Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think being wealthy is vastly overrated?

603 replies

ForLoudBrickMember · 25/08/2026 13:49

I know this will sound really out of touch and I apologies in advance if I offend anyone, but I’ve been reflecting on my life recently and I truly think it is the most overrated thing on the planet. I’m 35, total pre tax income of about £2 million with half coming from working as a partner oncologist in the states and half coming from active investing. DH makes slightly more, total household income of about £5 mil. Now I’ve done it I can say the following;

  1. It feels totally normal.
  2. It is incredibly isolating
  3. The pressure/difficulty is intense. Ours are still far too young for this and trying to avoid it but it’s very common the DC face intense pressure/stress.
  4. So so much sacrifice. I left everything behind in the UK, put off DC until late, missed out on so much etc.
  5. Being average isn’t much worse. People earning the average wage can still afford a comfortable house, decent car, food, occasional holiday etc. Mum was completely broke as a child and even that would’ve been fine if she didn’t make brain dead decisions constantly.

Yet the average person seems to believe it’s endless bliss, no stress and every rich person is a genius who never tires and never feels sad. AIBU?

OP posts:
Switcher · 04/09/2026 10:37

Go camping in France with three kids for two weeks in the pouring rain, but with a pitch in the baking hot sun when it isn't raining. Add in a compost toilet and showers with less than 5 minutes of hot water. Now think about life happiness if that was your only holiday option (it was bizarrely a choice I made, and it made me realise that in fact I can deal with office politics, bullshit working hours and an awful commute to never have to do that again).

BringBackCatsEyes · 04/09/2026 18:12

samarrange · 04/09/2026 00:31

The Easterlin paradox... has been extensively debunked. £120k doesn't even get you a nice house and a nice car and nice holidays and solid pension buildup.

There is presumably some ceiling, though. Back when office jokes were photocopied rather than e-mailed, I remember this one: "Money doesn't make you happy. People with 10 million dollars are no happier on average than people with 9 million dollars".

Show quote history

The Easterlin paradox isn't just looking at one person's/family income, but their income relative to the whole country.

But yes, there have been studies on wealth and happiness. After all the needs are being more than met by £ then you probably don't become happier. What that amount is varies hugely, but I think we all know what the sentiment is.

skywalking · 07/09/2026 10:11

ForLoudBrickMember · 25/08/2026 13:49

I know this will sound really out of touch and I apologies in advance if I offend anyone, but I’ve been reflecting on my life recently and I truly think it is the most overrated thing on the planet. I’m 35, total pre tax income of about £2 million with half coming from working as a partner oncologist in the states and half coming from active investing. DH makes slightly more, total household income of about £5 mil. Now I’ve done it I can say the following;

  1. It feels totally normal.
  2. It is incredibly isolating
  3. The pressure/difficulty is intense. Ours are still far too young for this and trying to avoid it but it’s very common the DC face intense pressure/stress.
  4. So so much sacrifice. I left everything behind in the UK, put off DC until late, missed out on so much etc.
  5. Being average isn’t much worse. People earning the average wage can still afford a comfortable house, decent car, food, occasional holiday etc. Mum was completely broke as a child and even that would’ve been fine if she didn’t make brain dead decisions constantly.

Yet the average person seems to believe it’s endless bliss, no stress and every rich person is a genius who never tires and never feels sad. AIBU?

Depends how you define poverty and wealth. For us wealth is appreciating phenomena - most of which is the priceless beauty of nature and warmth in humanity - and sharing what little or lot we might have with friends and family. This sounds corny but really that’s what we’ve focused on.

Cultural capital is hugely important, music and literature. We have a low income but that has not stopped us having a wide social circle, supportive family and creative community. Our young children are both already accomplished musicians and enjoy the arts, reading and low screen time - because we have time to spend with them because we’re not working every single hour of every single day.

I am confused as to why wealth is generally regarded as about money and only money. It’s about your sense of poverty or lack of. And appreciation, real authentic appreciation. That’s what it’s about!

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread