What makes you feel rich?

[Steel]

When I don''t have to add up our shopping in my head so be sure I don''t go over budget.

When I don''t cringe when the low fuel light clicks on in my car and I know I have to spend €x on fuel.

When I can buy something for DH, our home, the pets or me- just because we/he/they/I will like it.

 

[SparklyLibra]

Date: 7/27/2009 12:22:25 PM
Author: Luckyeshe
Yesterday, I planned a bbq. It rained...a lot...and even though it did, my guy friends manned the grill and held umbrellas to protect the food. We then had a picnic under the awning where we all sat around indian style and used our fingers. Knowing that I am surrounded by good friends rain or shine makes me feel absolutely wealthy.

Okay Luckyeshe..... STOP COPYING ME, lol!!! This was my day yesterday, EXACTLY! How uncanny is that? It was pouring here, and my friends and family still came anyway. We had a good time, good laughs, everyone brought something even though I told them not to, and my DH''s good friend did the grilling for me while I tended to my guests. It was the best! The rain forced us to all go back to my house, and as we were all holed up inside, we talked & talked & talked and laughed & laughed & laughed. It was fun and intimacy at is truest!

I felt really really wealthy. In fact, thanks to the abundance of left-overs, I feel even more blessed today for not having to cook

 

[Callisto]

Hmmm besides family, friends, and my health which I think we all feel make us lucky and rich...

Buying dessert or a glass of wine while out to dinner. Or heck going out for a nice dinner to begin with.

And hosting or feeding my friends and family. Idk what it is about being able to give things to people I love, but it always makes me feel so rich. Not like bringing a dish to a potluck, but like spontaneously making a dessert or appitizer to bring over for a movie night with friends. I always feel so blessed when I can do that.

 

[Allisonfaye]

When I can travel. We only do it when we can afford to stay in really nice places. We aren''t doing it much lately but someday hope to again.

 

[Hera]

besides family, friends etc

Drinking champagne(even the cheap kind)
going shopping and not checking price tags
Pulling into my garage
Chanel nail polish

 

[beau13]

Like many said, family and friends of course, but talking material goods...I`d have to say crawling into my VERY comfortable King size bed, with 800 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets..there`s no better feeling (especially after returning from vacation)

Also, always having the pantry stocked with food (like Amethyste mentioned), and imported beer, fine wine, and other specialties (treats) to serve my guests!!

 

[cellososweet]

My bed. It''s the most expensive thing in the house. The most wonderful top of the line pillow top on a beautiful dark wood sleigh bed, covered in crisp, white, 600+ thread count egyptian cotton sheets, a white egyptian cotton basketweave blanket, and a down comforter covered with a white 800 thread count (you guessed it) egyptian cotton duvet.

I figure that I have to sleep every night and I don''t get a ton of sleep. It should be luxurious.

 

[cellososweet]

ohhhh and being able to make frivolous things in the kitchen because they are yummy, not because they are nutritionally sound or go with the meal plan for the week. Like when I get the chance to roll brie in walnuts and bake it and then serve it with fig sauce. AHHHHH!!!! So good.

 

[Hera]

Date: 7/27/2009 6:25:24 PM
Author: cellososweet
My bed. It''s the most expensive thing in the house. The most wonderful top of the line pillow top on a beautiful dark wood sleigh bed, covered in crisp, white, 600+ thread count egyptian cotton sheets, a white egyptian cotton basketweave blanket, and a down comforter covered with a white 800 thread count (you guessed it) egyptian cotton duvet.


I figure that I have to sleep every night and I don''t get a ton of sleep. It should be luxurious.

You''re almost describing my bed!!!!! I love white, crisp sheets on a dark wood sleigh bed!!!! So luxurious!

 

[beau13]

Date: 7/27/2009 6:36:17 PM
Author: heraanderson

Date: 7/27/2009 6:25:24 PM
Author: cellososweet
My bed. It's the most expensive thing in the house. The most wonderful top of the line pillow top on a beautiful dark wood sleigh bed, covered in crisp, white, 600+ thread count egyptian cotton sheets, a white egyptian cotton basketweave blanket, and a down comforter covered with a white 800 thread count (you guessed it) egyptian cotton duvet.


I figure that I have to sleep every night and I don't get a ton of sleep. It should be luxurious.

You're almost describing my bed!!!!! I love white, crisp sheets on a dark wood sleigh bed!!!! So luxurious!

Mine too (except my headboard, frame..is dark brown wood with leather). The way cello describes the bed, makes me want to jump in right now, and wrap that snuggly down duvet right up under my chin!! I can hardly wait 'til bedtime, only one more hour 'until the season finale of Bachelorette, then bedtime..whoo-hoo!

When you count how many hours we spend in bed (well...most of us get 8 hours or more a night

), it's quite logical to invest a small fortune in a quality matress, with luxurious bedding, to be comfortable !

 

[megumic]

I feel rich at the end of each day when I realize I get to go to sleep in a warm, clean comfortable bed, a roof over my head, and the man of my dreams next to me. So thankful for all of these things.

Oh, and nice underwear also makes me feel rich - hanky panky''s to be exact

 

[luv2sparkle]

I love crawling up in my tall, king size bed and watching tv in my bed. When we got married 29 years ago, we had a card table with 4 chairs, a small 13'' black
and white tv and two folding lawn chairs, and a twin size bed! I feel like a queen!

 

[that_someone_special]

1) having everything but the car and the condo paid off (yey!)

2) My fur babies.. omg they are my life. They are the best! So funny, cute, smart... they are everything to me!

3) Random motivation ... There are days I can sleep 14+ hours, but the days I don''t, I feel good, and lucky to have people in my life.

 

[Black Jade]

I''m allergic to cashmere!

I always wanted to be rich enough to try wearing it and when I did, it made me itch so that I wanted to die! Oh, well.

I''m also allergic to lobster and several other expensive foods (or else don''t like them, I don''t like chocolate).

You know what made me feel rich the other day? Making the last payment on a girl''s education in a foreign country, where she never would have been able to go to high school if I hadn''t paid for it, which I did out of my budget my husband gives me to buy clothes with. Reading her letter in which she talked excitedly about her hopes and dreams now that she''s been able to go to school, and the sports she''s played and the friends she''s made and how she plans to get a prom dress and a class ring and all these things that my kids (and most other kids here) take for granted. Over the years, with what are minimal $$ to us here in the US, I have also been able to buy or contribute towards seeds to plant and animals for food for people in third world countries, sewing machines that help women learn a trade (sometimes helping them get out of prostitution), Bibles for many many people in other countries who want them and can''t afford them, besides what my husband gives in the name of our whole family. I have been able to leave money or grocery gift cards anonymously at the doors of friends who have fallen on bad times (and seen them get out of those bad times), to buy dolls and dress them and give them to kids who don''t have them, and to give small gifts of money or little luxuries like handbags and jewelry to young girls I know who live in large families where there are no extra $$$ for a girl to buy a stylish handbag with, since it all has to go on food and gas especially in this terrible economy, and all the clothes have to get passed down to many siblings.

I feel bad sometimes because I am able to do these things and not feel pinched in any way and not have to do without anything, but I also feel grateful. I think it was C.S. Lewis who once said that he didn''t think living in a way that was honoring to God meant that you had to have nothing, but that it did mean that you should be giving enough away that you were doing without SOME things you wanted sometimes or some things that people with your income took for granted. Some people say 10%--that is, AT LEAST 10%. I do fight with myself sometimes, because I am a greedy person naturally I think (I like to hoard things), whether it be food in the closet or diamonds (I now officially have more rings that fingers I am willing to put them on, as I won''t wear more than 2 at a time), but I try to plan things out and budget so that there''s always something to give someone else especially if it''s in a way that won''t make them uncomfortable or sort of burdened with gratitude (anonymous is good) and if it''s for education or something that will help them be able to be more self-sufficent and take better care of themselves.

 

[cindygenit]

My FI and I are just starting our lives together and saving money for the wedding and a house. As long as we are both well fed and not worrying about bills, everything is a OK.

I feel rich when i can afford a night out consisting of fine dining, ordering whatever we want from the menu

.

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Small Things:

A clean car
Walking in after a long week and finding my house perfectly clean and weekend ready
Walking through a store and being able to shop without obsessing over the price tag--getting what I want, not only what I need
Having a full tank of gas
Buying my dogs ritzy treats and toys just because
Packing/planning of a vacation
Spoiling the people I love with nice things

Big Things:

My three dogs running through the house happily
My husband and I waking up on the weekend together
Sunday dinner with my parents and sister
Holidays with our families

 

[Haven]

I already posted a response, but right now I feel rich because:

I had the luxury of being able to quit my job today without having another one lined up.

 

[butterfly 17]

I feel rich when I am eating french food! why, don''t know, but it cost a fortune and you get so little of it!

 

[gemgirl]

Date: 7/27/2009 3:32:47 PM
Author: UCLABelle
Blessed and rich to be are different...

I am blessed, and lucky to have an amazing husband, fantastic parents and brother, good eduction (and relatively okay healthy), etc..

But, rich, to me is still associated with money...

When someone talks about being rich, I always think of money too. We are lucky enough to have a life of abundance though. I feel happy when both my fridges are stocked with food, I have enough food for the dogs for a couple of weeks and all of my bills are paid; but at my house, there''s always a struggle between my husband and myself about luxury items or living a little more comfortably. We both came from poor families growing up, but he has maintained the idea that living poor is the only way to live. And not because of the money saving aspect because he''s not a saver. He just likes living poor. We have a fifty year old oil burner- that''s good enough because it works. Central air? No way. Who do I think I am even asking for CA?

When we need something, I buy it. That helps me to feel that at least I take care of myself and us well.

 

[lulu]

Several years ago my husband and I started tithing. Not to a church but to our favorite charities. When those checks go out every month to the Salvation Army and our favorite pet rescue etc. That makes me feel wealthy.

 

[HollyS]

Black Jade, the more you post, the more I like you. [

Thanks for reminding us of the opportunities out there to be a blessing to others.

 

[4ever]

I feel really rich when I''m hanging out with a big group of friends.

I used to feel really rich when I had enough money in the bank to actually buy some of the things I wanted, to go to the shops and leave with a couple of bags of things, even if it was just a cheap top and some new underwear.

I am now a full time student unable to have a part time job. Nothing makes me feel poorer then getting my bank statement and seeing the big negitive sign every month, or having to stay later then expected at uni and not being able to aford to buy myself dinner, or knowing that for me shopping is just looking, buying things that arn''t necessities is a luxury I can''t aford anymore.

 

[sparklyheart]

I will feel rich when I don''t have to add everything up at the grocery store.. When I won''t know how much my basic grocery store bill is without anything extra added on. Also when I can go to the grocery store (or anywhere) and buy flowers for my kitchen table.. I can''t wait for that again!

Also when I can donate to charities regularly... And when I will have time to volunteer.. That always makes me feel like I have everything in the world that I could ever need..

Oh and being able to take more than one trip a year and not break the bank because of a little bitty trip!

 

[gwendolyn]

Date: 7/27/2009 4:26:26 PM
Author: Steel
When I don''t have to add up our shopping in my head so be sure I don''t go over budget.


When I don''t cringe when the low fuel light clicks on in my car and I know I have to spend €x on fuel.


When I can buy something for DH, our home, the pets or me- just because we/he/they/I will like it.

+1


Other things in life make me feel happy, proud, content, blissful, appreciative, to be sure--but when I think of ''rich'' I think of money, and money, for my whole life, has made me stressed. If we could just get to be comfortable, without barely eeking by every month, then maybe I would feel rich.

 

[gwendolyn]

Date: 7/27/2009 11:08:15 PM
Author: Haven
I already posted a response, but right now I feel rich because:


I had the luxury of being able to quit my job today without having another one lined up.

 

[marlie]

Like everyone else said, I feel lucky to have an amazing family, friends and most definitely an incredible FI.

But what makes me feel rich? I have a cropped brown leather jacket that I got a couple of years ago on a crazy sale. I would''ve never been able to afford it otherwise. i can put it on with anything and it makes the outfit look like a gazillion bucks. i LOVE wearing it. it''s the most stylish thing in my closet.

i also feel rich when i''m getting manicures for some reason. something about pampering yourself i guess. ooooh, i wish i was getting one right now.

 

[Elmorton]

I love this thread. Of course my husband, kitties, family, etc make me feel rich - but there are definitely small things that make me feel like a million.

- Owning a home. Every day when I drive up to the house after work, I feel very, very rich (even though it''s a very modest house).
- Getting out of bed. I slept on a twin until I was in my 20s, so I still find a queen to be seriously luxe.
- Making espresso instead of coffee
- Opening up my closet. I''m super organized, and I like how I can see all my choices and realize how lucky I am to have so many choices
- Ditto to jewelry box
- Clean car! Ditto to the person who said this.
- Also a big ditto to the person who said being able to donate $ without thinking about it.
- Paying for something that is full price. I rarely, rarely do this, so if I do, it''s because it''s something special or for a special occasion.
- Getting a haircut, manicure, pedicure, or massage
- Carrying a nice bag. I switch my bags out pretty often, so they don''t see a lot of wear and tear, even if what I''m carrying is 5 years old.
- Wearing heels to work.
- Being a "member" of stuff - I loooove getting out my art museum membership card.
- Flying/travel - basically, any time I''m walking around with my suitcase
- Spending an hour or more to cook dinner
- Having the fridge full of fresh, local, organic food
- Sharing a bottle of wine with DH over/after dinner
- Having friends over for dinner
- Wearing silky pjs in the summer, thick comfy robes in the winter