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I think A is the best choice. There's no worry about kidnapping, for one thing and I think children who inherit huge sums of money are often ne'er-do-wells.
I was raised upper middle, and we had an very unimposing house, but we had a good life. We went on vacation every year and I grew up knowing not just my grandmother but my great aunts and uncles as well. Later things not go so well and I'd be considered poverty level now.
But you know, happiness is NOT about things. I can't afford a lot of what I'd like, but I was never raised to be defined by what I had either. My parents were not poor, or rich and yet they both grew up during the Great Depression, and had to learn to be responsible.
I have things which I saved up for, and they mean a lot more to me than if I just on a whim charged them because I had to want and really see a need for them.
Having anything you want can often mean that little of it has any real value. It's not good to get everything you want. Back when new fortunes were rising and you had the old rich and the new rich, the difference was the old rich had expectations of their children and did not generally let them live by playing. If someone is flashing their money as worth, then you have to wonder if there is anything really worth showing off inside. This applies whatever one's financial status.
I actually am enjoying being right in the middle of the two choices.
But given the choices above, I'd pick vast wealth every time.
I don't understand why anyone wouldn't.
If for nothing else the freedom you could have to chuck it, cash it all in, and go do whatever you want whenever you want.
I actually am enjoying being right in the middle of the two choices.
But given the choices above, I'd pick vast wealth every time.
I don't understand why anyone wouldn't.
If for nothing else the freedom you could have to chuck it, cash it all in, and go do whatever you want whenever you want.
Agreed. Who in the world would turn down being very wealthy?
Having said that, I define myself more by what I do than what I have. A fulfilling life to me is doing things that I am passionate about. More often than not, having money gives me the freedom to do those things.
I pick "A" because that describes me pretty well and I am biased. If I'm doing it than that must be the right choice, huh?
Actually, I have some pretty set beliefs. I happen to think that the professional class is the group that makes things happen in this country. We do all of the following:
1. Teach children and college students.
2. Design and run our nation's transportation, communications, aerospace, and information infrastructure.
3. Treat the sick.
4. Interpret and enforce laws along with resolving society's conflicts.
5. Lead religious organizations and provide inspiration.
6. Report and communicate the news.
7. Market goods and services, account for financial transactions, manage large organizations, and prepare taxes.
All that, and I've probably left some things out. The truth is that America might be able to function without the rich. I doubt it could function without its professionals.
I'm proud to be part of the professional class. I won't refuse money if someone wants to give it to me. However, what's far important is not the money that we professional people have earned. Its the hard tasks we've accomplished for this country and the better world that we've built doing it. Sometimes "value" can't be expressed in terms of "dollars" alone.
Unless you are a trust fund baby who inherited their money, you have to work hard to earn a lot of money. Generally speaking, the more money you earn, the more sacrafice you have to make. To me, certain things are not worth sacraficing. Not being involved in my children's life is not one of them. Not being able to spend time with my wife is not one of them. Not being able to spend time with and care for my parents is not one of them. Not being able to get a good night's sleep is not one of them. Not being able to go to the movies and enjoy recreational activities is not one of them.
I am upper middle class. I'm a physician. I earn a comfortable living but I'm not a member of the mega rich. I know people who earn millions but they work incredibly hard for that money and sacrifice a great deal of their personal life to earn that. I could choose to work more and earn a lot more money but it's not worth it to me because of the sacrifices I would have to make. Money isn't everything. They may earn a lot of money but they don't really get to enjoy it. They don't see their kids or get to go to their kids' soccer games or spend real time with them.
I think a fullfilling and enjoyable life depends on the person and what they value.
Define Fulfilling?
Define Enjoyable?
To me having a fulfilling and enjoyable life is having a loving family, health and the ability to enjoy your life. Enjoying life doesn't have to be about money.. it can be about spending your weekend with your kids at the park or the zoo.. how about a nice dinner with your partner (nice being about the two of you and not the size of the check).
I know several millionaires. They work and work and work - constantly. Is that fulfilling? Maybe it is to them. I also know some wives that do nothing but complain because their husband is never home to spend time with them or their children - obviously not fulfilling to them.
I know several people who are lower income - upper middle income and have extremely fulfilling lives. Instead of constantly working they are at home enjoying each other and their family. They do short trips that mean something to them instead of the size of the check. They don't worry about having the most expensive xyz to impress their "shallow" neighbors. They go outside and talk to their neighbors and help each other.
Obviously I would enjoy being very wealthy, but I really don't want to work all the time. If I won the lottery I would start my own business - and work all the time. Fullfililing? Don't know.. Enjoyable.. Probably not since I went through that with my ex husband.
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