This question is inspired by my marriage.
I have always been quite cautious with money and I worry about not having now and in the future. About ten years ago, I was single on a ok but not fantastic graduate salary and some small savings. I met my wife 7 years ago, and all of a sudden we became a dual income couple, and my wife had a modest sum of family money. In the last few years we’ve been able to increase our savings and buy our home, and we’ve become quite financially secure. We’re not rich but ten years ago, I could not imagine being this secure.
However, I notice I still worry about money a lot. Will we have enough for retirement, are we saving enough? My wife is a lot more relaxed on this.
My question, expressed in the title, is whether this difference to our family backgrounds, or whether I’m neurotic? I associate old age not exactly with poverty but with certainly saving the pennies (my gran going to the weekly bingo and paying 50p to get in, and that was the treat of the week). My wife on the other hand associates her grandparents as being quite wealthy (certainly home owners, eating out in restaurants and taking holidays). I’m also also aware that situations can change quite quickly.
Do you find that your attitude to money is affected by your background, even if, realistically, you needn’t worry too much (although circumstances can always change)?