Would Jesus be a Capitalist or Socialist?

It is my belief that Jesus living in the 21st century would be a capitalist rather than a socialist. I think he would approve of Roy Kroc and Sam Walton for starting businesses' which have improved the lives of a great number of people by providing work, service, and quality. He would support anyone who's main goal is to create a company, product or service which helps people. This must be the main focus or goal, rather than turning a profit. If it improves the quality of people's lives, it is good. He would applaud companies that improve communities, provide scholarships, are eco-friendly, and donate to charities. They avoid greed by helping those in need.

According to the Bible Jesus was not really into material things, or treasures on earth, but rather more interested in spreading the word of the Lord and preparing treasures in heaven. He was a be supporter of industry(hard work), generosity, and honesty. He worked as a carpenter before teaching and going on a public speaking tour spreading God's Truths. He might like today's technology and probably have a channel on Youtube, a website or a TV show, but unlike Joel he would not take people's donations to make himself wealthy, but he'd rather donate all to charity. He never denounced money, but warns of the dangers of greed. He would disapprove of companies who are dishonest, and those people in the finance department who illegally manipulate numbers. He would also greatly disapprove of predatory companies who feed on the poor, uneducated, and stressed in their greatest time of need. He would be furious with shady salesmen or advertisements, who prey upon people's emotions to get the sale, or creating needs that don't exist. He would also be angry with banks that offer loans to those who can't pay and credit card companies who give credit cards to irresponsible or financially illiterate individuals.

What do you think? Capitalist or Socialist? Why?

Making Hay While the Sun Shines by Sarah Scrafford

Making Hay While the Sun Shines

A friend and I were recently discussing an actor who’s been doing the rounds in practically every single happening event in recent times. On his home turf, he’s making movies, hosting television shows, starting film production companies and appearing in product endorsement events and commercials. Besides this, he’s investing in game franchises and has just bought himself a team; not stopping at that, he somehow finds the time to be at every one of his team’s games and cheer his players on from the sidelines. As a direct result of more than a finger in each of his many pies, he’s being invited as a guest on various talk shows, interviewed by news and radio channels and doing public appearances as part of his various promotional duties.

Does this man even find time to sleep, we wondered! He must be totally exhausted hopping from city to city, living life in the fast lane in the direct glare of the cameras and spotlights. While I’m not too sure about his personal gratification from all these activities, I’m certain his bank balances are extremely smug and full of themselves.

And that’s where this man shows his shrewdness and acumen – he’s a star in a sphere that does not offer long-term financial security. He knows that he needs to extract as much as he can while the fickle public mind still remembers him as the main man rather than a has-been. So he’s doing what he needs to do to line his nest comfortably for the years to come, years when he will be an aging also-ran - he’s making hay while the sun still shines on him.

Now while some people may call him greedy and money-hungry, in my book, he’s a financial genius. Not only is he slogging it out to make some money, he’s doing it at the height of his popularity. And if he continues to be wise and makes sure that his money is invested well, he’s set for a cushy life no matter if he’s famous or not in a year or two down the line.

We don’t have to be actors to follow in this man’s footsteps; no matter what field we’re in, all we need to do is work really hard when we’re in our prime and put aside as much money as we can. Fame is a fair-weather friend, as we all know; well, so is money. When you have a job, all is well and you feel financially safe and secure. But if you’re suddenly unable to work for some reason or the other, you’ll find your cash supplies drying up faster than a puddle from a rare rainstorm in the Sahara desert. And that’s when you’ll be left high and dry.

Saving for the future is important, but just as important is the fact that you have to work really hard in the present to ensure that you make the most money you can.

By-line:

Sarah Scrafford is an industry critic, as well as a regular contributor on the subject of how to manage your money. She invites your questions, comments and freelancing job inquiries at her email address: sarah.scrafford25@gmail.com.

Where we've come from and where we'd like to go

I started this financial blog a few years ago using it as a tool to track my financial progress with the hopes of increasing my financial knowledge and improving my bottom line. I've learned a lot in these few short years and hope to share all the useful information with readers to increase your financial knowledge and your bottom line. One thing I've found to be very useful and motivation is to set goals. Here are a few of my financial goals.

Short term goal: have $30,000 in ING Direct Savings account by June 15th
Midterm goal: $30,000 in 401K by Nov. 2009
End of year goal: Net worth of $100,000
Long term goal: Net worth of $1,000,000 by 50 years of age

Do you have any financial goals? If so what are they?