Thursday, March 19, 2015

Quote of the Day

Yesterday, my tax preparer asked me if I was bored. This is a common question for retirees.

"He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have." - Socrates

Free time is and always has been, at least to me, a blessing. Every second of it is precious. There is nothing more I wish to have. No worldly possession is its equal. So, in answer to the question, I honestly cannot remember the last time I was bored. Further, I feel very sorry for those who cannot find contentment when given the extraordinary gift of free time.

That said, these are very dangerous words for our consumption based economy. The government finds it extremely difficult to tax what is free and corporations find it equally difficult to profit off of what is free. Perhaps it is therefore best that I share this philosophy sparingly, just in case the government and/or corporations can eventually figure out a way. ;)

6 comments:

Rob Dawg said...

Well asking "are you tired of not consuming, investing and generating fees?" would have given away the agenda.

Stagflationary Mark said...

My tax preparer loves to see me. I might not generate as much fees as some, but all of my documents easily fit inside a standard envelope. Such is the life of a buy and hold infrequent trader.

That said, there is no doubt truth in what you say. I'm sure she would love to see me even more if my nest egg was actively managed (by her). Not going to happen.

Rob Dawg said...

Like many upper lower class slash lower middle class types I have several market and investment and trading accounts. I initiated a couple a bit over two years ago. One I bought a stock (apple) and two general vanilla indicies; dividend and transports. The other I used to play the markets and prove my natural superioirity. The ignored account is doing much better. Fancy that.

Stagflationary Mark said...

Rob Dawg,

I have 1¢ in my trading account. No joke.

I have two ultra long-term TIPS bonds in my IRA. The second was purchased using the interest generated from the first.

The IRA is vastly outperforming my trading account. I'm finding it nearly impossible to grow my penny. I need to find a double or nothin' investmment for it, lol.

I have the bulk of my investments outside both those accounts, bypassing Wall Street entirely.

michael said...

Yes if you dont plaay, they dont get paid. Sham on you Mark! Thanks for the parabolas

Stagflationary Mark said...

Michael,

Perhaps now should be the time to start our own Wall Street firm.

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