Being that I was born into a ah, lower-lower class (read: sitting just above the "poverty line" in regards to net family income), I can honestly say that having money probably wouldn't have changed much. IMO, it's never about how much money you have, it's all about how you chose to use it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And I also think that people who aren't rich generally know the value of really earning something for yourself. I have friends whose parents have bought them everything, and they still don't respect / appreiated what they have because none of it was a result of anything they did.

 

 

 

[/small-rant]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BlueLancer pretty much got it. Coming from the bottom and working your way to the top is more rewarding than starting at the top. I'm still near the bottom, but that's mainly due to Uni leeching all my funds :(

I think the Question "Who has a better life" is mirely an opinion. You could be dirt poor, but have a happy life. You could be flithy rich and have a boring life. You could be dirt poor and live in sadness, or be rich and live in happiness. Depends on your idea on "which life is better"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obiously rich people have it easier, but doesn't mean that they have the better life. Well maybe they do, afterall its just an opinion.

How do you feel on the statement:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money can't buy happieness.

A rich family materially is often a poor family in every other way.

I would love to have the kind of financial security that most "trust-fund children" have.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Struggling to pay for education, food, and a place to live may build character but it's also very stressful :ohnoes:

A rich family materially is often a poor family in every other way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That sounded harsh, but I'll take it as "A materially rich family may be a poor family in other ways.

They have an easier life, but easier doesn't always equate to better.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exactly the words I was going to say.

My dad is considered "rich". When he was born, my Grampa wasn't around for him, so my Aunt had to take care of him, when she was 12 yrs. old. She had to get a job, put food on the table, pay for a house (Which si the size of a kitchen and there was a 4 inch gap from the bottom of the door to the ground, so it was cold). So my dad was really poor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, We have a fountain in our driveway, my dad built his company, which is now located in like 5 different states, people say I live in a mansion, and so on and so forth. People may think rich kids do have a better life, and maybe some do, but I have a harder life than a lot of kids who don't have a lot of money. My ex-stepmom beat us when we were little kids. She picked me up and threw me into a table, and luckily my dad came home. They got a divorce. My dad re-married. My mom, just recently got a divorce. My stepdad was crazy. He was a freak, started doing drugs, and was having an affair. He currently put my mom in $560,000 in debt.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During the summer, some of you may remember, I got sent away to Arizona to find a job. Didn't turn out so hot because I was only 14, and just had turned 15 like a month later. My dad got me back, I had to pay for the airplane tickets. My dad made me wake up at 6:00 am and work in our ravine, behind our house, until 4:00 pm, pulling weeds, every day, all summer long. He grounded me for not finding a job. No t.v or computer, all summer long, and had to be to bed by 9:00 pm. I couldn't even hang out with my friends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I found a job at my dad's office as a computer technician. I worked every day, and on top of it, had to work in the canyon. I had to get at least 30 hours a week in. My dad wouldn't give me a ride home after work, so I had to walk home, every day, about 6 miles in my work clothes, uphill. On my spare time, I had to read a book called "The richest man in Babylon". I had to write a 3-page report on it, no indents or paragraphs. My dad also made me log my hours, from work, and get it signed every week. If I forgot, I didn't get payed. We also had to remove the sage brush from the canyon. He made us walk to Lowes, a kind of Home Depot place, which is about 10 miles from our house, to ask the people how we could remove the sagebrush. We couldn't call, and we only had 5 hours to get there and back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For my birthday, my dad got me a $25 gift certificate to Circuit City. Now, every hour I spend "playing" on the computer, which can count as the time just turning on my computer, I have to spend an hour "learning" something about the computer. My dad also gives us lectures, everyday, about wealth and life, and so on and so forth. He usually spends all night coming up with a 3 paged lesson, and using a highlighter. He makes lesson plans and all this stuff. He will only pay for my scholarship if I maintain a 3.5 GPA+. If he dies, all his money supports us until we're 18 yrs. old, then the rest get donated to the Boy's and Girl's Club.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He made us go to the Boy's and Girl's Club because he's on the board. We also have to work out everyday for 30 minutes. If we wait until we are 30 yrs. old to get married, he will buy our first house. We also have to pay for our own car, which usually people get on their 16th birthday. If I want to buy anything I want, it is with my own money. I'm not at all popular. I'm a nerd, and I admit it. I don't wear glasses or anything, but I don't have "nice" clothes. I just don't like that stuff, and I don't like people knowing my dad is rich. I like being "Normal" and not noticed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If anyone read all this, you deserve a cookie.

 

 

 

-College can be fully payed for, no bothering with scholarhips I have to pay for my own college

 

 

 

-Can travel abroad at a young age without much strain I've done a lot of traveling in my short life

 

 

 

-Can basically buy yourself popularity in high school, which leads to the possabilty of being class president and other things, which is great for your resume. Pshh.. I hang out with the geeks, freaks, and losers. No need for popularity

 

 

 

-You can afford a car at age 16, a nice one at that. I have a 2000 Pontiac Firebird (with t-tops ^_^)

 

 

 

-You don't have to be stressed with college payments in life, and during highschool years. Like before, I have to pay for my own college

 

 

 

-You don't have to work everyday to afford a car, which can allow you to focus on school. My car is paid off, but I have to pay for insurance + gas so I need a job

 

 

 

-You can travel and fill your mind with vast education, and many many great memories. Memories yes, I'm not much for education if it's forced apon me

 

 

 

-You can donate lots of money to the poor. I don't often donate to the poor, just the less fortunate

 

 

 

-Usually your parents know people, which can lead to possable very large future career oputunities.Nope.. Not my parents..

 

 

 

-You can be supported through a trust fund after college, so you can start your life off well, without having to worry about payments, taxes, bills etc.Not me..

 

 

 

-They have this all easy, while others have to work very hard for it. I might have some things easy, but putting up with my parents is definitly a job of it's own..

 

 

 

-You can basically buy anything you want. Not me. I rarely get anything of any real value. Usually I just get things I need for school, new sets of drawing supplies, or just some money to have fun with my friends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Everyone at my school thinks I'm rich.. My parents are over $250,000 in debt but have a nice chunk of change in the bank. Yeah, some rich kids get the popularity, good grades, a nice car, and no job but then there's kids like me. Our families have money put away that they only touch for special occasions such as my 16th birthday I got my car. But we don't use money for popularity or that crap. My true friends are better than any friends money could buy.

Yea those shows about someone who throws a giant party for their 16th birthday and their parents spends like thousands of dollars on it. Then they complain about a bunch of little things and think they are the greatest thing in the world.

 

 

 

Its rediculous, but it is funny to watch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It make sick watching it. Absolutely annoying. Especially these naive fathers who think they can hire Beyonce for their daughters birthday party.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anyway, there's nothing I can say that's already been said.

Well it depends on the parents.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You're assuming the parents are loose with their money. However some rich parents withhold as many benefits as they can from their children, teaching them how to save for not only their generation, but their children's children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You are saying don't rich kids live a better life? I say it depends on the parents, not on the net worth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I could be in a rich family, my parents instilling in me the value of money, to save for the future, and the future's future, so that they could be finacially secure, and pursue education(or other things, just don't gamble it away) without worrying about basic necessities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Or I could tell you I'm in a poor family, whose parents spend every dollar they gain, and I learn from them. I could become a famous person with no finacial skills whatsoever, but after my time has expired and my money is spent, I will be living on the street, with people saying what a washed up has-been.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net worth/income(Yes I know they're not the same): Financially secure until the parent dies.

 

 

 

Saving: Not a great or glamorous life, but a life that is neither in the gutter of the streets, nor in a glorious mansion. A life that you know will not lead to disaster, and your children will not blow your money away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do not look at net worth, look the parents and their teachings (or a child teaching themselves about finance).

you'll have it more easy financial, but in my opinion spiritual is the most important

My parents are doctors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Both of them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We net worth....well alot...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have 4000+ dollars in my bank savings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No my life isn't fun. I rarely see my friends, my parents are never home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm an only child and lonely.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of my money, I give over half to charity every year, yet I never feel happy with myself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm miserable. That sums up my bloody rich life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By the way, money doesn't buy ****ing popularity, it's having a good personality. I was student body president for that, and I didn't even waste a cent for campaigning. I think you should rethink your stereotypes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

hes not talking about doctors, hes talking about people with parents that are at the top of a corporate ladder who make MILLIONS a year, a lot of people around here are doctors and dont get much special recognition

The Romans who lived in 200 BC didn't have cars, modern medicine, cell phones, computer labs, etc. Most spent all of their lives doing hard manual labor and women got raped during every pillage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where the Romans depressed? Were they unhappy?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money has nothing to do with happiness. Nothing. Heck even think of RS, would you be really enjoy RS that much more if you started the game with 50 mil? Yea its kinda fun for a little bit, and it might help out once in a while but it has nothing to do with how much you love the game.

-College can be fully payed for, no bothering with scholarhips

 

 

 

True enough.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-Can travel abroad at a young age without much strain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But do you really appreciate the world if you're cossetted behind 5 star hotels?

 

 

 

-Can basically buy yourself popularity in high school, which leads to the possabilty of being class president and other things, which is great for your resume.

 

 

 

I laugh at people who try and buy popularity and school, it's pathetic and will do nothing for you in the long term.

 

 

 

-You can afford a car at age 16, a nice one at that.

 

 

 

Again, if you don't have to work for and earn it, will you ever appreciate it?

 

 

 

-You don't have to be stressed with college payments in life, and during highschool years.

 

 

 

Fair enough.

 

 

 

-You don't have to work everyday to afford a car, which can allow you to focus on school.

 

 

 

So don't buy a car if your school studies are suffering.

 

 

 

-You can travel and fill your mind with vast education, and many many great memories.

 

 

 

Most people I know who go on those life changing gap years fund them themselves anyway, and the ones who don't tend to get less out of them.

 

 

 

-You can donate lots of money to the poor.

 

 

 

There's a difference between "can" and "will".

 

 

 

-Usually your parents know people, which can lead to possable very large future career oputunities.

 

 

 

True, networking can be useful.

 

 

 

-You can be supported through a trust fund after college, so you can start your life off well, without having to worry about payments, taxes, bills etc.

 

 

 

Again, true.

 

 

 

-They have this all easy, while others have to work very hard for it.

 

 

 

Why is working hard for the things you want made out to be so bad?

 

 

 

-You can basically buy anything you want.

 

 

 

Woohoo, and we all know how deleriously happy material possessions make us. [/sarcasm]

 

 

 

-Can travel abroad at a young age without much strain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But do you really appreciate the world if you're cossetted behind 5 star hotels?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, but at least they have the chance to go there :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I won't be able to go to europe until later in college if I'm lucky or a few years out

I s'pose my family's kinda somewhere between normal-rich...Well, I go to a private school. I have a good social life, my parents are both doctors, earn quite a bit (psychiatrist and interventional radiologist) and work half-time. I see them alot, same with my brother.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But hey, I'm not spoilt. I pay for most of my own stuff (clothes included, usually)and I don't get regular pocket money - I have to earn it, 10-40p for every chore I do.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where I live, no-one really cares how rich you are. If you're a nice person, that's really all that matters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From my view, it does make things alot easier if you're richer. Call me a sterotypist but life is simpler, (no offence meant here) but the more stress (often caused my finances) leads to alcohol, smoking, et cetera. Still, I have great friends who could be considered 'poorer' in a financial sense than me, who I get on very well with and have a stable life and a very happy family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Still, I think both 'richer' and 'poorer' people can be happy and sad, it depends on where you live, what you family's like, the circumstances et cetera...

I thinkt they probably live a less stressed life, not beter :?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anyway, I wouldt trade my life for all the money in the world :D

There's a simple answer to this: yes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

poor kids have to work for a living

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

rich kids get to set on their lazy butts, they don't even have to get their own food if they're rich enough

To some extent, richness can buy happiness and better lives. Example's would be what you mentioned in the first post. I would argue that somethings in life just cannot be bought. For example, a caring loving family that couldn't do without you, A wonderfull husband or wife( wife in my case ) that also loves you just for you and your soul and not all the extra baggage. These things may seem buyable but in reality you can never get close :-w

Well, being rich would usually make life easier, but having a better life if you are rich? Hmm.... :-k

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anyway, my family aren't rich, yet they aren't poor. I guess you could say middle class. I'm pretty happy about my life. :D Though if I think about it, I do have a little of a crazy attitude. It's the only way I can get people to recognise me.

The definition of a "better life" is a matter of opinion. If a kid grew up with rich parents, like many kids I know, they have it easy when they are children, but as they grow up they just aren't prepared for the world. If a child grows up not rich (either poor, medium income, etc.), they have to work their way up, and get a wealth of experience along the way that can give them a better life knowing what's going on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But that scenario isn't always true I don't think. I have a friend who lives comfortably as you could say. His parents are modest with their money, but anything they want they can afford. He got a decently expensive first car when he was 15, and he has a huge trust fund waiting for him when he's 21. But on the other hand, he never hesitates to work for money, and as long as I've known him he's been saving money up (since about second grade :)). He knows that without his parents he can get by with his own money and whatever.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'd like to think that I am going to one day be considered wealthy, but I want to work my way at it, otherwise there wouldn't be much point in being wealthy. No one respects the Paris Hilton types who just inherit a ton of money and don't know anything else about the world. My parents told me early on that if I want to make money, I have to do it on my own, and they aren't just saying that because they can't afford to pay my way through life. They said if I want a car, I have to buy one. Then I have to buy gas, food, etc., if I want it. If I want to get into college, I better be prepared to shell out a lot of money or get lots of scholarships, so that's what I'm doing. I'm learning so much in this course though, working 40 + hours weekly plus school, and if nothing else I'll be way better off in my adult life, even if I'm not wealthy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regarding the quote "Money can't buy happiness," I have to disagree. Sure, money can't buy the emotion of happiness straight across the board. But I if could go buy myself a Ferrari, you couldn't take the smile off my face. I like the Porsche advertisements with a picture of the car and a caption saying "Happiness, as bought by money."

Life is only as good as the memories we make.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I kinda live my life by that. Whilst being rich would make it easier, I wouldn't want the burden of taking over a rich business.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I get around ÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâã235 a month in total from education maintenence allowance, family allowance and monthly money from my auntie and uncle. That's enough to live on and lead a nice lifestyle for me, because basic food and housing etc is paid for by my parents.

 

 

 

I go shopping for leisure a lot and it pays for transport to college and food.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

True to the fact, money doesn't make you happy; but some of it helps :D

Most of your little theories are so godawful wrong. Most of you guys who say that rich people sit on their butt all day. That's WRONG. You actually don't know how they will spend the money. There's a lot of rich people that live a regular life...just with benefits. Like going out to eat every 2 weeks or going to a good university.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'd rather be rich because when you're poor you can't live a rich or regular life. When you're rich, you can live a regular life if you choose to do so.

Most of your little theories are so godawful wrong. Most of you guys who say that rich people sit on their butt all day. That's WRONG. You actually don't know how they will spend the money. There's a lot of rich people that live a regular life...just with benefits. Like going out to eat every 2 weeks or going to a good university.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'd rather be rich because when you're poor you can't live a rich or regular life. When you're rich, you can live a regular life if you choose to do so.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

i'm going to have to agree with you, a lot of these "theories" presented feed off of common stereotypes, but a lot of you guys are treating them as fact. Might as well say kids in poor families learn bad habits 'cuz they're so poor