The point is not to exhaust the trust but to continue to pass it down to the next generation. That's the ethic instilled by the grantor(s).

Let’s stay on topic. Being a trust fund kid means getting access to $$ at a young age, generally 21 and under. If you inherit $$ in your 30s or 40s, you were clearly never a trust fund KiD 🤨

I know two trust fund women and both work as "luxury travel agents" -- basically booking trips for rich friends. They do it to get extra perks and upgrades when they travel themselves that they can then document on Instagram.

I am a classical musician and I love it. The family assets allow me to do it and have kids without living on a really tight budget.

I expect I'll receive a lot eventually. But my parents are 65 and healthy and I'm 37 and already very accomplished in my own right. All I'd use the money for is to start a business or make opportunistic investments in my field. I have no longer sea whether I'll get $ at 40 or 70 or what the exact amount will be (in the millions but who knows -- my parents are LBYM and very tight lipped) and don't think about it too much.

I'll pay things forward but primarily by funding education for kids and grandkids.

I’m also going to receive a substantial inheritance- not a trust fund but more like reinvested generational wealth, stocks and properties and a relatively modest family trust. Larger family of origin so naturally I’ll have a divided share.

I was a SAHM for years then returned to a newer field and have since received a promotion. I absolutely love my job. It’s in a helping profession and I’ll never get rich, but it brings me tremendous satisfaction and is a great fit for me. Right now, all of my paycheck is going for DC tuition and a pro renovation. I work very long hours but knowing that DC will graduate debt free is one motivation.

The only trust fund kid I know works because he needs to now. He blew the vast majority of it in his 20s and early 30s. It did seem like a fun life while it lasted, he used to travel and had lots girlfriends always.

He still owns his house outright, which is huge because he doesn’t earn much (I believe under 100k), he can’t spend like he used to. Honestly he doesn’t seem that upset about the lifestyle downgrade, guess the fun years we’re worth it to him.

I’m married to a trust funder. We both work, albeit relatively low-paying, low-stress jobs. My kids are going to inherit a lot of money one day—and they don’t have a clue—I don’t want them to be entitled layabouts, so we try to teach by example.

^^ One has worked, in an interesting field, but keeps getting laid off due to a not-great work ethic. Doesn't seem to realize he's complacent and not working as hard as others.

Anonymous wrote:I work because I get to do what I love -- which I couldn't do if I had to actually earn a living.

+1. Work gives me a sense of purpose. I'd get bored if I did nothing but vacation all day every day. That said, there is a huge difference between living to do fulfilling work and grinding just to live.

The trust funders I know don't work, are lazy and unmotivated, but that's admittedly a small sample.

I work because I get to do what I love -- which I couldn't do if I had to actually earn a living.

One is an IL

I know 4 trust funders; they me is an IL and the rest friends from hs.

All are ages 53-60 and each has excelled in fields beyond and independent of parents’ trust fund; two have begun, then bought and sold successful businesses, one is a physician, one slowly retired but monetized a hobby (similar to teaching riding lessons).

The work ethic is there and it seems all strive not to become a trust funder stereotype.

I have friends who are trust fund kids and they’re so focused and ambitious and are obsessed with making more money. Don’t they already have a security blanket? Why the hustle?