To think that if you’re in a position of choice, you should always choose affluence?

[TheTaupeMoose]

If you can choose comfort, ease, security and options, why wouldn’t you? Struggle isn’t noble. Rich is just better. AIBU to say that given the choice, choosing affluence every time just makes sense?

It can’t

Well if it was as simple as being financially rich or financially poor I would be financially rich

money buys you opportunities and comfort

Comfort definitely looks different for everyone. I just notice that some people feel guilty or conflicted about wanting ease or wealth, as if struggle is somehow more virtuous. That’s what I was getting at.

Not everyone does but some people genuinely do have options and still equate comfort with complacency. That’s the part I was referring to.

In which case I’d agree that some people feel that way. I don’t think it’s as simple as them just not “choosing” comfort though. It’s more emotional than that

If only it worked like that! Manifestation would be a full-time job.

you are being incredibly vague and not offering any context.

on the face of it, of course people would ideally choose affluence rather than poverty. But there’s a whole world of different reasons why people make choices that appear illogical.

have you asked the people you are referring to why they didn’t choose affluence? What reason did they give?

I agree that mental health and balance can absolutely outweigh income. I was more thinking of cases where people do have options and almost feel guilty for choosing stability or wealth, as if comfort makes them shallow. It’s more about the mindset than the money itself.

I don't agree. Lots of people choose to dedicate their lives to public service when they could potentially pursue more lucrative careers. I don't think they are wrong to do so. Nor do I think that people are wrong for making different choices.

It all comes down to what you value most. For some, that is money, or the ease/freedom/comfort that money brings. For others, it might be the psychological rewards that come from making a positive difference to others, or the life satisfaction that comes from doing work that they love. Or something else altogether.

As long as you aren't doing anything illegal or unethical, or expecting others to subsidise your choices, I don't think either option is inherently right or wrong. There are multiple ways to live.

I think we all have a responsibility to be self sufficient for as long as we are capable of it.

I gave an example. My dad (and mum) chose to work extremely hard, rather than become affluent through doing a job that was contrary to their ethics.

Admittedly, we weren’t living in poverty, but money was very tight and sacrifices had to be made.

For example, someone might turn down a secure, well-paying job because they think struggle proves passion or “authenticity”, even when the role would still let them do meaningful work. Or someone might reject financial help or partnership support out of pride. That’s the kind of thing I meant - when comfort is possible but people avoid it to seem more virtuous or “real.”

Example
though?

I don't believe they genuinely romanticise it, they just have a painful case of imposter syndrome, or they are scared (of work, responsibility) and they pretend to be morally superior, instead of admitting - even to themselves - that they are cowards. Or lazy.

Unless the huge income would come directly from obvious child slavery and torture, but realistically, that won't be that.

Your attitude is very simplistic. And could be seen as judgmental.

Rejecting financial help or support is a totally different scenario, it's (generally) about freedom and independence. Not the same thing at all. Financial help rarely comes without strings

I can't imagine anyone wants to struggle. All normal people would prefer comfort

This. There are always strings.

I walked away from a stupidly high paying financial sector job to go to university in
My 30s, and then worked in the public/charity sectors for a lot less money, and a lot more balanced life and job satisfaction.

My husband left an obscenely well-paid role in private healthcare in the US to work in the NHS for (in comparison) peanuts, because he believes in universal healthcare

I guess we’re both daft.

I'll eat my hat

The only people i can think of that might be in that catergory are nuns and monks. Or the Buddha?

I honestly don't think there are many concrete real life examples of what you are describing. Usually more money comes with more strings, risk, responsibility, exploitation of others, genuine causes for someone's peace to be disturbed

My mother always said, it's better to be poor and happy than rich and miserable, but if you are going to be miserable, better rich and miserable than poor and miserable!

Apart from the Buddha✌

Like all these type of questions there’s no yes or no answer - it depends on the circumstances