I can be quite idealistic. I’m American. I’m a West Coaster. And, liberal arts educations don’t come much more liberal than mine.
Even with all that, I don’t think I’ve ever been naive enough to say something like, “money doesn’t matter.” But, for a long time I have been not just resigned to the fact, but actually content with the reality that I’m never going to make more than a modest wage. I’ve thought, as long as I can afford to live comfortably and buy books and music when I want to, I’ll be happy.
I don’t need multiple cars. I can only drive one at a time! I don’t need a mansion. What excess! I don’t need a boat. I’m kind of scared of boats!
I’d be happy driving a modest car and living in a modest house. I don’t picture this modest life being dull–just reasonable.
Oh, but I have to admit that my little I don’t need money to be happy bubble was burst last week when Lisa and I went to the beach. It was our fault for going to Manhattan Beach, which is adorable and features all kinds of nice shops and several streets of unique mansions. Not to mention a really nice and clean beach.
We sat on the beach trying not to be killed by pigeons and deciding which mansion we’d each take if we had our pick. It was when we were walking the streets that I really felt the pull. It went something like: I need to find a way to make enough money so that I can live in a place like this!
I still don’t need a BMW. Give me a Civic Hybrid or something. I don’t need a mansion either. Just one of those cute houses within walking distance of the beach and restaurants. But, I have to admit that it would be a different quality of life living is such a nice place and that is not lost on me no matter how idealistic I may be about my life spent making a modest living.
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I get like this too. As a teacher, I KNOW I’m never going to be a millionaire, and I’m sooo okay with that. But a beach house? Who could ever give up that dream? Traveling anywhere I ever wanted? Yet another dream. But you know what? Being happy with your chosen career is worth more!
Thought I wouldn’t turn away a multi million dollar existence, it’s not something I need either. Its fun to think about,but I don’t know that I’d authentically enjoy it.
I hate money. Money causes so many arguments, divorces and uncomfortable situations that its ridiculous.
I live comfortably on my salary. I have enough to pay rent, the bills, eat out once or twice a week, and have a little money left over at the end of the month in savings. I know I could make twice as much if I go into the public sector, but money doesn’t buy happiness. I will admit, I wish I make slightly more so I can pay off my school loans quicker. But otherwise, I’m content.
Here’s to living simply. =)
I think, if I were to win the lottery (um, I don’t even play!), I’d try to continue living as modestly as possible. I’d want to be comfortable, of course, but I wouldn’t want to live in a mansion. I’d drive a nice, reliable car, but it wouldn’t be a house payment! I’d probably give most of the money to family members so that they could live comfortably, too.
Like yourself, I am ok being comfortable. Chances are I will never make enough to live in an ideal setting like that, sure it may be nice but I ‘m not really a keeping up with the Jones’s kind of person. It would be a different quality of life that is for sure.
Totally agree with you! With my career of choice, I don’t think I’ll ever become a millionaire but in some ways, I think that’s good. I am happy living a modest life where I can pay all my bills and have some money left over for extras. That’s all I need. I don’t need a pricey car or gigantic mansion. That’s not what is going to make me happy, in the long run.
Living within walking distance of the beach would be a dream come true. And it’s a perfect example of why no one needs 7 cars.
It’s amazing how we can convince ourselves of what we don’t need, ’til we see something we’d really love to have… Ha.
I’ve always said I don’t need money to be happy, and that’s so true (as I’ve come to find out). But it’d be naive, for sure, to say it wasn’t needed and the occasional splurge purchase wasn’t gratifying.
I am very happy with where I am at and what I am doing. However, my car is falling apart, so I would like a new one of those. But I agree with you, when you see something great or amazing or tempting, you feel the pull of it and convince yourself if you made just a little bit more money you get be there too. Would you be happier? Probably not. Would it make you want to make more and more money because of all the other temptations? Defenitly. I guess what I’m trying to say is that it is not horrible to be happy with what you have now but dreaming about more is not a horrible thing either.
I feel the same way. Although people have different definitions for what constitutes “excess,” all I hope for is to be comfortable. And these days that is what is socially/environmentally responsible.
I like to think that I’m that way too, that the money won’t matter as long as I’m happy, and that’s definitely true for the most part. But then I think about how I get interested in things and I want to check them out, and that usually requires money. It’s definitely not that I’m materialistic , but I just think things are cool and I want to check them out. OK, I’m basically talking about assorted Apple gadgets/computers/etc that infatuate me and I know that they cost big time money, but this also applies to books/music/movies/food/whatever.
For me, it’s all about attitude. If you can be a good and humble and sincere person and remain that way no matter what you’re doing and how much is in your bank account, then go for it! And just like that, the most altruistic person who isn’t that same kind of person and doesn’t have that good attitude and approach, that’s not what I would want to be or be around.
All that being said, I subscribe to one creed- Do what you love, and screw everyone else.
sugar daddy or the lotto ;)
haha jk. As long as you’re happy life will be awesome. It beats making tons of money and hating your life at a crappy job.
Haha. I love it. I feel the same way. I don’t WANT to be a snotty rich snob, but then being someone that lives in a big house (and drives a BMW!) and can WALK TO THE BEACH and SHOPPING sounds pretty damn good as well. HMM..
The sad thing about Manhattan Beach is that the cute little house within walking distance to the beach still probably costs $1 million. I really need to work on this whole fabulous lawyer and/or doctor husband thing.
i feel that way once in a while. i’ve always just said that i want to be comfortable, but not wasteful. and then in the next breath i’ll say something like, “but that house on the cliff in hawaii overlooking the bay is totally going to happen.” seems super out there, but not so much when you’re from hawaii. at least, that’s my excuse! and there you have it. lol.
Kinda had a similar conversation with a friend the other day about this. I agree I don’t need all the expensive stuff but I’d like to make enough money that I can a lot of vacation trips and live in a small cozy house. I’d freak out of I lived in a mansion because it’d be way too big and I think big places are scary especially if I’m home alone. I would want to work but I’d want the dream job where I’m the President of my own company and take time off whenever I wanted to. ;)
money does matter but I don’t need it to make me happy. but it sure would make things easier! as a journalist, and a print journalist at that, I have resigned myself to the fact that I will never make tons of money. I barely make a “modest living” right now as it is. I knew that going in though, so I can’t really complain. but, like you said, that doesn’t mean I don’t want more money, a nicer car, a closet full of designer clothes, fancy houses, exotic vacations, etc etc.
I don’t focus too much on money and never thought I should choose a career based on how much I would make, but what would make me happiest. my boyfriend, however, who is 35, is all consumed with money. he wants a (new) job that makes him lots of cash without him having to put in much work. a job that affords him plenty of time to do nothing but golf, vacation, etc. basically, be his own boss. seeing his emotional struggle with his career and depleted funds makes me realize that it is easier to be idealistic about money and say things like “money doesn’t matter” when you’re younger.
I taught Catholic high school for two years. Average starting salary for a HS teacher w/ a masters is $26K (10 months) in Chicago. They pay was crap, but hey, I enjoyed what I did. It wasn’t about the money but how much I loved the children, school and teaching.