This blog title comes from one of my favorite movies..."The Jerk". It's the movie where Steve Martin goes from "poor black child" to millionaire and then loses it all, but it's okay 'cause all he needs is his thermos...and that's all he needs...oh yeah and this table....Classic...The particular part I quoted was actually from his wife, Marie played by Bernadette Peters who (after they lose their fortune) says in her best Kewpie Doll voice..."it's not the money....it's all the stuff.
Sometimes I wonder how much "stuff" do people need? I have been thinking about money a lot ...more than usual that is. Usually I think of how much money I need.....how much do I need to: pay the bills, get out of debt, to afford a new whatever, go on vacation...or most of the time... to go grocery shopping. But these days I am thinking about money in a different way. How much do people need? I often wonder about billionaires and why am I not one....but really- how do they possible spend all the money they have. Are these the people that buy the solid gold bathroom fixtures or spend $25,000 on sunglasses? You can't possible spend that much money in a life time...can you? I mean those nauseating BRAVO housewives ( who don't seem to do anything resembling work) go bankrupt because of bad business deals but still continue to spend spend spend....it's all so hard to understand for someone who works 3 count 'em 3 jobs and sometimes only has $3.65 in her wallet.
Now the reason I have been thinking money is that one of my aforementioned jobs is in an elementary school. Anyone who has been watching these last few years has seen schools lose their funding. Schools have been force to make brutal cuts to make up the deficits cause by, in my opinion, bad decisions and good ol' American greed. These cuts have touched many people close to me...one very close....my own daughter had to give up on the thought of a teaching job a year or so ago. So sad...she was, and is still, an awesome teacher. A while back her math position was cut and then it was impossible to find another and since then things have gotten worse.....way worse!
Not only has staffing been cut, but programs...sports and music and art...across the boards- the programs that directly affect children. Some of the programs which were slashed are the very reasons that make certain kids want to go to school. Sometimes it's the only reason. So sad ...because out there...somewhere... "some one's being greedy" (say that in a playground sing songy voice please)......and you know who you are. The people making the rules are not the ones playing the game...they are not in the trenches so to speak.
I'm pretty sure these people are the one that get in to office and vote to give themselves pay raises as their first order of business...For real? How much more do you need for doing a job that you really, really wanted ...I mean you campaigned for it for God's sake.
I remember one time one of my insightful children made a great observation...."how come the people with the worst jobs get paid the least...? " Good point huh?....no one WANTS to change bedpans so shouldn't those people get paid more ...for incentive ...then athletes, actors and the like, ( the ones supposedly doing something they LOVE) getting paid ungodly amounts. It doesn't make sense, right?
Did you ever notice that those athletes actors and the like are the ones that get free shit -like fabulous gift bags full of things they can most certainly afford. So you just won the Super Bowl...oh that's not enough...here's a new car. SERIOUSLY??!!?? I'm sure the quarterback for the Giants isn't waiting around for a ride after the game because his wife has the car that day.
Money, Money, Money! it makes the warped world go 'round. Now don't get me wrong....I heart money....I have referred to myself as a "money whore"... more than once. In addition to school, I work at a restaurant. I initially started working there as a bold move to fend off the empty nest syndrome but now I would soooooo miss the money!!! But before you judge too harshly, please know...I have done and still do my share of giving back out of the goodness of my heart. (awwww) I mean...I'm not tithing or anything crazy like that....but I've volunteered my time and talents especially when my kids were younger and I fully expect to do the same for my grandson and future grand children. I think I have instilled a little bit of that sense of community and giving back to my kids. They are all pretty generous with their time and are always willing to help each other out financially when they can. I did give them allowances growing up ...but I also wanted them to know that somethings (like chores) you just do because you are helping someone out. Although, I remember my youngest slamming her $2 down on the kitchen table and said...it's not worth it ....and refused to clean up the living room. There's one in every family......
The "what's in it for me"syndrome runs wild these days....an ironic statement coming from someone who works for tips...(how badly do you want that hamburger?).
In school, when I am playing games with the kids (a lost art these days)...."what do I get if I win" is a question that is often asked and usually answered with..."you get to win!" Since when is winning not enough...I love winning!!! You get to say "I WIN".
In a business class I took waaaay back in college, I learned that being appreciated and told "thank you" was more meaningful than money. I do believe that and I also know my fortune is not found in my bank account. I think we need to start to appreciate the little things in life...like a kind word...a compliment... or some one bringing you a coffee or hearing "Gaga...I love you" or laughing so hard you cry (don't you just love that feeling). I think we can all do with a lot less "stuff". I know that I have an exceptional family that is loving and funny and precious. I have great, great friends and enough money to go around and you know what... that's all I need ...oh yeah and those awesome pink shoes I saw and that's all I need.... just sayin'.
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