Of pies and bakeries



It occurred to me recently that I view money as being like a pie. If I have a pie with 6 pieces, and I give one of them to Fred, then Wilma can’t have that particular piece. And once all the pieces are gone, they’re gone. In other words, if I want to go on vacation, I can’t contribute as much to savings. If I choose to buy clothes, maybe I’d better put off my $125 haircut. If I want to both save and go on vacation, and both buy clothes and get my haircut, I won’t be able to do any of those things as frequently as if I only did one of them.

While this kind of thinking is logical and effective if you want to stay out of debt and reach your goals (you must decide how you want to allocate the money you have this month), maybe ONLY viewing money as pie is self-defeating in the long term. After all, it’s negative and by definition limiting.

But money is not necessarily a limited resource. After all, it multiplies. (Think of the power of compound interest.) And one person having money does not preclude another person having money as well. (My money earning interest does not prevent your money from earning interest.)

Is it possible to think about the same thing (money) in two completely different ways at the same time? Immediate-term = one pie that I get to choose when, where, and how I want the pieces. Long term = bake lots of pies. Having enough. Being open to the idea of lots of money.

It’s another case of change your mind, change your life.

Posted in Financial health on Oct 25, 2007

4 Responses to “ Of pies and bakeries ”

  1. # 1 Tread Softly Says:

    I like the analogy, but I’m too curious not to ask: Do you really get $125 haircuts?

  2. # 2 bluntmoney Says:

    Yeah, I do. (Cut & color, with tip.) I finally found someone that can make my hair look nice (after 25 years of searching :P) so I’ve gone from the $12 haircuts twice a year to this…

  3. # 3 Smart Investing & Money Management Says:

    Should one dream of baking pies or owning the bakery?

  4. # 4 bluntmoney Says:

    There’s no “should” in dreaming ;)


  • bluntmoney.com
  • Archives

  • Ads & Badges

    Quick Pension Calculator
    Calculate how much you need to save each month for a pension
    Annual income from pension or retirement
    £
    What age whould you like to retire?
    Date of birth
    //
    More info.
    Calculate
    Gender
    Male
    55



    Offset mortgages
    An offset mortgage is a way of using what is in your savings and current accounts to reduce the mortgage balance you are charged interest on.
    Tracker mortgages
    A tracker mortgage could be ideal for you if you want a mortgage that moves in line with Barclays Bank Base Rate.
    Fixed rate mortgages
    Our fixed rate mortgages give you security of a set monthly repayment for a specific period, regardless of how interest rates perform.
    Buy to let mortgages
    We could help you find the ideal Buy to Let mortgage - so all you have to do is find the perfect tenants.


    instant loans – 0908102


    Create a debt snowball with the Pay Off Debt app for the iPhone and iPod Touch


    Learn to make money on stock market with Better trades.


    Apply online for a UK payday loan in minutes.


    Debt Solutions


    IVA


    BigMountainDrugs.com is a leading Canadian pharmacy offers Canada prescription drugs and generic medications with exclusive pharmacy rewards program!


USAA
  • Life Insurance

    Affordable life insurance to protect the ones you love.

  • Insurance from USAA

    Get competitive insurance rates with award-winning customer service and start saving money!

  • Auto Insurance from USAA

    USAA offers top-rated auto insurance coverage at low rates - Get a customized quote & buy online today!