I am of the working poor because I have trained not to exercise my ego in the unhealthy manner that Western society embraces.
In Buddhism, fame and fortune is what a Buddhist does not seek, because it will distract from peace of mind.
It really isn't important to become a celebrity as it is to seek the Buddha.
Modern society has a love-hate relationship with celebrity: it's ok if someone with talent seeks fame and fortune, but when that person falls, we are free to either offer emotional support or to criticize them.
The same goes for the rare person who follows the Buddha.
To me, mere riches are but an illusion designed to distract me from my path. I do not write this to boast about being poor. I write this out of acceptance of my lot in life.
The thought of becoming rich in the future causes me to fear such a destiny because it would complicate my life unnecessarily, and may even threaten my life with possible death due to home invasion and robbery.
Perhaps my choice of being of the working poor is a wise one. I do not know for sure; only time will tell.
Showing posts with label working poor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label working poor. Show all posts
20130615
20110125
Hardly Working
In America, productivity is measured by the lengths the average joe goes to earn $5.60 an hour.
A man who works 72 hours / week @ $5.60 but effectively nets after taxes and expenses $1.12 an hour only gets $80.64 a week.
This works out to $4032 a year or $336 of money a month to spend on luxuries, possibly most of it going to rent, smokes, the occasional recreational drug, and other sundries.
He would still be considered a working poor stiff, even if he invested $1200 a year in a good RRSP, if they let him invest $100 a month.
It appears to me that a person would have to give up drinking, and switch to medical marijuana mixed with tobacco to make his own cigarettes to save money in that arena.
I am unsure if this can be done for less than $100 a month.
As well, I do not know how many low income rentals could be found in America for $126 or less a month.
OTOH, for $150 a month it is possible to invest strongly in medical marijuana and become a cannabis activist. Hopefully, the rest of your money could be used wisely for a cannabis-friendly lawyer who'd work pro bono, just to insulate you from DEA oppression. ;)
In Canada, with BC having a minimum wage of $8.50/hr and a youth wage of $6/hr, it may be easier to meet one's financial goal whilst seemingly appearing hardly working!
A man who works 72 hours / week @ $5.60 but effectively nets after taxes and expenses $1.12 an hour only gets $80.64 a week.
This works out to $4032 a year or $336 of money a month to spend on luxuries, possibly most of it going to rent, smokes, the occasional recreational drug, and other sundries.
He would still be considered a working poor stiff, even if he invested $1200 a year in a good RRSP, if they let him invest $100 a month.
It appears to me that a person would have to give up drinking, and switch to medical marijuana mixed with tobacco to make his own cigarettes to save money in that arena.
I am unsure if this can be done for less than $100 a month.
As well, I do not know how many low income rentals could be found in America for $126 or less a month.
OTOH, for $150 a month it is possible to invest strongly in medical marijuana and become a cannabis activist. Hopefully, the rest of your money could be used wisely for a cannabis-friendly lawyer who'd work pro bono, just to insulate you from DEA oppression. ;)
In Canada, with BC having a minimum wage of $8.50/hr and a youth wage of $6/hr, it may be easier to meet one's financial goal whilst seemingly appearing hardly working!
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