Who can't defend the wealth they have must die, or share with the rover bold.

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Each Thursday I select a Viking quote, sometimes randomly but ofttimes based upon relevance or meaning to my life at that point in time. Despite these phrases being over a thousand years old I believe most can still offer value in modern society and I find it interesting to ponder, weigh and measure them. _{original im src}

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This week's Viking quote

Who can't defend the wealth they have must die, or share with the rover bold. - The Saga of Olaf Haraldsson

Typical Viking mentality; defend what you have, die trying or lose it to someone bold enough to take it. I love this quote for so many reasons - Those who know me well will know what I mean and why. Basically though, it talks about ownership, discipline and action. Those things, together with a couple others form my framework.

But how could this quote possibly relate to us in the modern world? I believe it's great advice, or reminder, to protect what's ours and those things we value; our wealth. But how do we do this? Axe and sword? And what are we actually protecting, what could we consider wealth?

I see wealth as oneself, ones family, people we value and material possessions; as a prepared and pragmatic chap I take the protection of these things seriously. I'm prepared for many situations that could arise in this mixed up crazy world of ours.

Think home invasion, car-jacking, mugging, house-fire, civil unrest, environmental disaster and so on, just the basics, there's so many more threat-scenarios humanity faces each day. I know many think it can't or won't happen to them but it actually can and does happen daily around the world. A little preparation now could potentially mitigate a lot of pain, suffering and heartache later. This quote reminds us of the need to protect what we value lest it be taken from us, to be prepared to protect the various forms of wealth we have and to build the skills and abilities to do so.

I've written about preparedness on many occasions, it's important to me, and if something I write sinks in and makes a difference to someone than it's a good thing. We live in a world full of people looking to take advantage of others and many won't hesitate to take what's yours, by force quite often. So...Preparation. Be prepared to protect your wealth, no matter what form that wealth takes.

Let's now think about the financial aspect of wealth.

Investments, crypto, fiat, shares, bonds, superannuation, metals, artwork, NFT's, jewelry, watches, antiques, collectables and the like. Maybe they're not likely to be taken by a bold rover wielding sword, axe and shield but they're still vulnerable.; very vulnerable in fact.

I find it interesting that a person will spend so much time, effort and energy researching a new phone purchase and almost no time investigating their superannuation fund or bank to determine how their money is being used and what risks are involved. I know people who couldn't even tell me who their superannuation fund is, how their portfolio is split and where. Some spend hours on Facebook seeking likes and the perceived validation they bring but only minutes securing crypto keys and passwords, and then only in the most cursory of ways. Financial intelligence extends further than knowing what a good investment looks like.

Failing to be diligent in financial matters doesn't make a lot of sense to me and whilst most of us probably don't have to worry about someone kicking the door in to find the few gold pieces we have secreted under the floor boards we all have to worry about other threats to our money; this is especially so with the increasing prevalence of cyber-crime and scams which often see people lose money they can ill-afford to lose. Life savings and all. The same could be said for people getting involved in credit spending without understanding the possible risks and ramifications. Many have lost everything through overextending their credit debt.

Furthermore I find it irresponsible and nonsensical that many people don't have legal wills and powers of attorney documents.

The will comes into play when one is dead to protect and secure one's wealth for those left behind which I see as protecting the people left behind from beyond the grave. The power of attorney gives one the ability to "act as someone one else" in their inability to do so, or for someone to act on ones own behalf in the same situation. It's there to protect ourselves and those we love. Just another form of defending one's wealth, personal, people and possessions.

I believe there's many elements to this quote when applied to modern society, the above are just a few. Defending one's wealth could mean so many things but to me it's simple:

Apply caution and diligence when it comes to ones financial matters, be strategised, find trusted advisers and be informed. Plan for possible threats to one's wealth, be it money, possessions or people, one's personal security or that of those we love and be ready to act to protect it lest someone takes it from you.

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That's it for this week, a thousand year-old Viking quote urging caution, diligence, preparedness and action. Please feel free to disagree with my interpretation and add your own, tell me a story around this quote or topic or simply react to it and let me know what you think, how you see it, how it relates to you or someone you know.

Skol.