Do you feel guilty for affluence? (buy, live, luxury, cheap)

[seiketsu]

I bought a car several days before the earthquake, and I feel guilty. Instead of spending $30k on a hulk of metal, I could have spent $10k on something functional and had $20k to send to Haiti.

This is my most typical form of buyer's remorse -- the idea that spending my own money on pleasure is morally wrong when there are so many in the world who go without. Usually it's not on the scale of a car and a massive natural disaster ... usually it's more like stepping out of Starbucks and walking past a panhandler.

Does anyone else suffer from such guilt? If so, how do you work through it? Is it really a form of selfishness -- i.e., hey, let's make whatever is happening in the world all about me?

Maybe this should be in Religion and Philosophy?

[Nyse]

I just gave ten bucks and feel guilty thinking that I could spare more. However, if everyone sent in just 5 or 10 what seems like a little would be a lot and really make a difference.

[evilnewbie]

Guilty of earning the money and spending it? If you have so much guilt, you can send it to me, I'll spend it without guilt... I don't feel guilty for other people's misery that I didn't cause... I feel sorry for them but I don't feel guilty...

[HappyTexan]

Do you donate to charity ? Do you donate regularly ? That can ease the guilt some.
What I do is once per month I buy a few cases of canned goods at Sam's club and donate to our local food pantry.
I also buy a case or two of canned dog food and donate to the Humane Society.

I try not to send checks as I fear $.98 out of my $1.00 is going into some admin person's wallet.

I do feel pity but I don't feel guilt. There are many poor in this world and many tragedies but you can't live life with guilt. Learn to be thankful for what you do have and share by doing your part to donate.

[artangel]

Hello,
I found your question interesting because I have thought along the same lines at times. I don't have a lot by many American standards---about $16,000 a year plus some assets---but compared to many people in this world, I live a life of luxury. I find myself feeling guilty when I want to have more-----more money, more things, better quality, etc. I was an interior designer for many years, so am very tuned in to my surroundings. As an artist, too, I am fascinated by color, movement, texture, and relish change. So yes, you're not the only one. And I think it was pretty insightful to make the comment about "making whatever is happening in the world all about me". I wish I were not as self-absorbed as I am. There are some pretty compelling reasons for me to be that way, but still feel guilty about not doing enough for others. Guess as long as that isn't your only focus, or even your primary one, it's okay. As long as I still try to help when an opportunity presents itself, I guess I should cut myself some slack, and you should , too. Now....you may not be able to do as much as you could have had you bought a cheaper car---the big question is: What ARE you going to do to help? Don't have the regrets and do nothing because you can't do a Lot.......but, somehow, I don't think that's the way it will be, in your case. Do what you can now. One thing that helps me: sometimes I give more than I originally planned----as a form of discipline, in a way, to show myself that I can stretch a bit, and all will still be okay. Best wishes.

[photobuff42]

Originally Posted by seiketsu

Does anyone else suffer from such guilt? If so, how do you work through it? Is it really a form of selfishness -- i.e., hey, let's make whatever is happening in the world all about me?

Maybe this should be in Religion and Philosophy?

Do you work hard? Does your line of work contribute to others' well being, comfort, or happiness? Do you donate time, money or talent to worthy causes that help others?

Then no guilt required....

[Mightyqueen801]

[quote=HappyTexan;12571291]Do you donate to charity ? Do you donate regularly ? That can ease the guilt some.
What I do is once per month I buy a few cases of canned goods at Sam's club and donate to our local food pantry.
I also buy a case or two of canned dog food and donate to the Humane Society.

I try not to send checks as I fear $.98 out of my $1.00 is going into some admin person's wallet.

I do feel pity but I don't feel guilt. There are many poor in this world and many tragedies but you can't live life with guilt. Learn to be thankful for what you do have and share by doing your part to donate.[/quote]

I think what Happy Texan said here is key. I've personally found that if I practice being consciously grateful for what I have from time to time, it makes me more inclined to give when I can and I'm not so inclined to think about what I don't have.

[Mightyqueen801]

Originally Posted by Nyse

I just gave ten bucks and feel guilty thinking that I could spare more. However, if everyone sent in just 5 or 10 what seems like a little would be a lot and really make a difference.

I think it's great that they were asking people to give $10 instead of asking for $100. Not everyone can spare that much, but most people are willing to give $10 unless they are truly down and out themselves. And it does roll up into a lot.

[sterlinggirl]

I'm in a better place financially than many Americans, and a LOT better off than nearly all Haitians but I don't feel guilty about it because I got that way through not being wasteful and making a lot of personal sacrifices.

With giving I try to steer my donations to places where they'll teach the proverbial man to fish rather than just feeding him for a day. There's always a need for donations like the ones going to Haiti, but we need to remember to keep helping those people after the crisis has passed.

[txgolfer130]

Have no problems at all spending the money I have earned and can help alleviate you of your "guilt" if you feel the need. I'll spend your money for you.