So, why do we work?

In the hubbub of the daily work-grind, as we strive to better ourselves, and improve on our situations in life, we can sometimes lose track of the big picture.  We tend to become one of two groups of people.  Two monetarily different groups of people with a grey zone somewhere in between.  In my mind, the grey zone is where we all should be.

Most people today can't stop spending,  spending, spending.  People get foolish with the buy now and pay later offers floating around so prevalently.  And then there are the credit cards, where you only have to pay back 10 bucks a month on 12% interest.  There is a mindset of, "I need/want the similar things that my parents own, and man, what a great opportunity to buy a such and such car!"  Then, when the newness wears off, and it starts breaking down, payments come due.  Now you start paying for a pile of bolts.  Oh, not to worry, just file for chapter 8 or 11, or whatever it is.  Have society pick up your lack of integrity piece of crap tab.  A wise man once said, "There is no such thing as a free lunch, someone always pays".  Or, you can have the ideology out there (i've actually heard this told), "When my parents die, we can THEN pay off our debt with the inheritance money".  I ask you, where is the integrity in this?  

On the other (how be it rare) side of the extreme, there are type of people who save, save, and save.  All of my life this concept I have been taught to be a good thing, which now tried and found true.  Save for the future so opportunities for you and your children will be obtainable.   So, the focus becomes entrenched on the fact that we must save, save, and save.  Sooner or later when those oportunities arise to spend the money, we've suddenly realized they have just passed us by.  

I think there needs to be a good mix between the two groups.  Yes, it's nice to have a goal in mind to reach that point of your parents wealth and stature in life which they gained from shedding  blood, sweat and tears.  After all, that is the benefit of living in this country of opportunity.  Once you get there though, it's nice to be able to spend the money.  I remember a story of an old lady.  She died in her late 90's as a millionaire.  She lived in a shack and ate oatmeal her whole life.  Someone needed to tell that lady she could mix it up a bit with some Jimmy Dean sausage, eggs, and biscuits on occasion.  Like my mother in law always quotes me, "Money doesn't buy happiness, but it sure does buy opportunity."  Those opportunities can be selfish or selfless.  They can build service or memories thus edifying and creating joy in others lives.  Service is a great key to happiness.