Anonymous wrote:If you think money buys you happiness you're insane. Perhaps you don't undestand the definition of happiness? You're listing things that aren't about happiness: a mother with a terminally ill kid who has money to pay the premiums and for treatments may have less STRESS added on than one who can't do that but her money isn't buying her happiness.

Anonymous wrote:I'm a decedent of Cornelius Vanderbilt. Many of my great uncles pissed away family money.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My grandmother went from being unbelievably wealthy/powerful to being middle/upper-middle class. She had never cooked or turned on a stove before in her entire life (always had maids), never cleaned anything, never drove (always had a driver), never went outside the gates of her home without bodyguards, never had to push her own childrens' strollers(round-the-clock live-in nannies), never paid bills (always had a personal assistant), to having to do those things. It was a really hard transition.

Let me guess. Persian elite that had to flee in 1979?

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Anonymous wrote:This is happening to my DH, born and raised in the DC area, both his parents were surgeons and invested their money very very well. They bought up real estate in now exceptional areas back when it was cheap, invested in hotels, and got in on some big IPOs. Private school all the way, first class travel for multiple vacations, very high end designer clothes, 2 homes in London, villa in Dubai, Upper East Side penthouse, housekeepers, 6 figure donations to charities, and sports cars. Due to some shady deals a relative got the parents involved in, their net worth has come down to about 7 million total.

Luckily, he is a doctor himself and with the assistance his parents provided prior to their downfall, we live debt and mortgage free so we are able to send our kids to private school and with dual incomes, we live a nice UMC lifestyle, but nowhere near how he grew up. His father used to fly him to London to buy his clothes and now he buys all his clothes from outlet malls. He's totally fine with all of this, in fact he finds it quite amusing. We're a happy little family that understands money doesn't buy happiness, but to me as a person who grew with next to nothing, this is all very interesting. I can say that I don't think I would be as well adjusted and normal as him, but I guess women process differently than men.

I love it when people with tons of money (or who benefitted from relatives with tons of money) say money doesn't buy happiness. [u] Of course, objectively, it doesn't. But it makes it a lot easier to be happy, and a lot less stressful. You own your house free and clear, are married to a DR, work yourself, and have in-laws with a mid-high seven figure net worth, so I would imagine your financial worries amount to, "Can we fly first class for this ski trip or not?" Money doesn't buy happiness indeed. Respectfully, just pipe down.

Seriously - do you think money does buy happiness? Do those in Hollywood divorce less? Get cancer less? Die less? Have sadness, pain, grief less? Are they scammed at times? Do you seriously think that just because you have money you are happy? Money does NOT buy happiness. Did Steve Jobs' money help him have a happier ending to his life or did he die like everyone else dies when they have terminal cancer?

Give me a break. You realize that there are people who can't divorce bc they can't afford the divorce itself or maintaining 2 separate households or they know they can't provide enough for their kids alone and their ex-DH won't be able to pay child support. I'm pretty sure Hollywood actors don't have those issues and if they want to call it quits - it's not finances holding them back. Same with people who are ill -- they don't worry about whether to take treatment or not bc it'll mean a $5000 deductible or whether to go to a specialist in another state bc how would they fly out there and afford hotels and how would their family be able to visit; Steve Jobs could have gone anywhere in the country/world for treatment without having to think twice.

So no money doesn't solve the "ultimate" life problems but people with money can focus on those problems and not worry about the extra bills; that mental security has a lot of value and does provide happiness.

Boy are you naive!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is happening to my DH, born and raised in the DC area, both his parents were surgeons and invested their money very very well. They bought up real estate in now exceptional areas back when it was cheap, invested in hotels, and got in on some big IPOs. Private school all the way, first class travel for multiple vacations, very high end designer clothes, 2 homes in London, villa in Dubai, Upper East Side penthouse, housekeepers, 6 figure donations to charities, and sports cars. Due to some shady deals a relative got the parents involved in, their net worth has come down to about 7 million total.

Luckily, he is a doctor himself and with the assistance his parents provided prior to their downfall, we live debt and mortgage free so we are able to send our kids to private school and with dual incomes, we live a nice UMC lifestyle, but nowhere near how he grew up. His father used to fly him to London to buy his clothes and now he buys all his clothes from outlet malls. He's totally fine with all of this, in fact he finds it quite amusing. We're a happy little family that understands money doesn't buy happiness, but to me as a person who grew with next to nothing, this is all very interesting. I can say that I don't think I would be as well adjusted and normal as him, but I guess women process differently than men.

I love it when people with tons of money (or who benefitted from relatives with tons of money) say money doesn't buy happiness. [u] Of course, objectively, it doesn't. But it makes it a lot easier to be happy, and a lot less stressful. You own your house free and clear, are married to a DR, work yourself, and have in-laws with a mid-high seven figure net worth, so I would imagine your financial worries amount to, "Can we fly first class for this ski trip or not?" Money doesn't buy happiness indeed. Respectfully, just pipe down.

Seriously - do you think money does buy happiness? Do those in Hollywood divorce less? Get cancer less? Die less? Have sadness, pain, grief less? Are they scammed at times? Do you seriously think that just because you have money you are happy? Money does NOT buy happiness. Did Steve Jobs' money help him have a happier ending to his life or did he die like everyone else dies when they have terminal cancer?

Give me a break. You realize that there are people who can't divorce bc they can't afford the divorce itself or maintaining 2 separate households or they know they can't provide enough for their kids alone and their ex-DH won't be able to pay child support. I'm pretty sure Hollywood actors don't have those issues and if they want to call it quits - it's not finances holding them back. Same with people who are ill -- they don't worry about whether to take treatment or not bc it'll mean a $5000 deductible or whether to go to a specialist in another state bc how would they fly out there and afford hotels and how would their family be able to visit; Steve Jobs could have gone anywhere in the country/world for treatment without having to think twice.

So no money doesn't solve the "ultimate" life problems but people with money can focus on those problems and not worry about the extra bills; that mental security has a lot of value and does provide happiness.

Anonymous wrote:My MIL grew up in an affluent, old money, WASPy New England family. She moved to DC after graduating from a HYP school and became pregnant while dating/living with my FIL (15 years older, divorced, different race, poor family, Southern). They married and moved to his home state, where she became involved in non-profit work and was ultimately the breadwinner because my FIL had troubles of his own (they ultimately divorced). DH had a humble upbringing, though his private school and Little Ivy college tuitions were heavily subsidized by his wealthy grandparents.

If anything, I'm grateful because DH and my MIL have what I think is a rare balance: the composure and "polish" (not sure how to say this, as it isn't always the case!) that comes from having UMC roots and elite education, but the humility and thriftiness that come with not having much in terms of tangible wealth or a conspicuous consumption-driven lifestyle. He and his mom also have a sense of humor about "rich people problems" because they know the lifestyle isn't all it's cracked up to be based on the experiences of MIL's siblings and their wealthy spouses. My MIL has diligently saved and regularly contributes to her grandchildren's 529s despite a modest income.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is happening to my DH, born and raised in the DC area, both his parents were surgeons and invested their money very very well. They bought up real estate in now exceptional areas back when it was cheap, invested in hotels, and got in on some big IPOs. Private school all the way, first class travel for multiple vacations, very high end designer clothes, 2 homes in London, villa in Dubai, Upper East Side penthouse, housekeepers, 6 figure donations to charities, and sports cars. Due to some shady deals a relative got the parents involved in, their net worth has come down to about 7 million total.

Luckily, he is a doctor himself and with the assistance his parents provided prior to their downfall, we live debt and mortgage free so we are able to send our kids to private school and with dual incomes, we live a nice UMC lifestyle, but nowhere near how he grew up. His father used to fly him to London to buy his clothes and now he buys all his clothes from outlet malls. He's totally fine with all of this, in fact he finds it quite amusing. We're a happy little family that understands money doesn't buy happiness, but to me as a person who grew with next to nothing, this is all very interesting. I can say that I don't think I would be as well adjusted and normal as him, but I guess women process differently than men.

I love it when people with tons of money (or who benefitted from relatives with tons of money) say money doesn't buy happiness. [u] Of course, objectively, it doesn't. But it makes it a lot easier to be happy, and a lot less stressful. You own your house free and clear, are married to a DR, work yourself, and have in-laws with a mid-high seven figure net worth, so I would imagine your financial worries amount to, "Can we fly first class for this ski trip or not?" Money doesn't buy happiness indeed. Respectfully, just pipe down.

Seriously - do you think money does buy happiness? Do those in Hollywood divorce less? Get cancer less? Die less? Have sadness, pain, grief less? Are they scammed at times? Do you seriously think that just because you have money you are happy? Money does NOT buy happiness. Did Steve Jobs' money help him have a happier ending to his life or did he die like everyone else dies when they have terminal cancer?

Give me a break. You realize that there are people who can't divorce bc they can't afford the divorce itself or maintaining 2 separate households or they know they can't provide enough for their kids alone and their ex-DH won't be able to pay child support. I'm pretty sure Hollywood actors don't have those issues and if they want to call it quits - it's not finances holding them back. Same with people who are ill -- they don't worry about whether to take treatment or not bc it'll mean a $5000 deductible or whether to go to a specialist in another state bc how would they fly out there and afford hotels and how would their family be able to visit; Steve Jobs could have gone anywhere in the country/world for treatment without having to think twice.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is happening to my DH, born and raised in the DC area, both his parents were surgeons and invested their money very very well. They bought up real estate in now exceptional areas back when it was cheap, invested in hotels, and got in on some big IPOs. Private school all the way, first class travel for multiple vacations, very high end designer clothes, 2 homes in London, villa in Dubai, Upper East Side penthouse, housekeepers, 6 figure donations to charities, and sports cars. Due to some shady deals a relative got the parents involved in, their net worth has come down to about 7 million total.

Luckily, he is a doctor himself and with the assistance his parents provided prior to their downfall, we live debt and mortgage free so we are able to send our kids to private school and with dual incomes, we live a nice UMC lifestyle, but nowhere near how he grew up. His father used to fly him to London to buy his clothes and now he buys all his clothes from outlet malls. He's totally fine with all of this, in fact he finds it quite amusing. We're a happy little family that understands money doesn't buy happiness, but to me as a person who grew with next to nothing, this is all very interesting. I can say that I don't think I would be as well adjusted and normal as him, but I guess women process differently than men.

I love it when people with tons of money (or who benefitted from relatives with tons of money) say money doesn't buy happiness. [u] Of course, objectively, it doesn't. But it makes it a lot easier to be happy, and a lot less stressful. You own your house free and clear, are married to a DR, work yourself, and have in-laws with a mid-high seven figure net worth, so I would imagine your financial worries amount to, "Can we fly first class for this ski trip or not?" Money doesn't buy happiness indeed. Respectfully, just pipe down.

Seriously - do you think money does buy happiness? Do those in Hollywood divorce less? Get cancer less? Die less? Have sadness, pain, grief less? Are they scammed at times? Do you seriously think that just because you have money you are happy? Money does NOT buy happiness. Did Steve Jobs' money help him have a happier ending to his life or did he die like everyone else dies when they have terminal cancer?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is happening to my DH, born and raised in the DC area, both his parents were surgeons and invested their money very very well. They bought up real estate in now exceptional areas back when it was cheap, invested in hotels, and got in on some big IPOs. Private school all the way, first class travel for multiple vacations, very high end designer clothes, 2 homes in London, villa in Dubai, Upper East Side penthouse, housekeepers, 6 figure donations to charities, and sports cars. Due to some shady deals a relative got the parents involved in, their net worth has come down to about 7 million total.

Luckily, he is a doctor himself and with the assistance his parents provided prior to their downfall, we live debt and mortgage free so we are able to send our kids to private school and with dual incomes, we live a nice UMC lifestyle, but nowhere near how he grew up. His father used to fly him to London to buy his clothes and now he buys all his clothes from outlet malls. He's totally fine with all of this, in fact he finds it quite amusing. We're a happy little family that understands money doesn't buy happiness, but to me as a person who grew with next to nothing, this is all very interesting. I can say that I don't think I would be as well adjusted and normal as him, but I guess women process differently than men.

I love it when people with tons of money (or who benefitted from relatives with tons of money) say money doesn't buy happiness. [u] Of course, objectively, it doesn't. But it makes it a lot easier to be happy, and a lot less stressful. You own your house free and clear, are married to a DR, work yourself, and have in-laws with a mid-high seven figure net worth, so I would imagine your financial worries amount to, "Can we fly first class for this ski trip or not?" Money doesn't buy happiness indeed. Respectfully, just pipe down.