If you have no money worries, what's it like?

[Gifmestrength]

Just a general musing, if you have money, and lots of disposable income, does it make you any happier?

I've never been in a position where I don't have to watch what I'm spending, I'm not remotely materialistic but I always think if I had xxx amount it would make my life so much easier.

It's stupid I know as I know money doesn't make you any happier, that your health is more important and I never take these things for granted, I also know there are a lot of people worse of than me.

I grew up pretty poor and money (lack of) was a constant background stress growing up.

I remember the first time I bought lunch without thinking about the cost (mids 20s). It felt like a significant step to have not had that background concern.

Now (mid 40s) we're very comfortable but don't have massive amounts of money and we're not big spenders. It means I don't pay attention to the cost of supermarket shops or meals out. I still pay attention to the cost of holidays.

However, in a few years we will have lots of spare cash (business sale) so no worries about pension etc.

I think if you've come from money you don't really realise what it feels like to stress about it. It's just so pervasive. I really appreciate that it's no longer something I need to worry about.

Have been in the situation where we have had to take a calculator when shopping in the supermarket.
Now all ok and enjoying what life throws at us. We don't go mad but don't want for anything.

Yes, having money makes me happier. Not for any particular materialistic reason other than the comfort and peace of mind it brings.

I’ve had money worries and they’re just insidious. Waking at night panicking, dreading the sounds of letters dropping through the door, avoiding phone calls, avoiding invitations to fun events with friends, cold fear in your stomach when looking at your bank account to see if there’s enough in there to cover direct debits.

Awful feeling.

Money doesn’t make you happy, but it takes away a huge amount of the worries that can make you seriously unhappy.

@Chewbecca

I think you shift your money worries. Will I be able to maintain my earning level? Do I have enough to retire? What if one of us loses our jobs (has happened due to Covid) Obviously these are not massive, day to day worries but I am quite financially risk averse and have a bit of a fear of being skint (due to childhood) so I am not sure I will ever fully stop worrying.

I agree with this pp, that your money worries can shift and become more about the longer term prospects, and maintaining the current level of financial security.

My husband and I were talking the other day about buying something new for the house, not overly expensive (for us), but enough to make me pause and think about whether it was worth it. My husband said “ah, just get it!” and I thought to myself how lucky we are that we can spend that money without having to worry about the food shopping fund being left short that week, or not being able to afford to put petrol in the car.

Different worries. About banks crashing and losing money- so chopping up and losing track of accounts= lots of admin.

It's fantastic not worrying about money. We are fairly frugal, in that we don't spend loads on travel, no interest in "luxury goods" and we have no dependants. But day to day, we know we can pay the bills, cope with unexpected costs like the washing machine breaking down, and order what we want from the supermarket. I am very aware of how lucky we are.

I’ve found as the family income has increased, so have our outgoings. We now spend more on food and treats, more on life insurance, boiler insurance etc. We don’t need to worry about money, but there still never seems to be enough to throw caution to the wind with everything. I grew up in a very poor household so not having to count out pennies to take to the shop is a blessing.

We've weathered a few financial storms during our 34 year relationship; recessions, school fees, bad business decisions etc., so I know what counting the pennies feels like and the sleepless nights and tears that come with it. We had to sell up and downsize at one point. I also grew up in a very poor, single parent family.

We're very fortunate that we now have no money worries. Mortgage paid off, DC grown and doing well, business doing well and a healthy savings account. I still have very modest tastes, not into designer stuff, flash cars etc. Our main indulgence is travel (not that we can just now!) and eating out. We just had a new boiler and it's still a thrill to me to think we can just get a new boiler! It's also lovely to be able to help out our family and buy lovely gifts for their birthdays and Christmas.

Money can't buy happiness but it gives you options and the ability to make choices based on want rather than need.

During the worst stage of my life when ds2 was born and died having money meant being able to arrange a dignified funeral, being able to have help with ds1 when my days were dark, being able to afford a holiday - money made grief more bearable. Money did not prevent the grief.

@OhTheRoses

It’s a very good feeling to not have to check balance before booking or buying something. Money doesn’t necessarily make you happier but it certainly helps smooth the path.

I'm an anxious person and not particularly materialistic. So while it's definitely nice to not worry about money I find plenty else to worry about constantly.

I don't think a worry free life is possible! I don't have any money worries at all but I worry about other things - elderly parents, kids, Covid, lots of things. I don't think I am any less a worrier than before money worries was off the list - it's human nature.

Your post said it all, OP: you know that there is more to life than money. I have never been materialistic and we have worked hard. We paid off our mortgage in our early fifties and the extra it gives us means that we can support our two daughters through their degrees and I’m so glad we can help them.
I thought we would have a chance to travel, to have good times.... then my DH was given bad news about his health and Covid came. We are still lucky: we have a home and food on the table and warmth. I look at what we are dealing with and I still think that not to feel financially secure must be horrendous.
If you don’t worry about money, you have enough. People, it’s about the people.

I’ve been on the bones of my arse before now. Now I’m not super rich but I went out at the weekend to buy a new mattress and when the sales lady asked what our budget was we could honestly say we didn’t have one. To be able to spend about £1000 without really thinking too hard is amazing.

I remember when we had nothing and meeting with friends in a pub. One couple were eating as they had just moved house and hadn’t sorted out their kitchen yet. We both thought how amazing it would be to be able to eat out like that without thinking about it. It wasn’t anything fancy just pub grub, but nothing we could afford.

Now we don’t really have to think like that. We aren’t super well off, our household income is about £60k but we don’t have DC or debt, our mortgage is low so we have a good amount of disposable income.

If you don’t worry about money, you have enough.

Exactly. If you don’t know how many days it is until pay day then you are fine.

I do feel grateful about being able to throw money at problems. However, that doesn’t mean I don’t worry about things, eg health or family etc. Occasionally, I also worry about getting too used to an expensive lifestyle.

I always know how many days until payday, likewise how many days until the monthly child allowance. I guess it gives you peace of mind from what others have posted, but not necessarily the perfect life in many other ways.

I never had to worry about money until I got divorced. Life was a bit mundane and dare I say too easy when you have no money worries. Now I find it more interesting to budget and find ways to make my money grow. You can spend unnecessarily when you have too much.

I’d much rather have an easy life in a good relationship than an easy life with too much money.

It’s nice not to have to look at the prices of things. We can go on fabulous holidays, travel business class etc. We have privately educated kids and they will graduate without debt. We can fix things in the house immediately without thinking. Change cars regularly. Will consider early retirement.

HOWEVER much of this has come at a cost. Death of parents and the sort of job that means you pay 3 pounds of flesh for the 6 figure bonuses. And none of it provides a defence against illness - mental or physical- or the usual relationship issues everyone experiences, or the travails of parenthood (even rich toddlers have tantrums in shops 😉).

@VanCleefArpels those pesky rich toddlers

Having really struggled when we were younger, and having only really been saved by inheritance in spite of both of us working hard, full time, I appreciate the peace.

It has not stopped me being a politically active socialist who knows the situation was and is wrong.

Used to be skint - over my overdraft limit 3 weeks before payday skint. Got so sick of it l took a second job and paid it back slowly and never went overdrawn again . Met DH who was very comfortable and has given me control of all our money but l will never forget what it was like to be broke so although l can buy pretty much what l like, l am very careful as you never know what is around the corner. Really nice to not have the worry of how to pay for the next food shop or anything like that. But l still stick to my monthly budget! Lovely position to be in.

What job did you do @onetwothreeadventure?!

I've just shifted my worries on to other things. Day to day I don't have to worry but I am not a property owner nor do I have a pension. I have been completely on my arse and that was all I could worry about. Now that my day to day living is more comfortable I worry about all sorts of shit. My mind is never at peace.