What is it like to be rich?

[YoureInMySystemBaby]

I just genuinely wondered... What is it like not to have to think twice about running your heating in case your direct debit shoots up by £100 in the next quarter, or seeing something you like and buying it without a second thought?

I apologise in advance if anyone is offended or thinks it's a bad taste question etc.. I just genuinely wonder...

I'm always of the frame of mind 'skint but happy' - and I do genuinely believe that - but I still can't help wondering lol. Both myself and my partner are, realistically, never destined to be rich - that's just a fact of our chosen professions, there's a ceiling limit on the top wage we could ever hope to achieve..

But there are times where I dream... like now. I applied for my son to attend the local independent school, he passed the exam with flying colours and we attended an interview today HOWEVER, even if he gets offered a place, we could only send him if we are lucky enough to receive some assistance in the form of a bursary, and that's not guaranteed to be offered even though we have been assessed and meet the criteria... Just feel somewhat helpless!

It's times like this when I just can't help but feel a little envious of others where this would not be an issue and I could be content knowing that I was able to afford my child the gift of a quality education and a range of experiences and opportunities (and please do not think I am bashing state schools, because I'm not, I've been very fortunate in the primary schools my children attend and I did very well myself at state school - but it doesn't change the fact the opportunities at independent schools are incomparable!)

sigh I know it's the way of the world though..

I think you've hit the nail on the head there overmydeadbody. Some people will never be rich regardless of how much they earn because they can't resist spending it.

I do wonder if those people ever think about the financial freedom they could achieve if they just reined in their spending more.

From this thread I have learnt that the main threshold is having enough that you do not worry about buying food or heating your house or something breaking and giving horrible repair bill.

Beyond this it's all perception.

I often feel not-rich because it seems like the other parents in our baby group are all dentists/accountants but DH points out it's only 3 couples and the rest (4 couples) are the same as us just 5-10 years older.

To my sister we probably look rich (we just took out a big old mortgage to move to our 'forever' home). To my cousin we probably look like Elton John, he lives in a caravan he can't afford to heat.

I bet all those minor celebrities or less successful finance types don't feel rich yet because they have not yet bought their first island.

I think poor when you are young is ok as you have the future to look forward to but older and poor must be a bit a lot shite.

I don't consider us to be rich. We've had kids at private school (it turned out to be a bit of a con as far as we're concerned) and spent freely on cars and holidays. We have more money than we need, but I wouldn't consider us to be rich in a financial sense

Because of my nature, the money was never ever enough, and I was always doing more in order to earn more. I can tell you, that was a pretty miserable existence. We've been poor though (food parcels from parents poor) and that was far worse than being comfortable.

We've bought a wreck/moneypit of a house and DC no.3 is now on the way; so I've reconciled myself to the fact that, in terms of bank balance, I'LL NEVER BE RICH!

Well, back to feeling poor in the monetary sense today, or rather lack of choices and frustrated at closed doors.

The school application I alluded to in my OP has reached it's conclusion today - 'We'd love to offer your DS a place at our school, however, even though we've been through your finances with a fine tooth comb and know you don't have two pennies to rub together, we're only offering a full-fee paying place. N.B. we do not accept brass buttons and cabbage leaves as payment'.

It's basically a really nice way to say no, as if I;m just going to miraculously have £11k per year spare...

That said, no point in being bitter. The children that were lucky enough to receive bursaries are obviously just as much as in need as we are, and the children most likely out performed my son in the examination the day.. So... just wish I had a wealthy and generous relative... I put the Euromillions on, just in case. One can dream... (-_-)

Sorry to hear about your DS, OP. I hope he has a place at a state school that you are reasonably happy with?

We are rich because DH has a very highly paid job (although it is partly bonus dependent so can vary from year to year). I'm currently a SAHM and am planning to return to work when DC3 starts school.

To be honest, it's great! We're lucky not having to worry about bills, or if we have an unexpected expense. We live in a nice house in a nice area. Our 3 DC go to the local primary school, but we may well decide to go private for secondary school and, if we do, DH's salary is at a level which would make this easy for us. DH works long hours during the week and sometimes has to travel, but he hardly ever has to work at the weekend so we have plenty of family time then.

No one would guess how much DH earns. He works in the city and it's obvious he's well paid, but I reckon if our friends were asked, they would estimate a lot less than the actual amount. This is because both DH and I are natural savers and not flashy with our cash. We have a cleaner once a week but no other help around the house / garden, two fairly standard cars (one was bought new 10 years ago, the other was bought second hand 5 years ago), we go skiing every year but our summer holiday is a week in France, I buy my clothes from M&S and Next. We could spend more on all these items, but we spend at the level that makes us happy - and we are happy. Like a couple of previous posters, we really appreciate how lucky we are

I suppose we are what one woudl describe as scruffymoney. We have a large, rambling old farmhouse that is in dire need of a large cash injection, I drive an old Landrover and have a yard full of horses.

Our furniture is battered , old and well worn.

It's bliss but like everyone, we prioritise. And servicing a lifestyle like ours is horrifically expensive .

What an interesting thread

I think we're rich by some standards (income is about £175k) but we don't feel it particularly

I love not worrying about money though.