June 15, 2008
Andy Thinks About Money
What Would You Do If You Were Rich?
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If Rooney Was Rich...
Andy Rooney says that his financial situation is "comfortable" and imagines all the changes he'd make to his life if he was rich.
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(CBS/PHOTODISC)
The following is a weekly 60 Minutes commentary by CBS News correspondent Andy Rooney.
Everyone's idea of how much money a person has to have to be called "rich" differs. If I had the money 25 years ago that I have now, I'd have called myself "rich" but I don't think of myself as "rich" now.
These days I'd use some word like "comfortable" to describe my financial condition. I know exactly how much money I have in my pocket and how much I have in the bank and I don't think any one really rich knows those things about his money.
There was a story in the paper the other day about a man named Steven Kirsch who invented a new kind of computer mouse and made $230 million on it. I liked the story and I liked Mr. Kirsch because the first thing he did was to give $75 million of it to the United Way and other charities. That's what I’d do if I made $230 million. I'd give my four kids a couple of million each - the school I went to and my college are always asking for money so I’d give each of them a million in exchange for a promise that they'd never ask me for another nickel. That goes for my kids, my college and the United Way.
There are a lot of things I'd do if I was rich. I’d say keep the change more often.
I'd fill up with high test gas instead of the 89 octane I usually buy now. I’d send all my shirts to be washed and pressed at the cleaners. Now I do the short-sleeve ones myself.
I'd have all 150 watt bulbs in the lamps in the house. When the heels of my shoes were worn down, I'd throw the shoes away and buy new shoes instead of having new heels put on the old ones. I'd never take another bus where I could grab a taxi. I’d buy more books. I'd buy both Harper's and The Atlantic, Time and Newsweek. I wouldn't shine my shoes, I'd have my shoes shined. If I dropped some pennies or a nickel on the sidewalk, I wouldn't bother to bend over to pick them up. I'd sit up front with the rich people when I flew to Los Angeles, not in one of the cheap seats in back that have made "coach" a dirty word.
The biggest difference in my life if I was rich would be - I wouldn't have to think of something to say at the end of 60 Minutes every week.
Written By Andy Rooney
© MMVIII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
If only you would leave 60 minutes.
You are a borng old f**k. You have enough money now, its your ego,that keeps you hanging on. Go away!
Stop embarrassing yourself!!
You have the world''s best job. Even if you were rich would you really want to give up being able to talk about ANYTHING to a national audience every Sunday night? I''ve grown up watching 60 minutes and your segments have always been my favorite part so I hope you keep thinking up things to say....
You have the world''s best job. Even if you were rich would you really want to give up being able to talk about ANYTHING to a national audience every Sunday night? I''ve grown up watching 60 minutes and your segments have always been my favorite part so I hope you keep thinking up things to say....
BTW, Andy, I also know what is in my bank account at all times...only because I have to decide which bills I should pay this week! Take a hike in your expensive shoes so you can have new heels put on them again. Geez.
BS that relly goes on :)
Dear Mr. Rooney,
I got something to say!
Even though being rich aint all about money, you are a still a rich man.
I have no clue of what''s in your wallet, and personally, I really don''t care. I do believe (setting your celebrity aside) you are a man of great value. You have been a loyal and dear friend to my father-in-law since you were "roomies".
Where you sit on an airplane doesn''t impress me much. The fact that you still take the time to sit across the table and visit with an old friend (who is sharp as a tack but stuck in a wheel-chair), well, now that is impressive.
If you do get more money, and still want change a few things, don''t change "you".
With much admiration (just because)
Would you have us to believe that you cannot live on 7,700 dollars a week? According to the New York Times, you made 7,700 a week when you were suspended by CBS in 1987. Surely, you have had a modest standard of living salary increase since you have been on the air the last decade. As a young 32 year old high school teacher, I am sickened by your superiority complex and your since of entitlement that you accuse youngsters of having.
"The biggest difference in my life would be - that I wouldn''t have to think of something to say at the end of 60 Minutes every week". Well you certainly did not think much about what you said tonight. How thoughtless. Do us a favor - quit!!!!!
Much respect
jb
p.s. I really doubt you bend over to pick up that penny or nickel you see on the street. If you do pick it up...make sure you throw it in that homeless guy''s tin cup or would that break you!?
Well, please kindly allow me to cheerfully state that I%u2019m so glad you aren%u2019t %u201Crich%u201D Andy, because I would really, really miss seeing you after %u201C60 Minutes%u201D %u2013 I love hearing what you have to say each week. Thank you so much for the smiles.
(referring the last line of your commentary)
P.S. If I were "rich" I would buy more books too.
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by wonderfulife-2009
June 18, 2008 12:55 PM PDT
- Hi Andy,
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Reply to this comment
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See all 27 CommentsWell, please kindly allow me to cheerfully state that I%u2019m so glad you aren%u2019t %u201Crich%u201D Andy, because I would really, really miss seeing you after %u201C60 Minutes%u201D....I love hearing what you have to say each week.
(referring the last line of your commentary)
P.S. If I were "rich" I would buy more books too.