My lender told me that most cars on the road are not paid for...this was eye opening for me.

I used to think gratitude journals were a silly fad, but really -- you do tend to think most about what you focus on. Once I got in a habit of focusing on what I was grateful for, I started focusing less on what others had.

Anonymous wrote:Understandable, BUT keep in mind that "everyone has a story," and nobody REALLy knows what is going on in another person's life behind closed doors, or in another person's life.

This. And there is probably reason why she is boasting. That means she is probably insecure.

I understand how you feel and you probably look at her thinking she has it all. Let me tell you, no one has it all. I too have a friend who is loaded lives in a 10 million dollar home, and seems to have it all in every sense but her husband is having a well known about affair. It is hurtful to her and despite all her wealth and fancy living she doesn't have the one thing she probably wants more than anything...so trust me everyone has their issues.....

I am only jealous of people like the guys who were roommates and dorm mates with Mark Zuckenberg and got to ride his success into a fortune.

People's lives turn on a dime. Right now I am unemployed and single so I am feeling pretty bad, and jealous of my employed, married friends. But. I'm starting to see marriages break up, people cheat, etc. it is entirely possible than in twenty years I will be very happily married to someone who lives a long time and my friends of whom I am jealous now will be unhappy, divorced, cancer, etc. not that I am wishing that at all but u just never know what life is going to bring.

I'm very jealous of rich people. Can't help it. Some biological thing. If I concentrate very hard, I can suppress it for a while, but the moment I stop concentrating, it pops back up.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:sounds like your friend might be less happy than you think. her idea of a vacay is to cross the atlantic ocean and leave her kids behind? sounds biazrre to me (unless her kids are teens I suppose).

YES THIS!!!

Who would want to go with little kids to Europe?? Sounds pretty awesome to me. I would though probably enjoy it much more with teens.

I've abandoned any sort of good travel with kids, too much stress and work.

Oh and BTW, I had a nanny. She was awesome, but boy was I glad when my kids were older and no longer in need of a nanny. What a hassle having to manage yet ANOTHER person. Don't be envious of someone who has a nanny, it is not glamorous or great.

Honestly, no. I'm not in the slightest envious. However, I do have a wonderful relationship with my DH, as few great friends, a tight relationship with my mom (who trips over herself whenever I ask her to watch my kids when I want to get away), and enough income to pay our bills, save a little, and buy good food.

The fact that I have my mom who eagerly watches my children at least once a month for an overnight and the fact that DH and I can take a week long vacation without kids to reconnect is worth MILLIONS. That fact alone keeps my relationship solid.

Meh. Most of my friends have much more than I do. BUT here is the trick: I enjoy what *I* have. For me, I am doing much better than my parents. Certainly no worse!

Ask yourself: why isn't what you have good enough, OP. It does not make sense to be a grown women, trying to raise your own family, trying to be happy doing it, to look at others and trying to count their fortunes.

Doesn't it make you tired at best? Depressed at least?

Looking at others is a sure way to NOT be happy. Doesn't it detract from your own life and what you do have? It sounds rather time consuming to me.

There will ALWAYS, ALWAYS be someone with more than you. You have no control over that.

The only control you have is to decide to be happy. It really is that easy.

Anonymous wrote:Really wealthy people bug me.

At least you're honest.

Really wealthy people bug me.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Carolyn Hax or someone wrote about a woman who was jealous of her sister who married a rich man and whose life did not seem to be the same struggle as hers. Then she found out her sister had MS.

I really believe that there are some who just have a charmed life that is not marred by any sort of misfortune. They are really rich and really happy. It makes some feel better to believe that there must be something wrong somewhere. Illness and misfortune do not favor the rich disproportionately like the biblical thorn in their side.

Many people at rich, healthy and happy. Deal with it.

+1. Why would it make any of you happier to think that people must suffer more or equally because they are rich or whatever. One of my friends just leapfrogged into a completely kick ass position. It will probably take me 10 years to get to a point that I might qualify for such a position. Am I jealous? No, I'm thrilled! Took her out (and paid) for a congratulatory dinner last week.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Carolyn Hax or someone wrote about a woman who was jealous of her sister who married a rich man and whose life did not seem to be the same struggle as hers. Then she found out her sister had MS.

I really believe that there are some who just have a charmed life that is not marred by any sort of misfortune. They are really rich and really happy. It makes some feel better to believe that there must be something wrong somewhere. Illness and misfortune do not favor the rich disproportionately like the biblical thorn in their side.

Many people at rich, healthy and happy. Deal with it.

I agree with this 200%. I am not rich or wealthy. Very middle class, tiny row house, no cleaning lady, no nanny, credit card debt and I worry about money. That said, I've noticed that it makes people feel better to say (or believe) that wealthy/rich people have all sorts of issues that money can't change. I don't buy it. I know some really wealthy people who are super nice, super happy and very content with their life. Am I a little envious every now and then... not of what they have but of the drive, ambition, and fiscal intelligence that some self-made people possess. I wish I had an inkling of that. Such is life...