To think people with money would never understand

528 replies

Canfeelamozzieflyingaround · 24/08/2023 21:29

I live in an affluent area, we have a nice, but average house, I’m from a middle class background (I think!) but one parent from a working class background, all very down to earth.
I have a good job, degree educated, but it’s not a well paying job. In the holidays I supplement by doing some childcare/babysitting. I often babysit for wealthy people. Just being in their homes and everything about the way they are and the things they have is so different.
They would have no idea, for example that we live basically month to month and these little nights working for them pay some small bills or afford a small treat for my dc…to them it would be nothing.
Even the things they fill their fridges with and the sun creams and toiletries used (not snooping! Some on tbe coffee table, on the toilet etc)
I don’t know..I always feel less of an adult when I leave and wonder why my life didn’t go like this and theirs did

OP posts:

Seagullchippy · 01/09/2023 00:26

GRex · 28/08/2023 07:34

OP has a wage and covers bills with a top-up job; the issue arose because she couldn't wait a weekend for money to clear. This wasn't someone refusing to pay, nor even paying late, the Portuguese banking system added the delay. The majority of the thread people have spent talking about earnings, which aren't relevant in this case. It is a problem OP can expect more and more these days when most don't carry cash and prefer to use cards.

The issue OP had is cashflow rather than earnings. This shows she doesn't have credit cards, has no overdraft facility, has nobody to borrow from, doesn't keep food stocks in the house, ran out of money before trying to get a top-up job instead of planning ahead to do it a week or two earlier, and doesn't keep any savings buffer. Any of those options would have helped. It is usually easier for wealthy people to build a small buffer, but it is possible and very important for everyone to do that. Back in my youth, I had times with nothing in the bank, and quickly realised that I needed those buffers. We still always keep stuff in the cupboard and freezer, have credit cards available, keep a small stash of emergency cash; all just in case. I'm self employed, so when my invoice payments were delayed for 5 months one year and we'd only just covered maternity leave, we really needed it; we knew the money would come eventually, but timing was a massive issue, so I absolutely understand the situation.

Short term OP, find your voice "I'm really sorry, but I needed the money in cash today.". Medium term think about credit card to tide over a late payment gap. Long term do one or two extra top-up jobs just to create a food/ emergency cash buffer and rebuild if it's spent when money is late, don't spend it on one emergency and leave it, make sure the next pay sets up a buffer again. If you aren't happy with your earnings and lifestyle then that's a different point to address, but don't be distracted dreaming of wealth when you can get your cash flow secure now.

Don't you have to have money to be allowed credit cards or overdrafts? I remember having to demand to see the manager of the bank and have a go about their policies before he agreed to give me a debit card even, when I was signing on after graduation. And who lends money to someone they know can't really afford to pay it back?

Many people really don't have these extra money sources they can turn to as back up. That's why there are now so many food banks everywhere.

Cosyblankets · 01/09/2023 07:31

Duchesscheshire · 31/08/2023 20:22

You don't know what is behind their wealth. I would probably be seen as one of those people..large detached house we have just renovated. Lots of cocktail cabinets filled with booze ( we like to entertain). Currently.sat on balcony of cruise ship in Mediterranean. Our shopping Is over £800 a month. 2 hungry sons living at home. I was homeless at 16 and again in my early 30s. I have worked very hard to be who and where I now am. I remember very much having to add up when shopping only using cash so I didn't overspend. My sons clothes were bought from charity shops for a few years. I refuse to worry about money now and spend what I like. I have been in poverty and am now enjoying not worrying about money. Not everyone has always had money. Some of us have had it hard..

What work did you do?

Duchesscheshire · 01/09/2023 11:39

I still work within the legal sector.

Flip

1 2 ··· 17 18 19 20 21 22