To ask what’s one stereotype about money you wish people would change?

[SoftPowerSaver]

For me, it’s the idea that money automatically corrupts people - that if you have it, you’ll become selfish, mean or disconnected from others. I think that belief stops people from wanting to grow financially or even talk about money openly. Yes, money can bring out the worst in some but it can also give people freedom, stability and the ability to help others.

AIBU to wish we could separate wealth from moral judgement a bit more?

You don’t think the backdrop of an OP starting a thread such as this may be a touch relevant to their standpoint?

Possibly, everyone’s experiences shape how they see things. But I think it’s still an interesting wider question about how society frames money and ambition, regardless of anyone’s personal situation. That’s what I was hoping to unpack here.

There is no one society view on this
you and I for example… same society, totally different outlook

I don’t recognise this, perhaps only that some wealthy people, especially old money do hold a hideous superiority complex and think they’re cleverer than poorer people.

That you'd be better off jacking in your job and going on benefits. I have a recent degree in Economics and an interest in all things financial - this one always irks me.

This.

"I worked hard for my money"

As if people on NMW just piss about having a laugh with their feet up all day.

I wish people wouldn’t say people are rich when they mean financially rich - there are many more important riches!

Some people are money driven above all else and they will be more likely to acquire lots of money and more likely to be a bit unpleasant- lacking in generosity, self interested - because that’s part of the skill set that is needed to generate money - I guess that might eh where the stereotype comes from

other people have lots of money because their parents were wealthy. They often have an arrogant “I worked for it “ attitude that is at odds with the facts

as soon as anyone has an “I am better than you because I have more money” attitude that also grates because it assumes that money is a reflection of character. Given we don’t live in a society where hard work pays , we don’t live in a meritocracy, those attitudes don’t endear me to people

it’s not that having money is bad, that money automatically corrupts, but it is a background that can corrupt

in much the same way as it’s not automatic that a sahm will be abused , but the financial unbalance makes it much more likely. That’s another form of money corrupting- making the man think that because he earns it , it’s all his and she is wasteful - it’s another common pattern on a smaller scale than rich vs poor.

so patterns repeat and that leads to stereotypes - it holds true so often

That low-paying jobs are more worthy than high-paying jobs.
Some are: most aren't.

Also that the 'real work' is done by those at the low-paid/hands-on part of the business.
Err, no. Really not. You just don't understand what the higher-level jobs involve.

That people on lower wages are somehow lacking.

I choose to work a lower wage job because of the opportunities it gives me. My job makes me happy, I make a difference to my community and I have time for caring responsibilities. It's a choice not a limitation.

The belief that those of us who are of an age that we had university grants not loans, final salary pensions, paid a full working-lifes-worth of national insurance and were able to invest wisely are less deserving of financial help in our old age if it's needed. Means tested maybe, but the blanket dismissal of my generation of contributors to the economy really pisses me off.

I'd change this idea that poor people are poor because they are 'bad with money'. If you look at accounts written by people who have been both genuinely poor and comfortably off, they will always explain how hard it is to be 'good with money' when you don't have any!

I find this a terrible cliche I’m afraid. I earn a lot, but that’s because my parents didn’t, and I disliked my stressful childhood where we didn’t know how dinner would be funded. So I worked hard at school, and uni, and post uni qualifications. I certainly concentrated on getting a high salary job, but I wasn’t nasty to anyone in the process, and I don’t work with anyone nasty. It’s a weird idea you seem to have.

That money can't buy you happiness.

That it's a bad thing to want to be very wealthy.

That if you wish to retain the money you worked for yourself you are ‘selfish’
But if you vote for the government to put their hand in someone else’s pocket to take that money and give it to you, you are ‘virtuous‘

Begs the question why they are on nmw?

It's all to do with how the market and economy values the worker's output.

Supply and demand.

Cardiothoracic surgeon Vs someone flipping burgers at McDonald's.

Everyone uses the doctor example because it's emotive with "oh look he's worked so hard and he's saving lives"

But even in the corporate world (usually but not always) a person is highly paid due to the value they bring to the business, the skills they have and the output they deliver.

If an employer is willing to pay that much, that's why.

If you're on NMW it doesn't mean you're any less of a person, it's just market forces.

There are also lots of twats that have no money. I don’t think money = twats.

That money doesnt buy happiness.

I do understand that money doesnt mean you are protected from very significant distressing things so its true in that sense. So i suppose its a half truth.

But I cant think of anything horrific that is made better by having no money.

So maybe I dont believe that money make things worse and I do hear people saying this.

That wealthy people “have it easy”. My boss has worked herself to the bone every day I’ve known her (15 years). The stress levels on her shoulders is huge. The amount of balls she juggles to manage the income streams. The responsibility that comes with that six figure income is huge. She burns the candle at both ends and has earned it all.

I totally agree with you OP. In fact, examining your core beliefs about money is the key to getting more of it. It's why most of us, no matter how much we earn or spend end up on about the same level of money - its also why those who win loads of money end up frittering it away.

When I was growing up, all I heard from my parents was resentment towards people who were rich, they reinforced the idea that it was greedy to want to live comfortably, that rich people were spoilt and unkind and it tainted you. Every time they saw a flash car drive past they would tut and assume the person got it by dodgy means. Why?- it's perfectly possible to be rich and kind just as it's perfectly possible to be poor and unkind. Our attitudes to money shape how we live and can often be our barrier to wealth

it’s not that having money is bad, that money automatically corrupts, but it is a background that can corrupt

Crime statistics also show that crime rates are higher in poorer areas. Being in poverty is not noble and it certainly doesnt guarantee you wont be corrupted. Maslow's hierarchy of needs shows that.

Well I will say that if your goal in life is to be wealthy then no I don’t respect that

my goals are to be a basically nice person, help others , do no harm , find work and hobbies I can enjoy to make the most of the one life I have . Being rich as a goal to me is self centred and also well … pointless. So it’s not going to be one I respect. Money is a means to an end not the end itself and people who make it the end are seriously missing the point - in my opinion

when you are on your death bed , it’s the human interaction, the love of friends or family, the experiences you have or the money in your bank that you will think of ?

Growing my wealth is one of my life goals @midgetastic

For me, for my children, for our present quality of life for our future quality of life and security.

Guessing you “don’t respect” me

There is a huge gap between poverty and rich

the nature of crime changes with wealth

and crime stats are screwed by the assumption that poor people commit crime

there should be no rich until there is no poverty

What’s your financial situation?