Rich Housewife - AMA

[Iho]

Ask me anything.

Op - can you answer my questions please - I'm so nosey!

The hostility from other people as has been demonstrated on here.

Do you feel happy and fulfilled? While of course having enough money to live a good lifestyle helps to take away financial stress.

I look back at younger days when I really didn't have much, most didn't, before modern technology. The same clothes, watching pennies, walking or cycling everywhere, some awful rent rooms. However I was sooooo happy, excited, lived life to the full, had so many amazing friends, pure belly ache laughter, life was truly amazing!

It could be more to do with independence and being young and if I had had more money it would probably be similar but maybe not as adventurous and real living.

Having worked hard in a challenging career, mortgage, marriage, DC, life becomes more adult and serious. Fantastic in so many ways, just different.

Going from impulsive hitching and slinging on a back pack, heading in a general direction and meeting others along the way compared to now, checking if flight times are reasonable, does accommodation have this and that, so much structure.

For me, it's experiences, feelings, memories, facing challenges, that have been important and made me the proud, worldly wise individual I am today.

Had I been shuttered off from these things I wouldn't have so many layers, so much understanding, the most hilarious and meaningful stories to tell!

I've transgressed, back to tje original question of do you feel content?

It wouldn't make me happy to have endless spa days, shop in boutiques, have the latest designer stuff, buy whatever I wanted because I could. It just isn't me, especially if someone else was paying for it unless equal and unconditionally.

Yes, it is one of my greatest joys. Getting them all back in one piece is hell though.

I'm very interested to know why you don't donate regularly to homeless charities, children charities, food banks etc? If I had your family income of 600k per year gross (no idea what that would means as a net monthly income) - I certainly would donate. Not having a go - it's your money but curious?

My husband earns a palty 140k a year and I earn 6k and I recently had to stop him donating £120 per month deducted from salary as we need that money!

Hi Op, just wanted to say thank you for showing MN that wealth does not equal entitlement, private schools and being cut off from the world. My life has some similarities to yours but really just wanted to wish you all the best - enjoy your happy life and earned wealth; I am sure your kids will grow up with the values you have given them.

I voted Conservative in the last election. It won't be Tory next time around! I'm undecided on who to vote for at the moment. It's a way off yet so I'd like to see how things unfold.

Everyone has been fine about it. I think working class people generally have a fair play attitude to self made wealth.

No I'm a dullard who thinks the washing up is fascinating. 🙄

Yes - same. School fees and pensions.

I think it's fascinating how people respond to money. I grew up with parents who could pay the bills but had very little left over. My DH was more comfortable, but not rich. I feel calm and secure and have a higher self image if I know we are making provision, whereas some people feel more secure and have a higher self image with aspirational spending - being the woman with the designer bag or the family with the yacht - I think it's deeper than "showing off", it's some sort of comfort blanket? That's why I was interested earlier in the thread to know if sailing was a pre-existing hobby (like they had a tiny dinghy or something before they were rich), or if it's something they have only taken up once rich - in the way people suddenly develop an interest in hurtling down a mountain on skis?

This obviously isn't the case for OP - but apparently 75% of the luxury sales market comes from lower to middle income consumers. As people feel the pinch, they actually spend MORE on conspicuous consumption to "keep up" or make themselves feel like things are OK.

The thing is you are wealthy because you’re on Lincolnshire. In London a £2m house isn’t anything to get particularly excited about, a 4 bed terrace in some places, a very nice semi in others and a 2500 sq foot 5 bed a bit further out. It would be completely normal to have kids in state school and to have really nice cars. I would say it’s not even comment worthy. I think it’s because £2m buys such a big property in Lincolnshire it feels like you are very rich.

What is the point of the whole AMA strand if not this? Either engage or don’t.

Do you worry your sons will expect their future partner to be a homemaker/have an issue if their partner is career orientated?

Can you lend me a grand or 2? (jk, mostly 🤣)

Are you bothered by the negative comments on here OP?
I pity the people that make them. Ironic that some think a rich person would have something better to do than post on MN. You don't need money to find something more enjoyable than social media, yet here we all are.
I imagine those saying that you aren't that rich are actually poor themselves and their jealousy is leading to them trying to put you down. Which seems ridiculous, it sounds like you're living your best life and enjoying not having to worry about money.
I'm surprised at how many people think a career is needed to feel fulfilled, does that surprise you? Do you think some of them are lying to themselves to help them cope with being tied into working for a living?

Is a joint income of 600k really that much these days? It's a lot of money but I wouldn't think it's particularly noteworthy.

Your annual income is 1.2M and you couldn’t possibly bring yourself to spend 12k on a two week holiday for four people?

I was right! I wish I got a prize.

Question: how do you justify voting for lower taxation when you are in the top percentile of household income in the UK? Is money the only thing you take into account in the polling booth, or do other issues come into play for you?

I'm acutely aware of not complaining about first world problems in front of other people.

Would you go down the Reform route or the Green route?

Oh come on, this is just facile now. 600k is in the top 0.1% of earners in the UK.
Even 600k joint is still incredibly rare, don’t be ridiculous.

You’ve never been poor, then, Wiper?

Mumsnet is completely warped on money. And women who don’t work. I hope you’re enjoying your lovely lifestyle, OP. I’m a housewife who is unable to work, has no money and am hoping we won the Euromillions tonight!

It's over 10x the average salary. What on earth do you mean it's not noteworthy?

Correct. Maybe we would once the kids are old enough to appreciate a really exciting holiday - but for now, we have a week at Center Parcs (which is insanely overpriced anyway if you ask me!) and the kids love it.

Full disclosure: we maybe spent something like that on our Honeymoon, I can't remember!

Do you help others in your community?

We have paid for holidays and house renovations. Money here and there.

Reading your answers, you have so much in common with me!

No I'm not a multi millionaire or live in a 2 mil home, and I'm on my own.

But yes 'wealth' is very relative. Good luck to you.