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The casual things that wealthy people take for granted

991 replies

KaleQueen · 04/10/2024 21:31

Inspired by a thread that’s gone totally off topic….where someone suggested a £400 watch was cheap.

What’s the most casual (even accidental) brag you’ve ever heard a wealthy person say?

I can start as I know someone who celebrated a big birthday recently and is an absolutely lovely person but during their party (in the wonderful house) they said “oh! Here comes the string quartet. I had completely forgotten about them!”

^www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5174898-to-feel-slightly-suspicious-of-dp?page=35&reply=138771616^

OP posts:
Whatfreshhellisthis2 · 08/10/2024 09:25

CrowleyKitten · 05/10/2024 18:48

one of my best handbags is a Fly of London Satchel I got for £2 at a carboot YEARS ago. I've also got quite a few from Zatchels, including one I won in a facebook competition, but all the ones I've bought from them were under £100, and they definitely all count as "decent"
so no, a handbag doesn't have to be over £400 to be "decent"

This post has now descended into semantics and it’s ridiculous.

once again, it all depends of your interpretation of ‘decent’

I can buy a perfectly functional bag from Tesco for 20p

the bag I am using today is pleather and about £20 and I love it.

the point is I wouldn’t consider you wealthy because you have a choice of bags that cost less than a £100.

id consider you wealthy if you had a collection of £2k bags and didn’t have to budget or scrimp and save to buy them.

of course, there’s plenty of wealthy people who wouldn’t spend more than £50 on a bag, but it’s the ability to buy what you want, without too much hassle.

but it’s well known that the luxury bags market has rocketed in price in recent years.

but to answer OPs questions - its choice. Being wealthy means you can buy whatever you want without any worry.

CurlewKate · 08/10/2024 09:27

It is possible to have money without being wasteful, greedy, vulgar or a dick. The people who would buy all the puddings and have a spoonful of each have failed that very low bar.....

hevs03 · 08/10/2024 09:44

Through my job I know of a business owner who moaned about the cost of curtains in his new living room having moved into his £3.75 million property recently, the curtains were priced at £19,000.00 yep £19k for one room, he moaned but they were brought, He isn't posh and has worked hard but I couldn't believe the normality of such costs to him and his wife.

30percent · 08/10/2024 10:07

Haven't read the thread so sorry if this has already been mentioned but having the bank of mum and dad pay for your driving lessons.

Then showing off that you must just be better/smarter than people of a similar age who didn't have the bank of mum and dad pay for their driving lessons so took longer to learn.

Udonoodles4Tea · 08/10/2024 11:31

I have a friend who forgot about a family holiday that she had booked in a gorgeous Welsh cottage and booked a villa in Sardinia for the same week. She just didn't go to Wales, didn't try to cancel or amend the booking and didn't think to offer it to anyone else.
Another friend (in her 70's) casually mentioned that she owns a flat in Chelsea that she keeps for when she attends the flower show. Her daughter lives and works in London, so they have recently bought another flat for her. The last 5 years my friend has attended the flower show but stayed in a hotel because she fancied using the facilities. Since discovering this London flat I have also realised that she has "second" homes all over the UK and in Italy, including two farm houses in Devon that are only 10 miles apart. It appears that she / her husband / their families have never sold a property.
Like many, I am a single mother, struggling to make ends meet. I manage a long weekend in a static caravan with DS once a year, all my clothes are supermarket brands and I absolutely dread the car breaking down, a dental emergency or having to take time off sick (SSP).....a week in Wales or a couple of nights in London would be incredible!

30percent · 08/10/2024 11:59

Ok I got a few more I'll try and put in one comment as this thread is about to run out.

Having a whole room in the house dedicated to watching TV (I'm not talking about the living room I mean a whole separate room) plus a room dedicated just to the table and chairs which is only entered once a day at dinner time

Buying just the sandwich in a meal deal when the sandwich is 2.99 and a Meal would be £3.

Getting a taxi to somewhere literally five minutes away just because (I'm talking healthy people who could easily of walked)

En suite bathroom in the child's bedroom and the expectation that every child should have their own bedroom and own en suite.

Buying expensive bottles of champagne/wine/whisky just for the sake of it

I remember having a rich friend when I was a child she had no siblings but in her bedroom she had three beds one bunk bed and a regular bed and the bottom bunk was exclusively for the full collection of these little dog toys she had which took up the whole bottom bunk

KaleQueen · 08/10/2024 12:16

Whatfreshhellisthis2 · 08/10/2024 09:25

This post has now descended into semantics and it’s ridiculous.

once again, it all depends of your interpretation of ‘decent’

I can buy a perfectly functional bag from Tesco for 20p

the bag I am using today is pleather and about £20 and I love it.

the point is I wouldn’t consider you wealthy because you have a choice of bags that cost less than a £100.

id consider you wealthy if you had a collection of £2k bags and didn’t have to budget or scrimp and save to buy them.

of course, there’s plenty of wealthy people who wouldn’t spend more than £50 on a bag, but it’s the ability to buy what you want, without too much hassle.

but it’s well known that the luxury bags market has rocketed in price in recent years.

but to answer OPs questions - its choice. Being wealthy means you can buy whatever you want without any worry.

Thanks. I don’t know about others but I’ve found this thread fascinating. Like the original ‘watchgate’ discussion, it is, like you say all about your perspective and what you take for granted.

It’s fascinating some people think watches are investments, some buy them to tell the time. One man’s treasured £400 timepiece is another man’s ’disposable tat’.

Someone even thought a £50 handbag being considered ‘expensive’ was hilarious (I’ve never bought a £50 handbag and if i did it would be posh to me)

Some don’t bat an eyelid discussing buying an island or slamming into someone else’s car just because they ‘annoyed them’.

The ones who ignore parking restrictions (which are there for a reason) because they can afford all of the fines.

The people who are happy to buy all the puddings then have a bite of each ‘because they can’ and not bother using their Chelsea flat because they can also afford the hotel nearby.

And some of us think that’s jaw dropping, Some think it’s morally wrong. And others think it’s perfectly reasonable. That’s their choice. Their money, their choice. ‘Hard earned’ money. If you want a piece of this? Just work harder. Don’t be so jealous!! Don’t be so bitter. Don’t be so ‘poisonous’.

Im left wondering where the real ‘poison’ lies here? Is it in the people who dare suggest this isn’t ideal in a country (talking UK here) where people have to choose between heating and eating and we’ve got kids starving in the school holidays because there’s nothing in the cupboard and nothing in the fridge and nothing in the purse to fix that either.

Or is the poison in the other part of society, that turns a blind eye on that bit and just continues to waste money on opera tickets they don’t use and empty Chelsea flats and £19k curtains and takes it all for granted.

Such an interesting snapshot into people’s minds.

OP posts:
KaleQueen · 08/10/2024 12:22

30percent · 08/10/2024 11:59

Ok I got a few more I'll try and put in one comment as this thread is about to run out.

Having a whole room in the house dedicated to watching TV (I'm not talking about the living room I mean a whole separate room) plus a room dedicated just to the table and chairs which is only entered once a day at dinner time

Buying just the sandwich in a meal deal when the sandwich is 2.99 and a Meal would be £3.

Getting a taxi to somewhere literally five minutes away just because (I'm talking healthy people who could easily of walked)

En suite bathroom in the child's bedroom and the expectation that every child should have their own bedroom and own en suite.

Buying expensive bottles of champagne/wine/whisky just for the sake of it

I remember having a rich friend when I was a child she had no siblings but in her bedroom she had three beds one bunk bed and a regular bed and the bottom bunk was exclusively for the full collection of these little dog toys she had which took up the whole bottom bunk

Some great examples there.

But are these people happy? (That’s another thread!) ❤️

OP posts:
Udonoodles4Tea · 08/10/2024 12:37

@KaleQueen That's just is though, isn't it? As a child I used to think that if I worked hard I would be rewarded with enough money for the life that I grew up with (a fairly typically suburban lower-middle class life, spare bedroom in the house, a couple of low-key holidays each year) and if I worked even harder I might would have more luxuries. The truth is that I work harder than either of my parents ever did (they readily admit this) and am just about getting by (this is not because I am single, ex works hard too and out combined income didn't get us much further).

KaleQueen · 08/10/2024 12:39

EBearhug · 08/10/2024 08:09

I went to a pub once that had a sampling dessert menu - you got 6 small portions, one each of apple crumble, Eton mess, sticky toffee pudding... can't remember them all, but they were traditional British puddings.

That sounds lovely and I reckon that’s okay (IMO) as that’s technically just like one pudding isn’t it?

Or am I outing myself as ignorantly entitled here? 😂

OP posts:
10milliondollars · 08/10/2024 12:47

I think I have been most surprised how personally people take flippant comments - I can't decide on the curtains - was the person moaning or stealth boasting - if he was genuinely moaning they were not a flippant purchase - extravagant nonetheless.

KaleQueen · 08/10/2024 12:48

I know. Again I think that’s another thread! I worry for my kids (another thread!)

Ah this is getting too depressing - I’m off to look at the £2.6 million rainbow watch again to cheer me up (described as ‘contemporary casual’) 😂

www.patek.com/en/collection/grand-complications/5260-1455R-001

OP posts:
KaleQueen · 08/10/2024 12:54

10milliondollars · 08/10/2024 12:47

I think I have been most surprised how personally people take flippant comments - I can't decide on the curtains - was the person moaning or stealth boasting - if he was genuinely moaning they were not a flippant purchase - extravagant nonetheless.

It’s an absolute pain in the arse when your curtains cost £19k and there’s bugger all
you can do to prevent that. It’s the way the cookie crumbles. Some of us can pick up curtains that cost less than five figures. Others are stuck paying nearly £20k. With no choice at all but to pay that money. Just have to pay it. Im not surprised he was moaning. Id be moaning if my curtains had to cost £19,000 and there was no way around that that I could possibly think of 🤔

OP posts:
EBearhug · 08/10/2024 12:58

KaleQueen · 08/10/2024 12:39

That sounds lovely and I reckon that’s okay (IMO) as that’s technically just like one pudding isn’t it?

Or am I outing myself as ignorantly entitled here? 😂

Well, eating out is more than some could ever afford.

But yes, it was basically one pud, though probably more like 1.5 puds. And sensibly recognises that some of us are crap at making decisions.

greenday16B · 08/10/2024 13:46

didn't think to offer it to anyone else

I think this is the key. " It's mine, I don't care" Horrible attitude. Post Thatcher.

I couldn't push an overpriced meal over my throat these days.

Udonoodles4Tea · 08/10/2024 16:33

greenday16B · 08/10/2024 13:46

didn't think to offer it to anyone else

I think this is the key. " It's mine, I don't care" Horrible attitude. Post Thatcher.

I couldn't push an overpriced meal over my throat these days.

This is exactly it - my friend is absolutely lovely but when she realised she double booked her holiday she could have passed the trip to Wales on to someone else instead of shrugging her shoulders. She is quite far out of touch with a lot of people so the thought wouldn't have occurred to her, because if someone else wanted to stay in a Welsh cottage for half term they would have just booked it for themselves, right?

QuestionableMouse · 08/10/2024 16:41

Yeah, the lady I worked for used to bin a full fridge full of food on a regular basis. It could have fed a family for a good few days but she preferred to let it go out of date then chuck it. She'd also go mad if I put anything in the freezer to preserve it because it "ruined the taste" and "took too long to cook" even though she mostly lived off delivery food.

It used to gut me seeing food I couldn't afford just being thrown away. Not going to lie, there was a couple of times I said stuff was out of date and "binned" it but actually brought it home so it wasn't wasted (stuff like beautiful ham and cheese, the odd ready meal). It got to the point I'd dread a Friday because that was grocery day and I'd literally fill up a green bin with stuff from Ocado/M&S. Probably not the most ethical thing but sometimes I just couldn't bear the waste.

QuestionableMouse · 08/10/2024 16:42

Also she'd never think to offer it to anyone because "food isn't that expensive..." 🙃🙃🙃

Sharontheodopolodous · 08/10/2024 16:42

Cheesecakecookie · 06/10/2024 10:40

For me I no longer felt “poor” when I realised I could go to the supermarket and buy food based on that I wanted to eat rather than what I could afford to buy.

I remember walking into tesco and buying a tesco finest ready meal
That's when I knew I was 'rich'
For years,I'd looked longingly but could never afford one
I often buy their finest range now and enjoy every mouthful-i never take it for granted

Goldenbear · 08/10/2024 16:48

Being able to buy tickets for shows and events just in case you fancy it and then giving them away for free as you don't.

DH's extended family are pretty well off and I was asked by one of the men that I don't really know, just see at the annual family gatherings, whether I had sort the Nanny yet for my return to work.

Owning expensive Artwork and having a choice of engagement rings from a family supply.

Howdiditgetsobad · 08/10/2024 19:58

I had a friend whose parents had a season ticket (two seats) for a premier league team and they didn’t even live in the country at the time. Just went when they fancied it or could be bothered to pass it on to others. It blew my mind at the time.

ThisOldThang · 08/10/2024 20:36

I think that season ticket holders get first refusal for Champions' League, FA Cup, etc, so that might be why they bought them?

KaleQueen · 08/10/2024 22:12

There’s a waiting list for season tickets at our premier league local club. Local, life-long fans can’t even get them. Local life long fans would possibly sacrifice lots of not much disposable income to be able to afford one if they could even get up the list. It would be a dream for them. So buying two because you can, then keeping them season after season so you’re top of the list for the championship games…but not bothering turning up otherwise is a top notch example 🤩🤩

OP posts:
justasking111 · 08/10/2024 22:21

The boxes at rugby, football etc. That are corporate and remain empty at matches. Working in the charity sector it annoys me that they couldn't be auctioned off for charity

CrowleyKitten · 08/10/2024 23:11

QuestionableMouse · 08/10/2024 16:41

Yeah, the lady I worked for used to bin a full fridge full of food on a regular basis. It could have fed a family for a good few days but she preferred to let it go out of date then chuck it. She'd also go mad if I put anything in the freezer to preserve it because it "ruined the taste" and "took too long to cook" even though she mostly lived off delivery food.

It used to gut me seeing food I couldn't afford just being thrown away. Not going to lie, there was a couple of times I said stuff was out of date and "binned" it but actually brought it home so it wasn't wasted (stuff like beautiful ham and cheese, the odd ready meal). It got to the point I'd dread a Friday because that was grocery day and I'd literally fill up a green bin with stuff from Ocado/M&S. Probably not the most ethical thing but sometimes I just couldn't bear the waste.

it's more unethical to bin it than to sneak it home so it doesn't just rot.