To think that people with money really have no idea what life is like for the average person

[Increasinglydisillusionedwithlife]

Especially in the current climate. Those that are wealthy don't tend to be aware or understand?

I am degree education in a good job, which unfortunately doesn't really pay well, but it's a worthwhile occupation. Dh has worked his way up in a manual trade to a managerial role, we both work hard, but are still feeling the pinch and money is carefully accounted for the majority of the time. I am self employed and a few of my clients are very wealthy compared to the average, I don't know if they recognise this, but they are. One client sometimes doesn't pay properly and i'm left short, it's happened this week and now I stress as I have my child's clubs, kids events at the weekend etc to pay for. I'd allocated the money for these things. I feel too embarrassed to ask for the money (even though I shouldn't!) as I don't think it would even cross their mind that families live in this way and that waiting a week can sometimes mean I can't afford what I had planned, not always but sometimes

Is it just me? I feel that no matter how wealthy I became I hope that I would still recognise that we're not all the same and that we rely on our wages!

*Degree educated

Apologies for typos, missing comma's and so on

You could seek out a higher paying job!

I agree some people are out of touch but a lot of people even with money are respectful and aware of others and different financial situations. If you are overdue money unfortunately you just need to be polite but pushy- they don’t have a leg to stand on to not give it to you!

It’s all relative isn’t it. I thought you were going to say you couldn’t afford to buy food / pay your mortgage or rent etc. Not struggling to pay for kids activities etc. But yes I think there’s a huge gulf between those who don’t have to worry about money and those who have no choice but to worry about it non stop.

I always remember one of our worst times was when we were so broke we couldn’t afford to fix a damp / condensation issue that caused water to leak from our upstairs lights so we had no choice but to just turn off the electrics to upstairs (insurance wouldn’t cover it). We didn’t have any working ceiling lights upstairs for 2 years. When I told my (wealthy) friend this she just couldn’t believe it. We were managing on universal credit at the time due to my dh losing his job and I couldn’t work due to a life threatening disability. Things have thankfully improved since then but it was a very dark time. Even things like counting down the pennies to see if we could afford milk / bread / etc.

I think one of the reasons that the wealthy are wealthy is because they put steps in place to ensure that they get paid in a timely manner and that they have a small cushion available in case this doesn't happen. So thats something you need to prioritise really.

Are your payment terms clearly stated? There needs to be no room for misunderstanding and if those terms aren't adhered to then you need to chase payment. Don't worry about them liking you - they are your clients not your friends.

What an outstanding contribution to the thread!

YANBU but like most things, no one really understands the impact or reality of any given situation unless they have experienced it. People live with all sorts of difficult things that are easily misunderstood.

Why do people say things like this? It's not helpful or practical. Op is just asking to be paid on time, hardly outrageously grasping, is it....🙄

I am with you on this OP; I was recently offered a freelance job where you could only work set hours and then not be paid for over a month, meaning I'd get something like 2 weeks pay between October and end of December (although next year would have been ok); I was too embarrassed to tell the client I couldn't cover that loss so I took a lower paid, but regularly paid, salaried job.

(Although I realise that's not the main thrust of the thread of course, that's just an example you were using to illustrate your point)

Slow clap.

🥇

Plenty of people that are wealthy (might help to have a clearer definition) know exactly what it’s like not to have money, and have put themselves in a position where it likely won’t happen again

Yes it will include food too, weekly expected budget, now clubs, promised event can't happen as food and petrol will need to take priority

It’s just typical of the attitude of those who have more than others. Always thinking people’s lower than their own incomes are due to them not working hard enough. People don’t want to ever accept sometimes circumstances mean things aren’t always that simple. A large proportion of wealthy people are wealthy due to luck and privilege.

Yes, it's exactly like this, you shouldn't feel embarrassed though

This is a self-employed problem, not a wealthy/average/poor problem. I am self-employed too and some people drag their heels over payment. They "forget" or are too busy, or "assume you offer 30 days terms as a business does". 9 times out of 10 they are not doing it to avoid payment, it's just not important to them, it's one of a few dozen payments they are making that week.

However, as a self-employed person you have to make your terms clear. Payment on receipt of goods, in advance, every Monday - whatever works for you and is applicable to your business. Or take 50% deposit on commission and the rest on delivery. You are also within your rights to write into any contract that you reserve the right to charge interest on late payments.

Chasing for payment is sometimes uncomfortable and awkward but is part and parcel of being self-employed.

Because it really is that easy....

Like the op I have a master's degree and have always worked and pushed ahead, I've probably now reached close to my earning ceiling in my field - it's just not a high earning sector. What do you suggest I do? Retraining would cost money and time I don't have, and at nearly 40 with a family I'd be competing against young people with no commitments. There isn't just all these high paying jobs to go around, some people need to do the middle and lower earning jobs.

Perhaps they could remember it and have empathy for others and treat them correctly, you'd think in that situation they would be even more conscious of it

I think it depends.

im
probably considered wealthy now.

but I come from working class background

rhete have been times in my life where I lived month to Monty with nothing left after just the basics. I haven’t t forgotten what that was like even though I’m fortunate not in that position right now.

100%! I also don't see a lot of them working as hard at all

Why should she? We need people to do the jobs that are not well paid. Most jobs that benefit society are lower paid.
Are you suggesting that only people who can't get a better paid job should take them?

Exactly x

Can I ask how much you both earn? Are you average earners? Do you have unusually high outgoings?

I have been poor and I have been well off. Believe me I know and I remember what it’s like to go without and to struggle to get by. Never assume. They might have been poor too. You need to make sure you are paid properly and in a timely manner. Be firm. And maybe put your prices up. But envy gets you nowhere.