What makes you feel well-off?
| Maxame X has a post where she asks what makes you feel poor?. To turn the tables a bit, I'd like to know what makes you feel well-off? For some reason, cleaning the house or doing a house project ourselves always makes me feel very well-off. I really like sitting around afterwards and just enjoying it. I enjoy knowing that we can afford something, but we choose not to buy it. Or if we do buy something, that we have the means to buy something we like, not just something that will get us by. I like knowing that if we needed to, we could reduce our monthly savings contributions in order to increase our cash flow if we needed to. I like feeling like we have control over our finances. |
posted by savvy at 3/23/2006 08:18:00 AM
Comments on "What makes you feel well-off?"
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Jane Dough said ... (9:10 AM) :
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post a commentFor me, the following make me feel well-off:
1) Being part of a large and loving family.
2) Owning my own home
3) At the end of the month, after all the bills are paid, having extra to put in savings.
4) When standing at the cashier stand and asked "Cash, Credit or Debit?" knowing I can easily pay with any option but having the freedom to choose the one that benefits me the most.
5) Having "one of those days" at the office and knowing, if I wanted, I could walk-away from the job and be financially ok while I look for a new one.
I am sure there are many more - but those are the first that come to mind...
jane dough - that is a great list!
I feel well-off when:
1. I'm able to pay-off all the credit cards I use on a daily basis, and get way more money back from the credit card companies in the form of earnings on 0% loans and purchase rewards than I pay in interest.
2. I pull in the driveway of my beautiful four-bedroom home and think in 14 years it'll be paid off.
3. With the help of Amazon Marketplace, Half.com, of Ebay, I turn an unwanted possession into cash that I can put towards savings.
4. I think about the fact that Jane or I could take paid sick leave to go for a medical visit and pay only $10 out of pocket no matter what the problem.
5. I hear about retirement funding problems faced by many workers, and I know that I've got a secure pension, and that we've putting money away elsewhere as well.
OK, i've posted the ones that make me feel poor on janes site...
These make me feel gooood...
Owning a house when the majority of my friends aren't even thinking about getting on the property ladder yet.
Knowing that I am so close to being in a situation to purchase an investment house (with my partner...).
Seing how proud my parents are.
Never thought of it before but I'm sure Janes # 3 if I think about it this month will.
Being able to help a mate out when they are in need.
Knowing my brother had enough confidence in my evaluation of an investment home to put in an offer without even seing it.
It would be interesting to see some millionaires views on these. I wonder if they are the same or if they change...
I feel well-off when I know I won't be financially devastated in case of a job layoff, and when I can buy a plane ticket to visit my family without worrying how to pay for it.
My "feel poor" list had about 4-5 things on it, but my "feel well-off" list will be endless.
Just to name a few, I'd say the things that make me feel well off are: having a happy child, my health, my family/friends, an above avg salary, a fulfilling job, my education, my freedom, a new home under construction, my dream car, an emergency fund, choices, etc. I could go on and on because I'm very thankful and appreciative for ALL that I have.
I feel well off knowing that the life is about experiences and learning. Not about the amount in my savings and 401k
1) Living in a detached house with its own washing machine.
2) Having some savings and never living paycheck to paycheck.
3) Being able to eat out or travel occasionally.
4) Keeping two cats in the style to which they have become accustomed.
5) Being able to give away unwanted or redundant items when my housemate moved out and my partner moved in.
This may sound quite extreme, but when i spent months doing volunteer work in the caribbean, living among the citizens, i would come back home feeling that i lived in a castle. And even though i rent, i still have more than many persons... although that's not to say that they feel happiness the same as I. I distinctly remember walking on the carpet for the first time in months, and feeling as if i was walking on a dog's back!! :) vb
I feel well-off when my anual dividends increase! It means I am closer to financial freedom
Money And Investing
taking car service hom emakes me feel "well-off" even though i am far from "well off" whatever the hell that means.
Being able to stay home to raise the kids.
You beat me to it, I had been thinking I should do a follow-up post about this!
Here's one thing that popped into my mind: sometimes, if I have a big meeting or presentation for work, and I'm dressed up in a nice suit, I like to go and get my shoes shined. I don't know why, but this always makes me feel like a very prosperous big shot business lady! (and it only costs a few bucks)
There are lots of other things too-- in general I feel well-off far more than I feel poor.
Wow...a lot of wonderful, thoughtful comments.
In addition to Jane's list, I feel well-off when:
1) I go out to eat with friends at a trendy new restaurant. My parents couldn't afford to take us out to each much. McDonald's once a month, and on very special occasions, Ponderosa steak house...but only if we had a buy one, get one free coupon.
2) I walk in the lobby of my condo building, and am greeted by a doorman.
3) I write checks and/or make online bill payments without really having to think about whether any of the checks will bounce.
4) My mom asks me to bring home my unwanted shoes and clothes so she can give them to some of her church friends who have just emigrated to the U.S.
5) I can respond easily to requests for support charitable organizations or ministries that I care about.
Like singlemom, I could go on and on....
Things about my life that make me feel well-off, or even rich:
1. I own a house that I can easily afford.
2. When I get a windfall, I can put it toward savings and "treats" instead of having to immediately use it to pay bills or credit debt.
3. I can buy healthy treats for my little boy, like a pound of strawberries or a yogurt smoothie.
4. I am able to give a lot of money away to organizations that are doing important political work that I don't have time to do.
5. I have reallly excellent insurance on my health, house, car, and life (still need disability insurance!).
6. My spouse is able to work part time and stay home 2 days a week with our son.
7. I have enough liquid cash to survive for 6 months without even altering our lifestyle.
8. I have a steady job that I enjoy and good career prospects for the future.
Here it goes:
-Having a wife and daughter who love me regardless of how much money we have
-Not having to remember when payday is
-Not caring when payday is
-Having 50% equity in our house
-Contributing the max to my 401k each year
-Having no consumer debt
-Owning our vehicles (no loans)
-Having 30% of our income left over every month, even after investing
-Having a pension that is being funded on top of all of our retirement savings
-Having healthcare that covers EVERYTHING and only has a $10 copay
-Not having to decide between eating and going to the doctor
(I feel very lucky)
1) Having NO MORE CC debt! Wah-hoo!
2) Not having a few (or more) anxious days before the next payday.
3) Being able to handle small financial emergencies without feeling a pinch.
4) Not needing to budget for food.
5) Having our own, single family home.
6) Finding that the checking account has a good amount of "extra" money in it, and moving it over to ING.
What makes me feel well off is being able to pay the bills on time every month and still have money leftover to do whatever I want.
I feel well off knowing that I can afford to take out-of-state trips where I have to fly to reach my destination. I have traveled to many places where most people can't go because they can't afford it.
I feel well off knowing that my student loan debts are behind me now.
I feel well off when I have a strong credit score.
I feel well off having my own home. Even if it's small, it is mine.
I feel well off because I have health insurance.
I feel well off because I have a good job with a good salary and portable skills I can move to any industry even it I have to take a pay cut.
1) music playing at home all day
2) hot showers
3) warm covers on a cold night
4) Godiva hot cocoa
5) having access to a nearly infinite supply of books and movies
6) being able to afford whole-grain foods
7) being able to afford to travel
And I might not have remembered these myself, but also:
8) being able to help other people financially
9) not having to carefully time my bill paying
A full refrigerator. My Mom has always said this, but only recently have I realized it