Everybody wants to be a capitalist

[pjhaggerty]

Have you noticed that a lot of people have the goal of becoming a capitalist in our society? Oh they wouldn't call it that. They have a different name for it. They call it 'retirement'. But really, when you retire, you switch from working productively to being a capitalist. You ideally invest your saved up capital, earn returns, and live off the income generated.

Some people do it differently. They invest sweat equity and money equity. We call these people entrepreneurs. However, when they stop working on their business to let it generate passive income, they have switched from being entrepreneurs to being capitalists, with a large percentage of their capital tied up in a controlling stake of a small enterprise or sole proprietorship.

Some people mainly invest in houses. We call them real estate investors. They invest their time, energy, and money into a real estate operation. However, when they retire, they become capitalists, with their capital mainly tied up in a building or set of buildings which they are renting out.

Think about it. Most financial planning, especially retirement planning, is really start-up planning to become a solo capitalist, with your own little capital business.

Now, I don't have anything for or against being a capitalist. But I thought I would share a different perspective on 'investing' and 'retiring', and see what kind of discussion it generates.

[darkun]

Interesting point you have raised pjhaggerty, however although people may have a goal of becoming what you have classified as a capitalist - retiring on their savings, investments, real estate and such - I would say that in reality a significant proportion of the population end up living on very little towards the end of their lives - further more what they do end up living on is either provided by the state or through assistance of family.

[Andrew Gubb]

We're all in the same "system" which doesn't do much to promote fairness. I think it's legit for a person to want to escape the rat race, and you probably can't do it in a perfectly high-consciousness way (or high-consciousness appearing way), but then what makes you high or low consciousness is what you do with that freedom. Giving helps you attract wealth, but that is not a Universal declaration that says giving is what makes you deserve wealth. Deserving is a meaningless concept to the Universe.

Bottom line

We beautiful and perfect enough to be free and live in abundance.

The fear of not having enough is only one way to motivate people to work, and I find it very ineffective and unhealthy for many reasons.

I think we could build a culture based on the option of a "retirement" at any moment. But I'm not sure if the people who were brought up in this culture with the retirement mindset would twig on fast enough to make it sustainable...

[Requiem]

Originally Posted by pjhaggerty

Have you noticed that a lot of people have the goal of becoming a capitalist in our society? Oh they wouldn't call it that.

Oh, I call it that. Capitalist isn't a dirty word, and the definition is a lot more broad than just a retired person.

Yes, I plan on investing enough to "retire" early, as a capitalist.

They have a different name for it. They call it 'retirement'. But really, when you retire, you switch from working productively to being a capitalist. You ideally invest your saved up capital, earn returns, and live off the income generated.

This is a false dichotomy. Someone who retires and lives off of their investment doesn't necessarily have to stop producing value to society.

Some people retire and spend time with family. Some people spend time with charities. Some people create other things, perhaps a light business on the side. Some people do consulting. Some people really do nothing productive. It all depends on the person.

Having your own pool of investments that is big enough to perpetually meet all of your needs means you do not HAVE to work. You can CHOOSE to work on what you want to.

[Karanime]

I thought capitalism was the opposite of communism--you earn your own way, and the "earnings" are capital.

'Cause, y'know. I'm for that.

/<3

[SnerpGoodWord]

Being a capitalist, if you have the skills and capital to do it successfully, is certainly better than the alternatives.

The problem is that arises is that the typical would-be capitalist lacks either the skills or the capital (or both). Which is of course as it has to be - you can't have a society will all chiefs and no indians.

[givejonadollar]

Everyone should be a capitalist.

It's guns or butter.

[catalyst]

Interesting statement.

With the rewards you reap, you might invest it into a company or business, and although you are not directly involved in the production of the good/service, you're enabling value creation, and deserve something for that exchange.

As a kid from a working class neighborhood, I was raised to be more egalitarian, but growing up, I've realized that it's okay to want to be rewarded for your work. However, some people don't offer anything of value but still want hand-outs - so perhaps not everyone wants to be a capitalist.