Investing

We seem to have developed a "pawn" and debt mentality about life, in general, here in the US of A.  I've been contemplating a few theories about different types of money management and mismanagement.  Of course, I prefer my own method of management and my perspective of money, but then I guess most of us do, or we'd make changes.  I've come to realize, even those who say they want help don't actually want to change their method of management, they just want an increase in funding.  Fortunately for many, our society has a great many safety nets available, but rather than use these agencies for emergencies, the supply has become a way of life . . . being subsidized is budgeted in, if you will.

As I've shared here, previously, my expenses are pretty minimal.  I receive questions about financial management almost daily.  Often those "questions" are really veiled requests for funding.  Most of the time I share information, rather than funds, but when Abba leads me to offer financial assistance I do it.  I am an enabler by nature, so I have to hear Him before I just hand out cash, because I've done that in the past, only to realize that really didn't help the individual at all.  

As I listen to various management practices, I sometimes struggle to understand the mentality.  I struggle, especially when it comes to believers and our responsibility to Abba in the way we should manage our money.  There are four kinds of people and it becomes apparent in financial matters as well.  There are three types of folks who save.  Those who designate a set amount from every paycheck, those who are always afraid they won't have enough, and those who simply don't spend as much as they earn.  Of course the fourth kind of person is a non-saver.  When it comes to professing believers, I've actually heard some of them say saving and investing is a lack of faith . . . and some of those same folks aren't afraid of hard work, while others have no shame in begging.

I know people who always take care of their bills and finances, but don't necessarily believe in savings accounts or funds.  I got out of the stock market, I think in '06, maybe '07, before the crash.  I never went back.  My only stock investment now is four-legged in the pasture, rather than paper on Wall Street.  I don't have a huge savings account, but things in this world do break and do wear out, and sometimes an opportunity is presented that I just don't want to pass up, so I like to have a little nest egg.  I want enough to buy a good milk goat or a used tire, if need be.

I've been hearing a lot lately, about selling things that I consider an investment . . . For example, many folks in my circle of influence raise various breeds of livestock.  My goats and chickens are an investment, and some years I do better than others, but the point is, I plan to own a milk goat and laying hens over the long term.  I'm not getting rich here!  I do buy and sell bucks seasonally, but rather than sell a milk goat when prices are high, I figure she'll produce so much milk and so many kids . . . Yah willing, and she's much more valuable to me in production than in a one time sale.  I have one milk goat, I paid $100.00 for, over two years ago.  I've been offered $200.00 for her, but she's worth so much more than that!  So far, she's given me four kids and milk to feed bottle calves, which means meat in the freezer.  Usually the young doelings bring about $75-$100 and the bucks at least $50.  Right there is more than the $200.00 offer.  Then there's all the milk, and we all know the price of beef.  I truly do not remember any returns or dividends from Wall Street investments that can match this in a year or two.  I know I never owned any stock that doubled in value in two years, while also paying "daily" dividends.

If America returned to an agrarian society, I know we'd be healthier, but I also believe our economy would be stronger.  Flocks and herds are a safer investment than paper . . . and caring for flocks and herds means we'd have more exercise, need far less entertainment, and have much less stress!  An agrarian society invests in life, instead of possessions. 

Business Values in a Free Market

What happened to being able to conduct business according to your moral values?  What's so wrong with a business person with personal values?  I'd rather do business with someone who valued their own integrity and reputation.  In the past several months, I've taken note of more than one situation in which someone claiming to stand on Biblical principles is sued, threatened, or fined, while those who oppose are actually lauded and applauded.

Last week we ran a couple of links in which one company was fined for refusing service.  When that news hit social media, a gofundme page was set up.  Gofundme, however; took the page down.  The claim was made that the people could keep what had been collected, but gofundme was not willing to "do business" in this case.  Let's consider for a moment that this online collection company undoubtedly has every possible loophole included in its "terms of service" and let's even assume someone actually read the entirety of the terms of service page before hitting "I agree," something is still missing.  Gofundme is not a religious organization, and it does make a percentage from each donation, but since the fine had to do with a state law, Gofundme had a way out.  I haven't checked to see if there are any gofundme pages to raise bail or pay a traffic ticket . . . gofundme has already lost my business.

The point I'm making here is honesty and integrity are being legislated out of doing business.  I'll be crass and crude for just a moment.  I saw the photo of the two lesbians who targeted this small business.  I've also seen the photo of the florist that was targeted for refusing service for a gay wedding.  You can't tell me there isn't a gay florist nearby that would have been happy to provide arrangements, bouquets/boutonnieres for the wedding.  That is not being stereotypical, or maybe it is.  In my previous town, I frequently did business with a florist who was openly gay.  I never asked him to make arrangements for a wedding, though.  But this isn't about me, this is about some companies being able to choose who they do business with, while others are not able to choose.

Now on to my crass, crudeness.  That baker could have simply told the two women she would bake their cake, but . . . A friend of mine suggested he would take photos of a gay wedding but tell them upfront, every dime he made would be donated to an organization that speaks out against the LGBT agenda.  That's one idea.  Another one, since you know you'd be targeted, is to make just enough comments as to cause them to wonder if you'd put anything unpleasant in their cake . . . then after they paid for the cake and had it analyzed, the cake would be ruined but no unpleasant additive would be found.  Then, of course, there might be the temptation to just get on their level, smile sweetly, take their detailed order, and lick the beaters . . . before making the cake.

To legislate against values and integrity could have some very disturbing results that congest the court system for years to come.