[OccassionalTrader]

At one point in my life I agreed with you. I went to a private school on scholarship and was teased for not wearing whatever brand was ‘in’ at the time. When I switched to public school I harbored a resentment due to my earlier treatment and believed that being rich equaled being snooty and selfish. Then it was time to pay for college and I managed to do so via lots of community scholarships funded mainly by the wealthy individuals of my community. That really opened my eyes and made me realize that wealth does not equal greed. While there are a few wealthy individuals who care only about dollar signs, many more feel that money is a tool by which to improve not only their lives but the lives of others in society. Money allows them to donate to worthy causes like social service organizations that often fill the gaps of need (like the need for food, shelter, affordable health care, etc.). In many cases, having a comfortable nest egg also allows them to devote their time and energy to these causes as well. Although I am of modest means through gainful employment, I try to invest on my own because I believe it is unlikely that social security will be around when I retire, or at least if it is, that I would not wish to be dependent upon if for survival in my later years. I also invest because there are causes I believe in and wish to support via donations. For investors with a social conscience there are many ‘earth-friendly’ or ‘socially repsonsible’ investment options, among others, mutual funds that carefully screen for companies that do not pollute, pay a living wage and do not produce socially destructive goods like guns and tobacco. In making investment decisions, I try to support companies that give something back to the communities in which they are located; that way when I benefit from price increases in the stocks I own, I know that society is benefitting as well.

User Detail :  

Name : OccassionalTrader, Gender : F, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 25, City : Pittsburgh, State : PA, Country : United States, Occupation : research, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

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