It is a fact of life that the acquisition of money opens doors for individuals, groups, organizations, and nations, and is a form of empowerment. Many seek devious, even criminal means to get there but the end result is not justified by the consequences to them or to those violated.

One sure way to get some of that empowerment is to live beneath one’s means. That means not hurrying to keep up with the Joneses or to have the latest version of the latest gadget, trapping, or accessory.

It means trying to put away part of one’s earnings and sacrificing so that one day one can move on up and be where one feels more comfortable in several parameters – housing, fashion, entertainment, and other desirable situations.

One must always remember that in a frenzied rush to keep up with others who appear ahead of one in material acquisitions, if one stumbles, it’s unlikely that those individuals will pause to pick one up, as they too are trying to jump ahead of others.