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Published on April 12, 2005 By Texas Wahine In Misc
Disclaimer: I am making broad, sweeping generalizations about wealthy people (yeah, mostly women) in this article. Not all wealthy people live or act this way.

In general, I think great wealth is a burden. That's right...I don't crave to be rich. Here's why:

1. Your 2 grand hoity toity pure bred dog's dumps aren't any less stinky or easier to pick up than the ungodly ones my $150 mutt makes. Same poop, better price.

2. I don't have to have an expensive new toy in order to have a reason to speak to my family members or neighbors. Add to that the fact that I can speak with my neighbors while both they and I are wearing pajama bottoms and a t-shirt without a bra instead of squeezing ourselves into something uncomfortable with an impressive label on it, and I think we poor folk are getting the better deal.

3. When we have a choice between time or money, we always choose time. And our children will remember this.

4. Your watch has diamonds and an insurance policy. Mine has...the Power Puff Girls!

5. Wine tastes disgusting (much like what I imagine dirty feet would taste like)...beer, not so much.

6. We blow $300 per kid on Christmas presents that they will break and forget about within the week. You blow a couple grand or more per kid on Christmas presents that they will break and forget about within the week.

7. If I lose my sunglasses, I pull out a ten and buy a new pair. You get yelled at by your husband for not taking care of such a valuable item and if you're lucky, you get a new pair. If not, squint and get botox.

8. While your fake boobs may actually save your life in the event of a freak swordfish accident, my boobs don't have to be replaced every 5 years or 3,000 miles.

9. A pair of $30 jeans, a $5 tank top, and $2.50 rubber slippahs from Old Navy are awesome, nice, new clothes to me. Ah, the satisfaction. You couldn't buy yourself a pair of panties for that price.

10. If I need to do...umm...personal grooming...I can do it by myself in the privacy of my home with a bottle of fruity scented cream. You have to pay big bucks to have your most sensitive areas brutally de-fuzzed by a sadistic Korean lady with mis-matched eyebrows.

11. I can completely redecorate my bedroom with $100 and an hour and a half. You have to move out of your room and step around construction odds and ends for a week in order to spice up your love nest.

12. I've never paid for 20 kids to whine and get sunburned at a crowded amusement park for a birthday party. Some paper hats, some theme stickers, and a slice of ice cream cake is all it takes to wow my party guests.

13. You eat what I step on in the morning while taking the kids to school. While you suck down your escargot, I'll be plenty happy with my TGIFridays mozzarella sticks. I've never squished one of those on the sidewalk.

14. Your kids wear lame, crispy, navy and white uniforms to school day in and day out. Mine wore flip-flops, a pair of shorts a friend left at our house (after 2 weeks, it's yours), and a t-shirt with a sea turtle on it. Guess which one had a better time playing Ninja Restaurant on the playground?

15. When you add real cheddar cheese, Spongebob macaroni box mix is really delicious. But you'll never know that.

Comments (Page 2)
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on Apr 13, 2005

Me: ]*gasp* Say what you want about rich people, but leave the poor innocent wine alone!

Dr. Guy:
YEA! As a frog, I can tell you that good wine is the nectar of gods! I was drinking it since I was teething! A good Chianti or other dry red wine is the best!
Floozie:
Agreed. Wine is your friend if you only give it a chance.


Ha, good to see I've got some backing on this point. Seriously Texas I used to hate the stuff especially red (until I was 15, I was in training for some time under mum's tutelage)but after you aquire a taste for it you never go back. Now I have a red almost every night with dinner.

I should say that I think you made many valid points about what really matters in life. You should try to enjoy the simple things in life.....just not at the necessarily at exclusion of a complex red Good article.

on Apr 13, 2005
At this point in my life, I really don't care to be rich. To get my health back to the point where I could work again, now that would be nice!! ;~D
on Apr 13, 2005
God I just love pointing out the overlooked tex, YOU are rich , in inner AND outer beauty, wealthy beyond dreams in family, loved admired and respected here, now that is a wealth that cannot be bought.
on Apr 13, 2005
I don't want to be rich, but I really wish I could afford one of those Mini Coopers...gah, I really like those little cars.

on Apr 14, 2005
I think its amazing the amount of people who would choose not to be rich.

With great wealth comes great responsibility...so much more is expected of you. Enough is plenty for me, too. But at the moment there just isn't enough...which drives me nuts (sorry...but at $25,000 motorcycle is NOT condusive to paying college loans, doofus!).

There are some things I'd like though...maybe not a Mini Cooper...but...hmmm...a trampoline? One of the big square ones. THey've always looked like fun.
on Apr 14, 2005
muscadine wine, Brandie, it's the shit

I like escargot, but you know me, I'll eat anything.

Marcie >> if we wanted to be rich, we wouldn't have gone into education
on Apr 14, 2005
I have to agree, wealth is not something I crave. As Little_Whip said, enough to live comfortably on is enough for me.

I'd like success, but wealth and success don't always go hand-in-hand.
on Apr 14, 2005
I'll be plenty happy with my TGIFridays mozzarella sticks. I've never squished one of those on the sidewalk.


What! You've never squished a Mozzarella Stick as it tries to wiggle away under the barstool and escape to the tile so it can roll back into the kitchen? Girl, you've gotta try that sometime. There's nothing quite like the visceral thrill you get from the sound and feeling of the "FLRGHGH" that oozes from its bready pores as you mash it squarely under the heel of your boot and destroy any hope it ever had of escaping.

Of course, that does make it taste kind of icky afterward, especially if you have a dog, so maybe you do want to pass on it after all...
on Apr 16, 2005
OK, i'm drunk and Adrian's playing video games and eating macaroni and cheese (told you it was good)...so, I'm going to try to respond to everthing. Forgive me if my responses are retarded and forgive me for saying retarded...that's not very PC of me...ok...so here goes...
on Apr 17, 2005
A great pooint made very humorously
on Apr 17, 2005
Well, I got sidetracked last night...so here's my replies. Thanks all for the great responses!

Toblerone:
*gasp* Say what you want about rich people, but leave the poor innocent wine alone!


Hahhahaa...well, I've yet to discover a tasty wine...any suggestions?

SPC:
Meh, I've been on the other side, and I could bear to try being rich (maybe not a rich girl, that's a little too much change all at once) for a little while, you know, just to try it out and make sure..........


Well, if it's for educational purposes...

Dusk:
There's a show run on the weekends called Access-Extra-Mansions-and-Millionaires. It's whole entire point is to make people feel horrible and jealous that they can't afford the expensive homes or exotic resorts with butlers. It's sickening.

Life shouldn't be about feeling bad for what you don't need but enjoying what you do have.


Your last line is so insightful. And we tend to torture ourselves, soaking up every little tidbit we can find about how much better celebrities and others have it than we do...but the desire for wealth and material items (which I'm not immune to) is a bottomless pit.

islandgurl:
If i was a rich girl nananananananana,
See i'd have all the money in the world if i was a wealthy gi-i-i-irl!

Heh, isnt that the stupidest song ever??


Yeah, that song is bananas...b-a-n-a-n-a-s....d'oh! Hhahahahahaa...those two songs are driving me nuts...they stick with you, even when you don't want them to...

Anyway, i could still do with a tiny bit more money


Hehe...well, you can't go wrong with a tiny bit!

Marcie:
You get a big old AMEN from me!


Wow, thanks!

Hmmmm...maybe we should add something about vehicles.


I almost did, but decided against it since we just traded up for a new (well, used 2005) vehicle...but we had negative equity in our minivan, it was headed toward 100k on mileage and requiring lots of work, and not all that gas-friendly. We're actually saving ourselves money now.

16. You spend hundreds of dollars a week having that Mercedes SUV that's uglier than hell washed, waxed and vacuumed, never eating or drinking in it or enjoying your transportation, while my 1996 Pontiac Grand Prix that's well on its way to 150,000 miles has a pile of pop bottles and Taco Bell cups in the front passenger seat and french fry salt all over is the FUNNEST thing I've ever driven...AND...I'm keeping it till the wheels fall off!


Ahhhh...that's perfect, Marcie! I love it! Back in Texas we have our second car (the Army will only ship one to the island for us, to we had to leave it behind). It's a 94 Oldsmobile something or other....silver except for one patch on the front, tons of miles on it, bubble gum in the back seat, no CD player, hehehe...and I promise you, when we get back to the mainland we'll drive that baby til it won't go anymore.

Maso:
Money couldn't buy me the happiness I have now. All money would do is complicate things, and complications are what I've worked so hard to avoid. I particularly like:

When we have a choice between time or money, we always choose time. And our children will remember this


Yes, I agree...money complicates things. And for some people, I guess the complication is worth it...and that's fine for them. Simple is a beautiful thing.

This is brilliannt, Brandie and so true.


Thanks, Maso. That means a lot.

Suz:
Agreed. Wine is your friend if you only give it a chance.


Well, it is getting many hearty endorsements...

Not sure if I agree with the sentiment of the article (I know it's mostly in fun) as I know people both poor and rich who are shallow and vacuous. I think money just allows those that are to make it more obvious.


You know, I almost added something to that effect in the disclaimer but I got sidetracked. You are very right. There are many people who do not have great wealth who are just as materialistic and obsessed with money as the snootiest, most shallow rich person. You are dead on with that comment.

Interesting reading all the same.


Thanks.

Zoomba:
Curse you! Now I have that infernal song stuck in my head!!!!


Bwahahahhahahhahaaha...excellent...

I'm with Spc here, I think I'd like to "test drive" the rich lifestyle for a little while... you know... for research purposes and all


Of course...hehe

Dr.Guy:
YEA! As a frog, I can tell you that good wine is the nectar of gods! I was drinking it since I was teething! A good Chianti or other dry red wine is the best!


Well...if you guys think it's so great, maybe I should give it another shot...

I know money cant buy happiness, but it sure can rent it some!


I'm definitely not anti-money. I enjoy the lifestyle that my family has...but I think there's a point where money becomes such a driving force in your life, that the simple, people-oriented joy you once had evaporates. Just my thoughts.

K, I've gotta go watch SNL, so I'll finish responding in a bit.
on Apr 17, 2005

Reply By: Texas Wahine                                                Posted: Sunday, April 17, 2005

Welcome back to the land of the sober!  And thanks!  you are a rich girl!  IN every way that counts.

on Apr 17, 2005
Dr.Guy:
Welcome back to the land of the sober! And thanks! you are a rich girl! IN every way that counts.


Thanks...that's very sweet.

carebear:
We don't have to go out to the mall and go shopping in some fancy schmancy stores and do what ever else is expensive there. I can basically sit there and have a nice little chat and have more fun than going shopping in some rich kids place. I think when you're not rich you have more luxuries. And that's so awesome!


Good for you! I think the obsession with having "stuff" is particularly strong in teens and the fact that you appreciate people more than you do money and having things, especially at your age, says a lot about your character.

Insightful Texas!


Thanks!

little whip:
Tex! You've outdone yourself here! A regular Erma Bombeck in the making! I LOVE THIS PIECE!! You *really really really* should submit it for publication somewhere! (Forget Cosmo, it ain't their "style" lol, but something like Family Circle or Redbook would love it.


Wow, thanks! That really means a lot to me.

This made me laugh so hard I'm going to call Simon on his break and read it to Him.


HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHHA


Awesome...I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

Dynosoar:
You been watchin' "Growing up Gotti" ? Or, perhaps OD'd on Paris Hilton's, uh, over-exposure? Or have you listened to "Imagine" one too many times?


It would have to be the latter...hhahahahaha...

Our economy needs the stimulation brought about by the frivolous spending of the spoiled rich girls.....


Ahh, well, maybe so...but I'll leave that to Paris Hilton and the like...I've no need for that kind of lifestyle.

EJ:
Not that I wouldn't love to be rich, but you're right: it's a burden, especially with how hard and long you need to work. As long as I have enough money to support my family and me and a few of our desires, I'll be content.


Well, I think we all have these fluffy, feel-good fantasies about what it would be like to have everything we've ever desired, but all that wealth and privilege comes at a price. It's great to hear from so many other bloggers who recognize the beauty of a life filled with love and family and "just enough."

Toblerone:
Seriously Texas I used to hate the stuff especially red (until I was 15, I was in training for some time under mum's tutelage)but after you aquire a taste for it you never go back. Now I have a red almost every night with dinner.


Hahahhahaa...well, you've got a bit of a head start on me then...but I'm coming around to the idea of a glass (or three) of wine.

I should say that I think you made many valid points about what really matters in life. You should try to enjoy the simple things in life.....just not at the necessarily at exclusion of a complex red Good article.


Thanks for that.

ParaTed2K:
At this point in my life, I really don't care to be rich. To get my health back to the point where I could work again, now that would be nice!!


Bless your heart. But you bring up a really important point...there are so many things that we take for granted, and particularly when we get caught in the cycle of craving what other people have...I am very healthy and my family is very healthy. These are things to rejoice about.

little whip:
But a point Baker has often made proved to be true. The rich just spend more on things, but that doesnt necessarily make them better


I was thinking about that very thing (Bakerstreet's proposal) just the other day, and I really think there's so much truth to it.

I had to replace my toaster not long ago. Family Dollar Store has a basic, 2 slot toaster for $5. A year ago, that's what I would have bought. It would have made fine toast and lasted for years. But due to our increased income, I was able to buy a slightly fancier toaster, a wide slot Black and Decker that has a bagel setting and a frozen pastry setting. I paid a whopping $15 for it, but it's still 3 times the cost of your basic toaster, more than that considering I could have picked up a used one at the Salvation Army for a dollar.


Exactly. We have an old microwave that we bought (used) from a furniture store for about $25. We have used it (and will continue to do so until it comes apart) for over seven years. We could have bought one at Wal-Mart for $100 or we could have bought one at Sears for twice that. In fact, I'm sure we could have found one for a thousand bucks with all sorts of crazy features. But I can microwave a bowl of Ramen Noodles just as well with my cheap one.

Just like that fancy dress does the same thing, covers your parts and keeps you from getting arrested for indecent (or decent, having seen TW's pretty hourglass figure) exposure.


Hehe...that made me blush. Thank you.

I never wanted 'more' in life. Enough is fine. Right now, we have enough. I can choose what we like at the grocery store and not have to worry about whether that pound of shrimp I buy is going to leave us without sufficient gas money for the week.


I think that's beautiful. I don't begrudge people who choose to live extravagantly, but I do feel a bit sad for them because I think they're missing out on true happiness and contentment in the endless search for the "stuff" that's going to somehow quench their thirst for "more."

And there is a lot of peace that comes from knowing that you have "enough," as well. I am certainly not bashing money because as Dynosoar has said, it is necessary in order to function in our society.

It's a relief, to have enough, it truly is. Any excess would just be wasted on things we really don't *need* anyway, like a $200 toaster.


Hehehe...I really like that line.

Moderateman:
God I just love pointing out the overlooked tex, YOU are rich , in inner AND outer beauty, wealthy beyond dreams in family, loved admired and respected here, now that is a wealth that cannot be bought.


Wow, what a kind and uplifting comment. Thank you so much for that. Truly.

Myrrander:
I don't want to be rich, but I really wish I could afford one of those Mini Coopers...gah, I really like those little cars.


Hahahhahaha...really? A mini cooper? Ah, the enigma that is Myrrander...

Marcie:
With great wealth comes great responsibility...so much more is expected of you.


This is true. It is a trade-off. I can give you a real life example...while Adrian will never become rich in the military, he's about to make SGT. Our income will go up a bit (though not all that much), but his responsibility, his pressure, and his time away will increase dramatically...in fact, it really offsets the increase in income. The redeeming grace in the whole equation is that it's about honor and duty and not about money. What he gains from his promotion will primarily be things that are intangible.

Enough is plenty for me, too. But at the moment there just isn't enough...which drives me nuts (sorry...but at $25,000 motorcycle is NOT condusive to paying college loans, doofus!).


Hehehe...I think most of us are pretty good at getting ourselves into holes. You'll make it, though. Both you and Ryan are passionate about your careers, and that is worth more than the anemic paychecks you receive as educators.

a trampoline? One of the big square ones. THey've always looked like fun.


I LOVE trampolines! Now, see, THAT'S living!

Myrrander:
muscadine wine, Brandie, it's the shit


I will try to remember that one...muscadine...k...

I like escargot, but you know me, I'll eat anything.


Yeah, you would like escargot...

TheFazz:
I'd like success, but wealth and success don't always go hand-in-hand.


Yep! Very insightful!

citahellion:
What! You've never squished a Mozzarella Stick as it tries to wiggle away under the barstool and escape to the tile so it can roll back into the kitchen? Girl, you've gotta try that sometime. There's nothing quite like the visceral thrill you get from the sound and feeling of the "FLRGHGH" that oozes from its bready pores as you mash it squarely under the heel of your boot and destroy any hope it ever had of escaping.


Bwahahahahhaaha! That's both hilarious and completely disgusting. I'd still rather eat a squished floor-cheesestick than escargot! hehe

Of course, that does make it taste kind of icky afterward, especially if you have a dog, so maybe you do want to pass on it after all...


Hehehehe...

Champas:
A great pooint made very humorously


Thanks! I appreciate that.

(Apologies everyone...I didn't intend to be so late in responding)
on Apr 17, 2005
(Apologies everyone...I didn't intend to be so late in responding)


We all need to take a break now and then. No appologies necessary.
on Apr 19, 2005
Hahhahaa...well, I've yet to discover a tasty wine...any suggestions?

Drastically summarised version of answer due to it not posting properly the first time:
Before I can make a suggestion you'll have to aquire a taste for it first. The best technique is to graduate through the different types of wines. Start with sweet white wine like lexias (ignore the wine snobs that turn up their nose at the stuff, it is very good place to start) move onto dry white wine (e.g. chadonnnay), then move to smooth reds (e.g. merlots)and finally complex reds (Shiraz, Durif etc.). The whole process may take some time, don't rush it. Finally when tasting: visually inspect, swirl, sniff, swirl in mouth and swallow - the taste is only part of the experience. For more info look on the net. Most of all ignore the wines snobs (people who know so much about wine that they analyse it rather than enjoy it)
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