teach our girls that they can reach as high as humanly possible. – Beyonce
I remember reading that Bella Thorne creates a vision board for herself every year. Say what you want about her, but she is a hard working woman. You know why? It’s because she has a vision.
Arnold Schwarzenegger does something similar. Read all about it below. Very motivational.
If you want something in this life, you better be prepared to work for it. Nothing is free. Rarely is anyone ever handed anything in life. And even if you are, do you know what to do with it? Or how to manage it? It’s a lot harder to stay on top, when you haven’t done any of the work it takes to get there in the first place.
It wasn’t until I decided that I would be rich, that I started earning and attracting more money.
I learned that it all starts with the mind. Change your thoughts, change your life.
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” ― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go!
Mannequin was a film released in 1987 starring Andrew McCarthy and Kim Cattrall. The story was about finding love and doing your passion. It was a feel good romantic-comedy (rom-com), that is memorable for its theme song Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.
Mannequin Trailer
PASSION TRUMPS ALL
Find your passion and get paid for it
The main character in the movie, aptly named Jonathan Switcher, as he was constantly switching jobs in the film. Kind of reminds me of John Ritter as Jack Tripper in Three’s Company, as his character was always tripping or falling. Ritter’s character also did lots of pratfalls (falling down) like Chevy Chase would do on Saturday Night Live for laughs as a sight gag dating back to the days of vaudeville.
Anywho, in the film Jonathan was really an artist at heart, but he just couldn’t find the right gig. Finally, as luck would have it, being nice and kind, is what got him his start.
He was walking when a little old lady (Estelle Getty, Sophia from Golden Girls) came into the path of a huge store sign that was falling. He pushed her out of the way and saved her life! She just so happened to be the owner of a major women’s department store and offered him a job on the spot.
This changes the course of his life.
Once she learns what he can do, she gives him a job as a window dresser. This is where his artistry skills come into play. He finally found a way to make a living doing something he loved and was good at. And people were willing to offer him good money. A competitor wanted to offer him big bucks for his skill by doubling his salary. He said he didn’t do it just for the money.
Turn your passion into your career.
He kept his job where he was. This is where the movie truly begins.
Your Fired! Pick up your paycheck and get out of here.
COMPASSION
Compassion for others
Before getting his job as a window dresser, Jonathan had lost his job, his girlfriend (Roxy, played by Carole Davis), had no money, and was just sad and alone. All that changes when he starts dressing a Mannequin who comes to life!
Her name is Emmy. She says she saw him last night in the rain. He looked so sad and lonely. So, she came back to life just for him.
Emmy Comes Alive
DANCE
Dance
It’s good exercise and fun. Singing also can help cure loneliness, sickness, and unhappiness.
So, like I once heard Toni Braxton say to her sistsers on Braxton Family Values, “Don’t be the fun police. Don’t be the fun po-po.” When you go out, have some fun. Don’t be a wallflower. Go out there on the dance floor and dance.
Good health is vital on the road to wealth. You don’t have to lift a ton of weights, but you do need to get moving.
So, sing and dance, will ya.
The absolute most fun and funniest scene in the movie was the dance scene. That is what dancing does, it brings you to life and in this film that means literally.
Dancing scene
NO STEALING
Don’t steal
The men in the film are competitors to Switcher’s company. Once they find out about Emmy and her helping him make a name for himself as an in-demand window dresser, all hell breaks loose. They steal Emmy and then get arrested for it.
Do not steal. That’s all I have to say.
BE NICE
Be nice
Jonathan was a nice guy, but he was nobody’s fool. His kindness to others was always reciprocated back to him. He was nice. Then he got a job offer. He was nice. Easily, he made a friend. He was nice. And found his true love.
Good things can happen when you are nice. Being nice attracts things to you. In this film, it was a job.
Real love is something worth waiting and fighting for
My favorite and best scene of the film was the ending where they get married while the song Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now by Starship is playing. This is the most memorable part of the movie. It was a good way to end the film. It was a great scene and it made you feel good. Jonathan had finally found true love with Emmy.
When she came on the scene she informed him that she wanted to escape a loveless marriage from 4000 years ago B.C. She waited to come back to life to find the right man. And she commented to him in the film that she was so glad she picked him. And they only had eyes for each other.
Window Wedding Scene
This life is unpredictable. There are only a few things that are worth fighting for. Love is definitely top of that list.
I remember this movie fondly. It still has a special place in my heart.
This movie is what inspired me to help little old ladies. I had to help a complete stranger get out of a chair at a hotel one time. It just so happened that she was alone and I saw her struggling to get up. I walked over and asked if he needed help getting up. She looked up at me in surprise and said yes.
It sure felt good to help someone in need.
I do it every chance I get. Helping people across the street. Answering questions. I try to tip pretty well.
You know, I just try to treat people the way I would like to be treated.
I am nobody’s doormat, but I try to help the little guys out.
So recap…
Find your passion and get paid for it
Have compassion for others
Dance
Don’t steal. Earn your keep. Work for what you want.
And here we go. Date the guy with the nice home instead of the nice car. That’s my advice.
Growing up, my father said my grandmother would say that a man should have a place to put his family. Simply put, if you want a family, then you should have a home for them. It doesn’t have to be a mini McMansion, but it can’t be a cracker jack box.
Will the real estate holder, please stand up? I have actually known some men to prefer a fancy set of wheels as opposed to owning their own piece of property. I get it. Cars mean freedom and to some that they had arrived at adulthood. However, from my experience it’s the guys with the homes that tend to stay in longer, better relationships. Maybe, being a home owner is something to aspire to.
Vanity hates loneliness. I used to work with a guy that drove a pretty swanky BMW. The sticker price was between $40,000-$50,000. He lived in a one-bedroom apartment in a sketchy neighborhood. He was more concerned with looking good and cool gadgets than his net worth. The few relationships he had were terrible. However, he would be willing to stay in miserable relationships just not to be alone.
Well, one day he lost his job. The car payment was around $500 per month. And unemployment checks weren’t covering it. No savings to speak of. If he had a home, he could have tapped an equity line of credit until times got better or even rented out a room. But those were not options. So what did he do instead. He asked his mother to make his car payments for him.
Safe to say the woman he was seeing at the time didn’t stick around too much longer afterward. Last, I heard or saw of him he had paid off the car after about 7 years, was moving into a bigger apartment in another part of town, and his relationship status was single. And his hobby was…drumroll please…playing video games.
I did suggest to him to enroll in school or some other function that may help him increase his marketability in the employment world. Sadly, he declined.
Homes equal leverage. A car is a depreciating asset. It usually does not retain its original value, and continues to steadily decrease as the years go by. In contrast, a home is an appreciating asset that increases in value over time. In a 7-year time period, you could build up equity and your home could appreciate in value at the same time.
Let’s say you build $20,000 of equity and your home appreciates 2% a year for a 14% increase in value. If your purchase price was $150,000, then your home is now worth $171,000. For a total equity of $41,000 that you can tap for home repairs, remodeling, etc. That is leverage. You can use this equity to your advantage. What do you get back from paying rent? Zero.
Rent check or car payment. Now that we know what to look for in a guy. Let’s see where the guy without a plan to acquire property could potentially end up without assets of any kind or of substantial worth.
Without his mother paying his car payment, the car may have been repossessed. This ruins your credit, you have no vehicle, can’t get to work, you may lose your job, cashes out retirement account to eat and live, and now you can’t buy a home because you have bad credit and no job.
You may end up living off the side of a freeway off ramp or at the ripe old age of 70 asking customers paper or plastic. Not that there is anything wrong with having a job, but if I have to utter this statement I want it to be my choice and not because I have to.
Working in your golden years to still put food on the table is not how I or anyone should have to spend their retirement. You always want to have the option not to have to work. Or worse yet, from the peanuts you are making, you may be only able to afford Alpo.
Pay on what you own. Paying the mortgage is better than paying for a car. Even though at the end of your loan terms you own an asset, the home can go up in value, house your family, and be used for leverage. Your car can only be used for the latter and for a minimal amount at best.
And so there you have it folks. If you plan to date, find a partner that understands the value of money and doesn’t just know the price of everything. If you know how to spend, then you should also know how to save.
