Meet the surprisingly rich

CNN ^ | 8/18/03 | By Les Christie, CNN/Money Contributing Writer

[paltz]

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Could someone close to you have a lot of money secretly socked away?

When Joseph Leek died recently he left nearly $1.8 million to an organization that provides guide dogs for the blind. Nothing unusual there. Except that nobody, not even his own family, had any idea that he had that kind of money.

[Centurion2000]

To have this sort of money, and never feel free to enjoy ANY of it, is a mental illness.

Not really .... if you looked at the old people that survived the Depression. You'll find a few things in common; they are VERY cautious with their money; they ALWAYS clean their plate.

America could do with some financial caution.

[Diverdogz]

Reminds me of a favorite quote:

"I read somewhere that 77 per cent of all the mentally ill live in poverty. Actually, I'm more intrigued by the 23 per cent who are apparently doing quite well for themselves." -Jerry Garcia

[tpaine]

Messr. Paine, certainly we can agree to disagree without throwing about the term Socialist, can we not?
To have this sort of money, and never feel free to enjoy ANY of it, is a mental illness.
-laz-



Sure thing, my boy.

--- Yours is a typical communitarian reaction.

- You mistakenly reason his money is best used for what others in your community consider to be enjoyment, -- thus ~he's~ the 'crazy' one.

The jokes on you kid.

[shotgun]

I used to have a tax preparer that lived in a run down house on a dilapidated farm. She was married with 10 kids. The house had holes in the floor and farm animals coming and going through every open hole in the building.

Well one day my sister called and asked me if I owed this woman any money, which I thought was none of her business, but I said no, why? She told me the house had burned to the ground and her church (LDS) was trying to gather her and family clothes, money, etc.

I said that these people had insurance and that they would not spend one dime it if they got a bunch of free stuff donated to them. Well it turns out that the family was put up in motel for a month while the insurance claim was being processed, then after they recieved their check for $250,000 they moved back into the barn on their property.

On top it all, she would tell me her story about he being the only child of a rich Oklahoma oil man. But my sister and all the other gullible members of her church got duped into supplying them with enough stuff to last them forever...

[Lazamataz]

If a man dresses up in scuba gear and a chicken suit, hoists a bale of hay and affixes it to his head and shouts "DON'T TOUCH, DON'T TOUCH, DON'T TOUCH" over and over again, is it "communitarian" to wonder about his sanity?

[chilepepper]

These sorts of people are clear examples that show the difference between "money" and "wealth". These folk have lots of money but are not "wealthy"...

"money" is just paper...

[Hildy]

I agree with you.

[Lazamataz]

Not really .... if you looked at the old people that survived the Depression. You'll find a few things in common; they are VERY cautious with their money; they ALWAYS clean their plate.

Yeah. I suppose. But refusing to spend the .02 per day it takes to operate a TV set? Then to die with millions?

Ya ne panemaio.

[FITZ]

To have this sort of money, and never feel free to enjoy ANY of it, is a mental illness.

Maybe they enjoy just HAVING that sort of money more than they enjoy spending it. I can understand that sort of ---- like going to work and parking an old heap car you drive next to the Lexus of someone you know who makes less money than you do. I know some doctors who actually got a kick out of doing just that --- or who would comment on the old banged up cars in the doctors' parking lot while the employees were driving BMW's and Lexus's.

[Lazamataz]

Now: A few years after-the-fact -- aren't you glad I ruthlessly mocked you into staying here at FR? ;^)

(I know I'm glad you stayed)

[FITZ]

But refusing to spend the .02 per day it takes to operate a TV set? Then to die with millions?

But there isn't much worth watching on TV.

[Cyber Liberty]

I'm upset. You've never mocked me. Well, except for that Parker Asteroid Hat thread, but that was a special case. I mocked you first.

[Cyber Liberty]

I can't believe the old guy missed Matlock.

[Lazamataz]

I'm upset. You've never mocked me.

(Laughing uproarously while pointing at your crotch)

Better?

[Lazamataz]

Good point. The guy's not insane, he's a genius.

[tpaine]

Your answer removes all doubt as to yours, my boy.

Thanks.

[BunnySlippers]

NeverGore :^)

With that tag you're not mentally ill, hon. :)

[Slip18]

Hey, Sweetums, I'm looking at his crotch right now, and it's a mighty fine crotch.

[Lazamataz]

Your answer removes all doubt as to yours, my boy. Thanks.

I live to serve.

[Cyber Liberty]

Oh my God! You're a cookbook!!!