I have wrestled with this issue for many years.

::::BASSIST:::: · #1 08-01-2011, 04:53 AM

I probably have $3000+ of bass gear that I really don't "need." Meanwhile there are millions of people starving or in need of serious medical care.

I have wrestled with this question for many years. It was only by a stroke of luck that I was born in a situation where I have been given the opportunity to achieve what I have. Being born in a wealthy country with access to higher education is not something I have achieved, it was luck. Yes, I have worked hard to be where I am now, but many many others work equally as hard or harder, yet they have very little.

When I was in my late teens / early 20s I was quite idealistic (and I am probably still idealistic compared to the average person). When I was that age I used to think that right thing to do would be do work a regular 40hr week and make just as much money as everyone else on average, but give most of that money away. My idea was to have very few possessions, live in a basement suite and basically use my library card as my prime source of 'entertainment'. All the rest of my money, say 2/3rds of it, I would give to charity and truly needy groups of people.

However what ended up happening is that I met my wife when I was 24 and things changed. Now we have one child and another on the way and my priorities have shifted.

But sometimes I still think I live very well and its not necessary and I question its moral justifiability.Although I am very far from wealthy comparatively speaking, I could live much more frugally and thus have the ability to be a more charitable person.

Do you guys ever think/struggle with that?

How do we justify what we have when so many have so little?

HollowBassman · #2 08-01-2011, 05:13 AM

I've felt the same way for a long time, but fortunately our economy fell on its face and took away all of that excess money that I was stressing over.

sneha1965 · #3 08-01-2011, 05:19 AM

You can always donate money when and where you can. It doesn't matter how much. I think there's a blessing in it not matter what the amount. Volunteering is also a great way to help others out as well. I've always received more back from volunteering than I've ever put into it. Kudos to you for thinking about other people.

Chebass88 · #4 08-01-2011, 06:00 AM

I don't struggle with it. My number one priority is taking care of me and my wife, and our kids when we eventually have them. Making sure we are taken care of can mean different things. I interpret it as living a debt-free life, saving enough money to weather any hardships that might come our way, planning for future financial needs, and enjoying a standard of living that allows us to use the air conditioner when it is hot outside.

If I have extra money laying around, my first thought is not to give it away to someone less fortunate. I think how great it would be if I could reduce our mortgage by a little bit, to pay it off earlier. Perhaps when our mortgage is completely paid off, and we have a decent level of financial padding - maybe I will give then. But even that - what is a decent level of financial padding? I'd say that having 6 months worth of all expenses in the bank is a minimum, but the ability to pay cash for a car when needed is pretty nice.

So, if I were to work and give money away to those who are less fortunate - who helps me out when it is needed?

Kwesi · #5 08-01-2011, 06:14 AM

I don't. The only people that get my money, are family and good friends.

hover · #6 08-01-2011, 06:26 AM

Though noble, you cannot always put the weight of the world on your shoulders. Of course we could all be more charitable this or philanthropic that, but do what you can that makes you feel better but don't feel compelled to always question your place and stature. Not to sound selfish, but as long as you keep opulence or whatever in check, your family and your needs and the like come first, sorry, but they do.

I turn over clothing at alarming rates in my household between my kids. The majority is lightly used, some of it still brand new, be it not used due to wrong season / growth spurt things, whatever... I donate it all and never ask for a "value receipt" for tax purposes, I don't claim it, I do it because i know others can benefit from it. I always drop a fiver or a sawbuck in the Jimmy Fund. It's not always the big things. Persue the little things you can do often that can help scratch that itch.

sneha1965 · #7 08-01-2011, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

I don't. The only people that get my money, are family and good friends.

Then can I borrow $20.

Quickie · #8 08-01-2011, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

How do we justify what we have when so many have so little?

I admire anyone who thinks this way. It's tough. I am planning on buying a new Ric 4003 in a couple days. It will make things very tight for a few months, yet I am going to do it. And I think about how lucky I am every day now that I have gotten older.

I call it a conscious.

Kwesi · #9 08-01-2011, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sneha1965

Then can I borrow $20.

If by "borrow", you really mean "use to start printing and selling your photoshops for buttloads of cash that I will earn royalties from" then sure

Quote:

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

How do we justify what we have when so many have so little?

I chalk it up to luck and move on. Nothing wrong with charity but I can't see myself donating money (though I donate clothes and stuff often) to charities with the exception of the odd disaster relief fund. The way I see it, if I'm going to help someone with my money it might as well be someone I know and like before I feed it into some system where I have no idea where it goes, how it works, who it helps, and what kind of person they are. Too many variables. I place people I know far above those that I don't know.

Needless to say, if everyone were like me charities would be royally screwed so thank goodness for diversity

.

sneha1965 · #10 08-01-2011, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

If by "borrow", you really mean "use to start printing and selling your photoshops for buttloads of cash that I will earn royalties from" then sure

If someone wants to pay me for custom photoshop pics, I'm game.

madmatt · #11 08-01-2011, 07:51 AM

Honestly instead of just giving it away you should start an organization of some sort, that is if you really feel the need to help others.
You could be so much more productive if you were a non-profit.

i_got_a_mohawk · #12 08-01-2011, 08:02 AM

If the money of those items bothers you, why not put it away for your child growing up?

Donate some money to charity by all means, volunteering is also a great thing to do (heck, I actually look forward to it).

L-A · #13 08-01-2011, 08:02 AM

You can keep the 3000$ worth of gear. Your way of expressing your conscience alone tells me you don't hold on to them by greed.

If you can, spend a few hours a week helping someone who needs help, or travel once a year to give some of your time at building, or handing out resources. In my experience, your hands are worth a lot more than your money

MJ5150 · #14 08-01-2011, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

Do you guys ever think/struggle with that?

Yes sir. A few trips to New Orleans post-Katrina opened my eyes to the life of excess I live. I don't hand out money to people as much as I should, but I do donate my time and energy when possible to help those in need.

A few weeks ago, some friends came over to BBQ. As we sat on the porch drinking iced tea and looking at our half full plates of food, we started complaining about the NFL lockout and how boring our lives would be without football. Later on that evening, I was reflecting on that conversation with my wife and it embarrassed me how out of touch I have become. I think a trip to New Orleans or Alabama is in order to help realign my thinking.

-Mike

**jmattbassplaya** · #15 08-01-2011, 08:35 AM

It bothers me, but not on a daily basis. I can't help that I was born into a decent situation in comparison to a lot of people around the world, but at the same time I'm in a lesser situation than a lot of people around the world, too. Do I feel jealous of people having more than me? No. Do I feel bad that some people have less? A little, but not as much as it seems to bother you. Personally, I volunteer. It seems to help ease my peace of mind whenever I feel like having a conscience.

Papa Dangerous · #16 08-01-2011, 08:48 AM

You see, I kinda want a Lakland P bass, a cab, and head, a guitar, a bass for my gf, the Korg Kronos 88, a car, and my own place to live. If you could help with any of that, then by all means, I will help you have an outlet to put your money xD

96tbird · #17 08-01-2011, 08:58 AM

Yoko nailed it when she said "Think globally, act locally." Your heart is in the right place. Volunteerism is on the decline in society. Get into it as a family. It costs nearly nothing and does the most good.

As for money, the Red Cross is a good place to donate because they distribute medicine and healthcare in troubled ares, as does Doctors without Borders.

Bono said: In this time of fundamentalists sweeping up underprivileged peoples against our way of life, what could be a better advertisement for the USA than doing all you can to see that drugs are delivered directly to these people; drugs made in the USA... stamped red white and blue! The needy and sick of the world will turn their backs on fundamentalist propaganda when they are given healthcare, medications, etc. from citizens and organizations from the west. A lot of truth there. Find charities that have this as a prime focus. Many other cash gifts including those from our governments don't really ever get to where they are needed. Bono's charitable foundations RED and ONE work towards these things as well.

Bass Viking · #18 08-01-2011, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

However what ended up happening is that I met my wife when I was 24 and things changed. Now we have one child and another on the way and my priorities have shifted.

But sometimes I still think I live very well and its not necessary and I question its moral justifiability.Although I am very far from wealthy comparatively speaking, I could live much more frugally and thus have the ability to be a more charitable person.

Do you guys ever think/struggle with that?

How do we justify what we have when so many have so little?

You have a family to take care of and charity begins at home. Times are good now but you never know what will happen down the road. Save your money in the event of unemployment, illness, etc. If you have music gear that's not getting used, consider selling it and donating the money to charity.

kesslari · #19 08-01-2011, 09:28 AM

There are a lot of ways that we can help to better the world. Living in poverty ourselves is not the best one. Finding a balance of giving and keeping that works for you is better, to me. Figuring out high value places to donate money (e.g, where the money I donate goes to address needs without a lot of adminstrative overhead), when I can (things like Heifer International and Doctors without Borders) is one thing.
I also like to use my music (which is my joy) to give back - playing benefits when I can.

As Mike says, it helps for us to stay in touch with the reality of how life is for much of the world. That is a good motivator to do more than work for "I me mine!"

Bass Viking · #20 08-01-2011, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hover

Though noble, you cannot always put the weight of the world on your shoulders. Of course we could all be more charitable this or philanthropic that, but do what you can that makes you feel better but don't feel compelled to always question your place and stature. Not to sound selfish, but as long as you keep opulence or whatever in check, your family and your needs and the like come first, sorry, but they do.

Agreed, and there's no need to feel guilty for what you have especially if you worked hard to acquire it. The OP may have $3000 in music gear but that doesn't mean he doesn't deserve it.