Asking For a Bike

Raoul’s 2 cents for May 22, 2026

Money and the Pursuit of Happiness

If you don’t want to ponder, move on to the Jokes below.

A few days ago, someone mentioned that she came from a wealthy family. She said her grandfather owned a coal mine. “What an odd statement,” I thought. Why would anyone declare she was wealthy? Why would wealth even matter? Does wealth change our relationship? Will I need to bow down and worship? The rolodex in my mind flipped through a list of the many who I consider “wealthy.” Is there anything I could learn from them?

LIFETYLES OF THE RICH AND INFLUENTIAL

My Grade School classmate was the son of the President and their family dominated Philippine politics for decades. He never stood out in class. He was more of a reluctant heir to the throne.
One of my childhood playmates are the children of an Asian monarchy (Shhh!). Their parents used to shower us with jewelry. They live very simple, hard working lives.
My High School seatmate was soft spoken, decent, respectful and came from a poor family. He always wore the same shoes, pants and shirt every day. I knew he was smart. Today he’s a self-made millionaire, owns two high rise hotels and has a private yacht. I have many other classmates who are leaders in their technical industries.
My older brother’s girlfriend was a direct descendant of James Fenimore Cooper (the famous frontier novelist). I believe her (old rich) family practically owns most of Cooperstown in New York state. Her family was down-to-earth, simple and accommodating. Their grandmother lived by herself in a loft in Park Avenue.
The father of my friends in San Francisco invented cable TV. Aside from her work, she was a busy Mom caring for her son and doing menial housework. Still, she found time to serve and tour us around when we came to visit.
My parents had friends in high places in politics and industries: Supreme Court Justices, a shipping mogul, restaurant owners, socialites, and factory owners.
One of my closest friends is a retired oncologist who owns a mansion right beside a golf course. He loves cars. He flies private planes, is generous and always fun to be with. We would get into deep conversations.
The father of my friend was classmates with Prime Minister Lee Kwan Yew of Singapore. His family never asked any favors. They could have been wealthy but my friend lives a very simple life.
Another rich and humble friend co-owned a computer chip-making factory. He contracted cancer. His doctors said he could live indefinitely as long as he could afford the regular chemo. He survived for a year or two until he died suddenly of pneumonia complications.

So there are quite a few in my list and, interestingly, none of them fit the pompous aristocrat stereotype. In fact, many desire anonymity and to blend in with the rest of us peasants. They are normal people facing the same challenges of life.

“How much money does it take to make a man happy? Just one more dollar,” said John D. Rockefeller

THE DNA OF THE RICH
They say the Chinese never pay full price. They will never be happy unless they get some sort of discount. (Maybe it makes them feel superior to outdo someone.) A dear friend, who comes from a rich Filipino-Chinese family invited me to join his brood and other wealthy friends on a road trip vacation. When we stopped over at a poor village, a throng of fruit vendors surrounded our van. A little boy dressed in rags peddled his wares in front of my friend’s mother. The heiress, couldn’t help herself and haggled for a lower price. And she got her discount.

PRICE TAG OF HAPPINESS
Most people blur where wealth and happiness collide. I asked my teenage grand kids how much money they would need to be happy. And their blank stares revealed money was not important in their world. Profound! Perhaps I should go back to their monetary innocence. True, money is important … but I shouldn’t be obsessed with it. Perhaps I should trust the Lord more. After all, chasing money is just the means to the real goal of contentment. And contentment can be achieved in ways other than money. Good health, a warm embrace, a clear conscience … one doesn’t need money for any of that.

Below is an excerpt from the play “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” that brings me back to the days of innocence when having money only meant being able to buy candies.

CHARLIE BROWN:
(spoken) I’m so happy! That little red-haired girl dropped her pencil—it has teeth marks all over it. She nibbles her pencil. She’s human! It hasn’t been such a bad day after all
(sung) Happiness is finding a pencil

[SNOOPY]
Pizza with sausage

[LINUS]
Telling the time

[SCHROEDER]
Happiness is learning to whistle

[LINUS]
Tying your shoe for the very first time!

[SALLY]
Happiness is playing the drums in your own school band

[CHARLIE BROWN]
And happiness is walking hand in hand

How important is money to you? Are you sure money will bring contentment? TGIF people!

If you like my blog, please do me a favor and spread it around. Thank you!

Quotes of the week

“Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more,”

— The Grinch

“I’d like to live as a poor man with lots of money.”

— Pablo Picasso

“Money will not buy happiness, but it will let you be unhappy in nice places.”

— Anonymous

“For I don’t care too much for money, for money can’t buy me love.”

— The Beatles

“If you want to know what God thinks about money, just look at the people He gives it to.”

— Dorothy Parker

“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.”

— Proverbs 3:9-12

“While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”

— Luke 21:1-4

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”

— Philippians 1: 11, written by Paul while he was in prison.