Is it immoral to invest in Phillip Morris, I mean, Altria?

I don't have a problem with that.

 

Investment increases the share price and the company's value. In economic terms, we literally vote with our wallets.

Yes, investing in companies whose products or activities you disagree with doesn't make sense. Unless of course they make money...

 

My investments are through Calvert. Only socially responsible investments.

 

Sadly, those who chose to allow morals guide their investments will never be as rich as those that don't - Some of the most lucrative investments out there are with companies that are borderline "bad" - tobacco, oil, pseudo-monopolies, etc.

 

Yeah, well, that's how it works. Some of us have money, and some of us have morals.

 

If you enjoy their products then no, if you don't then yes. Having worked for the first socially responsible brokerage in the country at one time, I have come to the conclusion that GIVEN YOUR PERSONAL MORALS it's more important to invest in companies which provide superior returns, then SPEND your dividends in a socially responsible manner, you purchases and donations should meet your moral expectations.

 

It's been some time since the "tobacco company" was just selling tobacco. In the age of conglomerates the "vice" companies were supported by buying their other brands. At one time Kraft was owned by Phillip Morris. Altria looks like it primarily sells wine & cigarettes now.

In 1985 Nabisco merged with RJ Reynolds. In 2000 Phillip Morris acquired Nabisco & merged it with Kraft.

You may not buy their beer but then go to their amusement park or watch their sports team.

 

define rich

 

I'd be uncomfortable with it.

 

That's the whole damn problem, right there. No matter how much you have, you always want more. Rich is never enough. Gotta be richer.

 

Gerry Harvey once said: - Once you reach 10 million any more makes no difference to your life style. You keep going because you are looking after the people you employ.

 

How I define "rich"

No mortgage, no car payments, no credit card bills. Modest savings so if I lost my job tomorrow, I wouldn't be destitute for at least a year

 

I have NEVER used a brokerage, or a "financial planner." They're all money-grubbing crooks.

The best way to get "ahead" is to simply live BELOW your means: no mortgage, no credit card bills, no car payments, etc. That means for the first 10-20 years of your working life, you'll live like a hobo.

But once you're middle aged, you will be able to afford a few nice things, and not have any albatross (Debt) around your neck

I've never understood why folks have to rush out and get all this s***, then complain about how every penny goes to servicing debt. I look after myself, I want to start working part-time in the next few years.

And, quite frankly, I really could give one s*** if my neighbor rushes out to buy a new car, pickup, widescreen HDTV, etc. It's all crap

 

Without a mortgage, I wouldn't have been able to provide a home for my family, nor could we have ridden the local real estate boom that saw prices more than double in less than ten years. If we'd waited until we had the cash, we'd still be renting - or maybe tenting. And, with an interest rate of less than 4%, the debt servicing is hardly onerous. Without a car loan, we'd still be driving an unreliable piece of crap and paying a fortune in repairs. Admittedly, we were pretty lucky on the timing of both major purchases, and I'd agree that living below your means is better than living beyond them. Still, debt can be used to your advantage.

 

Debt is only an "advantage" if you know how to handle it. Probably 75% of folks out there can't handle it. Some folks lost everything playing that roller-coaster game with home prices

A lot of folks set impossibly high standards, that they cannot pay for. My first house was a nasty foreclosed fixer-upper: I was able to pay for it outright, then spent the next 3 years fixing it up. The fact I had to live in it, only provided additional incentive to fix it properly and quickly

In the end, the person has to decide how to best manage their finances. When I figure I need a new vehicle, I pay for it outright. Same as a house. I pay off my credit cards every month. Some folks think its nutty, but it works for me

 

Not paying off credit cards monthly is nutty. Some cards here charge 21% interest on credit cards that are not paid off at the end of the month while you get the money interest free if you pay it off at the end of the month. 55 days interest free, I'll be in that!

 

I wouldn't call it immoral.
I do refuse to support a company which I disagree so strongly with. This is simply a matter of voting with your wallet.
So I don't buy cigarettes, likewise I don't buy cigarette companies stock.

 

When you look at all the brands owned by Phillip Morris/Altria Group you will find it difficult not to purchase products from such a large coproration. At least the dropped Kraft. If they hadn't you'd be lucky to leave a grochery store without at least 10 items supporting them. lol