How important is money to you? [Archive] - Bub Hub Pregnancy & Parenting Forum

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sockstealingpoltergeist

11-09-2009, 21:13

How important is money to you?

What can money buy you?

What can't it buy you?

Discuss money.:)

paigeeloo

11-09-2009, 21:19

Money is not important to me!

Ofcourse having money helps some people deal with their day to day stresses of bills... but in the long run wouldn't you prefer to be happy an poor then rich an sad?

fox_girl

11-09-2009, 21:24

Money is not the be all and end all of things.

I am happy to have no money as long as all my bills are paid and the mortgage is paid and we have food to eat.

I am just lucky that DP & I both work so are able to live comfortably and have spare money to do what we like with.

So yes money is important to me, but only for the first reasons. If we didnt have any money left over I'd still be happy if things were paid.

I feel bad for those who dont have much money and struggle to get by. And I think money would be important to them but for the right reasons.

Blueberry Crumble

11-09-2009, 21:25

Money isnt that important to us.

I have no desire to be rich financially.

As long as I can afford to look after my kids properly.

crazymuma

11-09-2009, 21:29

Money is extremly important.

I have none - I struggle to pay the bills and put food on the table every single week.
I struggle to keep up with clothing for my 2 children who are growing so fast.
I have a car that I can't afford to service so pray that nothing major will ever go wrong.
My furniture is starting to fall to peices and I can't afford to replace it. (seriously my couch is ripped and my bed has wire poking me in the butt every night)
I can't afford to put my son into the sporting activities he wants to do - and it breaks my heart telling him no every time.
I can't afford to study through tafe to better my situation - simple fact is I can't come up with the initial enrolment fees.
I am wearing the same clothes I was wearing 5 years ago (and they look that bad too) as even if I came up with a spare $50 I certainly would never spend it on myself.
I live with the embarresment of being the poor one in a family who is reasonably well off (but not generous even when I am desperate)

I am ashamed to be in this situation
I am scared that it is going to get worse and one day I will not be able to put a roof over our heads.

Sorry to ramble but yes money is important to me - I think it usually is to those who don't have any.
I think that in many ways it would buy happiness - not having any is the biggest stress in my life. I am lonely - would love to go out and meet people but that costs money - so instead I sit at home getting lonlier. The only time I usually lose my cool these days is when I am seriously worried that we won't make it through the week - give me dollars and I think the kids and I would be cruisin.

MummaBear03

11-09-2009, 21:30

I have direct debits coming out each week to cover the basic bills (house, car, power, gas, school fees, etc) and so long as we have a roof over our head, food in our tummies, the use of power and hot water (which is on gas) and our basic health and safety needs are met, anything else is just a luxury :)

sam's mum

11-09-2009, 21:31

it is a hard question.

money is important to a certain extent. without it you can't get the necessities, let alone the basics in life.

once you have covered those....

I know that we earn more than the average. our mortage is more than the average too. we still have a balance between work and home life.

We don't work a full 5 day week (either of us).

to me it is about balance.

ICanDream

11-09-2009, 21:38

I think money is important, it's just how much that is the question.

I'd rather have good health than money but I didn't get that, so I want to make sure I have enough money to cover my medical needs.

I'd like to be in a position, which I think we nearly are, that we get a fortunate balance of homelife, needs, wants and work life.

I don't want to be rich but I'd like to always be comfortable, I don't want to always say yes to my kids for things but don't want to have to say no either.

I don't know, I guess it's an ever evolving thing to balance in your life.

BigRedV

11-09-2009, 21:39

sam's mum

11-09-2009, 21:43

the post Carla made about her health gave me a perspective.

My sister got $200,000 earlier this year. she now has only $8,000 owing on her mortgage, but she gave $20,000 to mum and dad. financially, she is living very well. She earns just over $100k per year and her kids are 16 and 18.

the only reason that she got the money though, is because she got diagnosed with cancer.

yeah for having the money, but would you really want it if that was the deal????

Blueberry Crumble

11-09-2009, 21:51

Just Add Water

11-09-2009, 21:55

Our life goes up and down depending on what we're bringing in. The amount of money we have directly affects our type of living. It affects what we can do with our kids. It affects our kids and what they can do with their friends, etc.

I think it's easy for people to say that money doesn't matter to them... but it only doesn't seem to matter if you have your bills paid, a roof over your head and food on the table... there are many people who struggle to get that.

We have had many weeks where a pasta bake was a luxury meal and then we've had weeks where we ate out at least 4 times a week..

I think until you've truly had to dig through the lounge and the car to find that two dollars to buy milk or bread then you truly don't understand the importance of money.

Blueberry Crumble

11-09-2009, 21:56

Money is not that important.

It can't buy you:

love- True (unless you cant afford to go out and meet someone :laughing:)

happiness- When worrying about money takes over all your potential happiness... sometimes it can

personality/character- VERY true

health- We live in a lucky country here, if it was America I would haveto disagree

talent- True

respect- True

sleep- It can if you spend all nights worrying about how you are going to pay your bills!

intelligence

beauty

Just took some things from your post :)

BigRedV

11-09-2009, 22:00

Just took some things from your post :)

Don't get me started on American Health system :rolleyes:

Money can buy you medicine and health insurance in America, but it can't buy you your
health.

Depression, cancer, Multpile Sclerosis, all other diseases do not discriminate.

sunnyflower

11-09-2009, 22:26

money is not the be all and end all to me.

it is just a means to an end.

as long as i can comfortably pay my bills and my ds is well cared for i am happy.

i am fortunate that although i am a single mum and get no child support i had nearly finished my nursing degree when i got pregnant.

now i don't have to work full time and we get by.

for that i am:) soooo grateful.

sockstealingpoltergeist

11-09-2009, 22:33

How important is money to you?
It is important to me that all australians are not living in relative poverty, so that they have acces to to the services they need and can live equitably compared to other Australians.

What can money buy you?
It can buy you material posessions, food clothing and shelter etc.

What can't it buy you?
It cannot buy you friends. Well perhaps it can, however they would be fake friends not real ones IMO.

It can't buy you love or respect.

it can't buy you knowlege or intelligence.

Discuss money.:)

Money is an important survival tool unfortunately, however I do feel many people place far to much emphasis on money. If you are miserable before you have money, you will be miserable after you get it.

Deserama

12-09-2009, 11:49

Money is not that important.

It can't buy you:

love

happiness

friendship

personality/character

health

talent

respect

immortality

peace

sleep

intelligence

beauty

home: Get married, start a family, have kids. Will they grow up into fine people? Have you got the hang of father/motherhood? Is your home really your castle, a cocoon of comfort? Or is it just a house with people in it? The card really stops here.

I beg to differ, You pretty much need money for a lot of those things. Well,,,, to help you out with a lot of those things anyway..

love - no - although money would be useful to use as a tool to get to know someone.

happiness - yes - If you stressed out about money and how you're going to pay your bills, and if it's causing arguements in your personal life...then money can certainly stop those things.

friendship - no - although it can help with socialising and meeting new people.

personality/character - personality - no - character - yes - a lot of character is gained by life experience and a lot of life experiences need money.

health - Yes - if you're sick, you need money to pay doctors to treat you. Especially in the US. No money can equal death.

talent - No - although if you want to develop your natural talent and not let it just sit there...that takes money.

respect - It shouldn't and it doesn't but sometimes it does unfortunately.

immortality - No - unless you're one of those people who believe that having children gives you immortality and that children carry your genes then yes...you need money to be able to have children.

peace - It shouldn't but it does. If you don't have money and you're life is one big struggle and stress and constant fighting with your partner then you're not going to be at peace are you?

sleep - YES - let me put it do you this way, if I could afford a nanny to come and spend the night and put my baby to sleep after I feed him so that I am able to sleep...then I would. ;)

intelligence - Not really unless you actually want to do womething with your intelligence in which case yes you do need money.

beauty - Inner beauty, no....outer beauty sometimes.

Deserama

12-09-2009, 11:54

Unfortunately we do need money to survive although I don't think that's a bad thing. Problems come through greed. I often think that if all the rich people in the world gave every million they earned to the needy (3rd world countries included) then there would be no poverty. But greed doesn't allow this to happen I'm afraid.

Sorry to get biblical but the saying "Money is the root of all evil" is not true....the scripture actually is 'The LOVE of money is the root of all evil" <---- This is what I believe is the cause of greed, crimes etc etc.

Hollywood

12-09-2009, 12:05

How important is money to you?
It is very important. We live in a society where money is crucial to everyday survival, and I'm sure that without it I would be homeless and really struggling with life.

What can money buy you?
Food, shelter, clothing, footwear, entertainment, car expenses, holidays

What can't it buy you?
Family, friendship, love, all that stuff.

I don't for a second believe that money is not important. I suspect that when people say "Money isn't important at all to me" that perhaps what they really mean is that they don't feel the need to have LOTS of it. Go tell a homeless person that money means nothing to you. They would give you a very different perspective ;)

Mrs Nietzsche

12-09-2009, 12:06

Deserama

12-09-2009, 12:17

I guess money is like health, a lot of people take it for granted until they don't have it, and realise how important it is.

There is nothing worse than feeling utterly trapped by poverty. Because of the experience I had just after my first DH died, and I had to pay a mortgage (or not, rather - couldnt manage to) and pay off bills that we had from being a double income family on a single parent pension, it is really important to me to never ever be that close to the edge again.

On the other hand, money is not important enough to me that I would ever take a job that involved me having to compromise my principles, or anything like that. And money certainly wasn't important when I choose a partner.

:yes: Well that's the bottom line isn't it. It's all about to what 'level' of importancy (Is that a word?) it is hey.

I think Tysonsmummy is right when she says...

I suspect that when people say "Money isn't important at all to me" that perhaps what they really mean is that they don't feel the need to have LOTS of it.

That's it.

I do often wonder, though, how it would feel to be rich. Never having to worry about anything, buying everything I want. But what kind of a person would I become?

delirium

12-09-2009, 12:19

Not important :no: Of course we need money to pay our rent and buy food, but as someone else said, anything above that is a bonus.

Both DH and I were brought up poor, so we are happy with little. We are also very frugal so even though we are not rich, our children never go without anything, even if it means DH and I do.

Material items are just stuff, inanimate objects that don't imo, truely make us happy. If they did, rich people would never be unhappy and we know that's not the case.

PeppaH

12-09-2009, 12:26

Its very important to me :yes: Its the only thing I need in my life right now to make it perfect. It would mean I wouldnt be as stressed, bringing in turn happiness.
I dont want much out of life but to have money is one of those things. Everything else Im willing to live without.

BigRedV

12-09-2009, 12:56

I beg to differ, You pretty much need money for a lot of those things. Well,,,, to help you out with a lot of those things anyway..

love

happiness

friendship

personality/character

health

talent

respect

immortality

peace - It shouldn't but it does. If you don't have money and you're life is one big struggle and stress and constant fighting with your partner then you're not going to be at peace are you?

sleep -

intelligence

beauty - Inner beauty, no....outer beauty sometimes.

I disagree :o with some :p

love - It’s another cliche that money can’t buy love, but a true one. Money can buy initial attraction or even lust, but “true” love comes from mutual respect, caring for each other, sharing experiences, and growing together. There’s a reason that people who marry only for money rarely end up happy. Love at it’s best functions regardless of whether you have a lot of money or very little.

Happiness - It can buy you some fun and fleeting joy—a cool vacation, a big TV, a fast car—but it can’t buy the true happiness that comes from liking yourself, having stable relationships, and good a familial support system.

Friends - money can buy companions. With friends, it works the same way, only more so. If your wealth draws them, they aren't real. If they don't stay, or your life has no place for them, you are on your own. With real friends, you've almost got it made.

Health - we're not in America, we have mediare. Money can buy healthcare and medicine, but it cannot replace health once it’s lost. It’s far better to take preventative action such as watching what you eat, exercising, not smoking, and getting regular physicals than to rely on money to save you once your body has started to fail you. Like I said, cancer doesn't discriminate. The richest person in the world can still be struck with cancer, depression, MS, Parkinsons and any other disease.

Talent - People are born with certain talents. Money can certainly nurture a talent. You can buy music lessons or coaching sessions to nurture your talents, but money cannot buy a talent. You can learn to do certain things well.

Respect - money can buy flattery but not respect. You can smirk at the poor ants down below on the street, but they will pull faces behind your back if you are the sort who is perpetually asking for it. This is one asset you really need to work on all the time to earn.

Immortality - your genes may live on in your children but YOU WILL die. Two guarantees in life - taxes and death.

Peace - meant more world peace rather than peace of mind. If money could buy peace, I think we’d be there by now. Think of the amount of money that governments have spent over the years in the name of “peace.” Has it worked? Nope. Peace isn’t something you buy. I think peace only comes from acting fairly, humanely, and treating others (people and countries) as we would want to be treated. And even then, it might not be possible. But for sure money won’t buy it.

sleep - won't be a problem once your baby is older. Money can buy a bed but not sleep.

Intelligence - money can buy books but not brains.

Beauty - money can buy finery but not beauty. You can spend thousands on “treatments” to preserve your looks, but it’s an illusion.

It is important to manage your money well, to educate yourself about money, and earn enough to secure your financial future. However, it pays to stop and think every now and then about the things you would still have even if you didn’t have money. Your family, your health, and your gifts and abilities aren’t determined by how much money you have. There are things that no amount of money can buy and it’s worthwhile to pursue them even as you worry about money. Money is important, but it’s not the most important thing in the world.

munchie

12-09-2009, 13:27

I disagree :o with some :p

love - It’s another cliche that money can’t buy love, but a true one. Money can buy initial attraction or even lust, but “true” love comes from mutual respect, caring for each other, sharing experiences, and growing together. There’s a reason that people who marry only for money rarely end up happy. Love at it’s best functions regardless of whether you have a lot of money or very little.

Happiness - It can buy you some fun and fleeting joy—a cool vacation, a big TV, a fast car—but it can’t buy the true happiness that comes from liking yourself, having stable relationships, and good a familial support system.

Friends - money can buy companions. With friends, it works the same way, only more so. If your wealth draws them, they aren't real. If they don't stay, or your life has no place for them, you are on your own. With real friends, you've almost got it made.

Health - we're not in America, we have mediare. Money can buy healthcare and medicine, but it cannot replace health once it’s lost. It’s far better to take preventative action such as watching what you eat, exercising, not smoking, and getting regular physicals than to rely on money to save you once your body has started to fail you. Like I said, cancer doesn't discriminate. The richest person in the world can still be struck with cancer, depression, MS, Parkinsons and any other disease.

Talent - People are born with certain talents. Money can certainly nurture a talent. You can buy music lessons or coaching sessions to nurture your talents, but money cannot buy a talent. You can learn to do certain things well.

Respect - money can buy flattery but not respect. You can smirk at the poor ants down below on the street, but they will pull faces behind your back if you are the sort who is perpetually asking for it. This is one asset you really need to work on all the time to earn.

Immortality - your genes may live on in your children but YOU WILL die. Two guarantees in life - taxes and death.

Peace - meant more world peace rather than peace of mind. If money could buy peace, I think we’d be there by now. Think of the amount of money that governments have spent over the years in the name of “peace.” Has it worked? Nope. Peace isn’t something you buy. I think peace only comes from acting fairly, humanely, and treating others (people and countries) as we would want to be treated. And even then, it might not be possible. But for sure money won’t buy it.

sleep - won't be a problem once your baby is older. Money can buy a bed but not sleep.

Intelligence - money can buy books but not brains.

Beauty - money can buy finery but not beauty. You can spend thousands on “treatments” to preserve your looks, but it’s an illusion.

It is important to manage your money well, to educate yourself about money, and earn enough to secure your financial future. However, it pays to stop and think every now and then about the things you would still have even if you didn’t have money. Your family, your health, and your gifts and abilities aren’t determined by how much money you have. There are things that no amount of money can buy and it’s worthwhile to pursue them even as you worry about money. Money is important, but it’s not the most important thing in the world.

...

sara86

12-09-2009, 13:29

I like money - i like having it, spending it, saving it...

I come from a fairly well off family, so ive always had money... there was a time when i first moved out that i was struggling, and i didnt like it.
I like being able to go to the shops and if i see something i like, i buy it.

Does it make me happy? yes - less stress, i dont have to really 'budget' for many things or think 'i cant afford it this week'.

Money is a major cause for relationship stress/issues also - so in some ways money is one less thing to fight about! (im not saying money = great relationships!)

munchie

12-09-2009, 13:32

:yes: some of it. It was more articulate than I...don't dob me in for plagiarism :laughing: a few bits are my own words.
...

SassyMummy

12-09-2009, 13:35

Of course money is important! Without it, we would not have food in our bellies, a roof over our head, clothes on our back, etc.

Love is great, but it's not ALL you need, despite what the Beatles may tell you. :p I personally need far more than just love... I need food and water and housing and clothing. In this day and age, money is required to get those things.

It's important to me now, because we'd like a little stability in our lives. We are barely making it each pay day... we often have to borow from FIL and then pay it back. It's not like we're living luxuriously either... we don't go out anywhere because we can't afford it, and though we really need new clothes this Summer, we cannot afford it.

It's why I'm hoping I get this job I'm being interviewed for on Tuesday. It's not even a good job - it's just working at McDonalds... but at this point, we NEED the money to make ends meet.

It's a pretty big issue in our life lately... and so I'm trying to secure more of it for us, and for our future.

12-09-2009, 14:16

Really...can you be done for plagiarism from the internet :detective: :confused: :laughing:

Yes :yes:

Deserama

12-09-2009, 17:45

I disagree :o with some :p

love - It’s another cliche that money can’t buy love, but a true one. Money can buy initial attraction or even lust, but “true” love comes from mutual respect, caring for each other, sharing experiences, and growing together. There’s a reason that people who marry only for money rarely end up happy. Love at it’s best functions regardless of whether you have a lot of money or very little.

Ok you have a point but what I meant was...going out and meeting people and getting to know them through dating etc. Least in my case...if I didn't have money for the internet I would not have met my dh....hence we would not be able to fall in love,

Happiness - It can buy you some fun and fleeting joy—a cool vacation, a big TV, a fast car—but it can’t buy the true happiness that comes from liking yourself, having stable relationships, and good a familial support system.

No but having money to pay bills and thus relieving stress and arguments in the household can certainly make you happy.

Friends - money can buy companions. With friends, it works the same way, only more so. If your wealth draws them, they aren't real. If they don't stay, or your life has no place for them, you are on your own. With real friends, you've almost got it made.

Ok point taken but my point was socialising etc...you need money. One of my best friends I met online...again something I needed money for.

Health - we're not in America, we have mediare. Money can buy healthcare and medicine, but it cannot replace health once it’s lost. It’s far better to take preventative action such as watching what you eat, exercising, not smoking, and getting regular physicals than to rely on money to save you once your body has started to fail you. Like I said, cancer doesn't discriminate. The richest person in the world can still be struck with cancer, depression, MS, Parkinsons and any other disease.

Yes but it still takes money to treat illness. I suffer from depression, I have to fork out $30 odd a pop for my AD's...money. Cancer patients need treatment...money. Healthy alternatives to food....money. Joggers so you can exercise...money. Ms treatment....money etc etc. You need money for everything even with medicare and healthcare...there are gaps! No money equals no treatment.

Talent - People are born with certain talents. Money can certainly nurture a talent. You can buy music lessons or coaching sessions to nurture your talents, but money cannot buy a talent. You can learn to do certain things well.

Ok but what good is a talent if you can't develop it. I might have been born with talent to play musical instruments...without money, I can't buy one nor can I learn to play one. Dead talent never searved anyone.

Respect - money can buy flattery but not respect. You can smirk at the poor ants down below on the street, but they will pull faces behind your back if you are the sort who is perpetually asking for it. This is one asset you really need to work on all the time to earn.

I agreed with this but added that some may think that success earns you respect.

Immortality - your genes may live on in your children but YOU WILL die. Two guarantees in life - taxes and death.[/quote[

Yes but some may believe that you live on through your children.

[quote]Peace - meant more world peace rather than peace of mind. If money could buy peace, I think we’d be there by now. Think of the amount of money that governments have spent over the years in the name of “peace.” Has it worked? Nope. Peace isn’t something you buy. I think peace only comes from acting fairly, humanely, and treating others (people and countries) as we would want to be treated. And even then, it might not be possible. But for sure money won’t buy it.

I guess you could pay countries to keep the peace maybe...through treaties??? There's an idea! Hey I could run the country!!! ;)

sleep - won't be a problem once your baby is older. Money can buy a bed but not sleep.

As I said...buy me a nanny and I'll sleep LOL ;)

Intelligence - money can buy books but not brains.

Again what good is intelligence if you can't develop it?

Beauty - money can buy finery but not beauty. You can spend thousands on “treatments” to preserve your looks, but it’s an illusion.

Yeh I guess, although Pammy Anderson might disagree with you "They ARE real...like they're REALLY REALLY fake."

BigRedV

12-09-2009, 18:28

[/FONT]

Yes but it still takes money to treat illness. I suffer from depression, I have to fork out $30 odd a pop for my AD's...money. Cancer patients need treatment...money. Healthy alternatives to food....money. Joggers so you can exercise...money. Ms treatment....money etc etc. You need money for everything even with medicare and healthcare...there are gaps! No money equals no treatment.

I can see your POV in all of them but just want to go over this one.

Money cannot buy health IMO. If money could guarantee everybody their health then we wouldn't need doctors, nurses, hospitals, medicines etc. because we could just buy our health.

Sure, you need money for the treatment of depression in your case but some of the most famous people in the world have depression - there is no money that can stop you from getting depression or any other disease/illness.

Not one disease/illness in the world discriminates.

Also, my dad survived bowel cancer, didn't pay a cent in all his years of treatment.

My mum has MS, because she is an invalid (brought on by her condition) she gets the treatment for free. Anybody who is on a pension and cannot afford this treatment gets it for free. If my mum could pay a sum of money to take the disease away entirely, or stop herself from ever getting it in the first place, she would but money can't do that.

People who are on a pension get discounts and there is always generic brands that are much cheaper.

Still, if you could buy your health in the first place, you wouldn't need money for treatment.

Looshkin

12-09-2009, 18:35

Freegans live happy lifes without relying on excessive money.

So do christians that follow in the footsteps of jesus.:)

sockstealingpoltergeist

12-09-2009, 18:38

Freegans live happy lifes without relying on excessive money.

So do christians that follow in the footsteps of jesus.:):yes:

That is true God provides everything you need.

PeppaH

12-09-2009, 18:38

:yes:

That is true God provides everything you need.

And for those that dont believe in the good lord? We all burn in a bundle of debt :(

Hollywood

12-09-2009, 18:44

Freegans live happy lifes without relying on excessive money.

So do christians that follow in the footsteps of jesus.:)

Yes, but they still need some money. I guess it's just a matter of what amount. World Vision and other such charities exist because people in third world countries don't have enough to sustain a healthy life. Again, go tell them that money isn't important to you ;)

Looshkin

12-09-2009, 18:54

Yes, but they still need some money. I guess it's just a matter of what amount. World Vision and other such charities exist because people in third world countries don't have enough to sustain a healthy life. Again, go tell them that money isn't important to you ;)

Not sure if you meant a collective "you" or me.
I didn't say it wasn't necessary in my life.
I've done and do things in my life that require money.

I am merely fascinated with the lifestyles of those I know who live with very little money and are indeed truly happy.

Of course it very much depends on a culture that people can grow, make and trade.
But some people I know are entirely self sufficient.

Again, go tell them that money isn't important to you ;)Not sure why you said that or what your point was, I would hardly be rude enough to go and tell someone struggling that money wasn't an issue, if it clearly was.

delirium

12-09-2009, 20:38

crazymuma

12-09-2009, 20:50

And for those that dont believe in the good lord? We all burn in a bundle of debt :(

:laughing::laughing::laughing: - no wonder I have so many money problems

crazymuma

12-09-2009, 21:00

I don't think those that feel money isn't important to them are denying the impact of poverty in the world, I know I don't. Saying we don't need money to be happy doesn't equal that people starving to death don't need money to survive.

Of course EVERYONE, ultimately needs money to live. But I took the question to be, how important it is beyond the bare essentials.

I think when all you have in life are bare essentials you want more - bare essentials aren't easy. I have the essentials in life but I am human I want more - I want to experience all that life has to offer - and some of that costs money.

I want to be able to provide extras for my children - simple things like a trip to the movies, swimming lessons, sports, camps and field trips once they start school - I think these things are important and I am scared of how my children will miss out.

I grew up playing different sports every weekend, daily swimming lessons, yearly family holidays, plenty of food, nice house and pocket money - no I didn't need these things but I had them and have a million great memories and I want my children to have the same opportunities.

I think its usually the people with money or those that are comfortable that are saying its not important to them - if its not something that you think/stress about every single day of your life then you tend to be a bit more laid back in your attitude about it - I know my attitude towards money has changed since going from a well off two income family to a single parent pension with no child support

I don't want/need millions but I would love the feeling of security owning a home, having a couple hundred in the bank for emergencies, I would love to see a $30 outfit in the shops and buy it without layby. I would love to take up peoples offers of going to the zoo, movies, dinner, coffee shop etc but I simply can't - EVER!! (well at least until I can find a job :D)

Annabella

12-09-2009, 22:10

Crazymuma, I agree with you...

My family were lower-middle classish growing up, we didn't have a lot of money, I never had a cabbage patch doll or anything coz they were too expensive but mum and dad paid off their house (which was $37000 in Sydney back then!!!), we had food every night (albeit sometimes was provided by friends of their from church), but we we had so much love etc that I've never felt like I missed out on much.

When I got pregnant and we were on the dole and parenting payment, money suddenly became very important. It is so so hard not having any, I never ever bought clothes for me or my kids, I constantly had to turn down invitations to socialise etc. We were happy and healthy, which is definitely more important than having money, but I was always stressed and worried about making ends meet. And its little things ike not being able to go to a naturopath when you truly believe thats the best treatment for whatever you are suffering from, or my husband had to go to the govt dentist where instead of filling your teeth they rip them out...

Now we have lots of money (for the time being anyway), and suddenly its not that important anymore.

I would rather have my health, love, happiness etc, over money. And I don't believe money can buy these things. Although my husband is earning a lot atm, we don't live an extravagent lifestyle, its just not us. And I don't want love, respect or friendship from anyone that is offering it because I have money. But having financial security sure makes life a lot easier.

Jakois

13-09-2009, 09:03

Money is not really thaqt important to me.
So long as we have enough to live without being in poverty I would be happy.
Anymore than that is a bonus.

Money cannot buy you:

Family
Morals
Values
Ethics
Intelligence
A great personality
Natural talent
TRUE Friends
Health
Those are things that make you truly happy.

CrankyAndTired

13-09-2009, 09:25

If you are lacking housing, food or clothing; money is extremely important!

Poverty aisde, money is a means to an end. Its importance varies depending on what you need and/or want.

For us, money has meant we could "buy" more time together as a family - and for that I am very grateful.

But at the end of that day, "Money cant be me love" :sunshine:

Laurens 1st

13-09-2009, 11:06

I believe we're all slaves to a system that is designed to make debt. Just what has recession taught us? That money breeds greed for the well off and depression for the poor. So why do so many of us define our lives by the money we have if we know its unhealthy for our minds? Here is the proof.

I cant say that money is not important to me. As I crave what I dont have right now. I guess Im a sucker for the system. I want to travel and see the world with my family, I want to replace the furniture, I want my child to have the same christmas's and birthdays I had as a child, I want to own my own home and not rent off my father.. So in some way money is important to me.

Although, money doesnt buy happiness or family or love.. there is so much more to life.

Sometimes downsizing, taking a step back, clearly out all that clutter you dont actually need, can be cleansing for the soul! It makes you put life in perspective.
I admire those recluses that set off to go live off the land. Wish I had the guts to do that.

Perhaps people who have never lived well financially will always crave more money and understandably so! We always want what we dont have. But Im sure they have more wealth than the rich.. its just not financial wealth.
We all start off small. Money comes and goes, and if you go with it, you've missed the point of life.

I like Lozzaaa 's comment..
"Get married, start a family, have kids. Will they grow up into fine people? Have you got the hang of father/motherhood? Is your home really your castle, a cocoon of comfort? Or is it just a house with people in it? The card really stops here.''

I grew up in a financially comfortable family, but I see now that Im on the other side, without a job, about to start my own family, I see that the perfect looking home was not a home at all, it was just a house with people in it. Im grateful for the childhood I had. Im sure my dad worked hard for us, Im not doubting that for a second. But I think we all missed the point of living somehow. Divorce shows the true nature of a family. Your family is built on money, or love.. and money sure isnt love! So when it all falls apart. You've lost more than just your money.

nothanksbye

13-09-2009, 11:24

Money is important to me.

Not in a greedy I have to have it way but in a needed way.

It buys,
The kids schooling
a nice place to live that is secure.
my sons asthma meds
my grans retirement home

It doesnt buy happiness and love and all that.
but it does buy alot of things.

WorkingClassMum

13-09-2009, 12:11

If you don't have it, money is critically important.

I have enough to get by quite comfortably thankyou very much these days

I lived most of my childhood being haunted by my parents constantly telling me that they didn't have enough.

My sis was constantly hammered as to the fact that her illness cost my dad a house.

I hated wearing disgusting hand me downs and missing school camps and excursions.

The lack of money as a child didn't teach me to be thrifty, oh no, I spent all what I had when I got it 'cos I was sick of not having nice new or pretty things.

I watch my single-mother sole-parent with no CSA bring up her kids as best she can, knowing that her clothes are also old, or op-shop. I buy new things and give them to her telling her I don't like them just so as she can have a new thing or two 'cos if I gave her the money she'd put it aside for bills or buy something her kids need.

Money can't buy you happiness, but a serious lack of money is soul destroying.

delirium

13-09-2009, 13:09

I guess it really depends how we see our childhood and how that wealth or lack there of, has shaped us.

Dh and I had hand me downs and vinnies clothes, we rarily got 'treats', we never went on big holidays. As a kid, I hated being poor. I didn't have the brand names and I wanted to fit in.

Now as an adult, I'm actually glad we were poor bc it has shaped the person I am today. I consider myself frugal, down to earth and I value everything we have. Now I'm not saying anyone that grew up wealthy is a brat or should have to excuse that they had money - far from it. I'm only speaking for me.