>I was born $ poor. In the same month I started school I moved into the first house I had ever lived in that had electricity or running water.
>Near the end of my 1st grade we moved into our first house that had a bathroom.
>I firmly agree with most of your principles.
>We put away our "protect the capital" funds long ago in Series I bonds, Florida tax certificates, land and timber We haven't had to tap any of those, yet.It doesn't take that much for us to live on. We actually spend less than we draw in retirement - our single largest expense is taxes.. About all I care about money besides living comfortably is that if you have it you don't have to take a lot of crap.Of course it's nice to get at least 1.754% minimum back on my credit card with 5.25% back on the first $2500/quarter. The expression on new bank teller's face when an old man gets out an old truck dressed in jeans and a Walmart pull over shirt and says " I need to get a cashier's check for $$$$ (more the teller makes in two years) or I want to deposit these checks ( a years salary) does merit a smile.
>
Indeed it does merit a smile, and we've earned that smile, haven't we?
I think I saw my first flush toilet when i went to school.

Being born that poor wasn't fun at the time, but one advantage is that if I lose everything I own tomorrow, I'm still just breaking even, because I started with nothing.

I'm also able to live on my retirement income. Any money I make from programming goes into funds for my kids and grandkids.

When I splurge and take a vacation or buy a new car, I make it a point to thank my grandchildren - it's their money that I'm spending.