UNCOMMON CENTS 55

PAY YOURSELF FIRST, PAY CASH AND AVOID DEBTS. WHAT IF YOU ARE FOLLOWING ALL THREE OF THESE STEPS TO FINANCIAL FREEDOM, BUT MANAGE TO BECOME A BREATHING EXAMPLE OF THE IRRATIONAL INCONGRUITY OF CHEAPNESS? LORD FORBID. FIRST HAND I CAN ATTEST TO A PERSON NEVER PARTAKING OF A HOMEMADE MEAL BUT IN ORDER TO CUT COSTS, MANDATES WATER ONLY FOR HIS CHILDREN IN RESTAURANTS. GRANTED, HE REALIZES THE RIDICULOUSLY HIGH-PROFIT MARGIN ON SOFT DRINKS, BUT WITH HIS ATTRACTION TO MOUNTAIN DEW, THIS MARKETING REALITY IS IGNORED. ALSO, MY EXAMPLE SPENDS HOURS OF HIS TIME CONSUMING GAS BY DAILY DRIVING HERE AND THERE ON THE ROADS AND HIGHWAYS WHILE AT THE SAME TIME LOWERING HIS HOME THERMOSTAT TO A PERMANENT 60 DEGREES TO CONSERVE ON ELECTRICITY BILLS. IN ADDITION, A TIME SHARE CONDOMINIUM OR A FOUR-WHEELER TOY IS WITHIN THE REALM OF ACCEPTANCE TO THIS MAN, BUT SHARING THE BILL AND TIP OF A RECREATIONAL DINNER WITH SIBLINGS IS NOT.

THE INCOME GAP IN A SOCIETY IS ACCEPTABLE BECAUSE FROM TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS AN ECONOMY PROFITS; WITHOUT PROFITS AN ECONOMY IS STAGNANT. WHAT SHOULD BE DONE, HOWEVER, WHEN AN AMERICAN’S COMMON SENSE REGRESSES EVEN THOUGH HIS INCOME RISES? WHEN IRRATIONAL SELF-INTEREST IS ANNOYING AND DETRIMENTAL? WHEN THE INHERENT HUBRIS OF SELF-GRATIFICATION AND CHEAPNESS VIOLATES THE GOOD? GROWING IN WEALTH LIKE GROWING IN WISDOM AND AGE NECESSITATES FOLLOWING A MORALITY ROOTED IN GOLDEN RULES.