The investment game, Inflation and the cost of goods.

[Vanraw]

I derive the answers to most of these questions with three things:

1. Perspective

2. This idea:

As I’ve traveled across the globe for nearly six decades, I have found that people exhibit remarkable similarities that by no stretch of the imagination can be construed as resulting from culture, history, language, or chance. All people appear motivated by an inbred striving for self-esteem that is in large part fostered by the approval of others

(how much money do you spend on things simply to gain the approval of others? -- big house, car, Italian leather shoes, etc)

3. and this idea:

Sucess is getting what you want and happiness is wanting what you get

That third one is a good quote Dustie. I think there is another piece in there as well. Knowing what happiness really is. This falls into the competitive striving of everyone to have the better car and bigger house then the neighbor. It doesn't necessarily bring happiness.

Slamz mentions that we are better off then the poor guy in China, but It think there is some perspective here. I'm not sure I know how to measure "quality of life". I think a Tibetan Monk's perspective of quality of life is allot different then mine.

- He who has the most toys when he dies wins.... ie Money = better quality of life.
- Quality of life through relationship fulfillment of family and love ones.
- Quality through commitment to a deity or way of life.
- Quality through dedication to a life mission, work, cause, etc.


Back to the original thought though, I think money / wealth is just constantly changing hands. In the sock market especially. If some one is losing, then someone is gaining. If someone wins, the money is coming from someone else. Its like energy. It can not be destroyed or created. Just transformed, condensed and or dissipated. This is at the Macro level. So if your luck enough to get in at the bottom, and lucky enough to get out at the top, you do ok. Your taking money from those who got in or out at the wrong time. Its all relative especially in the stock market.

But I'm beginning to think the best investment in our times, and for the next several years might be funding the small business directly. ie Buying stock in a private hardened asset that isn't at the whims of a bunch of money changers.