Would you rather have cash, or living flashy?

I worked as an investment banker before I was a freelance writer. I learned that 80% of my clients had beautiful, fashionable clothing and fancy, expensive cars. They had great electronic gadgets and big TVs and gorgeous big swanky homes... And they all came to visit me at the bank to try and sort out their massive debts, credit card bills, personal loans, car loans, hire purchase agreements... They might have looked like they had a great lifestyle, but the reality was that 80% of them were stressed, unhappy and broke. It was my job to try and teach them how to take responsibility of their money. it never worked. They liked the lifestyle too much to give it up. The other 20% of my clients were truly rich. They had LOADS of money and could afford to do anything they wanted. They often lived in nice homes, but not big, swanky fancy things - the difference was that they'd paid off their mortgages. They also drove nice cars, but not big, flashy, fancy ones. They also didn't have debt on silly things like cars, credit cards or hire purchase. The truly rich clients I had spent their money wisely and then came to visit me to learn how to invest the rest of their cash better. So I think if you look at the two types of clients I had - I'd rather be like the 20% who had plenty of cash but were sensible about doing the right thing with their money.

Cash, I would love to get on a cash only system. I dont mind having a tiny house and cars a few years old. I have no one to keep up with. I have debt and my plan is to get rid if it as fast as I can. I buy my clothes used and clip coupons like crazy. I know a lot of my family thinks I am over board, but they wont in a few years when I have cash to spend and they are still making all their little payments.

Hey, Well I think that I would rather have the cash than to live flashy. I don't really think that I would want to live in a flashy type lifestyle. I would just prefer the cash, I for some reason like the cash, so yea I would prefer it. Make sure you have a good day, God bless and Happy Lotting!!

I dont even want a flashy lifestyle! If I had the money to support it, I still wouldnt do it! That lifestyle just isnt for anyone. Based on the fact that you posted this in 'frugal living' I am going to guess that most people in this interest are going to go for the cash everytime! I know that I would!

I'm a single mum, so I would rather have the cash. I dont need a flashy life just the means to give my son the life he deserves.

I would prefer to just have the money on hand instead of wasting it on showing off how much money I have (had). it seems kind of retarded having a lot of money then spending it all on stuff to show off your wealth...which you no longer have because you just spent it on stuff that you are going to use to show it off!

funny, i was thinking about this on the way home from work. i was wearing my crocs (brand name, but got them for free), a thick sterling silver ring ($2 at the recycle centre), my brandname purse (on the clearance rack). you can look expensive but it doesnt have to BE expensive! (so obviously, i would rather have the cash!)

I would want the cash but i would want to live a mediocre lifestyle.

I prefer a simple life than flashy life but lack of money to use. It's enough to buy what we need to use and keep something for extra instead buying expensive things just to look elegant but we might not need it. I usually save any extra money that I earn for future usage. There's always a need to use it and I might need emergency cash.

my mom says I have a lot of clothes and thinks I have a lot of money.actually,I do have lots of clothes, because I buy vintage and secondhands.they're actually cheap and I'm proud of them because a lot of my office mates find them beautiful. I don't live a flashy life;in fact I have a part-time job so I can have money to save. I am frugal. I do splurge,but not all the time.saving for my future is still my priority.

I would say that I will choose money or saving money. It is because in this point in time that we are experiencing crisis it is better for us to save money rather than buying many expensive thing that we will not use. Because for me the more important thing is that I will save money to support our basic needs. thanks for asking.

I'm more of the Jed Klampett kind of guy, not necessarily a hillbilly, but I like to dress comfortable and not flashy. I'll take a $5 watch over a $10,000 dollar Rolex and forget about driving around in an expensive car where you are afraid of getting it scratched, dented, or in an accident. Even when it comes to a house, how many rooms do you need? (OK, Jed had a mansion). Dressing flashy and living flashy would only make me wonder why people are being nice to me, is it the money or is it me? Would you give me the time of day if I was just your average Joe?

I'd rather to have cash and live a simple life than living a flashy life but with creditors all around me..

I would rather have the cash and use the money for my basic needs. I could also help family members if they needed help. I would want a car that is nice but is not flashy. My clothes do not have to be expense just look nice on me.