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| "Champagne wishes and caviar dreams..." |
I think my ultra-rich friends like me and I get along with them just fine and enjoy their company because, for one, I don't pretend to be wealthy. And two, while I have a picky palate and have evolved in my tastes (becoming meticulous when it comes to manners in the process), I don't mask my middle-class quips like, "Is that caviar pie?" (and later on admit to myself that I actually do not like the taste of caviar pie) or "What does [any term rich people use] mean?" True, sometimes I am unnerved by the opulence of their lives (one friend has back-to-back flat-screen TVs in his Park Avenue apartment), but I enjoy learning about things like Fornasetti plates and luxe coffee machines.
As for my self-made friends, I love their company as well because we all, more or less, come from the same background; raised by middle-class, entrepreneurial/hardworking parents who happened to like fine things and read good books. We've put in the time to grow and nurture our careers and have become great friends along the way. We've also had our "poor" moments and we enjoy what we have these days and don't mind the treats and the splurges.
And, since I did not grow up rich, I have the money habits of the non-rich—meaning, my finances are not set up the way my wealthier friends' are, with their short- (wallet), medium- (wants), and long-term (nest egg) bank accounts. I find myself broke from time to time and exactly because of my upbringing, I do not worry much because I know that money is meant to be spent, and that one can earn it again and again.
"Money is meant to be spent, and that one can earn it again and again." This is also one of my beliefs in life, one that I also try to teach my friends. I believe in saving money for the rainy days of course, but there's nothing wrong with enjoying your hard-earned money from time to time. I have some friends who are too stingy with money that they refuse to go on vacations or watch good movies, even, because they'd rather save the money. I feel sad that they miss the experience of enjoying what they have worked hard for. Life is short so I think we have to make the most of it.
ReplyDeleteAgree, Krissy. Experiential vs. material; or experiential AND material vs. just having the money sit in the bank.
ReplyDeleteFor the record, I do like seeing my money in the bank, but I make peace as well with spending it on things and moments that matter.
Such a nice post, Mariel. I share your belief that money should be spent. While I believe in insurance and savings, I don't stress myself to gain an opulent life in the future, I'm happy to spend and see my loved ones well fed and living a comfy life. Besides, I have only one life, so I live it. I buy, I travel, I eat. =)
ReplyDeleteThanks, NeuroChiq!
ReplyDeleteLove it, live it, cheers!