Here's another story that's been turning up in the library journals lately:Retired library clerk leaves $350,000 to library

This guy seems to have enjoyed life and nobody has a bad thing to say about him. In another article I read, people remembered how he had a new joke for his library customers every day. I find his unchanging, cheap lunch menu interesting, as it reminds me of what I've read about John Bogle of Vanguard, and Warren Buffett. (Bogle supposedly always carried a PB&J sandwich and an apple to work as Vanguard's cafeteria was "too expensive." Warren Buffett supposedly lives on hamburgers.) Seems like there's a lesson there I should take.

What about your kid's?

I didn't see anyone mention that this guy lived thru the great depression and probably had to really tighten the belt buckle while growing up. I'm sure this had a lot to do with setting the foundation for his frugal ways for the rest of his life.

diamente said:whodini,

please answer my question above. You went out with a guy while your avatar is a guy. I would like to know if this is a guy and guy relationship. just curious.

you really need to grow up and get over it.

besides its pretty obvious he's just quoting a story.

anakinskywalker said:Let's not call him stingy or whatever.

He lived his life with his own principles and beliefs.

He did not want to live a good life, see places, drink starbucks, meet people, have fun, get drunk, buy stuff, spend money.

He wanted to constribute to society (the African-American community in particular) to the maximum extent he could, with his meagre resources.

I imagine he must have had the same temptations as any of us; but every day he must have forced himself not to splurge on tasty cookies or mouth-watering ice-cream, or a cool soda on a hot day, with the dream of someday leaving his money for African-American kids, whom he must feel for deeply.

Of course, it is unusual for a man to be so excessively "frugal". But it is disrespectful to call him "stingy".

Just because he is different from most of us, we should not make fun of or look down upon him as "stingy old man" etc.

It is un-American to not respect a person's right to live life on his/her own terms, making their own "unusual" choices, to live their own personal dream.

His story reminds me of Simon and Garfunkel's haunting song "A Most Peculiar Man".

Anakin Skywalker

May the force be with you

The news says he bought expired meat only.

I wonder where he bought it? Isn't it prohibited by law to sell expired meat?

I did not notice that part before. Of course, if he did something like that, it cannot be supported at all.

I always give the benefit of doubt to people if things are unclear. On that basis, I assumed he was out to help mankind (or specifically, the African-American community) on the basis of the partial information available.

I did not read about this quarrel over $35 (with someone who was doing him a favor) before. Of course, this is insupportable.

In general, philanthropes (those who love humanity) should tend to not quarrel over money, I think. So, you may be right.

However, I would not want to risk judging him too unfairly. No person is all white or all black, in my view. Nothing is all good or all bad, in my opinion. Everything is in shades of grey, I think. So, even if he had a few unsavory characteristics, he may have had a lot of good in his heart too, I would think.

He may have been some obsessive-compulsive sort. But we do not know, really.

That's why I just give the benefit of doubt. That's just my personal choice; I'm not in any way advocating this viewpoint to others.

Poor guy. I wonder what his motivations were.

Anakin

autologic said:This short quote did it for me.

"Duran said Green would tell him on occasions to pick him up some grocery items while he was out, promising to pay the bill. The tab began to mount until Duran said he asked for $35, an amount lower than what Green really owed.

Green balked at the bill, vehemently denying owing anything. After their relationship cooled, Duran said Green finally sent him a check in the mail for the amount with a note attached saying, 'Keep up the good work.'"

It is one thing to live a frugal life style saving every penny you make. How you spend YOUR money is your business. But when you begin to steal money from friends who are doing you favors that crosses the line. Not paying someone back is the same as stealing from them. This doesn't sound like a person out to help mankind. It sounds like an obsessive compulsive who would go to the lengths of stealing money from family and friends to get his fix.

edit: fixed typo

Yes, I agree completely.

Anakin

TheXung said:It is in poor taste to be slandering someone after they are dead and cannot defend themselves. Especially when you've never known him in person.

So we're not allowed to pick on Genghis Khan just because he's not around to defend himself and we don't know him personally? No jabs at John Wayne Gacy? Shucks, you're spoiling all our fun.

Maybe jealous that you have 6 legs? You know, like the guy with 12 fingers.