How did you get rich?

[Roxetta]

I'm 29 with a lovely DH & 2 gorgeous children. We live month to month, getting into small amounts of debt and then getting back out of it and this cycle repeats itself.

I don't mean to sound boastful but I'm fairly smart and a massive underachiever. DH is in the army and my career has been sidelined while the DC are young but i'm in the process of looking at qualifications I can complete to give myself the best chance at a really good career.

I am massively driven now (wasn't during my teen years due to life events that went on at that time) but basically I want a good lifestyle, I want us to be able to enjoy the finer things in life and to go on long haul holidays and enjoy all that life has to offer without money being the huge barrier that it currently is for us.

I'm so far away from being where I want to be in life. Can you share your experiences of how you managed to become wealthy? I'm just hoping to hear some positive stories because I sometimes feel quite defeatist that I'm 29 and I've achieved so little. I know there is more to life than money and I'm very lucky to have my family but I want to be able to offer them more. Thanks.

It’s quite rare that people walk into 80k jobs straight out of uni but well done MrsChuckBass

Left the UK nearly 11 years ago and have worked for the same offshore law firm since then, making my mark.
Both DH and I have worked our way up our respective ladders since then, both earning into the 6 figures.

Neither of us went to university, DH is in a bit of a niche trade here so his skills are in demand and he now handles project management.

I'm one of life's blaggers though, I'm not going to lie. I have a dream, I go after it, if it doesn't work out I dream about something else, but I have never not landed on my feet, nor have I never not had something to focus on and aim for.

So a combination of "hard graft" and "right place, right time".

You really are quite something Want2Bsupermum* I said nothing of the sort and you need to stop projecting your own insecurities in your posts. You’re coming across very poorly.

I know plenty about Goldman Sachs and the City by the way. Ask me how. That’s the problem with the internet- you never know quite who is who

Married a specialist dentist (9 years in uni!)

Worked hard till I was 35 then had a child.

I've stayed in the same role for the last five years since having a child.

I'm comfortable each month in that we go away abroad annually some years a couple of times, we have savings, I don't have to scrimp.

However I am time rich as I work from home.

To me it's striking the right balance.

If you go for a role that's paying 60k they will want there pound of flesh.

I could have a 60k job in another company but at the minute it's not a life changing amount but it would change my life as I'd have to work away all week.

Having children in early twenties and getting it out of the way. Worked freelance around them so didn't need to pay for childcare at any point. Husband worked without needing to do anything at home and got promoted regularly.

Once kids went to primary school I went back to work. Others my age started leaving to have babies and I was able to piggy back them to promotions.

Also have as many forms as income as possible, I'm still running my freelance business while working full time.

And not thirty yet.

Having kids early is definitely a good career move. It does require domestic stability though, and few people have a permanent home in their early twenties unless they’re happy to live with their parents. I know a few Asian families who live in multi-generation households where it’s taken for granted that the grandmother will provide the childcare, leaving the adult children to pursue careers at full speed. Not sure I could do it, but the cost of housing may make it a popular decision in future.

I am not cash rich but I feel enriched with the life I have. I am really happy I have a nice house a lovely DH and 2 wonderful DC who have wonderful partners. I am looking forward to sharing my old age with my DH my dog and all my future DGC. That I think makes me considerably richer than a lot of people.

Deffo richer than me, Voyage. Also the concept of enough - we have friends who own multiple homes and businesses and complain about them incessantly. The suggestion that they simplify is rarely well met .

We should teach these things in school.

I'm not rich, but I was like you. Smart but didn't do enough early on due to personal events.

I've made a huge effort since and have seen my salary rise to a figure I never thought I'd earn.

It still doesn't leave loads spare like I had wished but things are more expensive now than before too.

What's helped me feel rich is to look at everything I do have and realise just how much there is, more than il ever really need.
To others it's a small house decorated ok.
I own a car, it's not worth a fortune, but I love it, and it works and is all mine.
I have family and friends and thats where most of life's richness comes.

It also depends on how you see yourself as living the good life.

I see t as going for lovely autumnal walks, getting cosy and watching films, tending the garden and animals.

I choose to work part time now as times more important to me than possessions.

I've known wealthy family and friends spend thousands on holidays and come back sad because it was as expected.
A good holiday can still be amazing and luxurious if you change your thought process as to what is luxurious ...

Inheritance but you have no idea of how difficult that has been.

Returning to the OP’s situation instead of musing about society, how’s your maths? STEM subjects are massively in demand, as are digital skills and experience. Look especially for areas of overlap - the most sought-after hires combine skills, such as maths and a language, or computer studies and management.

MM18 this is your post:

I can’t get on board at all with people who work white collar jobs saying they’ve got where they are because they’ve worked really hard. You may have worked 18 hours a day for Goldman Sachs in your twenties, but being behind a computer screen is hardly comparable to cleaning office toilets or scrubbing the burger grills in the early hours, is it? I’ve worked with people who have combined this sort of work with professional training and it’s heartbreaking to observe because honest toil is of limited use in a society that is built upon privileged access.

I wholly disagree with this. Honest toil is the foundation on which higher success is built. It's absolute rubbish that British society is built solely on privilege. If you have the grades, if you apply yourself and you have the discipline to keep going you will be successful. DH is proof of that and I know countless others who have been very successful from modest backgrounds.

Please stop reading things that I don’t say into my posts.

Luck.

DH was in the right place at the right time. Got a job that pays loads, the rest is history. He does put in the hours but he doesn't have any special qualifications or anything. Although he does say people of his age are one of the last generations who got good jobs without going to university.

What do you mean by rich? What kind of salary lifestyle would you be looking for?

There’s a whole subterranean nexus of power that resists all attempts to infiltrate it by clever people (particularly clever women) who are working their arses off and think their results should speak for themselves. St James’s clubs, boardrooms, the Masons, the Freemen of the City, the alumni organisations of the better known public schools etc all dominate media, political and financial organisations. Their hires are in their own image. There are plenty of fund managers with low 2:1 degrees from second rate universities earning seven figures whilst underperforming the FTSE trackers. Ever wondered why that might be?

DH is part of that world, which is why I’ve had a glimpse of it.

@Scaredcrow
I had the exact same conversation with a friend today.

We are nearly 40 in age.

The ages 20 or so have no concept at all of making do till you can afford what you want.

They all seem to want now what we've spent 20 years or so saving or planning for

Also a lot of it in certain industries is who you know not what you know

We got a mortgage as soon as we could and paid off as much as we could.no help from parents.
Life took various twists and turns, ended up divorced but with enough equity to buy a house for me and the kids.
When they are older I will downsize and give each child a lump sum for house deposit, as they will struggle to get on the housing ladder otherwise. I don't understand why empty nesters insist on rattling around in big empty houses.

Comfortable now ( On 60 grand a year, small mortgage. good holidays etc). Brought up on the breadline. Had first degree paid for by state ( Ireland ) while doing 3 part time jobs so left without debt. Qualified as teacher and saved and paid for 2 MAs which lead to better job. Bought a property in London, for ten years no luxuries ( holidays, car etc). Sold property, never married or had children. Budget and save little at all times.

@Want2bSupermum

Not always though.

In my industry there are plenty of people who have gotten roles based on who they know. Who flit between companies based on this before they are found out.

Worked incredibly hard as did my husband. Gained additional qualifications whilst working and looking after little ones. Decided which career would take precedence and we both went all out to ensure career progression. Long hours, several jobs at once with proven outcomes.
We were willing to move around for jobs from one end of country to another and back again. We lived simply when children were young. We went without our selves to save hard and invest.

We’re not rich compared to many we know but as we go towards retirement we’re very comfortable and want for nothing.

And by that I mean I've seen a women promoted three times in a year. Over other people.

She was fucking a partner.

How do I know. The partner told me.