don't be envious of my situation . . .

caracol7 · 06-19-2007, 08:59 AM

I've been very focused on retirement planning the past 6 months. This forum has provided me with a lot of valuable information and motivation. About 4 months ago I was comparing my situation with that of a friend of mine. We both graduated from college together in the same program, went to law school together, and seemed to have a lot in common. I went into practice with a private law firm and he went into government practice. So 4 months ago I realized that my friend will receive lifetime military retirement benefits for 20 years of combined active duty and reserves retiring as a Lt. Col. and he will also get a pension of about $115,000/yr in today's dollars from the State (elected officials pension . . . because he is a judge). I know his income has always been less than mine, but I found myself envious that he was in better shape for retirement than I was.

Well, my friend died in an accident 2 months ago. I now feel stupid and petty for being envious. Everyone will read posts in this forum from people who are thier own age or younger and have more money they do. It is easy to wish you were in someone else's shoes. My friend's death was reminder that I should be thankful for my own blessings and be happy with what I have.

xmanz3 · 06-19-2007, 09:02 AM

We should always be thankful for what we have and be always positive about the goals that we want to achieve.

Achiever51 · 06-19-2007, 09:38 AM

My mom always used to tell us not to be envious of what other people might have because while we didn't have their $$, we also didn't have their bills. It was her take on "the grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence"..and the advice has served me well!

Jay_Gatsby · 06-19-2007, 09:54 AM

It is human nature to be envious of what another person has that you do not. I am sorry to hear about your friend, and hope that you enjoyed many good times together prior to his untimely death. Perhaps this serves as a reminder to all of us that we should not only be happy with WHAT we have, but also with WHOM we have to share it.

**Rich_in_Tampa** · 06-19-2007, 10:03 AM

Good reminder, Caracol7. Thanks.

Vincenzo Corleone · 06-19-2007, 09:30 PM

This reminds me of a post I read on another message board I frequest. The guy who posted was really wise and his post stuck with me. He was commenting on this story of a guy who defined himself and others based on monetary wealth. I'm paraphrasing:

"I like fly fishing. I probably catch more fish than he does. And the nanosecond we're both dead we'll both have the same amount of money."

Well, it sounded better when he said it - I probably didn't get it quite right. But you get the jist. You need to keep things in perspective - It's important to enjoy life.

cute fuzzy bunny · 06-19-2007, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vincenzo Corleone

"I like fly fishing. I probably catch more fish than he does. And the nanosecond we're both dead we'll both have the same amount of money."

And they'll have the same fish catching abilities as well.

chinaco · 06-23-2007, 04:36 AM

Good advice. Focus on your blessings (not someone elses)... Carpe Deim!

VaCollector · 06-23-2007, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Achiever51

My mom always used to tell us ...."..and the advice has served me well!

"....that no matter where you were in life, rich or poor, tall or short, slim or stout....you could ALWAYS look around and find someone better off (taller, slimmer, etc) or poorer than you...so count your blessings!!"...it always seemed to help put things in perspective for me!

Ain't Mom's wonderful!!??....if yours is still around, make it a point to give her a call today or better yet, a hug

!

smileydog · 06-23-2007, 09:20 AM

Thanks for the reminder... Envy is such a waste of energy.

Life is like the old shoots and ladders game I played as a child - sometimes you're up - sometimes you can slide back to the bottom in one move.

The joy is in the journey.

dog

Achiever51 · 06-23-2007, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VaCollector

"....that no matter where you were in life, rich or poor, tall or short, slim or stout....you could ALWAYS look around and find someone better off (taller, slimmer, etc) or poorer than you...so count your blessings!!"...it always seemed to help put things in perspective for me!

Ain't Mom's wonderful!!??....if yours is still around, make it a point to give her a call today or better yet, a hug

!

Oh how I wish she were still here to see how well her advice served me...I miss her everyday.

Milton · 06-26-2007, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caracol7

I now feel stupid and petty for being envious. Everyone will read posts in this forum from people who are thier own age or younger and have more money they do. It is easy to wish you were in someone else's shoes. My friend's death was reminder that I should be thankful for my own blessings and be happy with what I have.

This is why I didn't participate in that thread that invites you to divulge your age, income, and net worth.

06-19-2007, 08:59 AM	#1
caracol7 Dryer sheet wannabe Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 10	don't be envious of my situation . . . I've been very focused on retirement planning the past 6 months. This forum has provided me with a lot of valuable information and motivation. About 4 months ago I was comparing my situation with that of a friend of mine. We both graduated from college together in the same program, went to law school together, and seemed to have a lot in common. I went into practice with a private law firm and he went into government practice. So 4 months ago I realized that my friend will receive lifetime military retirement benefits for 20 years of combined active duty and reserves retiring as a Lt. Col. and he will also get a pension of about $115,000/yr in today's dollars from the State (elected officials pension . . . because he is a judge). I know his income has always been less than mine, but I found myself envious that he was in better shape for retirement than I was. Well, my friend died in an accident 2 months ago. I now feel stupid and petty for being envious. Everyone will read posts in this forum from people who are thier own age or younger and have more money they do. It is easy to wish you were in someone else's shoes. My friend's death was reminder that I should be thankful for my own blessings and be happy with what I have.

06-19-2007, 09:54 AM	#4
Jay_Gatsby Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,101	It is human nature to be envious of what another person has that you do not. I am sorry to hear about your friend, and hope that you enjoyed many good times together prior to his untimely death. Perhaps this serves as a reminder to all of us that we should not only be happy with WHAT we have, but also with WHOM we have to share it. __________________ He had one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it . . . It faced, or seemed to face, the whole external world for an instant and then concentrated on you with an irresistible prejudice in your favor. -- The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald

06-19-2007, 10:03 AM	#5
Rich_in_Tampa Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Tampa Posts: 5,882	Good reminder, Caracol7. Thanks. __________________ Rich Tampa, FL (10% retired) As if you didn't know..If the above message happens to contain medical content, it's NOT intended as advice, and may not be accurate, applicable or sufficient. Don't rely on it for any medical purpose whatsoever. Consult your own doctor for all medical advice.

06-23-2007, 04:36 AM	#8
chinaco Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 2,855	Good advice. Focus on your blessings (not someone elses)... Carpe Deim! __________________ Disclaimer: I make no warranty or guarantee about the accuracy or completeness of this information. I am not a financial planner, my comments only represent my opinion.

06-23-2007, 09:20 AM	#10
smileydog Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 130	Thanks for the reminder... Envy is such a waste of energy. Life is like the old shoots and ladders game I played as a child - sometimes you're up - sometimes you can slide back to the bottom in one move. The joy is in the journey. dog __________________ When you row another person across the river, you get there yourself. Author: Fortune Cookie

06-19-2007, 09:02 AM	#2
xmanz3 Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 97	We should always be thankful for what we have and be always positive about the goals that we want to achieve.

06-19-2007, 09:38 AM	#3
Achiever51 Full time employment: Posting here. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 770	My mom always used to tell us not to be envious of what other people might have because while we didn't have their $$, we also didn't have their bills. It was her take on "the grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence"..and the advice has served me well!

06-19-2007, 09:30 PM	#6
Vincenzo Corleone Dryer sheet aficionado Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 45	This reminds me of a post I read on another message board I frequest. The guy who posted was really wise and his post stuck with me. He was commenting on this story of a guy who defined himself and others based on monetary wealth. I'm paraphrasing: "I like fly fishing. I probably catch more fish than he does. And the nanosecond we're both dead we'll both have the same amount of money." Well, it sounded better when he said it - I probably didn't get it quite right. But you get the jist. You need to keep things in perspective - It's important to enjoy life.

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