George Carlin: Tied Up in Debt

Meaning of George Carlin Money Quote: saying no money available for financial products, rather investing in debt and owing. George Carlin said:

 

 

“I don’t own any stocks or bonds. All my money is tied up in debt” — George Carlin

This funny money quote means that rather than investing his money in financial products like stocks and bonds, Carlin’s money was tied up paying off debts owed, such as loans, mortgages and credit cards. The quote suggests Carlin felt it was better to pay down debts than to invest in the stock market or other assets.

Carlin was likely using exaggeration for comedic effect to highlight how commonplace and consuming debt had become for many Americans. Even though he may have actually had debts, the quote implies this was an over-the-top statement meant to get a laugh by portraying debt as completely controlling his finances. Making light of a serious financial issue like debt through jokes and satire was characteristic of Carlin’s comedic style for bringing attention to societal problems.

Birthday: May 12, 1937 – Death: June 22, 2008

Suze Orman: Investment Inflation

Meaning of Suze Orman Money Quote: saying successful investment requires a diversified portfolio so it can avoid the effects of inflation. Suze Orman said:
 

 

“Every portfolio benefits from bonds; they provide a cushion when the stock market hits a rough patch. But avoiding stocks completely could mean your investment won’t grow any faster than the rate of inflation” — Suze Orman

In this quote, Suze Orman is advising that including bonds in one’s investment portfolio provides important benefits. While stocks offer higher potential returns, they also carry more risk since their values can fluctuate greatly. Bonds provide stability and help cushion losses when the stock market declines.

However, she also cautions that avoiding stocks altogether means your investments are unlikely to outpace inflation over the long run. So the best approach is a balanced mix of stocks and bonds – stocks for growth potential and bonds to provide some downside protection and stability.

Andrew Mellon: Gentlemen Bonds

Andrew Mellon Money Quote saying that investors could be gentlemen. Andrew Mellon said:
 

“Gentlemen prefer bonds” — Andrew Mellon

In this quote, Andrew Mellon seems to be making an observation, a play on words referencing the 1953 film “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.” Given the similar phrasing and time period, it’s almost certainly a joking reference or allusion to that well-known movie title rather than a serious comment on the investing habits of wealthy individuals.

Overall, Mellon appears to have felt bonds were the investment vehicle of choice for upper class, well-to-do investors seeking stability and reliable returns. The quote presents bonds as the preferred means of deploying capital among those of high socioeconomic standing referred to as “gentlemen” in Mellon’s time.

Birthday: March 24, 1855 – Death: August 26, 1937

Thomas A. Edison: Issue Bonds

Thomas A. Edison Money Quote saying that the country should be able to print currency and not only bonds. Thomas A. Edison said:
 

 

“It is absurd to say our country can issue bonds and cannot issue currency. Both are promises to pay, but one fattens the usurer and the other helps the people” — Thomas A. Edison

In this quote, Thomas Edison is contrasting bonds and currency issued by a country. Bonds are debt instruments where the government borrows money from lenders (“usurers”) and pays interest, which Edison says “fattens” or enriches those lenders.

However, he argues that for a nation to directly issue its own currency through mechanisms like the printing of paper money does not burden taxpayers with interest payments and instead “helps the people” by stimulating the broader economy.

Edison’s view is that since governments can legitimately take on debt by issuing bonds, they should also have the power to directly fund activities by producing currency rather than being entirely reliant on borrowing from private sources. He questions why one financial tool is seen as acceptable while the other is not, when both essentially represent promises to pay by the issuing authority.

Birthday: February 11, 1847 – Death: October 18, 1931

Kurt Vonnegut: Twenty Dollar Bill Leaves

Kurt Vonnegut Money Quotation providing description of a money tree & government flowers from Slaughterhouse Five character Kilgore Trout. Kurt Vonnegut said:
 

 

“Trout, incidentally, had written a book about a money tree. It had twenty-dollar bills for leaves. Its flowers were government bonds. Its fruit was diamonds” — Kurt Vonnegut

In this whimsical quote, Kurt Vonnegut is describing a fictional “money tree” conceived by the character Trout in one of his books. The tree’s leaves are made of $20 bills, its flowers are investment bonds, and its fruit are diamonds – all highly valuable commodities.

Vonnegut seems to be satirizing the pursuit of wealth through this absurd image of a plant that literally grows currency and precious goods. His creation of the money tree appears to comment on societal obsession with acquiring money and material assets, portraying their accumulation as easy and carefree as picking fruit from a tree.

The quote taps into Vonnegut’s signature absurdist, satirical style to poke fun at how chasing riches has become deeply ingrained in modern culture yet often bears little resemblance to realistic means of attaining financial security and comfort.

Birthday: November 11, 1922 – Death: April 11, 2007

Arnon Grunberg: No Gold for Cryptocurrency

Arnon Grunberg Money Quotation saying cryptocurrency proving that we must trust a currency, regardless of whether it is backed by alternate currencies. Arnon Grunberg said:
 

 

“The relative success of the bitcoin proves that money first and foremost depends on trust. Neither gold nor bonds are needed to back up a currency” — Arnon Grunberg

The success of Bitcoin supports Grunberg’s statement because despite not being backed by any physical assets like gold or bonds, it has still gained widespread acceptance and trust among users, proving that trust is a key factor in the value of a currency.

Arnon Grunberg is suggesting that the success of cryptocurrency, like Bitcoin, relies heavily on trust. He believes that trust is the primary factor that determines the value of a currency, rather than being backed by physical assets like gold or bonds.

Janet Yellen: Wealthiest 5% Hold 2/3 Assets

Janet Yellen Money Quotation saying the richest five percent hold two thirds of financial assets in the United States. Janet Yellen said:Janet Yellen said:
 

 

“[A] major source of wealth for many families is financial assets, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and private pensions. …the wealthiest 5 percent of households held nearly two-thirds of all such assets in 2013” — Janet Yellen

In this quote, Janet Yellen is pointing out that a significant source of wealth for many families comes from their holdings of various financial assets like stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and private pensions. She then notes that according to 2013 data, the wealthiest 5% of households owned nearly two-thirds of all such financial assets.

Yellen appears to be highlighting the large degree of wealth inequality in America, with a relatively small portion of the population controlling the majority share of financial wealth.

The quote draws attention to the fact that financial market investments serve as an important store of value for families, but that this type of wealth is very concentrated among the highest-income households in the United States.