The Hawk and the Mouse - Saving for Retirement

There once was a hawk, ferocious and swift. He was young and agile with many years of life to hunt the open ranch lands. In a nearby field, a mouse scurried about the ground. The hawk saw the hurried motion and swept speedily toward the rodent.

Just as the hawk's shadow engulfed the smaller rodent, the mouse fell to its back and begged, "Please, Mr. Hawk, spare me my life!" This surprised the hunter and he landed beside the mouse.

"Why should I spare your life? I am hungry today."

"It's always about today, isn't it?" answered the mouse. "Do you ever think about tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow? Well, that's just another day to flap my wings. I will eat then, too."

The mouse scratched his chin and replied, "But one day you will be old and gray. You will have chiseled claws. You should prepare for the future now or starve later."

"I do, I do. I am building a grand nest as we speak. You see, I fly low to the highway's hot pavement in search of lost dollar bills everyday. I find a dollar a day and add it to my nest. I am constantly constructing my nest egg."

The proud hawk looked toward the mouse for a reply. The mouse shook his head and stated, "I will make a deal with you, hawk. If after fifty years, you have saved more money than me, not only will I give myself up for your feast, I will lead every mouse in this field to your nest."

The hawk did not take long to consider the proposition. He knew he could cover more ground flying than the mouse could crawling. He would be able to locate twice as many lost dollar bills and thus build a much larger nest. The hunter concluded that in fifty years, he would have a great feast.

Years ticked by and every day the hawk collected two dollars. On each given day, the mouse found one dollar and invested it wisely. Fifty years later, the bird of prey lived in a large nest made of twigs, mud, and dollar bills. He was feeble and sickly. And although his nest equaled that of $36,500.00(1) , along with a few very nice tree limbs, he knew the mouse would have less. He no longer invaded the far stretching fields, but took comfort in knowing he would soon have his great feast. As the hawk glared down from his perch, he saw the mouse. The mouse was alone.

"So, hawk, how much money do you have?"

"Just under $37,000(1) . And you?"

"I have $508,462(2), you fool. You see, I invested my $365 wisely every year. I dollar cost averaged into the market and utilized well-diversified mutual funds over the course of all these years. I am the victor and you have no feast."

The hawk collapsed into his nest and was never seen again. The mouse lived a happy life and provided handsomely for his family. He passed along a bit of advice to those who asked about saving: "The individual most accountable for your future financial welfare, is the one you see in the mirror today."

*Hypothetical investment for illustration purposes only.

(1): Based on a savings of $730 each year for fifty years with no interest.

(2): Based on a savings of $365 each year for fifty years earning 10.5% annually.

Wardlaw has been involved in the fields of investments and insurance for over twelve years. The author's belief is that familiar life elements best illustrate practical investment strategies; not typical investment jargon. For comments and questions, please contact the author at tools2invest@yahoo.com.

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Compounding: The Science Of Exponential Money Generation

It all begins with a simple calculation.You are home on... Read More

You Deserve To Retire Early

The fact is that most people continue to work for... Read More

Can You Be Rich? Part 1

What does becoming rich mean to you? Is it early... Read More

The Parthenon Principle

Have you seen a picture of the Parthenon in Athens,... Read More

The Morphing of Thought and Cash

Here are some thoughts about the morphing of thought and... Read More

The One Important Secret of Making More Money Easily

If you're reading this article, it means you are a... Read More

The Old Monied Dupont Nemours and Roosevelt Families Buy a Tax Haven

This 4,000 acre sale (now a marina and resort town... Read More

Real Estate Stories that Show You How!

Let's begin easing you out of the pits. I mean,... Read More

Top 7 Lucrative Paper Businesses You Can Run

Why not run a lucrative paper business? Paper businesses do... Read More

Cost Averaging - It Makes Sense (Dollars & Cents)

It's no secret that the market goes UP...the market, goes... Read More

Tax Help - Girls (and Guys) Just Want to Have Fun by Using Tax Saving Tips

In his best selling book, "Rich Dad, Poor Dad, Robert... Read More

Profit from Your Own Information Empire!

Would you like to profit from your own information empire?... Read More

Re-discovering the Fundamentals of Financial Planning

To lose weight in the 80's, we went on low-calorie... Read More

Steps to Financial Freedom

Financial freedom is the power to do what you will... Read More

Increase Your Business with a New Old Method: Vaastu Shastra

Whether an established conglomerate or a fledgling company, a business... Read More

Build Wealth - Formula To Success

A mole travels one road, according to the way nature... Read More

Business After The Iraqi War

The rewarding of high compensation packages to top executives who... Read More

Are You Ready For Undesired Events?

Planning for the undesired, accidents and possible unknowns in life.... Read More

Do You want to Live on Macaroni and Cheese when You Retire or Filet Mignon?

How Much Money Will I Need to Earn to Retire?This... Read More

My Ambitious Niche - A Completely NEW Way To Find Ambitious Wealth

Turn to the year 1999, a couple of friends sitting... Read More

Create Tax Savings And Transfer Wealth To Your Child With A Roth IRA

Parents must give serious thought to protecting their family through... Read More

The Making Money Obsession - Discover The Real Truth

In most societies, we are raised to believe in the... Read More

Building Wealth: Its An Inside Job ? Part 2

Let's quickly review the principles discussed in the first part... Read More

The Financial Equation that Will Set You Free!

I have a good friend who works in an area... Read More

Starting With Smaller Goals First And Work Your Way Up Until You Achieve Financial Freedom

While you need to have a lot of positive-thought and... Read More

Use Feng Shui Coins To Increase Your Income

Feng shui coins can allow you, among other things, to... Read More

A New Paradigm Shift In Earthly Wealth

Hello,If you dont understand this yet, or have not heard... Read More

Turn That Fixed Rate Mortgage Into A Goldmine

When you purchased your home, you most likely got a... Read More

Investing is About Discipline

If you don't have discipline then walk away from the... Read More

Q and A: Financial Independence Tips For Women From Coni Cecil

As a woman Netpreneur, I sat down via e-mail with... Read More

The 11 Best Money Saving Ideas of All Time - Part 3

At any time in history, no matter what the current... Read More

Is Your Money Keeping Up With Inflation?

In today's unpredictable global economy, you obviously never know what... Read More

Lesson 2 - The Commodity Of Kings!

What is "The Commodity of Kings""Power is simply "the ability... Read More