Our speaker this week at forum taught us how to be a millionaire, without winning the lottery...no for real! Dr. Barry Morris is a professor emeritus of economics...that horrid, dreadful subject. Although, if I could figure out how to build a time machine (I still think that'd make a GREAT capstone project...but anyway...), I'd totally go back in time to take him as my economics teacher, because I'm convinced one reason I don't like economics is my professor.
Anywho...no time for my rant on economics.
Dr. Morris helped found the Raymond Isbell Endowed Scholarship, which is a scholarship program where a teacher works an extra year after retirement and agrees to give away his or her salary to fund a scholarship for a student. In addition to that, he serves on the University Advancement Foundation, which raises money for scholarships. Obviously, Dr. Morris really cares about students and making sure we are well looked after. Dr. Morris is also a Florence City Council Member...the most anit-government government official ever.
Dr. Morris gave a good spin on this whole civic engagement/service thing: we have got to love ourselves enough to take care of ourselves mentally and physically so that we will be strong enough to help pull others up. We can't be sagging and out of it and try to help others...it just doesn't work like that. We must be able to dedicate ourselves to our family AND our community; it can't be one or the other. Our family needs us as much as our community does.
Florence is a great community where we can live, work, and play, but communities don't get that way by happenstance. There are a lot of people that are dedicated to making this community a good and pleasant one. And if it's gonna stay that way, we have to not be so selfish and decide to lend a hand...or two!
But Dr. Morris brought taking care of our community back around to taking care of ourselves, and that's what he spent the majority of his talk on. He advised us on making smart choices and not buying unnecessary things...such as a mustang. Thankfully, I wouldn't consider myself a spender. Considering the saying "It's better to give than to receive" is an adult concept, I suppose that means I'm all grown up...gasp! I will be turning 20 this month!
Anyway, Dr. Morris reminded us that civic organizations are built around the concept of giving. But what if we don't have anything to give because we're stupid and spend all our money? Exactly! "Star saving now and don't ever miss it and you'll be a millionaire." ....see, easy!
No, really, I have an example. I started working my first job in March of my junior year in high school. The reason for getting a job was so that I could save my money and buy a truck. My dad agreed to match me up to a certain amount. I began saving from the first paycheck I got. I averaged around $100 per week in savings. By January, I had saved enough to buy me a truck. That's right...only 9 months later. Saving is a habit...a good habit...one we must train ourselves in if we are going to even TRY to live a comfortable life in the future.
All in all, I'm surprised Dave Ramsey didn't walk in the room, shake this guy's hand, and tell us all that he'd just been talking for Dr. Morris the entire time. And Dave Ramsey's what's up.
Dr. Morris ended by giving us some more practical advice. Start a budget, and always plan to have money set aside for expenses because you never know when something ridiculous is going to happen. Like just this week, the hot water heater at my dad's house sorta kinda exploded a little bit.
"Water water everywhere, nor any drop to drink."
The insurance man and new floors will come, and our money will only shrink.
So it's a good thing my dad is a smart man who saves for a rainy (haha...sort of a pun) day.
So anyway, this was a lesson about what many American's no longer believe in...patience. If we are patient, good things will eventually happen. We have to learn to defer our happiness and help our community.
