Better it is to have a lower position in life and be free than to have a position of power only to be subject to the will of another
Each Thursday I select a Viking quote, sometimes randomly but ofttimes based upon relevance or meaning to my life at that point in time. Despite these phrases being over a thousand years old I believe most can still offer value in modern society and I find it interesting to ponder, weigh and measure them. original im src
This week's Viking quote
Better it is to have a lower position in life and be free than to have a position of power only to be subject to the will of another - Óláfs saga helga
Over the last few weeks I’ve been thinking about my future financial security and reevaluating a few things including my ongoing financial plan. I review it periodically to make sure I’m on track, however on this occasion it’s more to do with my job change and that my income has changed quite significantly. It will give me more scope to plan ahead of time and essentially bring the future closer to the present.
Many people prefer to live somewhat hand to mouth, that is to say, they prefer not to plan too far ahead and live only for the moment, however as a man who likes to be prepared I prefer a more balanced approach. I’ve heard people say, but G-dog, you might not make it to take advantage of your planning. Yes I know that, but what if I do make it, wouldn't I want to be prepared? That doesn’t mean I don’t live in the moment though, I’m an, in- the-moment-guy too, have a great life now, but also feel inclined to plan ahead so I can extend that great life into the future. I think you get the point. Or not.
With this in mind I (usually) apply a need over want ethos and carefully consider purchases, large ones I mean, before I go ahead. Do I need it or want it is a question I ask myself.
This method has generally kept me out of credit debt and whilst I don’t have as many things as some others who are happy to borrow other people’s money and pay interest to get them I don’t really miss out on much I need. Sure I might take some time to get it, make do with the older version or with an item adapted to a purpose rather than simply buy a new one, but overall I have what I need and am comfortable with it.
Using this model has allowed me to travel the world extensively, something that is incredibly important to me as it’s experiences I chase rather than things. Those experiences keep on giving, years and years later and I remember them more fondly than the things I had. I’ll admit that I’m one who prefers quality over quantity and will spend more to get it; the buy one cry once method, and not feeling the need want to have more and more things allows me to do this.
This scenario gives me a greater ability to plan ahead whether that’s a week, month, year or twenty years.
I was chatting with the representative of a building company yesterday who was at my home to quote on some work I’m doing and it became apparent she had the same mentality; curious considering her age as most don’t understand, or value, the concept of future-proofing one’s financial position. She spoke about slavery: Debt-slavery, job-slavery and being a slave to one’s materialistic desires all in the name of having more stuff and the perceived emotional benefit or validation that may come of it; she was a smart cookie. This prompted me to select this particular quote for this week’s post.
As always it can be read many different ways however I’m choosing to perceive lower position in life in respect of choosing not to have a consumerist nature, to default instead to that need over want option I mentioned earlier.
I don’t have everything I need or want, sure, but I have some of what I need and am happy to have what I have. Remember, for me life is about experiences and the things I have are generally angled towards creating, supporting and increasing those experiences. Do I truly have a lower position in life because of it? I certainly don’t think so. Do I feel free? Well yes, I’d have to say to some degree I do however I’m still working towards total freedom which I perceive to be the ability to choose what I do and when I do it.
Am I subject to the will of another? Hmm, this is something I pondered long and hard when composing this post. I have a job, go there when required and report to the Director. He employs me and so I’m subject to his will to some degree. Can I resign? Yes of course I can, and I would resign should things reach a point I found to be untenable; so I wouldn't say I’m subject to his will. I have a mortgage though, albeit it a reasonably small one, and I’m subject to its will. I have to pay it or they’ll repossess my house.
Credit debt is a terrible weight around one’s neck and whilst there’s things that are incredibly difficult to obtain without it, (like a house), I believe it should be avoided where possible. I speak generally here of course. It chains one to it, places a yolk around a person’s neck, often for many years, and to me it doesn’t make a lot of sense.
I have a friend who wanted an electrical item that was going to cost $5,700 however she didn’t have the money. She ended up getting credit to buy it and at the end of the five-year term will end up paying $8,300 for the item. The problem is that it’ll be obsolete in two years (if that) and she’ll roll the remaining debt into a new credit loan and get the latest version...So she’ll owe even more. It doesn't seem worth it for a bigger flat-panel TV. That’s what I mean by a yolk around one’s neck.
This quote isn’t just about consumer purchases. It relates to a savings plan, to being frugal, clever with one’s money and of course certainly relates to investments and financial planning. The Vikings had the right of it. *Money isn’t everything, material possessions don’t make the man or woman and it’s better to be the master of one’s own destiny, to enjoy the freedom of choice and the ability to fill one’s life with valuable experiences, relationships and moments rather than amassing material things that probably just won't matter in the future.
So, that's it for this week's Viking quote, a one-thousand-year-old quote that is just as relevant now as it was back then. The world has changed dramatically and for some reason society wants more, more more but it is a wise person who tempers that want, finds some balance and plans for the future as well. This is what I believe.
Feel free to interpret this quote as you choose and let me know in the comments below. Maybe you've had some experiences yourself or know someone who has gone one way or the other in respect of financial matters, a consumerist nature or simply has allowed themselves to become subjected to another person's will in some way and to their detriment. I'd love to hear your thoughts below.
Skol.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind
Discord: galenkp#9209
IT is funny how the young seem to have cottoned on to the debt-slave idea. For so long people have been caught in its trap but thankfully there are more people coming into adulthood that seem to have a better hook on it. Its damn evil. I was in credit card debt for ages when I was younger. A couple of my friends got in so deep they had to have an insolvency agreement. (weak form of bankruptcy)
There's certainly a few out there wising up but not enough I'd say; a slow process.
Your story is a familiar one...I remember I got my first credit card at about 19 years old...Ran it up to $2,000 in a month or so and learned a valuable lesson. Since then my VISA debit card has been paid off at the end of every month, no matter what. I'm not into paying interest.
Yep, that was like me. Couldnt wait to get my first taste of free money. Champing at the bit for it. Then when it was maxed saw a 0% interest transfer. I was like what? This is amazing. Two years later and I was 6K in debt and hating it. I didn't take the easy way out though and just knuckled down and paid it off. It took a while but I was happier for it being gone. And thankfully I have done the same as you since, pay off that shit right away!
Here's to free money and Titan's doing what Titan's do...But it isn't free though is it. Damn you money!
The really scary part is that some just don't learn and perpetuate the credit spending only to end up in a big whole. Then...Happens again. Bonkers.
It's good that you did it the hard way, paid it off. That shows character and is a good lesson.
Its the Titan way to learn from our mistakes!
I have seen others not learn and it looks painful indeed, to have that constantly hanging over you. Ouch
Yep, debt is crippling indeed. I can't comprehend how people can comfortably live with it. I know a few who do, and add to it in fact. Nutbags.
They think it is alright and they will pay it off when X happens.
Which never does. shudder
100 percent my thinking. Not being in debt puts one in the top 5% - and that's where I intend to remain. If I don't have the cash - I can do without it!!
Going without is something so many don't feel they can do but I think it's a good practice; have less, or at least, have what you need and limit the want-buying.
You get it.
Yeah I definitely get it. I want to be free to travel and not tied down with encumberances.
It'll happen...Someday.
I hope
It surely will. Working hard for this to happen.
The smart cookie definetely was right. The quote is very inspired
I believe that being free is crucial as people can operate under stress if they feel cornered by debt.
To be happy with what you have and to be resourceful is the main idea of the whole life. To get a loan in order to have something which will be obsolete....that is a disguised form of slavery. But this time the slaves are "free" to put their own shackles. Ironic right?
I always believed and still do that it is never about the resources that one has, but about their resourcefullness. What can you do with what you have? Can you become creative? Most people don't work this muscle and pick the easy way out - which in fact is the hardest to live with long term.
Freedom=debt free for me. Even more than this, to live offgrid and have several sources of income would be even better.
Experiences...you are on point here G. It is all about experiences🤩
Experiences are the best experience one could experience.
Don't you think?
Haha yup, you are totally right G.
Rather day to day, month to month. Of course only those people know how does this feel, what does this feel like, who live in poverty, but at least under the local minimum wage. Nowadays I live like this. The government intentionally do this, so this is financial discrimination. The pension-like income and the salary for my four hours per day job is low, while the rent and the regular monthly bills are very expensive.
But I do not give up. I have a plan to get out of the financial discrimination. To buy and live on a sailboat to avoid having to pay rent and regular monthly bills.
Nowadays I am receiving a good amount of help and support on the Hive blockchain, for which I am very grateful and very happy, so hopefully I will reach my goal in the near future.
I'm glad to hear you have a plan to to exit from your current financial situation. Are you doing more than just relying on the hive situation? From what I know it's wise to diversify.
I wish I could. Without the help and support from the Hive community, I would not even be sure about whether I would financially get through this winter or not. This is the result of living with an income of approximately $470 USD per month, while the local minimum wage is approximately $550 USD per month.
Yes, I recall you saying this before. Luckily a few on hive have some support for you at the moment, I hope it doesn't end.
Hopefully. I am trying to be very active (and consistent with my activity) on the Hive blockchain. I am the third in the engagement league this week. This is the first time I reached the top 10. But of course I am prepared even for the worst. I was homeless multiple times in the past, even as a child.
I hope it works out and it's good to hear you have secondary plans and options. All the best.
Although variety they say is the spice of life, but jack of all trades is a master of none. I think having an area of financial specialisation with a back up plan that is almost as good as the main plan can't be overemphasized.
A plan and back up plan is a very sensible thing to have as one never knows when things may go awry.
I totally agree with this. Kudos to you as you give us more financial nuggets.
I was young with poor life experience. I think that saying has two sides. Humans are sentimental and lustful creatures. The problem here is the choice. I have met people who are willing to rise above others and accept and adhere to rigidities that they are completely uncomfortable with. And there are also people who are comfortable with less need just to be free to be themselves both in terms of finances and lifestyle.
There's always people who want to rise above others, take advantage or control people...The opposite too. I guess each of us must decide for ourselves which we want to be.
Thanks for your comment.