With maturity comes knowledge. Most young men today cannot grasp what you have just written and that is a shame. You are absolutely right. Let’s see what we can do to help ourselves instead of complain about noone helping us. Maybe we don’t need the $300.00 shoes that a celebrity is wearing. In the end it doesn’t matter anyway. Great post J.Dakar!

I’m feeling this post so much…

I have been watching “The Big Give” lately and my heart has been moved week after week as people are challenged to change the lives of complete strangers; not looking for anything in return.

I watched it this morning as the contestants toured Georgia looking for people whose lives they could changed…honestly, I was moved to tears at some of the “just in the nick of time” help they offered…and I prayed, “Lord, help me to be like that.” I came to the conclusion that I dont have to be a millionaire to help somebody. There are people who cant pay their $46 light bill…. I can do that w/no problem! And its not always about money…..some people just want a sounding board….someone to listen to them–I can do that. It’s not too hard to make a difference.

Will Smith said it best in the above quote….we try to impress the Jones’ and they couldn’t give a rats crack about us….We got to get it together!!!

Yes, I drive a Lexus and I enjoy doing so, however, it doesnt make me…..I have been homeless and on welfare so I know the other side of the tracks and I’ll never forget where i came from. May we be reminded….it’s God who has blessed us and not we ourselves.

-Smith

Living for the sake of others is the key to true happiness. I agree with everything that you said J.Dakar. Once we realize that we are spiritual beings and non spiritual things can not make us happy we will be much better off. If anyone wants to join my cult come holler at me. JK*JK*

I loved this post. But I agree with #1), it takes ALOT of maturity to realize this. I’m 25 and I’m still living to work to acquire more wealth because I think it will make me happy. But I know it won’t. Family is very important to me so that helps to keep me grounded. But thanks for the insight J.Dakar!

j. yooooouuuu need to write a book…

Brotha J,there is a movie loosely based on the words of your post.Schindler’s List, the movie was set during World War II,and this German Dude was using Jews to work in his factory for his personal gain,and could have cared less about the people who were being killed and then something happened to him,where he was seeing something much larger than anything he could buy,he saw that he was no better than the Nazi’s that were doing the actual killing and started saving people,when I read this post it took me back to that movie.I hear what you are saying when it comes to our people and how we spend money,I was guilty of buying a Porsche 911 and didn’t have a garage to put it in.Most people who come into some money that they never had before will go off and buy something they don’t need,that’s America,we live in a consumer based economy.When we live check to check we kinda live like the ant,saving for the cold days of winter,but come into some money and we turn into the grasshopper,we are gonna spend that money on something!Sad but true.

That Will Smith quote is priceless. I’ve had it on my myspace page for years. I read it over and over again when I loose focus on my goals

oh snap top ten ! big up to CL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We try to stunt, living beyond our means causing more debt & superficiality.

that line is so true it even hits home

my teacher informed me that when i get her age they’ll be no social security and im 21 so that makes me realize i need to keep my mind on straight when it comes to surviving and not trying to keep up with the superstar (modern day joneses)

I am really happy to see this post on CL. A majority of the youth read the posts on CL and hopefully this will be one they actually READ. People need to stop looking for these “rewards” that serve only instant gratification and start investing in more fulfilling life choices. Why the hell does anyone need a pair of $500 jeans ESPECIALLY when you know you used to wear $40 jeans JUST FINE? Do you know how many pairs of jeans you could buy and give to the less fortunate with just that $500 alone? Its like C’MON PPL… WAKE UP! Stop thinking of yourself because this Earth is going to hell with you AND billions of OTHER PEOPLE. Gluttons…

J. Dakar, thank you for this very insightful and thought-provoking post! In this media-driven society which promotes materialism, it’s not surprising that many want to “keep up with the Joneses.” Instead of investing and saving for our future, we live for the moment, but trust and believe, tomorrow comes awfully fast. I truly believe, as stated above, there is no greater joy that to serve others. Selfishness is a sure way to unhappiness.

Great posts!!!

I meant to say, “there is no greater joy THAN to serve others.”

This is fantastic.

Please don’t act like this is a problem exclusive to the United States. Black people across the globe are affected by this thing. It’s an epidemic that a lot of people are happy to live with.

We watch the Fabulous Life of… and My Super Sweet 16, Cribs and My Great Big Fat Wedding and can sometimes forget that there is a journey to that point where they can spend that money.

Oh, I don’t think I’m articulating this well, but I love this and anticipate seeing our response to it.

What a great, timely post! Now let me go back & read it again!

This is indeed a great post. I’m 27 and I was like this probably still am in one way or another. I do remember when I was younger (21-23), lI wanted this or that and I wanted to marry a man with this or that. But it was all based on desires, wants and never needs. Sounds like I was trying to reach my level of happiness. The self actualization. ( I forgot the name of the psychologists) But I am constantly trying to find MY GOODLIFE and sometimes I was thinking it was in my friends, men, and money. I did get caught up in all the hoopla of nothing but trying to impress people. As I got older I came to a conclusion that so much time was wasted. I never went to the one person I know who could show me the correct way and I do believe it starts with a spiritual connection first. Being of the flesh you see all these temptations money, that purse, that designer that the hottest star has on and you want that. Or I did. Those things never made me happy. It was only for a brief moment. I feel like with the way things are today I have had to eat a lot of humble pie and just thank GOD that he allows me to live on Earth. I watch the Big Give too and I’m like dang I wish I could give back. But in the end I hear myself say that and still I do nothing. It’s sad. Hopefully I can put those words into action one day soon. And that’s the TRUTH.

The truth has always been…. whenever you extend yourself to help someone else, you are indeed helping yourself.

Too often people try to mask their problems and issues with “things” — they become defined by what everyone else sees and what everyone else says. But when you have confidence in yourself and recognize that you are a child of the Most High, what others think become less important, you focus less on what you have, and more on who you are.

And if you think who you are is a reflection of the ‘things’ that you have
—– you will never have enough.

If you really want to be ‘Rich’, count all of the things that money can’t buy.

Great post J. Dakar that Will Smith comment was on point. Me personally I never live above my means my friends call me cheap but I am always ok.

As I have gotten older I realize that people who truly love u love u for who u are and what u have.

True friends, family and a peace of mind is my goodlife.

AMEN J.

Some people get it right away…some take a little longer…some never get it.

We all need to sit down and analyze our own faults and future.

When we pass our obituary says from (date) to (date)…the only thing that matters is what you did between those dates.

None of us are without fault…but it all can be corrected…we can all die good people…and our souls will rest in peace.

Yeah this is a good post. There are so many people faking like they are ballin with empty bank accounts. Pretending to have more money than they got. Hell I’m a college student and single mom living paycheck to paycheck I have no prob admitting that. People need to prioritize.

Im reading this post and Im so very proud of concreteloop taking the initiative to have metamorphed from just celebrity gossip, which would grab young readers attention into almost like a live-well magazine! It is very amazing even how fast you all are doing so.

I sit here and think about all the things I want, and thinking if I will have the money to do so; it is truly a blessing to hear these words. Its like we actually know these things but we need periodic reminders to keep us grounded. Its not as though we lose our connection to reality and the big picture, that grand scheme of things that makes us whole, keeps us humble - its that many times we listen to our own voices and it the help of another mind that makes sure our own voice doesnt overshadow what we need to have instilled permanently.

I call this post a blessing because of what you said and specifically that Will Smith quote that I definitely had to take to heart…helping me to remember that many of the things I’m trying to get are really a waste of money. This is money I could be investing in myself, investing in my family, those I love or people who are in need. I think about all the people who have constantly been there for me and it humbles me actually to go back in my memory bank and not even think twice when people ask me for stuff. Sometimes we do as people get overwhelmed when it seems like people only talk to us, act like they love/want/need us when they need things, but I keep in mind that many times I may be guilty of the same, or at least from the other end it is perceived that way. That is why at all times I try my best to keep it real with people and genuinely extend my heart and body to those who need help.

All in all this is certainly an upgrade for our community. THE GOODLIFE is definitely not about who has this or that; I definitely have lost alot of interest in spending my hard earned money on clothes…..THE GOODLIFE is about feeling wonderful at the end of the day — feeling like those in your company can say that you have extended positive energy to them — knowing that your FAITH is high and that your blessings will continue through Him — realizing that the sun will rise and set with or without you, which is why it is important to make the most out of every day. Its nothing wrong with letting yourself heal….and thats a multidimensional statement.

Allow ourselves healing and we will know the fruits of love!

Great post, it will definitely intrigue people and hopefully get them to think more…

I drive a nice car (that I did not buy for status) and was quite disappointed to see how people looked at me different after knowing it was mine. Reminds me of Jay-Z’s line in ‘Encore’ - ‘Look how they wave to you’…Its a shame that people are more inclined to respect you if they believe that you have money

My father is the cheapest person I know, and I always remember laughing at him for being so cheap asking him why he wouldn’t by Nike’s and Fila’s, and instead went for the no name brand tennis shoes when I was a kid. He was always like, I’d rather walk in my cheap shoes to a great house, than ride home in a luxury car to a nice apartment. I see alot of women my age who spend their last dime on a new outfit, and rush to go pay a bill at the last minute, and it kills me. Yes that was me in college, but it’s like thats not whats going to take care of you once you’re too old to work, all the Chanel Shades in the world, will not pay your “rent” 40 years from now. Tsk…tsk.

You are spot on! As my grandfather used to say “Just because you can pay for something doesn’t mean you can afford it.”

Helping others should come naturally, but some black ppl also face setback in the form of not solvent parents. I am in the financial industry, and I cannot tell you how many times white grandparents set up trusts and readily give 10K to new grandbabies..what did I get when I was born? A jar of dimes! Not a pretty framed certificate of Disney shares.

People, invest your money! The stock market is your friend….you can start with as little as $25 per month if you do monthly ACH withdrawal with most fund companies.

Tithe your 10% (please don’t strike me down, Lord!) and give to your church to start out. Let’s all be Oprah!

Now, J., you know the wealthy do not pay taxes…lol…write offs!

Dakar I feel you. I am 31 and by all accounts I have achieved the American educational dream. I make a good living as a lawyer but I am always trying to reevaluate my purpose and dreams through God’s plan not my own. At times its very difficult. I am not into material wealth but I live and work in a community that is all about that so its hard at times not to get caught in the mayhem. I am trying to teach my younger counsins who are entering college or in high school that its not always about money, the car you drive, or house you live in at the end of the day what can you say you contributed to the world. Many people assume you have to leave law school and work in some massive firm to make money but its not true, my life is dedicated to the work of Thurgood Marshall, Malcom X and MLK. I work in civil rights and day in and day out I am trying to make life better for someone else. I know its a tall order but if we all thought that life is better served serving others instead of ourselves we would be less in debt, living with joy in our hearts, and fulfilling God’s purpose. I commend you and other young black men and women who figure out that you do not have to walk around like a poster board of misdirected wealth to be considered someone who matters. We all matter in God’s plan. Thanks for the thought provoking morning.

I truly appreciate that you posted this, not only because it is the truth but because the response lets me know that there are like-minded individuals who are outside of my circle. For years my friends and I have talked about living a life of joy, instead of “happiness”. New shoes and cute bags make me happy….momentarily. But a warmed spirit, peace of mind and a sense of awareness only come from the fact that I am trying everyday to be a better person to the ones who love and know me and the ones that the Lord allows me to know. This does not just include immediate acquaintances…. it means that I have a profound empathy for the little girls in my neighborhood who wear little to nothing to entice, or the babies I see in 25 degree weather with summer jackets on, or my brothers and sisters in Haiti who are eating dirt cookies to survive (I will never forget that post and credit it from prompting me to take action). There are truly bigger things in life than new jackets, fly phones and cars whose notes cost as much as my monthly student loans (and this is why I still OWN an ‘01). And while I might like those things— I don’t want the kind of life that depreciates. At 25, I can truly say that I am grateful for the lessons that struggle have taught, a few of those being that 1) last season’s and hard knocks make for new understanding 2) the creativity of humbleness can make you the flyest person in the room (that and good, cheap accessories), and 3) the confidence to look past haters who haven’t quite caught on that brand new is sometimes bondage is perhaps all the edge you need.

This post couldn’t have come at a more appropriate time !!! I was taking a good look at my life yesterday and made up my mind that I was going to forget all the “materialistic” things that I have acquired throughout the years and look to purchase and look to improve my”future”. After the news reports last week re:social security is going to virtually non-existent. You know that many black people don’t participate in their companies or employers 401K plans or retirement plans because of the “I need it right now mentally” Also many are ignorant to the whole saving for my”golden years”. I see many people struggling but we need to stop worrying about the latest Jordan and Gucci. Yes these items are nice I must admit I’m addicted to retail but I make sure I dont pay full price, shop discount stores such as TJ Maxx, H&M and make sure my bills are paid such as rent first, electric, phone, food, car, etc. etc.etc. I want to thank CL for posting informative, mind stimulating, thought provoking, food for thought!! I try to emulate my parents who have worked hard and invested in their future and have seen co-workers die while working well into their “golden”years b/c they failed to save for their future. People all we have to do is just save starting with 5% or 10% of our bi-weekly or weekly of your paycheck in a 401K or retirement plan which is usually not taxed (the percentage) taken from your paycheck. And take your job up on their offer of matching whatever you put in your 401K or retirement plan . This way of thinking can only make “US” stronger!! and limit the standard of poverty that so many older blacks are living in because they couldn’t save or wasn’t knowledgeable on the many ways to invest in “Their” future!!! WAKE PEOPLE!! AND THANK YOU CL FOR TRYING TO OPEN OUR EYES TO THIS!!!

I truely agree with you. The funny thing about money and trying to live like the wealthy is; the wealthy don’t spend their money on foolishness.

I must admit I really enjoy reading everyone’s post about this topic. It is encouraging to read others opinions about this topic. One thing I struggle with is the need to live right now. I guess sometimes I have that well tomorrow is not guaranteed mentality. I have my days that I say well I’m going to save for this and I’m going to save for that. I get discouraged only because my paycheck only covers so much. I guess I’m just trying to find the balance of it all. I do have goals of owning a house one day but those student loan bills are a mother and I continue to go to school taking a couple of classes at a time only because I cant pay for them now.

I love you. And I love your blogs.
Mr. J Dakar, you ROCK!

-Nigeria

“Too many people spend money they haven’t earned, to buy things they don’t want, to impress people they don’t like.”

Realest quote I ever read.

Great post J! In the past few months, it has become increasingly apparent that many of us do not invest wisely in our future. I agree with #25, that “live for today” mentality has got to stop, as well as the “me, myself, and I” mentality. We need to be financially savvy, plan for our and our children’s future. We need to give back to our community and help or at least try to help our brothers and sisters in need. I know not everyone can afford to give back financially but we all can give back one way or another. Thank you CL for bringing further awareness to this issue.

I’m so so proud of CL. My family and I have been blessed with a lovely home in the wealthiest county in the US, we have a good amount of money saved, my spouse makes close to six figure without a college degree. Yet, we still sit around talking about wanting more. Wanting a bigger house, wanting larger paychecks. For some reason what we have is never enough. How shameful!!!

I’m going to make it a point to help someone everyday this week. I don’t know how. I just pray that God will send someone into my life that I can help.

Someone commented that black folk can’t afford to set up a trust fot their grandkids. This is so true. Niether my mother nor my grandmother can provide for themselves let alone put away money for furture generations.

I want to break that cycle.

I wonder if there will be 5,000 comment on this subject. Doubtful

I really enjoyed this post and this is the type of thing that makes concreteloop different than any other celebrity news site. I also love the comments that were posted showing a true mature crowd in this post. The sad part is many people on this site might not read this post because it’s not showing the top celebrities with gossip and this message is essential to the mind. I was with one of my friends and we were traveling to school and I remember going past a development with like million dollar homes. And we saw one particular house where it was extravagant and the cars outside were hoopties and my friend was like that’s so dumb to have a nice house with beat up vehicles. I had to tell her that it makes perfectly good sense why many doctors drive hoopties: for one they don’t spend much time in them cause they are always at work or at home trying to sleep. It is amazing how you see a set of low income housing(no offense to some) and you see the best looking vehicles outside. I’ve seen jags, lexus,acuras, escalades, etc. and watched some of the women and men come out with the best looking outfits and jewelry but you have no home and you are sharing rooms with your children?

Anyways I do believe people hold money way too high in life. When you become an adult it’s not all about you anymore. It’s about getting ready for life through marriage where now it’s about you and your spouse, having children where now it’s about the family you have created, and then about your grands, great grands, the legacy you leave behind.

Great post. There nothing wrong with wanting nice things,it’s the reasoning behind the want that’s the problem, look at all the access that celebs have to the finer things in lifeand most of them live crazy,demented,deviant,druged out lifestyles,money is not a cure to happiness,i feel itcan make you more comfortable,but fulfilling your god given potential, to help your family,friends,and community,is a bigger reward.

I also think too many people rule out the word help because they assume it means money and they are quick to say oh well I don’t have it. Really sometimes it can mean mentoring. The words from your mouth can save a young lady from suicide or a young man from joining a gang. You can do things like tutor, community garden work, clean grafitti, etc.

I agree wholeheartedly…What an individual spends there money on, like you said, is solely based on that individual, but this is where I have the problem…..

For me, I have an older brother spent most of his teenage and early twenties in jail. He got out, now he is working, has a damn good job and he can pretty much get what he wants within his financial means. But on the other hand he has this “woman” that doesn’t work, cook, clean and lives in the projects.My brother comes home he has to cook for the kids (most of the time at 9 pm) (mind you 2 of which are not his) while she has done ABSOLUTELY nothing all day. But yet and still she can rent cars every week, she is all labeled out with name brand clothes, jewelry, hair done and everything and doesn’t work in a pie shop. I have to ask myself 1) What the hell is my bro thinking? 2) Where is this chicks priorities? At any given time my brother can decide he wants to leave and there she will be stuck, no money, job, car or anything to fall back on. Instead of trying to help herself or her situation she thinks that it is cool to go out and buy $200 Ed Hardy T shirts and $300 True Religion jeans. I find nothing wrong with buying or wearing those labels when your status in this world is far better than what they have living in the PJ’s.

I know I may be a little off topic, but I guess I am trying to find some rationale on why my brother is still with her when clearly she is more of a burden and no help because they can’t move out of the pj’s because she will not work, and also why do alot of people think that this sort of lifestyle is okay…trying to appeal to an audience that doesn’t even care about you or what you have….

such a sound perspective j. dakar

This article hits home becuase I too am one of those people that thinks having lots of money and material possessions will make you happy. In the back of my mind I know it won’t. Plus if I never reach that life of luxury and continue to stess it I will forever be unhappy. Luckily I don’t live beyond my means. I have no credit card debt, just college debt. I need to find out ways to invest my money once I graduate so that I can be prepared for the future. At the end of the day I don’t want to live check to check. I want to be able to pay my bills and still have money left over to spend if I want. I just have to find a happy-medium in my life.

I also have to find more ways to give back. For Spring Break I took at trip to NC with the Habitat for Humanity to help build homes. It felt good to do something for others but I know there is more that I can do.

Good post

I love this post. I try teaching this to my little nieces and nephews everyime they’re around me. However, they have parents or people around them that show them the opposite. I won’t give up on them and myself. I tend to seperate myself from others who believe in materialism and keeping up with the jones opposed to helping others who need the materials and financial assistance.

i’m feeling the will smith quote. good post, J.

Oh.. and I agree with #5.

Also there is a book I am reading by bell hooks called Salvation Black People and Love and it really relates to this topic as well. You guys should check it out its a great read.

Thank you so much for this post. I love and look forward to reading your posts everyday on CL. Your posts make this site 10 times better than it already is.

I enjoyed your post J.Dakar. God blesses those who bless others. I definitely believe you get more enjoyment from helpling others. I think you have to be at a certain maturity level to come to the conclusion that keeping up with the Jones’ can sometimes bring you more sorrow than happiness. Anyone with sense would like to be comfortable as far as having a nice home, car, bank flow but you can’t live your life stressing from robbing Peter to pay Paul. We all can’t have a BFF like Miss Ofra…lol. I love watching ‘TheBig Give’ . It does make you feel good instead of always taking. It helps to be happy in your own skin and if you can afford the Good Life enjoy it while it lasts.

Good post J. …some of my friends are falling victim to the subprime mortgage crisis and the devaluation of real estate…they bought more house than they could afford and are now scrambling to find renters to cover their payments…when I bought my condo (in the gentrifying ‘hood) they talked about me behind my back…when I bought my ‘00 Nissan in ‘04 they asked why didnt I get a “new” car?….but now I have equity in my condo, Im constructing duplexes to rent out as investment properties, I fully contribute to my 401K plan, and Im buying foreclosures as investment properties…I had to develop tunnel vision and remember what my LONG term goals were because if I would have let peer pressure affect me I would be broke and busted! Im glad CL is putting it out there for us as young people to discuss.

Its so refreshing when these truths are revealed….J you seem to have your head in the right direction………Keep speaking about this, its very important….also speak on the power of thoughts, and how your thoughts affect everything in and around ones reality, then you are cooking with gas! visit myspace for more profund thoughts about this.

Man does this hit home. This is a wonderful post. I wish more ppl would read it. I stress to my child EVERYDAY that investing in your future is more than needed. This coming from a single mother, I REFUSE to allow my child to grow up in a world where material possessions define her worth, happiness and morals. I will NEVER drive a NEW car! Money or not. I will let someone depreciate that value of steel/plastic for me. There are times that I sit and cry b/c I may have only $5 to my name, but then I look back and say to myself. I KNOW I won’t be put out on the street. I KNOW I have a fridge full of food. I KNOW my car will not be taken from me. I KNOW I am sheltered and clothed. I KNOW I am happy. Its sad to know that when you look at your life and try to see someone else’s life from their view and you think they are happy b/c they have a bigger house, a better car, a better job, but then you have the friend who cries on your shoulder about her husband cheating or her kids are disobedient or their note is severe or the house is on the block. You sit back and you thank The Almighty for what you have.

I know there are times when I SHOULD be out looking for another means of monetary gain to keep my head afloat. But instead I went and signed up at a youth Crisis Center to work on Saturday and Sunday afternoon. The lady said to me, your giving up your weekends. I said NO, I’m utilizing them. I have also started a crusade to feed the homeless. My child isn’t allowed to go with me to this Crisis Center for children. So not to leave her out and to show her that there are ppl who are less fortunate then we are. We feed the homeless on the weekends. On Friday nights, we get two loaves of bread, fruit, bottled water and we prepare sandwiches/lunches for the homeless. We (and some other ppl - who also get two loaves and follow suit) go out in the mornings and give and feed and talk and listen and interact and ENJOY every minute of it.

Its not hard, its not hard at all. I do this in hopes that it may trickle down and catch on like a plaque. God knows we need it.

Be careful how you live, making the most of your time. I think its in Ephesians.

Kinda off subject, but a word of advice to anybody who feels as though they are neglected or forgotten about or feel used and abused or have even lost their sense of self worth:

“Never allow someone to be your priority, while allowing yourself to be their option”‘

Mentor and speak to our young children. They really are our future!

I rarely post on blogs but this one caught my attention!! You are correct in your writing about materialism it is terrrible and children these days have it worse. My wife and I were talking the other day about moving into a bigger house not because we needed it but because we wanted it, getting caught up really in what others say and think. Last year our house was burlarized and caught on fire that taught me then that anything can be it was a true blessing how people reached out and after that experience we try land give when we can. I had never seen that Will Smith quote but it is right on time!!!!

Good stuff.

J Dakar… I think u’re my Soul Mate. Another extremely good article.

Shalom.

Read:

The Ditchdigger Daughters
The Pact
The Bond
A Piece of Cake

That’s the “Good Life”.

Definitely a thought provoking post. I was at a job at a major company known to all of you and was miserable, but was afraid to lose it becuase I wanted to keep my house. I was living precariously then and was afraid to leave. Ultimately I was forced out. The lesson for me was that I was allowing fear to rule my life because of bad finanacial choices in the past. I won’t sit here and lie, it’s still a struggle for me. I’m actually trying to think less about money and what makes me happy in life, but there are some things that money can buy that I do want (a car, money for travel, etc.) So its a delicate balance when you are in debt and unemployed as I now am. However, I have learned to take advantage of sales, the dollar store, the discount shop and other things that I once would not do. I have expensive tastes and feel that I’ve worked hard enough over time to be able to afford them. The tastes have changed, though. It’s not as much about clothes (although I do love fashion) as it is about experiences and friendship and connection, so I do do different things. But I encourage younger people to pay attention to and take care of their finances and their health from a young age. Those are two things you will value most when you get older.

Yes with growth comes maturity, I was guilty of indulging beyond my means. The way I looked at it, I worked hard and deserve these material things. Unlike a lot of my so called friends who were handed down things that they did not appreciate. Anyway none of those materials things made me happy instead I accumilated a lot of debt that I am now paying off working 2 jobs. I am just greatful to be able to come back to reality and what life is really about, which to me is family and self help. I truly realize my self worth and know I can accomplish anything I put my mind Including paying off my debt. I now take what I know and learned and try to reinforce that with my neices and nephews. We need to be better with money management.
we need to stop feeding into mass marketed consumer consumption. This is where I am at right now and I could not be happier. Clear mind, self love, connected to what’s real in my world!
P.S get that ERYKAH BADU girl is serious!!!
Thank You - J DAKAR
Thank you.

This is a great post & although I’m drawn to the celebrity gossip & drama, we NEED more stuff like this. You can compare the gossip to material wealth, we all want it, and this post can be compared to helping others, its something we all NEED to do! Thanks J. great job, Keep them coming…

Wow - I really enjoyed reading this!!! I am 27 years old and I have never been one to be into the material things. My mother did not raise me to be materialistic and also being that we did not have much we could not afford it. Even now, I work full time and make descent money however, I still don’t feel the need to buy a $80 pair of jeans or a $45 tee shirt just because it has someones name or symbol on it.

Don’t get me wrong, we all have wish lists. However, there is a difference between a WANT and a NEED!

I honestly believe that the money that we spend on the material things can go to bills/debt that we have. Or put into a savings account for a raining day. As African American’s we are famous for buying a fresh pair of sneakers or outfit to go to the club, yet or electric bill is on the verge of getting disconnected.

At the end when we pass on, people will not remember you for that type of clothes or the type of car you drove but the type of person you were on the inside and what you did to make our world a better place.

OK K K!!!! GOOD STUFF J DAKAR…

“SO OBSELETE ARE FIST AND MARCHES/ SPEECHES ONLY REACHES THOSE WHO ALREADY KNOW ABOUT IT/ THIS IS HOW WE GO ABOUT IT”
-ANDRE 3000

THIS POST MAKES ME THINK OF THIS LINE HE SPIT IN A SONG BECAUSE BASICALLY THE HEDONISTIC FOLK WHO THIS WOULD PREACH TO WON’T EVEN BOTHER TO COME TO THIS POST TO SEE WHAT IT’S ABOUT. *SMH*

WAY TO BE VIGILANT, KEEP DOIN WHAT YA DO BRUH! AND IMMA PUT MY BID IN RIGHT NOW, J DAKAR FOR PREZ 2020!!!!

Great job J. Dakar

The thing that I don’t like is that…when concreteloop does serious posts…you get a moderate amount of comments. Post something about Beyonce or Rihanna and then there will be hundreds of comments.
Although I believe in what you said…what do you do when it seems like a large majority of America wants “dumbed down” work.
On UrbanWorldOnline…I posted something about a 1000lb woman and it gets thousands of views. If I post the Iraq war statistics…I gets a few dozen views.
What is one to do?
I have come to realize that most people don’t want to hear the truth or live it. Whether we are talking about debt, racism, weight loss, health, hip hop or religion…most people don’t want to know the real truth. They only want to know what is conveinant for them at a particular point in time.
So when we are sold unhealthy food, cars that we cannot afford, bad music, houses that are too expensive and so on…is the seller the one to blame when all he is doing is giving the people what they demand?
When that same seller tries to sell something beneficial or uplifting…it is looked down upon and the numbers don’t add up. Just like the comments on concreteloop…beyonce = 150 comments and anythign serious = 60 comments.
I put the blame on the people because you are only getting what you ask for. People don’t give you things that they can’t sell.
Tough decisions….

Great Post J! I’m soooo glad you did not condemn wealth. You just empasized that money has its place. I notice a lot of churches like to condemn wealth. This is the one thing that really disheartens me about church. They try to make it seem like you are a more loyal servant, if you enjoy beeing poor. I believe they sell this in church because the majority of the people are poor, they don’t know what to do about it, and this is just what they need to hear. Anyhow, I’m a thinker, and I like money. It’s very high on my priority list, after spirtual well being and health. In this country I need it to eat well, sleep well, and have a quality of life. More money means more options, ONLY if you manage it. With that being said, managed indulgence is great! We all know celebrities present themselves with things that are GIVEN to them for advertisement, they don’t pay for these things! If you have a average Jane/Joe pay check, it isn’t about brands, its about style and the ensemble you create.

#22
Thank you so much for reminding us about stocks being an option. I would be in an awesome place right now if I new this right out of high school! Heck, while I was in, huh?! Stocks can be purchased for a few dollars and it does not have to be for you. It can be for you children or another person’s child. Anyhow, I found an awesome read about 6 years ago called, WOW THE DOW!! The complete guide to teaching your kids how to invest in the stock market, By: Pat Smith and Lynn Roney. I would recommend this book to anyone that may not know where to start. This is a great tool to get your childrent intersted in investing or yourself. Great read!

*applause*

GOOD GOOD WORD!!

just last week i cut up my credit card- it was a bittersweet feeling

and i’m SO feeling that quote by will smith.

*roundof applause* J. Dakar, I can only I hope a man with these sentiments comes into my life one day. I swear, this really hit home for me. I believe a lot of i has to do with the company you keep as well. I got girlfriends that have loads of Chanel bags, diamond jewelry, nice cars, but they aren’t happy. (And a lot of it came from some one they knew that was a thief or scammer). Anyhoo, even tho my bag and shoe game is what I consider to be good, I always catch myself wanting more. Why? Because they have it and I want when we go out to be the “baddest chicks” there. But where is that getting me. I was just a about to drop $1500 on a Michele watch and I just changed my mind because of this post (at least for now), because it’s not something I need nor can I afford at the moment. And I was about to hit Saks up and get some Chanel sandals and the latest Gucci shades, and now that’s on the backburner.

Wow, I am a single, childless, 28yr old college educated woman (BA). I shouls have a nice set of money in the bank but I don’t. What I do have is college loans I haven’t even started paying back yet (a few years now) and bill that I have a tendency to wait the last moment to pay while I’m flossing outside in $500 shoes and $1k + handbags. And trying to get the Range Rover Sport of Hard drop top BMW.

SMH. I hear Dennis Brown “I’ve got to get myself together.” I really have to focus on bettering my financial situation. I can’t say I’m not a happy person. It’s BILLS that put me in a foul mood. And I don’t watch ANY of that garbage on tv like “Sweet Sixteen” and “Cribs” because all it does is make everyday people feel unworthy. But it comes like anywhere there is radio/tv, you hear some rapper lacing his lyrics (Kanye) about labels and cars.

I know I’m not gonna change overnight, but I’m gonna work on it (which I have been).

And Will Smith’s quote is priceless.

I needed to read something this meaningful today…. thank you very much for this post I LOVE CONCRTELOOP.

This is a great example of what i told my young brother.

“You want a jeep but you need a car” He gave me all the reasons why a jeep was so important. he even said that by me having a jeep (paid in full) should make me sympathize with him and his wants. However it was the reverse b/c i work and live below my means to afford a new jeep. Sometime the best thing is to wait for the wants in life.

There is a lot of buzz about this one book written by Eckart Tolle titled A New Earth and it basically says the same thing. It talks about how it is our ego that wants and wants and that as long as a person tries to find worth in THINGS he or she will always come up short; that the real worth is not in our ego — that is a false created self , but in our true inner being. I haven’t finished reading the book, but that’s the jist of it.

I agree whole-heartedly. Another way to look at it is What’s the point of trying to keep up with the Jones’ when all the ish is going to burn up when the world ends??? Who’s gonna worry about posessions then?? Get yourself right with Jesus first.

I WOULD APPLAUD THIS SPEECH, HOWEVER, THIS SO CALLED “REVELATION” COMES FROM MEN WHO HAVE BEEN GRINDING A WHILE AND DIDN’T QUITE MAKE IT TO THE LEVEL THEY ASPIRED TO BE AT, AND NOW MUST LEARN TO ACCEPT THEMSELVES AND LIVE LIFE AT THIS JUNCTURE. THEY DIDN’T QUITE GET THE JOB/CAREER THEY WANTED, THE CAR THEY WANTED, THE TYPE OF WOMAN THEY WANTED, THE HOUSE THEY WANTED, THE BANK ACCOUNT THEY WANTED, THE FAME THEY SOUGHT, OR THE RESPECT THEY FEEL IS DUE THEM…THUS THIS SPEECH, IN ESSENCE, BASICALLY UMMA BREAK THIS DOWN.

“I WANTED TO BE A BIG BALLER IN LIFE, DIDN’T MAKE IT, GOD DIDN’T SUPPORT OR THE DEVIL DIDN’T MAKE IT HAPPEN FOR ME, SO THIS IS WHAT I’M LEFT WITH, SO I MUST ACCEPT MY LIFE THE WAY IT IS.”

LOL….SORRY, SOUNDS A BIT CLICHE TO ME….BUT WHATEVER, GOD BLESS.

ALL THESE PEOPLE ON THERE HI-FIVING THIS SPEECH ARE THE SAME PEOPLE WHO WORSHIP, AND I MEAN WORSHIP, SOME OF THE CELEBRITIES SIMPLY BECAUSE OF THEIR MONEY AND THEIR BALLER STATUS; THE SHOES THEY WEAR, THE HOUSE THEY GOT, AND CALL OTHERS HATERS IF THEY DON’T LIKE IT…..BUNCH OF FAKE FUCKERS ON HERE…YOU GUYS DON’T REALLY BELIEVE IN THIS SPEECH ANYMORE THAN YOU BELIEVE IN SANTA CLAUS……IT’S JUST THE POLITICALLY CORRECT THING TO SAY AND IT SOUNDS GOOD…..BUT MOST OF YOU GUYS WOULD KILL TO BE THAT MATERIALLY RICH MAN/WOMAN, AND WOULD DO ANYTHING TO BE IN HIS THEIR SHOES….IN FACT, YOU WOULD PROBABLY KILL YO OWN MAMA TO GET IT……GET REAL….

if you love god….livin is priceless….and you are one fearless soul to be reckon with…ppl brag on material and expensive things as if they can take that with them…not realizin as the way you came in this world (naked) will be the way u leave…ppl work so hard to gain material pleasure and from other ppl…that they dont realize all they have to do is..live…love…and pray. I am sooo happy I am not a superficial person…im glad my mother raised me better and, to have a close relationship with God..or esle I would be just like many ppl in this world…lost..confused..and hungry….for knowledge love and wisdom…

I dont need no one to tell me im beautiful. I know God didnt make any mistakes when he made me.

I dont need a hella of alot of money….im spiritually rich…

I dont step out to try to impress anyone but ME and God.

I live because I am thankful God gave me the gift of Life…and he is the only one in this world I aim to please.

Very well said! Preach!

At the end of the day, a Pinto gets you to point A to point B just as well as a Porsche does. And the person that drives the Porsche is no better than the man driving the Pinto. But it’s sad, because the guy who drives the Pinto wont even get a second look from most, where the guy who is driving the Porsche is looked at as “The Man”.

And at the end of the day, does it matter how many pairs of Nike’s you have or how many pairs of Dereon jeans you have or what color Guiseppe shoes you rocking tonight? There are people living in this world that would die just to have a good comfortable pair of shoes.

Well, what do we expect? With they way music videos glorify the mansion, hot cars, rims, bling, hot clothes and girls and clubbin’ everynight–what do we expect? Kids are watching this thinking these things are what makes you a man or young girls are thinking if they act and dress like the girls in videos, then they will have that hot guy with the mansion, porsche etc.

Then nots even get started on the mother who rocks all the Baby Phat, Dereon, Chanel & Rocawear–and her kids dress in salvation clothes with snotty noses, smelling like pee! Or Let’s not forget the dude who has the hottest truck with rims, wears nothing but name brand clothes thinking he is Jay Z or somebody and has about 5 kids running around town he dont EVEN take care of, but yet in still gots a new hot young chick on his arm-why? Because he got the hot truck with rims, hot clothes etc.

The clothes WILL go out of style, that hot young guy or girl WILL become middle aged, then a senior citizen, that model car and rims will soon be old, out of style and played out–and all your money will be gone–then what?

I must say this is a wonderful post and there should be more like it. We always need that balance.

Us as Americans, especially African Americans, need to remeber the old phrase, “Keeping Up with Jones” which was a term used for people who are constantly trying to keep up with the status of someone else, whether it be car, house, clothes, etc. As stated earlier, stop living beyond your needs to impress people who probably dont care anything about you. And if you have to have the “latest, most expensive” things in order for them to be around you, then you probably dont need those people in your life.

It’s sad to see people I know living in Section 8 housing, getting Food Stamps and driving 2007/2008 brand new cars but can’t even afford to pay their bills or don’t have any food in their fridge. And then some of them even have the nerve to look at you like they’re doing it big and you should be jealous. When I get paid, I pay all bills first AND give my 10% to the LORD (which is the least I can do knowing all that he’s done for me)…then if money is leftover, I can go shopping or whatever. Trust and believe I learned my lesson the hard way by tryna just spend, spend, spend before paying what is important first.

@1 i agree with you. i’m 19 yrs old i and i understood everything J. Dakar said. Now for the young people defense they are only doing what some “adults” find the most important. I’m not saying that you are saying that young people is the issue, but, you can’t point at the kids and say something wrong with them? No you have to look at what these supposedly wise adults are teaching these kids. The parents play a big role in this too. As well as the media (NO OFFENSE CL). They tell and show that life is easier when you’re rich so they buy into it. Being a young man myself i find it very sad that most young men and let’s not forget the young women think that the most important things in the world is getting a new fresh pair Air Forces. Don’t get me wrong i like me a pair fresh Forces too(LOLOLO) but it not my primary goal in my life. Hopefully they will grown out of it.

Good post ..more like these are needed on this forum:)

That Will Smith quote was very good and true, but i’m sorry coming from him it sounds like a contradiction.

15.
Flygirl

Self-Actualization is the upper level of Maslow’s Hiearchy of Needs. It’s a shame that so many can’t get past the lower levels of basic necessity. I’m a firm believer that self-actualization can be reached by anyone who can let go of desires and focus in their needs. People need to realize the difference between wants and needs. Sure your wants will satisfy today and even tomorrow, but 50 years from now your needs will be all that you have left.

J. You couldn’t have picked a more perfect time to write this. As a financial adviser in training your words are like music to my ears. Just yesterday I read an article in Long Island’s Newsday about how middle class earners are being “forced” to accept food from food pantries. A man who makes $70,000 a year and has a $4000 per month mortgage can’t afford to put food on the table? WTF? My mother who is divorced and single and who makes less than half that manages to get by because she knows not to live outside of her means. The Long Island Mentality is the same as it is across the country, just amplified ten times over.

People need to realize that you don’t have to own half of the block in order to feel like your worth something in this world. It’s not like you can take it with you at the end of the day. Sure it’s nice to live to good life, but the good life built upon a faulty foundation is worse than living “broke”, but care free.

This is an interesting post. I think however that just because you give to others doesn’t make you good person or happier. It’s more to than that. We see a lot of celebrities that give to charities all the time and are either openly nasty or in the closet nasty. It’s all about your motives. You can give and be just doing it to impress people or you want to write off on your taxes. Sure the people you give to get helped, but everybody who knows you won’t look at that but look at how such a mean person you truly are. So all i’m saying is if you going to give, give from the heart.

I have known people in my day who have gotten carried away with this whole concept of having to get everything now, knowing they couldn’t afford it. They have gotten themselves in a lot of trouble because of it. I can only hope that more young people will understand this earlier, so that they don’t get themselves in a lot of financial trouble. It’s hard to dig out of it once you fall in.

To #36- Your brother’s girlfriend obviously thinks she’ll be good with a child support check. It’s unfortunate, but if your brother sits back and accepts it, then there is not much you can say.

To Jscene….respect your opinion but I must share my opinion on some things you said. You stated “YOU GUYS DON’T REALLY BELIEVE IN THIS SPEECH ANYMORE THAN YOU BELIEVE IN SANTA CLAUS…”

I can only speak for my self when I say that it’s not just believing, it’s KNOWING that when you have been in situations before (such as myself) where you would pay to go to a club and buy a new outfit but haven’t even paid your car payment or light bill.

There is nothing wrong with being rich and having nice things…..its just when you believe that those things make or break you. It’s when you think those things determine your self worth and when it makes you feel like you are less than someone else who may have a little more than you do.

I don’t know about everybody else but I know that I dont come to CL to worship celebrities who can’t do anything for me. I worship the LORD above who I know is my help.

@27 you must have never saw “MTV CRIBS”LOLOLO or meet Kimora Lee Simmons.

LMAO @ JSCENE! I hear what you are saying but DAMN!!

Let me ask some of you something. If you say what he wrote is true, why do you live the way you live and confuse materialism with happiness 98% of the time until you read something like this?

Because it’s the American Way!! Capitalism at it’s finest!! We work to get what we dream about everynight and see on T.V. and if we don’t reach those goals or fall short of what we thought our life was supposed to be like we cop out and say moneys not everything and get self righteous. Money’s not everything if your going to spend it on frivalous things. But the Bible says a righteous man leaves an inheritence for his childrens children. So dont confuse chasin money with materialism. We all need to get out here and get it!!!

I’m 27 and I own my own insurance agency. I understand what’s important and materialism isn’t but how can I express that to a youngin if I llook like I’m broke!! The problem is our people need to stop hustlin for today and start building institutions for tomorrow and be able to express those sentiments with the youth. Don’t tell these kids moneys not important when the rest of the world says it is. We just have to show them what to do with it!!. Some of us in my generation just went about it the wrong way and now they’re livin check to check. Dont lie to the kids, tell them to chase wealth!!……

I didn’t realize until recently how much money I spend on nonsense.
I’d say I have just been recently content with what God has blessed me with. Whatever I am not happy with, Only I have the power to change it.

Great Post JD. It’s good to see a black man focus on things other than status.

Great Post !!!!

Lol, I agree with JSCENE. I don’t think that materialism is a threat to democracy because democracy is a facade to confuse the average U.S. citizen, in my opinion. It is idealistic and the philosophy of democracy is diametrically opposed to capitalism. America has always been predicated off of money and the rule of the few, never the will of the people. Why is it such a story how much money Obama has been able to raise if he is the choice of the people? The fact of the matter is that in America money matters and if you don’t have it, can’t generate it, or can’t get people to invest it in you, the common perception is that you don’t matter and neither does your opinion. This is why, in my opinion, people spend above their means. They want to appear to matter. It’s more effective for the few people that control America to make the peons think that they have a say than to actually give them a say. In all honesty, the opinion of the average person really has no merit in how a society should be run if the mind of the average person is not trained. Based on the average opinion that I hear voiced or see written down, I have to agree with the elite in their estimation that the common citizen does not deserve to have a direct say in how their society is run. The only difference is that the elite, and the average Americanized person, chooses Satan as their lightbringer as opposed to the Lord. The average person in America is placated by vanity so that is what they’re given in the form of sports and entertainment. This is why people worship these actors, singers, and athletes. This is also why the people that actually run America, and the world for that matter, can continue to do what they want as long as the people are ignorant and satisfied with crumbs. The Most High’s Word tells us how to live in order, how to love in order, and most importantly, how to be content. It takes our people years to figure out what the Lord has told us from the start (Eccl 5:13-15, Psa 49:16-20, Prov 11:4, Isa 52:3, Ezek 7:19, Zeph 1:18, Matt 6:19-21, Mark 10:17-27, Phil 4:11-13, I Tim 6:5-10,17-19). They still think that Satan has something to offer them.

J. Dakar,

I don’t know if I should thank Concreteloop first for giving you a voice here, or your ability to give these insightful and very important messages to its visitors. Everything you’ve mentioned in this post are the very things I’m coming to realize in my personal life as well.

I’ll be subscribing to your blog and commenting in depth at a more convenient time.

Thank you again!

Who says that just because you recognize that money isn’t the key to
happiness and that is doesn’t make you any more or less worthwhile,
doesn’t mean you don’t admire those who are on their grind. But I, for one,
don’t want to be anyone but who God made me and that “revelation” is one
that has saved me from myself plenty of times. I don’t want wealth at the
expense of self-respect. The Lord provides for me everyday– what I need
for THAT day. He has never left me and I can smile and thank him for
that EVERYDAY. I can’t ask for more. Now, what I am
blessed with I will gladly receive. But recognize that blessings come with
with the responsibility to bless and help others– not for “face time” but
b/c you have been blessed. Getting a new bag has never compared to
a genuine kiss from my neices and nephews, a gabfest/emotional night with
my girls whom I can trust wholeheartedly, an beautiful evening at home
with the man I love or knowing that the pray I just prayed has already been
heard and answered!

JSCENE LMAO!!!

Oprah is one of the biggest promoters of consumerism today. On one hand, there are shows showcasing getting out of debt, on the other hand, she has a whole magazine and other shows plugging products too expensive for even her own audience to afford. She is about showcasing humanity blah blah blah yet when honoring great black women at her famous ball, she gives them each a present–diamonds. Diamonds people; knowing full well that there are Africans being maimed and killed for those stones…

Will Smith is a hypocrite for that quote. Here is a man who currently is BFF with a known cult follower/promoter for no other reason that he thinks Cruise will help his career somehow yet he had the audacity to talk about folks implying they try keeping up with the jones???

Saw this vid sometime ago and thought it was appropriate.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvwK-3cQ6gE

Great post J. I was just recently looking at some things in my life that I want to change. In doing so I recently started participating in my co 401K..Shamed to say that I’ve not been doing this, however a lot of us don’t know how to invest, because we don’t read, know and are to emabrassed to ask for help. Even if you wait until you’re are 30 and put up a mere 10% of your earnings for the next 35 years, you’ll retire quite comfortably. Jesus says to tithe 10% of your income. If you put another 10% for you(as in investing) When you look down you have less money to blow on dumb ish. Next is finding a community program that I can give back using my time.

@83 exactly Will trying to sound so insightful when he only making his own self sound stupid.

I don’t get the deal with this J. Darker fellow…all he did was wrote what was politically correct, pull some nice quotes, and sprinkled some bullshit. Money isn’t anything??????????? MONEY IS EVERYTHINGGGGGGGGGG. MONEY IS FUCKING POWERRRR I agree with comment 64 and 77. I’ve heard much more profoundness and execution than this…. and niiiiice execution with the will smith quote… NOT.

And why generalize black people in such a negative light???? NOT ALL BLACK PEOPLE ARE OSTENTATIOUS.

I am late to this post but Jscene, Judah I applaud how you both eloquently decoded the flowery speech.

@65 WOW - YOU MUST BE THE PRIME EXAMPLE OF THE TYPE OF PEOPLE YOU DESCRIBE US TO BE. YOU OBIVIOUSLY EXPECTED TO BE A BALLER AT SOME POINT IN LIFE AND DID NOT MAKE IT YOUR DAMN SELF. SO INSTEAD OF OPENING YOUR MIND AND FINDING A DIFFERENT PATH, YOUR NARROW HEADED MIND CONVINCED YOURSELF THIS IS WHERE THE BUCK STOPS FOR ME BUT I’M NOT HAPPY WITH THAT. THAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN US AND YOU.WE HAVE LIVED AND LEARN AND ARE LEARNING MORE THROUGH ANY MEANS NECESSARY. YOU ARE YOU’RE ENEMY ,YOUR OWN DISSAPOINTMENT. DON’T HATE ON US FOR WANTING TO BE INSPIRED AND SPREAD THAT INSPIRATION TO OTHERS.
JUST SAD!!!!
65 - YOU ARE A HATER!!!!

GOD PUT US ON THIS EARTH TO EXPERIENCE AND OBTAIN EVERYTHING LIFE HAS TO OFFER….

DON’T THINK BECAUSE YOU DIDN’T GET THAT CAR, HOUSE, JOB ETC YOU WANTED-”THE BUS STOPS HERE”…. NEVER, AND I MEAN NEVER, LIMIT YOURSELF!!!!! THAT IS BAD MENTALITY… I DON’T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO TELL YOU……. EXCEPT STOP SITTING AROUND AND WAITING FOR GOD TO BLESS U AND GET YOUR ASS UP AND MAKE SOME DAMN MOVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This should be required reading! Knowledge like this can help a lot of chuckleheads out there.

A lot of pain would be avoided if all people lived below their means. There would be no debt, no foreclosures, no welfare, no car repo’s and the list goes on.

But if people never purchased things that they didnt need…how would our economy survive?

I think that the key is to raise our incomes so that we can afford what we want so that we can keep money circulating in the economy.

If you don’t purchase a t-shirt from your fav store… employees will be laid off. When they are laid off…they don’t have money to spend at another establishment and then the cycle continues.

If everyone only purchased neccesities…who would you work for? We don’t need the extra clothes, snacks, nails, shoes, cars, homes, cells phones, video games and so on…now imagine all of the businesses that would close down if people only wore the clothes they needed.

It’s like being a police officer….if there was no crime…imagine how many cops would lose their jobs. Or if people only shopped at whole foods…then Kroger…Pathmark and other supermarkets would go out of business and with them…the jobs would go. Some people believe the only book we need to read is The Bible…if that were true…you might as well shut down all book stores…fire all of the people that print books….fire the proof readers and so on. You get the point. We need balance. In reality, we need people that are going to mess up. It keeps things running.

Thats why Bush gave the break to businesses. It’s more likely for a business to bounce back and not make the same mistake again than it is for an individual consumer. If I gave $100k to every American…they would just run out and get themselves back into more debt. It’s like a diet…eventually…most people will eat the cake if they don’t have discipline.

So I get the point of the article…but in reality…we need people to buy what they don’t need or else most Americans wouldnt have jobs or businesses.

I’m gonna get into the toilette paper business so when everyone smartens up and only buys what they need…you will always have a friend in me! I’ll sell toilette paper, tampons and give haircuts and i’ll be straight!

@88

It’s not so much me coming “against” the brother or what he has to say, per se, it’s more just about reality. I understand where he’s coming from to a certain degree and I admire the fact that he put himself out there like that. I just noticed the hypocrisy of many of these black people, that’s all. That’s why JSCENE’s post spoke to me, because it was based in truth. Black people in America have had a magic carrot dangled in front of their face and when they realize that the fantasy will not materialize, they are forced to lower their expectations. They must then develop a philosophy to qualify their lowered expectations to their family, friends, and themself. This is the crux of American “spirituality” from what I see. Dissatisfied people trying to recreate God in their own image and make Him confederate in their ineptitude. Look at comment #90….”God put us on the earth to experience and obtain everything that life has to offer….”. What scripture is that? Does that mean that we should try crack because it’s here on the earth? It’s confusion and people trying to speak for God instead of letting his Word speak to them. The Lord put us here to experience everything GOOD and keep his laws to the best of our ability (Deuteronomy 30:15, Amo5:15, etc.). The source of discontent is rebellion. Now that our people didn’t get the house and job that they wanted and lusted after for the sake of appearances, “their God” loves them “no matter what”, lol. No entity loves indiscriminately (Prov 8:17). Very self-serving when you analyze it and indicative that the vanity and pride still has not been broken, just readjusted. This is why the mortgage crisis and soon to be drastic employment crisis (once a shill black politician is used to repeal affirmative action and quota based hiring) will be so interesting. It will be interesting to see how our people react when all the avenues of the success that they clamored for in America are closed off. They’ll be forced to admit things to themselves.

PREACH ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@MIMI RENEE

I CERTAINLY DID NOT MEAN TO OFFEND YOU OR ANYONE ELSE. BUT I’M JUST KEEPIN IT REAL, WHETHER I’M THE LONE RANGER, OR THE POPULAR VOTE.

I BELIEVE THIS POST APPEALS TO OUR “SENSIBILITIES.” IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE, BUT MOST OF THE TIME, WE AREN’T SENSIBLE UNTIL WE COME UP SHORT OR UNTIL WE HAVE NOT….THUS, I BELIEVE THIS IS A SPEECH FOR SOMEONE DOWN ON THEIR LUCK AND FEELING SORRY FOR THEMSELF TRYING TO FIND AWAY TO ACCEPT THEMSELVES. FOR THE ORIGINAL WRITERS OF THIS POST, QUOTES INCLUDED, THIS SAME INFORMATION RANG TRUE BEFORE THEY STARTED STRIVING FOR THOSE THINGS, (BIGGER CARS, BIGGER HOUSES, ETC)., HOWEVER, THESE WORDS DIDN’T HAVE A PLACE IN THEIR LIFE OR HEARTS UNTIL THEY TRIED TO GET THESE THINGS AND CAME UP SHORT. THIS INFORMATION IS NOT NEW; THESE TRUTHS WERE NOT DISCOVERED LAST NIGHT. NOW THESE WORDS ARE ADOPTABLE BECAUSE I WANT TO BE AT PEACE WITH MYSELF.

I LOVE WILL SMITH, I ABSOLUTELY ADORE HIM IN FACT…BUT ANYONE WHO KNOWS WILL SMITH KNOWS HE’S EXTREMELY AMBITIOUS AND DRIVEN, AND IN HIS EARLY YEARS, HE WOULD HAVE STOPPED AT NOTHING TO BECOME “SUCCESSFUL” IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD, BIG HOUSE, CARS, BIG BANK ACCOUNT, ETC. HE WOULD NEVER HAVE SETTLED FOR STATUS QUO. IT’S NOT IN THIS MAKEUP, JUST LIKE IT’S NOT IN MANY PEOPLE’S MAKEUP. PERHAPS IF THE WILL SMITH QUOTE HAD COME FROM THE WITHERED MAN WHO LIVES UP ON THE MOUTAIN WHO FOR HIS ENTIRE LIFE, HAS LIVES IN A TWO ROOM SHACK WITH NO MAN MADE LUXURIES TO INCLUDE INDOOR PLUMBING THEN THAT QUOTE MIGHT HAVE RUNG TRUE. BUT FOR THE FACT THAT IT CAME FROM WILL SMITH, ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL MALE ENTERTAINERS OF OUR TIME, WITH MONEY AND CARS HAND OVER FIST, WITH HIS CHILDREN WEARING THE BEST CLOTHES, RIDING IN THE BEST CARS, ATTENDING THE BEST SCHOOLS, IT RINGS AS BULLSHIT, SOURCE CONSIDERED. PERHAPS NOW THAT HE HAS ACQUIRED THESE THINGS, THE MYSTIQUE HAS WORN OUT, AND HE’S NO LONGER ENCHANTED BY THEM, CAUSING HIM TO NOW MAKE SUCH UTTERANCES.

I DON’T ENCOURAGE GREED, BUT I FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH SOMEONE STRIVING TO DO BETTER, BE BETTER, HAVE NICE THINGS….AS LONG AS YOU DON’T HAVE TO BREAK ANY MAN MADE LAWS, OR GOD’S LAW IN ORDER TO ACQUIRE THEM.

I LOVE WHERE I AM IN LIFE..I’M JUST MOVING OUT OF MY MID TWENTIES AND I HAVE TWO DEGREES UNDER MY BELT, I’VE MODELED, AND I HAVE OTHER THINGS IN THE PIPELINE; GREAT THINGS IF I KEEP AT IT HARD AND FAST. I’M NO WHERE NEAR WHERE I WANT TO BE BUT I’M HAPPY AS HELL CAUSE I KNOW IT’S COMING; I WORK ON IT EVERY DAY. I AM RIGHT ON TRACK AND LINED UP TO GETTING THEM. IN ORDER TO GET WHAT YOU WANT, YOU HAVE TO POSITION YOURSELF WAY AHEAD OF TIME….AND I THANK GOD FOR HAVING A MOTHER WHO PUSHES ME, AND NEVER LET ME GIVE UP…

I COME ON THESE BLOGS BECAUSE I LOVE ENTERTAINERS, I LOVE THE CREATIVE SIDE OF THE WORLD WE LIVE IN. SO I’M KEEPING IT REAL BY SAYING I LOVE WHAT SOME OF THESE PEOPLE HAS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH HARD WORK AND A” I AINT GIVING UP” ATTITUDE. I ADMIRE THEIR WEALTH, BUT CERTAINLY NOT THEIR FAME (LORD KNOWS THEY CAN KEEP THAT)….

IF SOMEONE IS HAPPY WITH A PINTO, I’M CERTAINLY NOT RAGGING ON THEM…BUT BE HONEST, THIS SPEECH IS APPEALING BECAUSE IT SOUNDS GREAT. BUT WHETHER OR NOT IT’S WORD HAVE A REAL PLACE IN OUR LIVES, I’M NOT SO SURE….MAYBE FOR SOME, BUT CERTAINLY NOT FOR ALL….ALL OF US AINT GONE BE HAPPY WITH A DAMN PINTO WHETHER IT DOES GET YOU ACROSS TOWN.

AFTER THE MYSTIQUE OF THIS POETIC POST WEARS THIN, IN THE NEXT HOUR OR SO, WE’LL ALL BE BACK TO PRAISING THESE CELEBS WITH THE BIG CARS, BIG HOUSES, GUCCI BAGS AND SO FORTH. I WASN’T GONE EVEN PRETEND TO SUBSCRIBE TO THIS POST IN THE FIRST PLACE CAUSE IT’S NOT WHERE MY MIND IS. SO FOR ME, IT’LL BE AS I WAS.

I MEANT NO OFFENSE, I HOPE EVERYONE GET’S WHAT THEY TRULY WANT IN LIFE, BUT KEEP IT REAL, AND BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF….THAT’S ALL I’M DOING.

GOD BLESS US ALL…..

i am pleased that J. posted this. This is very correct. After reading this, I feel the urge to change some things about myself.

my position on this issue comes from my belief in God and that as a child of God He wants and does bless me so i can be a blessing to others. there is nothing wrong with material possesions or having money. the problem comes when u worship those things INSTEAD of God who gave it to you.

Jesus came to this earth and humbled himself all the way to the cross where He died so we may live. not just survive, but live and live abundantly.

God places gifts and talents in each one of us to further His Kingdom…not everyone will be rich not every one will be wealthy, but whatever He has placed in you, use it and prosperity will follow.

Preach!I don’t even worry about what kind of car I’m riding as long as it gets to Point A to Point B and I learned that through my dad because he kept his car until he couldn’t ride it anymore.I was 20 when he let it go and I’m 21 now and he had it since I was born.Same thing with another car of his, had it for 10 years now and it still rides ok.It’s nice to have money yes, but at the end of the day people getting uptight about a piece of paper.Clothes are clothes, shoes are shoes, cars are cars.I guess people get caught up in the name.I don’t let money bother me and when I get my degree I’m not going to let money change me because I was never that crazy about spending money on things that I can get later.

But it’s not just black people spending money on things they don’t have.If you ever looked at one of Oprah’s shows when she was talking to people about debt, these white people were living so nice and fronted like they didn’t have $70,000 of debt.Let’s not get twisted!

well since someone brought God and The Bible in this…….The BIble says that God has nothing to do with people being rich and if you don’t believe me read 1 John 2:15-17…………

well sine someone brought up God and The Bible…. The Bible says that God does not have nothing to do with someone being rich and if you don’t believe me read 1John 2:15-17………..now that’s truly something to think about.

@My2Cents

Actually the Bible does tell us that the Lord is who makes us rich monetarily (Deut 8:17,18, I Sam 2:7). The point is to not set your heart on, or “love”, riches and wealth in this world. There’s nothing wrong with being rich as long as you don’t worship your money or material items, thus making them an idol.

I’m glad to see this has sparked such lively discussion.

I want to make something clear, though: I’m not trying to tell you not to buy nice things or say you shouldn’t have them because 1) I can’t tell you to do anything and 2) I have nice things so it would be highly hypocritical of me to tell you that you shouldn’t have them.

I wrote this because I’m tired of seeing and hearing what we like to purport as success and those who don’t have it, in turn, are left feeling inadequate. You determine your worth…not the material items you have. Unfortunately, so many of us believe that we are what we own, but having your fleet of vehicles in your twelve-car garage or your expensive watch on your wrist doesn’t make you any better than the homeless man or woman on the corner.

I thank the Lord daily for the many blessings He has bestowed upon me, but I never get so caught up that I forget that it all can be taken away in an instant and that there is a bigger picture at hand.

Peace and blessings,
J. Dakar

To Jscene: I totally understand what you are saying and that is why I said I respect your opinion.

My only point is to let people know not to feel less than because they do not have or because someone has more than they do. The world has a way of making you feel like you’re nothing if you don’t have that new car or those Louis Vuitton bags, when in fact I know people who have those things and are still not happy with their life. Those things should not give you permanent happiness.

And of course we all should strive to achieve for the best because truth is, you do need money in this life…..nothing in life is free and you’ve got to work hard for what you want. GOD will bless you but you have to take ACTION in receiving that blessing. If you’re praying for a job but you never step out and look for one, how do you think you’re gonna receive that new job? It’s not gonna magically come floating out of the sky.

I was not offended by your post because I can respect someone who can state their opinion whether it be the majority or not. Always strive to get what you want in life and remember where your happiness truly comes from so that when you do get those big houses and new cars, your happiness won’t depend on it.

# 94, sorry if you took my words out of context and misunderstood what I said but obviously those were not my intentions…

OUR CULTURE HAS VASTLY OVERVALUED the lives of the rich and famous. Our children no longer hunger to be good citizens, but merely well-known ones.Inour misguided guest for heroes,we’ve made fame the most coveted virtue. But when our heroes cease to do heroic things,we still venerate them, where does that leave our culture? It is time to restore balance.Let’s boycott celebrity and celebrate instead all the unnamed warriors trying to make positive impact on our daily lives.

I believe there is nothing wrong with someone spending money on personal expenses, however some people do need to learn how to budget. Thank goodness I had consumer economics where we all had to learn how to budget within the salary that our teacher gave us. Some people had $20,000 to $80,000. We learned that it was quite complicated to find food, clothing, shelter, and transportation to fit in within our income. We had to use micosoft excel to create a expense data sheet and if you had went over your income you lose points it was really fun. Some teachers gave students, an income and a family lol so it made it difficult. I believe that this class should be taught in every high school shit might even middle school. We also learned how to write checks and a balance a checkbook. It’s really cool it prepared me. Thank J. Dakar for the post this was very insightful.

And I agree with Jscene lol

Thanks for kicking some knowledge our way J.D. I thought this post was heartfelt and real.

Something that anybody and everybody can learn from, and take to walk with through life!

Good lookin!!

@ Judah

Okay, that was during the time when God dealt solely with the Nation of Israel. Read 2Kings 17:7-18(just the first part of 18) Those scriptures you quoted didn’t neccessarily meant monetarily fortunes either. Plus remember what Jesus himself said about wealth at Matthew 6:19-21. How can he tell you to stop storing up treasure on the earth if God is the one giving it to you. Especailly at If your not satisfied read Matthew 6:24,Mark 10:17-25,Proverbs 11:28, 1 Timothy 6:9 and go back to 1 John 2:15-17. Going by what the Bible says it clearly shows that now a days that riches does not orginate with God.

i agree with j…but society steady puts images up that make these young kids think they will be millionaires at 21. with dumb shows like sweet 16 and cribs people think that having material things will make you happy..just as the fat person thinks being skinny will make them happy. when there are depressed skinny people. you have to be happy within first and foremost !!!!

and i dont mean to be rude but MA103 –house of deroen and rockawear are not major money breakers..most people i know wouldnt spend money on that crap ne way! now if your buying 200 dollar jeans or such maybe..but rockawear????? thats not really a splurge I just dont see how sporting rockawear or babyphat would make someone think they are really doing something..Its not Prada, Hermes, Burberry, or Chanel..so in actuality they are fooling themselves

Yall ARE KILLING ME WITH THESE QUOTES FROM THE BIBLE..

ALL BLACK PEOPLE ARE NOT CHRISTIANS SO KEEP THAT TALK TO YOURSELF…DAMN I COULD QUOTE THE QUARAN, OR A BUDDHIST PRINCIPLE, OR A SCIENTOLOGY PRINCIPLE AND IT DOESNT MAKE IT RIGHT OR WRONG..STOP USING THE BIBLE AND “SO CALLED” JESUS TO JUSTIFY EVERYTHING YOU DO IN LIFE..YOU JUST SOOUND LIKE A BRAINWASHED PERSON WHO ANT THINK ON THEIR OWN…

I REPEAT EVERYONE AINT CHRISTIAN SO STOP THROWING QUOTES AROUND LIKE THEY MEAN SOMETHING TO EVERYONE!

@113 i can only speak for myself and was primarily speaking to Judah not you or anyone else. If i choose to quote scriptures i can do that. just like you felt what you said was neccessary. by the way who said that all black people are christians i didn’t read know one saying that? look i’m not trying to argue with you. and by me beliving in something that you don’t agree make sound brainwashhed? maybe you are brainwashed?….i am not trying to offend you but i shouldn’t have to tiptoe around things just to please you and vice versa anyways let’s agree that we have different viewpoints and move on.

I couldn’t agree with this post more. I’m almost 36 and have had a similar epiphany recently. My mantra as of late is I don’t want a life that looks good, I want it to BE good.

Be well!

I really like this quote it’s def gonna be on a post o my myspace

Check out the urban socialite

MYSPACE.COM/MUSH24

@JUSTGOTIT

You know what’s funny. My2Cents prefaced her post by saying that her comment was directed towards me but your such a disgusting vessel for Satan that it offends you to see two people speaking according to the Most High’s Word. What always entertains me about you “enlightened” negroes is that you always feel like you can trump the Bible but when you get shot or locked up, the first thing you say is, “Oh God no!” or “Jesus help me!” (i.e. that idiot Remy Ma), lmao. Bunch of clowns. I wish you would quote something from those pagan, satanic doctrines like Islam, Buddhism, or scientology so I can expose your stupidity. Not only are you not well-versed in the Bible, your not even smart enough to research what you claim you could profess. The precepts of the Bible are not meant to “mean something to everyone” because the Lord puts degenerates like yourself on the earth to make us appreciate the blessing of understanding his Word and his Will (Prov 16:4, Matt 13:10-12, ). I never understand why people like yourself feel that believers in the Lord’s Word should be embarassed to express themselves because of your idiocy, lol.

@MY2CENTS

Sis, don’t cop out by giving me that stuff about, “that was for back then…”. Either you believe in the Word of the Lord or you don’t. We can’t pick and choose scriptures to fit our doctrine, which is what you’ve ended up doing. The entire Bible is applicable and must be understood in context or not at all (Matt 5:17-19, John 5:46,47, Heb 10:7). When you read Deut 8:17,18 and I Sam 2:7 it is speaking about monetary riches. Nowhere in the scripture does it say that being monetarily rich is a sin. The scriptures detail that the “love of riches” is a sin because it leads to idolatry. Note in I John 2:15-17 it says “LOVE not the world….”. I Cor 7:31 says that we are to use the things of this world without abusing them. I Tim 6:10 says that the “love” of money is the root of all evil. It’s not the money, it’s the “love” (idolization)of the money. How can Christ be speaking against riches when he himself was monetarily rich, being of the royal house of David (Matt 1:6,16, II Cor 8:9, Hebrews 7:14). Most of the men that rolled with Christ were rich and they forsook their earthly possessions to follow him. That was the point of the story in Mark 10:17-27. Prov 11:28 doesn’t say that he that “has” riches shall fall, it says he that “trusteth” in riches (once again going into the idolization of money). Joseph of Arimathaea was a rich man that retained his riches while being a disciple of Christ but he was able to retain them because he put Christ first (Matt 27:57). Peter and his brother Andrew were fishers of a very lucrative family business that supplied the temple with fish during the high holy days (Matt 4:18,19, Luke 5:8-10). I do agree that the celebrities and “wealthy” people of today have virtually all sold their soul to Satan (Psa 73:12). That has little to do with riches. Those people had to compromise their being to attain those riches and they’re unrepentant for it. That is why they’re condemned.

The Most High deals strictly with the Nation of Israel from Genesis to Revelation (Gen 35:11,12, Psa 147:19,20, Isa 44:1, Amos 3:1,2, Matt 2:6, Matt 15:24, Acts 5:31, Gal 6:16, Rev 7:1-10, Rev 21:12). In the New Testament when it speaks of the “Gentiles” that Paul went to minister to, it was referring to the scattered Israelites who were keeping the customs of the other nations (Acts 2:5, Rom 9:4, I Cor 10:1-5, etc.). That’s a whole other topic. The other nations can only be saved through the Israelites, once they’ve served their captivity. The Israelites are the mediators between the other nations and Christ the same way that Christ is the mediator between the Israelites and the Most High.

@ judah………….. let’s agree that we have different viewpoints and move on. keep up with your bible reading

Thanks for this post. Keep on doing what you do J. Dakar!

you are cute!

This stuff is true but most people can’t afford to help themselves let alone help others. This country has to go through a lot of changes in order to start caring about others.

I feel that quote. Will is so right…

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