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You Don’t Have To Be Famous, Rich, Or Superpowered To Be A Hero

June 6, 2017 by Jason Fieber 9 Comments

I enjoy the idea of superheros as much as the next guy.

As a child, I used to dress up as Batman for Halloween. I went out as Batman for five Halloweens in a row. One year, I even stuffed blown-up balloons into my costume, so it would look like I had Batman’s muscles.

To me, Batman was the perfect superhero.

He wasn’t from some other planet. He was just a really rich (and handsome) guy who had some personal issues to contend with. So he took his demons out on the criminals in his own city, improving Gotham in the process. He bought cool gadgets. He rocked a sweet superhero suit. He was stronger, faster, and smarter than the average guy.

He was still relatable, though. You could certainly sympathize. And with all of the family issues I’ve had to personally contend with, I can empathize with the character in a way. Batman/Bruce Wayne always resonated with me. I identified with the idea of how a hero should be a real-life person, or at least someone who could actually (in theory) exist.

Well, as I’ve grown and changed over the years, my idea of a hero has changed a bit.

While I still think a hero should be a real-life person who could actually exist, I now believe a hero is a real-life person who should, can, and does exist. One doesn’t have to be famous, rich, or superpowered (or even handsome) to be a hero. Heroes aren’t confined to the pages of comics, or Hollywood screens.

A hero is someone who changes the world for the better. A hero is someone who helps those less fortunate. A hero is someone who inspires others to do good. A hero is someone who is selfless.

Heroes exist all around us. 

Unfortunately, though, real heroes typically go unnoticed by society.

As such, I thought I’d take some time to recognize a real hero today.

Russ Gremel, a Chicagoan, bought stock in a Chicago-based pharmacy chain almost 70 years ago.

He invested almost $1,000 at the time.

That investment, which eventually turned into Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. (WBA), is now worth more than $2 million.

Russ never sold his stock. He instead let the investment compound over almost seven decades, enjoying his life in the process. Russ never found need for the money, preferring the simple things in life. He likes oatmeal and stews. He never had a mortgage. And his last car was a Dodge Omni that was more than 25 years old. He discovered something that not many people discover: indefinite money doesn’t buy indefinite happiness, although money can change the world for the better and make oneself happier in the process.

Russ decided to give away the entirety of his investment to the Illinois Audubon Society, which is using some of that money to establish a wildlife refuge that will be dedicated to Mr. Gremel.

He decided there was no point in waiting until he was dead to give away the money:

Why not give it to them now, when … I have the pleasure and enjoyment of seeing it.

Indeed, giving while living is, in my view, the most rational way to give. You get to see the fruits of your labor blossom into something incredible, and you end up happier and more fulfilled for it. Moreover, there are so many worthy causes and needs at any given time.

Russ Gremel doesn’t have fancy gadgets, his own comic book series, a mansion, big muscles, or superpowers.

But he is changing the world with a relatively small investment he made several decades ago. He’s helping those less fortunate. He’s inspiring others to do good. And he’s selfless.

His legacy will live on long after he’s gone. And the world is better off for him.

Russ Gremel is a real-life hero.

How about you? Do you plan to become a real-life hero? 

Thanks for reading.

Image courtesy of: iosphere at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

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Filed Under: Happiness

About Jason Fieber

Jason Fieber became financially free at 33 years old by using dividend growth investing to his advantage. Jason has authored two best-selling books: The Dividend Mantra Way and 5 Steps To Retire In 5 Years (also available in paperback).

 

Jason recommends Personal Capital for portfolio management, Mint for budgeting, Schwab for the brokerage account, and Morningstar, Daily Trade Alert, and Motley Fool for stock ideas. This blog is hosted by Bluehost. If you'd like to start your own blog, Jason offers free coaching when you use our Bluehost affiliate link.

 

Jason's writing and/or story has been featured across international media like USA Today, Business Insider, and CNBC.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Project2035 says

    June 6, 2017 at 2:14 pm

    Nice post Jason. There tons of such wonderful people in the world all you have to do is pull out you head out of you ass open you eyes and look around you 🙂 That whay I like humans. We have this spark thing in us to do good. BTW this also reminded my of this picture about this one guy name Elon 😀
    https://m.imgur.com/gallery/tsWoN2W

    Reply
    • Jason Fieber says

      June 6, 2017 at 2:20 pm

      Project2035,

      Indeed, I’m an optimist. It’s far more fun, enjoyable, and right (on balance) than being a pessimist.

      Are there terrible people out there? Absolutely. But our society wouldn’t be where it is right now if it weren’t for all that amazing people that have come and keep on coming. Russ Gremel is a great example of that.

      Elon is, of course, another great example. But it’s tough to relate to Elon. I think almost anyone can relate to Russ. That’s what’s so great about his story. Just a regular guy who’s changing the world. And he became a hero in the process. I can only hope I live so long and give away so much. 🙂

      Cheers!

      Reply
      • Project2035 says

        June 6, 2017 at 4:16 pm

        You now what… 30 something, you still have 2/3 of your life if your living relaxed and healthy, so I can bet you will if you woun’t stop what you do. btw you Jason was a inspiration what im trying to do my self. Thanks for that 🙂 I know im not the only one and thats a big thing youve gave to this world Jason. Thats your legacy. I could say your no sell of a hero then that Russ 😉

        Reply
  2. Mike H says

    June 6, 2017 at 7:35 pm

    Russ is definitely a hero. And he retired at 45 too, that’s just super cool.

    -Mike

    Reply
    • Jason Fieber says

      June 6, 2017 at 8:06 pm

      Mike,

      Absolutely. He’s got me beat on frugality, but good on him for finding what’s meaningful to him and then indulging in just that.

      I read he retired at 45. This guy figured it out a long time ago, well before there was so much material on this idea. I can only hope I live as long and give as much away.

      Best regards!

      Reply
  3. FiscalVoyage says

    June 6, 2017 at 8:03 pm

    That was a great story. I don’t know if i can just give all my assets away, but maybe some. I will be doing a lot of volunteering work helping others, but I plan to give me money to my kids once i have some.

    Reply
    • Jason Fieber says

      June 6, 2017 at 8:07 pm

      FV,

      Volunteer work is great, too. I also plan to give away some time in coming years, once I’ve slowed down considerably.

      Thanks for dropping by!

      Cheers.

      Reply
  4. DivHut says

    June 6, 2017 at 9:01 pm

    Indeed this guy can be considered a hero. A financial superhero! The cool thing about this story is that it’s not singular. There are others who have achieved amazing feats of saving and investing for the long haul without ever earning a large salary. Grace Groner and Earl Crawley are other examples. There’s more. Just goes to show what real patience and staying invested in the market can achieve through thick and thin. It seems that these days many of our fellow DGI peers are selling some or all their positions, raising cash for fear of a correction. Timing at its best. These examples show first hand what always staying invested can do.

    Reply
    • Jason Fieber says

      June 6, 2017 at 9:13 pm

      Keith,

      Definitely. There’s a secondary story at work there with his long-term investment strategy. He talks a little about that in the article, noting that he never wanted to be a speculator. Although I would never recommend someone just buy one stock and sit on it like that (another stock surely could have went to $0), he also wasn’t looking to make a ton of money or live off of his investments. So he wasn’t really risking much. He was probably always going to give it all away, based on his lifestyle and lack of capital/income needs.

      The guy is a great example of what everyday people can accomplish.

      Best regards.

      Reply

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