Today my housekeeper came over to do a deep clean. We told her we might not have her over again for a while. She’s a close friend. She was at our wedding. She was homeless at 14 and my wife’s parents took her in as a full time nanny for their daughter, my wife. Fast forward thirty years - Now she is very independent, though she lives a subsistence life. We live in Mexico. She’s one of the millions of people just getting by. We pay her about double the normal rate, which is still only about $30, to come over and clean our house once a week. Today we paid her her salary for the rest of March and all of April. It was not much for us, but it moved her to tears. It was a moment that made me truly aware of how privileged I am to even be thinking about the stock market now.
I’m a teacher. My salary is not getting cut. My student loan interest is being dropped, and both the Mexican and US governments may be sending me money soon. I don’t need these benefits, and today made me realize that it will be very important for me to pass those benefits to people who are in need once I receive them.
Sorry this is OT. Feel free to remove it. I just thought it would be nice to share with the board. If you’re stressed about the market now, take a moment to count your blessings <3
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“I’m a teacher. My salary is not getting cut.”
Bobby,
I had to comment on your post. My wife is a teacher here in Los Angeles. Right before I read your post I was telling my wife that I am going to pay our housekeeper what we pay her every week as we normally do, but not to clean our house until this nightmare ends in Los Angeles.
I know she’s going to have a tough time accepting it, so I’m going to have her come over this week on her normal day and hand her a check for the next 6 weeks. I think it’s best that I humble myself and do her job for the next month or so.
Lots of lessons to be learned in all of this. At least that’s the way I’m looking at all of it.
Time to make changes in my life for the better of all of us.
TMB
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When I called one of my favorite restaurants to order a $500 gift certificate (couldn’t do it online), the owner’s thanks were effusive, and I just said, “Well, I hope it helps.” Because really, compared to what they bring in during a typical lunch or dinner, it’s a drop in the bucket.
Her reply, “Oh, it’s everything!”
She doesn’t even know I won’t use it (just pay as I go later on, assuming they’re still in business).
YG
(back to lurking)
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It has been my experience, over many years, that folks who are charitable see their kindness come back to them in some form. That has also been the experience of wiser people in my life with whom I have discussed that topic. It heartens me to see your posts, and others like it here. People who invest well, but also have big hearts. Call it God, karma, the universe, whatever. Those who help others usually see a return on their help. If you see yourself doing OK, now is a good time to help others. And if you are a blood donor, now is also a good time.
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