Best. Christmas. Ever.

[ccpup]

Late yesterday afternoon -- after Christmas Dinner was finished, but before I fell into that "ate too much ham" stupor --, my doorman buzzed me from downstairs. "There's someone here to see you", he said. I couldn't see my doorman's face, of course, but I could hear the smile in his voice. "Send him up" My partner and I both looked at each other with that familiar WTF? look we've been exchanging more often than not lately.

A couple minutes later, there's a light knocking on the door and I open it to see one of the Attorneys from the office that handles our family's finances, a complicated, multi-multi-generational affair leading back too, too many years to count and which would put most people to sleep if I were to attempt to explain it. As I only see these attorneys once a year -- usually around my birthday when they give me the status report as well as any new inheritance that's being added to what I already have (complicated family trusts with percentages and whatnot ... very zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz), to say I was surprised is to put it mildly. And, as I just spoke with my Dad an hour or so before, I knew everyone in the family was okay.

He then hands me an envelope and, inside, is a concise statement signed by the big kahuna at the Firm saying that all of my investments have been altered and now only support companies that are environmentally friendly, support the poor in emerging countries (and have long-standing policies that do so), do no business with companies that gain from fossil fuel technology and instead either invest or are seeking to invest in alternative energy and are in no way associated with groups that either overtly or covertly financially support Republican Congresspeople, Senators or Presidential Candidates.

This was HUGE for me as, during my last birthday -- and after asking for the umpteenth millionth time, it seemed, that these changes be made --, I finally threw down the gauntlet and said "Fine! Sell everything. I'll take the financial hit. I don't care. I just don't want my money supporting things I don't believe in and are hurting the environment and those who live on it".

As this was a fairly complicated matter to do -- selling everything -- with potentially huge repercussions for everyone else involved with certain aspects of the Family Trust, my Dad finally took me seriously and, without my knowledge, hired a team of people to research which companies not only would meet my criteria but would also be wise enough to invest in without unnecessary financial risk.

This really is the best gift he could have given me. After the 1st, I'll be able to go up to the Offices and see how much has been invested in which companies and why (I've been warned it's complicated and lengthy, but I'll try to make sense of it the best I can). But, for now, I'm just tickled pink that my money won't be supporting people or practices I can barely read about in the news let alone make a profit off of.

May seem silly to some, but I couldn't be more excited about this.

[bleever]

1. Congratulations on effecting real change.

It will be very satisfying, I bet, to watch where your money is doing good instead of just chasing more money.

[SharonRB]

2. Congrats!

This is great. I wish my 401(k) offered an environmental portfolio.

[Cameron27]

3. I don't think it's silly at all.

It's wonderful that you have an inheritance, but it's even better that you're trying to invest it in a earth-friendly way. Most people wouldn't have given that much consideration.

Good for you :-)

[ccpup]

5. oh, I know the attorneys uptown

have WISHED many, many times that I would just quietly go away, spend my money on houses and boats (like everyone else in my well-intentioned but sometimes clueless family -- more extended than immediate, thank goodness) and NOT be in their face with my infernal questions and demands.

But my grandfather -- and his father and grandfather before him, even stretching back and back and back -- had a strong history of going against the grain and investing (and sometimes losing) a great deal of money in things that might make the Earth a better place to be. Buried beneath their mountains of couture clothes and fancy cars, I sometimes think my cousins, aunts and uncles forget that.

[ChazII]

4. You are an indivual who walks

his talk. Congrats and happy new year.

[RufusEarl]

6. A hissy fit that paid off, good for you! Have a great new year!

Peace!

[bain_sidhe]

7. You sound quite wealthy

Dunno if it's just the way you wrote this or if you really are. But if you are wealthy, this means even more, because somebody with more money to invest always has more effect on what investment companies do, and offer.

How much you wanna bet that after putting this "team" together just for you, that firm now will gow out and offer the same "package" to people with more modest sums to invest. After all, the work is already done, now.

So both congratulations and thanks to you for standing your ground and making them do this!!

**edit to remove teh stoopid**

[ccpup]

8. I wish I could agree with you

but, as this law firm has my Family and their myriad financial holdings as their only business (the money my ancestors made is traceable from as far back as the year 1520, or something like that, in England and France ... l-o-n-g story), I doubt they'll sell this as an alternative to their other clients ... namely my relatives who are quite happy with the returns they're currently getting.

For me, though, I now -- well, after I figure out the gobbley-gook of an 8-lbs. file they'll hand me on the 1st detailing which companies got what and, more importantly, why -- will have companies to direct other people to.

[bain_sidhe]

11. Bummer. Well...

Maybe they could sell their research to a mutual fund company? Or something like that...?

They've already done the work, and that information won't just disappear. If they see a potential for making more money from work they've already been paid for, it's like free money. You'd think they'd be smarter than to just walk away from it. But even if they are, well, at least you're offering to share their research with others, so that counts (for us, anyway!).

Anyway, congratulations again!

[avrdream]

9. Gosh, all I got for X-mas was a George Bush countdown calender.

And, gee, did I get excited about that!

P.S. Good for you on throwing the tantrum that led to something worthwhile.

[medicswife]

10. That or a Shrub dartboard would have been great!

But, no, I got two bibles and a box of chocolates. Seems people think I need religion and that my recent weight loss (new meds for hypothyroid did the trick!) needs to be sabatoged!

[Lucinda]

12. That's awesome. :) And not silly at all.