As a frugalist, I naturally know many people who share the same values. Some practice the art by choice, and others by necessity. Some love being frugal, while others wished life were different. In every category though, there seems to be a select few who would resent the rich. The other day, I heard this comment:
…Who cares. Those people have rich parents and that’s why they can afford it. Me? I make my own living.
Don’t worry if you’ve felt something similar. I have done this too, as I find myself envy of my friends who are well off at times. It rarely happens, but sometimes I wonder why I have to struggle dealing with my wife’s constant request to purchase our first house when others I know just buy because they have a huge inheritance waiting for them.
As a result of this enviousness jealousy, I may have sent out unintended hostile signals to those friends (I’m just speculating here so please leave a comment if you felt the hostility at certain times). You may be understanding and think that it’s a natural reaction, but here’s the thing – being rich is not a sin. In fact, having rich parents is not a sin. If these people have the means, they should enjoy it. It’s one thing to live large without money, but why do they have to put up with others if their ancestors successfully amassed wealth?
This is for all you people who envy someone you know:
- If you are jealous of your friend who received a huge chunk of inheritance, then work hard and save diligently so you can leave your children with the same luxury.
- If you are jealous of your coworker who got the promotion you wanted, work doubly hard so there’s a better chance that luck would be on your side in the future.
- If you are jealous of others who seem to live a high life, invest in yourself so you are capable of earning a better living when opportunity comes knocking.
- The list goes on, but there are solutions to every situation. Be creative and always have a positive attitude.
There are no guarantees that these remedies will work, but if we can increase our chances, what more can we ask for?
If you ever feel lost, then just come back. At least you know others here are working at it too.
Related Posts
- How to Get Rich Quick
- Fortune Magazine’s So Called HENRYs are Getting It All Wrong
- Are You Rich?
- Does Making More Money Make You Rich?
- Do Not Wait and Start Saving Immediately
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
So true. It’s not a sin or wrong to have wealth, whether you were born with it or you earned it. I find myself envying a few of my friends because their parents pay for this or that or give them a leg up (invest $$ into their business ideas) but really wealth is not in and of itself what I am striving for.
I want to be in the position where I have accumulated enough skills and knowledge that if I ever ‘lose it all’ and go belly-up because of some bad investment or perhaps a medical problem that costs millions, I want to be in the position to regain that wealth in 1/3 of the time it took me to amass it (or faster). It’s about having a financial I.Q. as Robert Kiyosaki says, not about having the money. Inherited wealth is dangerous because most individuals who have it do not understand what it took to get that wealth.
It’s nice to read the other side of things. While I’m in no way rich, I do see the entitlement and jealousy of most people. People should just accept everyone as the way they are, instead of what material things they have.
I think you wrote about something that people think everyone else does it but not them. We all get jealous, and I think it’s a natural emotion, but some people just take it too far.
Life’s what it is, if you don’t have a certain thing, then work hard to get it. There’s no need to think about others.
You really put it in perspective, I have to tweet this
David – Your tip #1 is the best “If you are jealous of your friend who received a huge chunk of inheritance, then work hard and save diligently so you can leave your children with the same luxury. ”
The idea to go the other end and leave a similar amount for your children is a very thoughtful, motivating gesture. Everything is relative, and this is something I will post on over the next 7 days. It’s already in the queue, just like this post as you’re on your fabulous cruise.
All about relating sideways or downwards, not constantly upwards.
I like this post. Everyone always talks about the frugal side but what if you have some money but feel guilty using it because you’re afraid that your friends will perceive you differently?
You said it best. It’s not a sin to be rich.
Being filthy, stinking rich IS a sin, I believe. But everyone’s beliefs are different. Those who are poor due to laziness, too bad for them. But there are plenty of people out there who are poor and not lazy.
to Robert,
“being filthy, stinking rich IS a sin, I believe.”
how so? “filthy rich” is relative, first off, and if a person became “filthy, stinking rich”- how is this person sinful? don’t forget that these people, who, for example, run large multi billion dollar companies, give thousands of people jobs, and oft are also devoted philanthropists. many have revolutionized the way we live (bill gates, paul allen, etc…) and many simply do what they love and they happen to get paid extremely well (i.e, actors, singers, directors, artists, etc..) one of the main reasons, i believe, there is such a large gap between the upper class and the middle and lower class, is because we don’t take the time to understand each other but rather judge each other without hesitating.
please help me understand your brute statement.
The best things in the world is being good looking,rich, and not having a conscience that way you can destroy and conquer and super hot girls still want to get with you.
For me, Rich is as Rich does….never ever truly being able to live in another person’s body, mind or spirit…I can only judge their financial riches…but what about the richness within? This, to me, is a level playing field…solely dependent on your attitude and efforts. I have friends that will never be financially rich…however, their common sense, their principled life, their high morals, and strong characters draw others to them like magnets…we all are ENRICHED in their presence…hard working, decent human beings…
All this talk about RICH, just makes me think about my Grandparents and my parents…OMG….was I immersed in RICHNESS from within growing up…I was BLESSED…. Thank you my Dearest Grandparents, Parents and God.
There are plenty of people who are rich and deserve it. My father paid for his college by serving in the airforce and then opened a small business. He makes artificial limbs and braces for disabilities and injuries. My mother and her mother paid for her college education to become a physical therapist.
They do not flaunt wealth. They are extremely practical but built their own house, a really nice house with a big yard. They also grow their own produce, farm bees, vote, donate money to Audobon, WWF, local special olympics competitions, run 5 miles a day, recycle, shop local, etc. They are model human beings.
Since they have moved into the house, I have felt blatant resentment, which is different from jealousy, from others, especially parents of my friends. The thing is, people do not even ask how or why they are rich, so they would never know that it is because they are hard-working, compassionate people. They just start to interact strangely afterward. Securing their lives and their childrens’ educations and not having to worry about money is regarded by people as being filthy stinking rich and they have to deal with a ton of crap as a result.