[Zardoz]

If you've got it, hoard it:

The super-rich have more money than they can possibly spend, so why do they give so little?

Buffet and Gates are the only ones among the highest rollers who've made a serious attempt at doing some good with their vast riches, and even Gates comes in for some criticism.

Other than them, all of these Masters Of The Universe toss out just a few little crumbs. I suppose that's the mindset you need to have to get where they are.

[jboogy]

"I suppose that's the mindset you have to have to get where they are" - I think you hit it on the head Zardoz. People who have amassed wealth could no more suddenly become loose with their money than lifelong spenders can suddenly become thrifty. For a lot of the rich the aquisition of wealth isn't about having the means to live it up someday, aquiring wealth is an end in itself. yeah they'll have a big house and a fancy car but only because those are necessary in order to let everyone know their wealthy, status seeking is a common character trait and a prime motivator for the wealthy.I saw a show about lottery winners on T.V. and it's amazing how many took the lump sum and blew it , sometimes 10's of millions.Somebody who's a natural saver, i.e. potential millionaire, would take that lump sum and very quickly turn it into an even bigger lump sum. It's true that it's alot easier to make serious money if you have a decent wad to start with. The miracle of compounding interest.But of course there are exceptions to every rule and nowhere is this more true than what your discussing. There is a subset of the very wealthy that once they do achieve a certain level they stop working and splurge. On kids ,themselves,chicks,gambling,boats cars and airplanes, and some on charity , Annenberg comes to mind but there are lots more.

[I_Like_Plants]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('jboogy', ' ')People who have amassed wealth could no more suddenly become loose with their money than lifelong spenders can suddenly become thrifty.