compound

Shakespeare said—“There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.” Now that is how important thinking is! Soooo let’s do some thinin’.

Here is an example of compound interest: If a person would save $250 a month starting at age 25 with an interest rate of 8% at age of 65, they would have $878,570. If they start at age 35, they would have $375,073. If they start at age 45, they would have $148,236. Think about that!

I just had my dollar and 50 cent hotdog yesterday at Costco. I shared my table with a middle-aged man who gave me some real good advice about saving a lot of money. He said that he always has $1.50 hot dog before he shops at Costco as it saves him about $100 every time because it satisfies his appetite otherwise he buys everything he sees. If folks would save the $100 each time and with compound interest that might save folks a zillion dollars! But when we are older the saving isn't very much soooo most of us older folks will just buy what we want!

We took a little day trip to Bickleton, WA to see the bluebirds. We had a good time. In 1960 a couple put up a coffee can for a house for a bluebird couple and they nested in it. Next year they put up 9 houses. The Bickleton area folks bought into it and today there are some 2,000 bluebird houses. Now that is compound interest. BUT the female bluebirds have not progressed to the modern culture. Oh no! The male bluebirds return in mid-February. They find a nesting site and a month later the females come. After choosing a mate, she will work hard to build a nest out of grasses and soft plant fiber, doing most of the work while her mate sings. Well, he did pick out the house! I guess it will be just a matter of time!

BUT! OneSmartPerson told me this--"If we have the same assets and I can earn an 8% annual returns, and you can earn 12% annual returns, but I need half as much money to be happy while your lifestyle compounds as fast as your assets, I'm better off than you are. I'm getting more benefit from my investments despite lower returns."

Different perspective! I have acquaintances who always think (i.e. maybe big on the “think”) they get the short end of the stick (i.e. always negative) and then there are some who always think they get the long end of the stick (i.e. always positive). Maybe there are some who waffle between both and get the middle of the stick! hahaha For sure whatever we think is what it will be in our minds (i.e. what we think is what we will be). And then that thinking will compound just like compound interest does. It will get bigger and bigger and bigger. Those two thinkings will continue to compound by being around similar thinking people, reading similar material etc. It will mushroom! It can’t be any different, my opinion. If we are negative, our chance of having a happy life is slim to none and if we have a positive attitude our lives will be much more happy. Of course that is my thinkin’. But look around folks, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out. Saturday question—How do we get a positive attitude? MyFriendDownTheStreet says--When our mine is stuck on a negative focus, Houston, we have a problem. Violet Stillwater asks--How can I change my perspective anyway? I would like to do that, I think. Listen Violet Stillwater, the battle for the control of our mind and souls is fierce!

Navel Ravikant says-- “All the benefits in life come from compound interest — money, relationships, habits — anything of importance.” 

Navel also said--“Earn with your mind, not your time.” It seems like everyone wants passive income. That’s income where it makes money for us every minute of our life and we don’t have to work (i.e. it just compounds). But to have passive income we have to have money working for us that we saved or got some way. We need money to make money as they say. Yes, most do that by saving and using compound interest but some inherit money and some marry money. Those two are a lot easier but maybe not as satisfying. But I don’t know.

It seems that many people are internally confused; it ain’t nuttin new. Why are folks bitter at times? Is it they don’t get what they want or think they deserve more or they compare themselves with others or they don’t like their past? Do some folks lack confidence, or they become cocky and showy because they have no confidence (i.e. I think that’s an oxymoron statement). It sure appears to me that folks who have the right type of confidence are much happier (i.e. they are not braggers near as much it appears). The true meaning of confidence is self-trust. It is a quiet, realistic assurance in our own abilities, value, and capacity to handle life’s challenges, rather than an arrogant, bitter and unhappy feeling. Do you think faith in God affects our confidence? Does confidence make us feel better? Soo then, does bitterness and confidence compound through the years and time like compound interest? Think about that! Roman emperor and philosopher Marcus Aurelius on taking the high road:  "The best revenge is not to be like that."

I shared a table with Cliff and Diane while we all ate our $1.50 hot dogs at Costco. They were in their mid 80s. Each had long marriages and lost their spouses. They were married for 5 years. Almost our story exactly; even met in church like we did. We sing the same music let me tell ya. I asked them if their children from their previous marriages are happy for them. And they said—We think they are very happy, happy that we take care of each other and they don’t have to!  Now, that is compound interest!

C.S. Lewis famously advocated for the active, rigorous use of the mind, arguing that failing to think deeply is both spiritually and intellectually dangerous.  

Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:

erv

MyDeceasedFriend Jean said—You do not get ulcers from what you eat, you get ulcers from what is eating you.