You can push the button above (I hope,) to check out the Brera.Okay, I suppose stories like this fall into the "either you buy it, or you don't, category," but seeing things like this make me realize that nothing is really impossible--as if, after going halfway around the world and changing my life didn't make the point, this does the job. It's hopeful. And to me, it's not even really about the money; I haven't a clue what I'd do with a million dollars, other than know that I could sleep at night, and maybe have a place we could truly call home, a car I WANT to drive, and perhaps a few other toys, but then again, a million doesn't go as far as it used to, unless you're watching it, growing it, and making it work for you. Come to think, that's the way you should feel about a LOT of things in life, money or not. Live well; live sanely; and take care of business.
And in terms of taking care of business, I suppose I really DO have much to accomplish at this point. I need to put more energy into my education, and into learning, period, and see to it that my daughters don't end up like the seemingly semi-neglected teens I witness every day as a teacher; no t-shirts with a ponytail holder in the back to pull it tighter, no piercings beyond the ones they have now, and God forbid, no tattoos, despite the fact that their mother is now sporting one, AND a nose ring. (stud, actually.) did I MISS something here? What the hell was I not watching? Oh, well. I can still manage to be the example worth emulating, with a bit more effort. Is it that? Is it about the desire to be someone you'd emulate? And does that make me, wonder of wonders, a LEADER?! In a manner of speaking, one could say that all good teachers are truly leaders, in that they listen and respond to the call of the young minds they are charged with teaching, they learn themselves constantly, and they are articulate, and able to make their thoughts and actions understood to the masses. I myself have faith in "the masses," to a great extent, but do not fail to always believe that the world could be greater. And if I need to get in there, and do that myself, then that is what I'll do, till I draw my last breath, and go to meet my God. I still envision Him as a slightly Tommy-Lee-Jones-esque character, Who will greet me, upon passing into the great beyond with a simple, "Good job, Pete, but you're comin' with me now." And somewhere, in my little corner of Heaven, is a quiet house, on a nice spread of the Heavens, with a barn out back, containing at least one Duesenberg, a couple of Muscle Cars, preferably a GTO, a Hemi Cuda, and maybe a Ford Thunderbolt. Plus a BRG Aston Martin DB5 and a red Mazda Miata, for those moments when I just don't feel like anything else.
What follows, and what you see above, are just a few other additions to the Lust List, forged so long ago. There will probably always be amendments to the list, but here are the most notable additions I realized I forgot:
1) the Volvo P1800ES created in the early 70s, from the stunning-for-a-Volvo (this is all in the days before Volvos were even REMOTELY sexy,) P1800E coupe, this small, two-door sport wagon, is probably as pretty or prettier than any of the tri-five Chevy Nomads. But that's just me talkin'. The only modern vehicle of its type I'd say holds a candle to it is the Europe-only Alfa Romeo Brera. Rowwwwwwrrrr.
2) the Opel GT, from 1971-1973. As previously mentioned, the "poor man's Corvette," as it has been dubbed by many, is fast, fun, and achingly sexy for a car its size. Truly a feat.
3) The forthcoming Alfa 8C Competizione. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING, has been this sexy to me in a long, LONG time. Nuff said.
the following was excerpted from CNNMoney.com
Achieving financial security, let alone becoming a millionaire, was a distant dream for Jerry and Lynn Moser 14 years ago. At the time, the yet-to-be married South Dakota couple had battered credit ratings and virtually no savings. Lynn was working two jobs trying to pay down a high credit card balance, while Jerry, recovering from a drug and alcohol addiction, was earning just $6 an hour working in an appliance store warehouse.
To Millionaire Status ... and Beyond
Recognizing how dire their financial situation was, the couple, neither of whom earned college degrees, began studying up on money management, learning the fundamentals of personal finance. While Lynn juggled her job and two daughters (now 20 and 16), Jerry logged 60- and 70-hour weeks, working his way up to his current regional sales manager position.Now the Mosers boast a combined salary of $106,000 and a combined net worth of over $300,000, and they say that their credit rating is in tip-top shape. “We went from disaster to success in a relatively short time,” says Jerry.
What’s their saving secret? Nothing fancy, explains Jerry. The couple contributes 15 percent of their pre-tax income into their respective 401(k) accounts and $2,000 each into their Roth IRAs every year. They carry very little outstanding debt (other than the mortgage on their home), rely on coupons and research long and hard before making any big-ticket buys.The Mosers are confident they will reach millionaire status by the time they reach their mid-sixties. "The process is in motion," said Jerry. "All we need is time for our money to compound."
That goal is well within the Mosers' reach, and that's not even including the equity in their home, says Lisa Kirchenbauer, a certified financial planner and president of the Arlington, Virginia-based Kirchenbauer Financial Management & Consulting.In fact, Kirchenbauer recommends they could even scale back some of the aggressiveness in their portfolio -- which has large doses of international stocks as well as energy and real estate funds. A more diversified portfolio would better position them to weather a downturn.
Major 'Money' Moments
In addition, says Kirchenbauer, they should set a more ambitious goal . "I think to be able to have the comfortable retirement and especially to provide some inheritance, they will need to shoot for something more like $2 million," says Kirchenbauer.To do that she recommends that the Mosers increase their retirement account contributions closer to the Federal max -- $15,500 for 401(k) and $4,000 each for their individual Roth IRAs. Living in a relatively inexpensive part of the country and with their children almost grown, they have a lot of time to earn and save even more, says Kirchenbauer.
Young Millionaires
Young and rich... Who says you can't have it all? Think it's nearly impossible to become a multimillionaire before you're 40? Meet 14 young millionaires who did just that -- and learn the inside secrets to their success.
See the Slideshow
She also notes that the couple should also build up their cash reserves for an emergency fund. In addition, they should ensure that they have a reasonable amount of life insurance and a strategy to cover their health care expenses during retirement.
More Millionaires
Jeanette Courts' budget-minded habits have put her on track to becoming a millionaire. Meet the Courts
Getting on track to becoming a millionaire is a great feat. Getting there with a family of seven children is a testament to serious planning and determination, and George and Wendy Cicotte of Kennewick, Washington are on the way to making it happen. Meet the Cicottes
Sid and Divya took their honeymoon nine months late to make sure it didn't dent their budget... one sign they have their priorities in order. Meet the Aroras
Matt and Lori have managed to build $300,000 together just a few years out of college, and not by cutting back on life's pleasures. Meet the Marchbanks.
Achieving financial security, let alone becoming a millionaire, was a distant dream for Jerry and Lynn Moser 14 years ago. At the time, the yet-to-be married South Dakota couple had battered credit ratings and virtually no savings. Lynn was working two jobs trying to pay down a high credit card balance, while Jerry, recovering from a drug and alcohol addiction, was earning just $6 an hour working in an appliance store warehouse.
To Millionaire Status ... and Beyond
Recognizing how dire their financial situation was, the couple, neither of whom earned college degrees, began studying up on money management, learning the fundamentals of personal finance. While Lynn juggled her job and two daughters (now 20 and 16), Jerry logged 60- and 70-hour weeks, working his way up to his current regional sales manager position.Now the Mosers boast a combined salary of $106,000 and a combined net worth of over $300,000, and they say that their credit rating is in tip-top shape. “We went from disaster to success in a relatively short time,” says Jerry.
What’s their saving secret? Nothing fancy, explains Jerry. The couple contributes 15 percent of their pre-tax income into their respective 401(k) accounts and $2,000 each into their Roth IRAs every year. They carry very little outstanding debt (other than the mortgage on their home), rely on coupons and research long and hard before making any big-ticket buys.The Mosers are confident they will reach millionaire status by the time they reach their mid-sixties. "The process is in motion," said Jerry. "All we need is time for our money to compound."
That goal is well within the Mosers' reach, and that's not even including the equity in their home, says Lisa Kirchenbauer, a certified financial planner and president of the Arlington, Virginia-based Kirchenbauer Financial Management & Consulting.In fact, Kirchenbauer recommends they could even scale back some of the aggressiveness in their portfolio -- which has large doses of international stocks as well as energy and real estate funds. A more diversified portfolio would better position them to weather a downturn.
Major 'Money' Moments
In addition, says Kirchenbauer, they should set a more ambitious goal . "I think to be able to have the comfortable retirement and especially to provide some inheritance, they will need to shoot for something more like $2 million," says Kirchenbauer.To do that she recommends that the Mosers increase their retirement account contributions closer to the Federal max -- $15,500 for 401(k) and $4,000 each for their individual Roth IRAs. Living in a relatively inexpensive part of the country and with their children almost grown, they have a lot of time to earn and save even more, says Kirchenbauer.
Young Millionaires
Young and rich... Who says you can't have it all? Think it's nearly impossible to become a multimillionaire before you're 40? Meet 14 young millionaires who did just that -- and learn the inside secrets to their success.
See the Slideshow
She also notes that the couple should also build up their cash reserves for an emergency fund. In addition, they should ensure that they have a reasonable amount of life insurance and a strategy to cover their health care expenses during retirement.
More Millionaires
Jeanette Courts' budget-minded habits have put her on track to becoming a millionaire. Meet the Courts
Getting on track to becoming a millionaire is a great feat. Getting there with a family of seven children is a testament to serious planning and determination, and George and Wendy Cicotte of Kennewick, Washington are on the way to making it happen. Meet the Cicottes
Sid and Divya took their honeymoon nine months late to make sure it didn't dent their budget... one sign they have their priorities in order. Meet the Aroras
Matt and Lori have managed to build $300,000 together just a few years out of college, and not by cutting back on life's pleasures. Meet the Marchbanks.
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