who is rich?
By jennyze
@jennyze (7028)
Indonesia
May 8, 2010 7:39am CST
I worked in several good companies with good positions and salaries for several years. However, to date I don't have a house, a car, a bulk sum in my bank account and I don't have any investments. A friend who began her carrier at the same time as I did, has a house and much more money in her bank account than I do. I began searching for such an explanation.
Here are the facts:
Let's begin with me. Every pay day,I normally will treat myself to some of the following: a. eating in a fancy restaurant, b. watching movie in cinema, c. shopping for one or two clothes, d. pampering myself in a beauty salon, e. buying books I like to read, f. hanging out with friend in a cafe.
When I got bonuses, I mostly spent them for traveling to other cities in Indonesia visiting families and friends. It has been a year now that I took a course in Chinese Mandarin, so I had to dig deeper into my bank account.
Now,let's look at my friend. She worked in a company for long years with a position not much higher that when she started. She does not speak English, she does not have laptop, she does not have a digital camera, she does not any insurances. She rarely travels, pampers herself in a beauty salon, and hangs out in a cafe with friends. She does not read books, she does not chat and she does not watch movies, and she does not date. She barely goes outside her house, except to go to work and to attend a friend's wedding celebration.
When she received an invitation to a party which was held in a hotel, she would enlist me to go with her. And she would ask me lots of questions beforehand as to what to wear, what to bring, how to behave, etc. Whenever she wanted to buy new clothes (every six months) she would call me to go with her to a mall and to choose the clothes suitable for her.
I encouraged her to spend more time with friends, go somewhere just for fun, eat different dishes, but she wouldn't budge. Her reason was she did not want to spend money than necessary.
Well, it gets back to the individual's priority. I guess having much money is very important for my friend, though I fail to see what for if she does not spend them. As for me, I consider having more knowledge and experiences are very important, because no one can steal it.
4 responses
@airakumar (1553)
• India
14 May 10
Well, I would definitely say that rich are those persons who are satisfied from his/her life. Even when you have enough money to spend and you are not happy then your richness is not worth. You are rich when you are happy, healthy and take care of your family. There is love and happiness in the family then only it is considered that one is actually rich. For example, if one family has everything, children, money, career and has no tensions but there is no communications between children and parents, between siblings then also hat family is not rich at all. For me, one is rich when you are happy and enjoying your life to the fullest with your family and take care of your family very well and happiness is all around.
@airakumar (1553)
• India
14 May 10
Well, I would also like to add something for you that you are what I really like this kind of personality. I appreciate that you are enjoying your life as I do. I love the life you are leading and you will be surprised to hear that my life is same..I just do all that you do. My husband and I am very happy with whatever we had and enjoy our life to the fullest each and every day.
@annierose (21583)
• Philippines
9 May 10
hi jennyze,
Everyone of us is rich in different ways. It can be with money, friends, experiences, etc. I think your friend has a difficult life compare to yours. I can understand this because I am somewhat like your friends as well. I do hope to spend more time pampering myself every time I receive my salary. Honestly, I am jealous with my co-teachers who will spend their money right away after they get it. They will do shopping, treat theirselves in a salon, go to bar and many more. I am jealous with them because I cannot experience what they are doing. My salary is very low so I have to spend it wisely. I still live with my parents and I need to help my sister with her expenses on her study. Although, I know I have to look for enjoyment sometimes, but whenever I see myself enjoying while my family is having a hard time budgeting money, it makes me feel guilty. I understand what you mean but maybe this is not yet the perfect time for me to do those things. However, I just try to pamper myself in little ways like making friends online and learning new language.
@allamgirl (2140)
• Philippines
8 May 10
that's something to think about, jennyze :)
although, personally, i'm much more into your style than your friend's. i do the same thing as you do, i get paid, i withdraw it, give some to my mom, treat my brothers or my friends, buy something for myself, then put a little in the bank.i used to be more like your friend, i would be stingy to myself, and would just put all my salary in the bank. i would not buy those really comfy shoes because they're more expensive, and when i would travel, i would not buy anything because i'm saving up my money. but i gotta say, i didn't enjoy it. so, when i received my first full bonus, i bought myself a psp, then after that a digital camera, then a new phone, then an ipod, then the watch that i wanted but i wouldn't buy because of the price, and so on and so on. i gotta say, this is what i enjoyed better. i enjoy when i treat myself, when i treat my family to nice lunch or dinner, or when i go out with friends then would treat some of them who doesn't have work at the time.
so, who's rich, you ask? i would say it depends on your perspective. i believe that being rich doesn't just involve money. my mom used to say, we don't have a lot of money, but she's rich because she's happy with her family. i guess being rich is somehow, having what makes you happy.
@jennyze (7028)
• Indonesia
8 May 10
I am 100% agree with you. I'd rather be rich in knowledge than in money but could not spend them. Even,at office many friends sought me for advice, because they see me as having more experiences. So,I feel rich, even though there is only a couple of hundred dollars in the bank.^^
