Bruce’s Wealth Blog

This year I resolve not to make a New Year’s resolution.  Of course, if I am as successful with that resolution as I have been in the past with other resolutions, then clearly I will make a New Year’s resolution.  In fact, you may have noticed that I already broke the resolution by making the resolution to begin with.  Don’t worry the rest of this post will not be as convoluted as the first paragraph.  I have resolved to keep this simple!  (oops!) 

 

The New Year is a very opportune time to take inventory of the past year, even the past several years, and to set goals and plans for the future.  When I say that, one of the first things that may come to your mind is how much money you want to make this year.  That isn’t a big shock since you are reading, “Bruce’s Wealth Blog.”  Wealth means money right?  Well, not necessarily.  To me, wealth means a particular lifestyle.  Quite honestly, the definition of wealth has changed for me over the last several years.  To explain this change, I need to be a little sexist and write specifically for the guys here, although there are some ladies who may also be just as guilty as I was.

 

When I started investing, it was about the money.  I was the man.  I had to provide for my family.  And, of course, the best way to do that was to sacrifice myself and my time to make sure my family had money.  To ensure we had the “things” that we thought we needed.  I wanted my wife and my daughter to have everything they wanted.  I worked long hard hours to provide those important things for them.  They didn’t see me much, but we had money.  It didn’t take me long to experience money intoxication.  I started looking at enterprises that were wildly profitable but morally questionable.  These enterprises had the winning combination of booze, sex, and rock and roll.  (I will go into more detail about these enterprises in my ministry blog in the coming weeks).  With these enterprises, I could have all the money, and the power it brought with it, as I wanted.  My family and I would never want for anything.

 

DISCLAIMER:  I am about to make some generalizations about wives and children. Your particular model may vary.

 

I was so blindly intoxicated by money and power that I didn’t see what my wife and daughter really wanted.  Sure, it was nice to have nice things, but what my wife really wanted was to cuddle up with me on the couch watching TV, talking, reading, or doing nothing at all.  My daughter was happier cutting up an empty box with me and playing in it with me than she was with the toy that came in the box.  As a rule, women and children would rather be broke and spend quality and fun time with their family provider than to have lots of money and things but little or no time with their “provider.”  Being the provider means providing them with security.  Security means a secure relationship and has nothing to do with money.

 

We are told that money problems are the number one cause of divorce in our society today.  The truth is that it is not the lack of money that causes the arguments that lead to divorce.  It is normally the arguments that arise because the husband feels like he is less of a man because he isn’t bringing in enough money, so he goes out to get more and practically abandons his family in doing so.  The result is normally that his family still doesn’t have enough money, and they don’t have the bond of a close relationship because they don’t see him either.  They argue, separate, divorce, and blame it on money.

 

While my situation with my family really was not a lack of money, it was very similar because of the fact that I was so driven to continue making more of it that I lost sight of what was really important.  After all, having money is better than not having money and having a lot of money is better than simply having some money.  More is better right?  My intoxication with money and my willingness to compromise my morals to get into enterprises that catered to a seamy part of our society cost me nearly everything, including my wife and my daughter.  I can tell you from personal experience that chasing after money can cost you all of your money, your family, and even your life and your soul.

 

So when you take inventory of the past year and start making resolutions for 2009, I urge you to think in terms of what is really important.  Is it the money, or is it the lifestyle?  What do you really need? What does your family really want from you?  What will improve the quality of life for you and your family?  Discuss it with your family.  You may be surprised at the answers.  And, finally, if you haven’t already done so, take Bruce’s Challenge.  It too will help you with your priorities.

 

I wish you a very prosperous New Year.  May 2009 exceed your dreams.  May you live the lifestyle that makes you and your family happy.  May 2009 be the year that transforms your future.

 

Bruce..