As an adult I have learned that having money doesn't buy happiness, but it does allow us certain freedoms. It allows us not to be bound by debt. It gives us more options and provides us with more doors to walk through. With that said... it can't mend broken relationships, heal you from illness, or fix a broken heart.
Here are two scenarios and you can only choose one:
A) You live pretty much paycheck to paycheck. There are no fabulous European vacations, no savings for back up emergencies, and buying designer means you found something marked down at TJ Maxx. Take out pizza is a luxury. Your home is small, homey, comfortable and always filled with loved ones. Your family is tight as can be. You are healthy and you know you are loved.
B) You have a plethora of money and wealth. Flying off to Paris for the weekend is common nature for you. You have several homes, one oceanfront, a spectacular loft in the city, and a personal driver. You don't have any real friends, only acquaintances. You are estranged from family. The only time you have guests is when you have to host a social gathering for your wealthy circle of colleagues. You are admired for your wealth but not sure you are truly loved.
What did you choose? A or B? Be honest!! Truth is, I think we are all a bit better off if we fall somewhere in between the two. Too much or too little of anything is never good, even when it comes to money.
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B: I have next to no family anyway, in fact, we are estranged and always will be, and I'm a bit of loner so it would suit me just fine - now, can one of my homes be in Malibu? You can visit Debs!
ReplyDeleteYES, in between is perfect for me. People go to EXTREMES and extremes are never good because the end up SAPPING YOU of resources, both emotional and financial! In between is best! HAPPY DAY! Anita
ReplyDeleteThat is difficult, if I think of my big family, I pretty much don't see them anyways, living in different countries does that, I think 'B'. But when I think of my little family (hubby, bubs and I) I can't help but think 'A'! I have watched a few movies recently that have had me considering the power and influence of money. Certainly has made me evaluate my goals and desires in life!!
ReplyDelete:) Hazel
These options are way too black and white for me but I cannot say that I've ever craved the lifestyle of the rich and the famous. Their world often seems so utterly problematic even though they can buy and do whatever they want. I guess when you can have everything you want you start wanting more and more and more, and you stop appreciating things and life becomes extreme.
ReplyDeleteI choose A pretty much because this is the real way we live. Although pay check to pay check is due to allotments to savings and college funds for four kiddos. And substitute pizza for Mexican food! You make it sound much better to me now. Come by and visit today....I am in social experiment mode. I am whispering the entire day! Kids are going crazy!
ReplyDeleteI would choose the middle...I am blessed with A , I have 2 sons (almost adult now) I adore, a husband for 30 years, parents I am so close to (eventhough they live on the other side of the Atlantic) and friends that truly enrich my life and spend most of my time with. I used to have it all, B included, but business is taking a tough turn. I need to be honest and not apologize for wanting, needing B...I love my trips and do travel a lot, as much as i can in as far remote countries as possible, need to go to France every 2 months to check on my parents, love my designer clothes. All these extra come at a cost of a high stress life with little time to relax and constant worry about business, but that is my choice...
ReplyDeleteB...and I didn't even flinch. :)
ReplyDeleteI already live in A and I really do love my life...however, that said, now that my kids are grown, I am ready for some healthy doses of B!! Just to know what it is like!! I would love to walk into a high end boutique and have a spending spree without a worry...rent a fabulous condo in a fun location for a two week vacation. It's nice to dream...but alas, I start teaching summer school soon to help pay the bills!! But I'm still smiling and content!
ReplyDeleteYikes if I haaad to choose only one I guess I'd have to go with A but I really would like to be somewhere in between. And I used to watch Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous all the time! xoxo
ReplyDeleteOf course B! But I have lived paycheck to paycheck and I know how stressul life can be trying to make ends meet. When your stressed and uhappy about money, it will effect your relationships. So all in all, you NEED balance!! <3
ReplyDeleteAnd I JUST read your comment about NY on Friday! I swear I would have ditched the beach house for a day to meet you :) xoxo
ReplyDeleteHAhaha I meant A ;)
ReplyDeleteWhen we were newlyweds my husband and I lived pretty much pay check to pay check and I still remember those days as being some of the happiest of our lives. Meeting friends at a Mexican restaurant that offered $2 jumbo margaritas and free appetizers during happy hour was one of our favorite things to do-I wouldn't trade those memories for a private jet and no true friends.
ReplyDeleteA but a bit of B wouldn't hurt either, life is not easy when money is short and money problems can bring misery and sadness easily
ReplyDeleteHa, I know A is the right answer but B is pretty tempting! I've always loved Robin Leach's voice too-- cracks me up! XO
ReplyDeleteCompletely agree with Francine. I've lived both ways. My girlfriends, or really any of my true friends, are the best. Watching both my children mature into successful individuals is truly one of the greatest gifts. Moving forward with your life is always a transition, it helps if there is the comfort of doing all the things you've dreamed of doing.
ReplyDeleteYes, a mixture please! If I had to choose one, it would be the first. I too have found that money doesn't buy happiness.
ReplyDeleteBeautful images, Debby! I know that you will enjoy your new venture.
Happy Thursday.
Teresa
xoxo
Lovely images - yes somewhere between the two. Family, friends, a few luxuries and travel...
ReplyDeletehttp://missbbobochic.blogspot.co.uk/
I love having a nosey into posh pads! I think I kind of fit somewhere in between your 2 scenarios Debby!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for voting for me BTW, really appreciate it!
Happy Thursday xoxo
http://www.intotheblonde.com/
Those photos say it all!!!! And, if I had to choose, of course I'd go with A, but try hard as you know what to get the benefits of B!! :)
ReplyDeleteHave a posh day, Debby!!!! (Knowing you are loved and adored by many!)
xoxo Elizabeth
I think your right Debbie. Some where in the middle.
ReplyDeleteI've had both so I can honestly say that living paycheck to paycheck with a happier sense of being is much better. Although life is harder, having untrustworthy people around you makes my skin crawl.
ReplyDeleteSome A but mostly B. I know what living paycheck to paycheck is like, and I never want to in that position again (lesson learned). Hubs and I are the black sheeps of our families and are both quite introverted - we are close with some family members but not others... so we don't feel the need to live close by family members as it can be quite stifling at times!
ReplyDeleteNow for the properties - an oceanfront in Coronado, CA; an apartment in NYC; and a Villa in Tuscany!
Having the tight family and love is the bottom line, however lack of finances and living paycheck to paycheck is likely to put stress on that perfect scenario. Option #2 isn't great either ~ sounds kinda empty. Not having to work for anything and wondering if your friends and "friends" because you have lots of material things or because they really care about you would be difficult and often lonely I'd imagine.
ReplyDeleteFun to ponder this Debby. Enjoy your day!
leslie
Oh I won't choose between the two.
ReplyDeleteA combination of wealth, health and family would be perfect.
My whole life has been pretty much A but only recently we've been able to enjoy a few more things. I wouldn't want B but it sure is nice not to be so stressed out about money all the time.
ReplyDeleteDeb,
ReplyDeleteAgree, somewhere in between A and B would be fantastic, but I would take A over B in any time. Great post.
I´m choose to stay between those two options, but we started in the first one,my husband and me, and we were mooving to the second option while our family was growing...now we are in between, and is perfect for us!
ReplyDeleteGreat excercise Debbie!
Big hugs!
Inés
SimplyClassyMe.blogspot.com
I loveeee the passport cover in the photo! Any chance you know where it is from?
ReplyDeletexoxo
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ReplyDeleteA without blinking an eyelash, no friends? Estranged from family? That spells serious lonliness and no money in the world can take the place of the company of friendship and those you love...that is PRICELESS!!
ReplyDeleteLove that passport cover and the first picture is soooooo charming!
A all the way! Who would you be flying to Paris with anyway withouth any real friends or loved ones? Money can be tempting but loving others is what happiness is all about.
ReplyDeleteA all the way! Who would you be flying to Paris with anyway withouth any real friends or loved ones? Money can be tempting but loving others is what happiness is all about.
ReplyDeleteOh A...what's the question?? Love and friendship is worth more than anything else in the world, even money. And jet lag is a bitch! That's why we blog, right?
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend Debby!
xo
Sharon
HA HA!! I'm laughing at Tabitha's comment! x
ReplyDelete