POLL: Do you ever experience wealth guilt?

[Tenacious E]

Do you ever experience wealth or financial stability guilt? I was raised where we could only afford knock offs, no Member's Only jackets or Reeboks...I got whatever we could afford from JCPenney and Payless Shoes. So, financial stability is not something I take likely...sometimes to the extent I don't want people to even see where I live. For example, my son's personal soccer trainer doesn't even have a car and lives with his mom (moved in to help with his dying father--quit his job and everything). I never drive my wife's Audi over there.

My (no pics) wife was helping her sister sift through a storage unit looking for old tax returns because the IRS is threatening to seize her bank accounts--that woman barely has two nickels to rub together. My wife hates that her sister struggles with 2 jobs and she doesn't have to work. My son was even called a "rich white kid" by one of his best friends last week.

No. My parents paid for my undergrad and at the time I thanked them for it, and they said their only request is that I do the same for my kids some day. So I am doing that. From undergrad, I joined the USAF, and after that, I paid my own way through professional school, which I got into because I worked hard for good undergrad grades and achieved high standardized test scores. From there I have put in hard work for 20 years. I have a good life which I worked for and earned. As far as I'm concerned, people can elect to do what I did and join the military. They then have an even better GI bill which is free (I had a watered down version I had to pay in to), to get their undergraduate degree or graduate degree. The opportunity is there for anyone not physically/mentally disabled. If they choose not to walk through those doors, that's on them. If people are physically/mentally disabled, my heart goes out to them and I believe in the safety net a government provides and gladly pay taxes to support it.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

Oh okay.
I don’t consider it my business. But I don’t know any mobsters or drug dealers so I’m in the clear on that.
Go back in time and read or delve into the history of lots of businesses who took advantage of poor decisions made by competitors and you’ll likely find facts that you might use to justify your stance.
You aren’t living in the real world.

In the real world, fortunes were and still are being made by exploiting people, producing harmful products, poisoning the environment, bribing public officials, spewing lies, plundering resources, and so on.

Fascinating that the only (mild) negative you seem aware of is "businesses who took advantage of poor decisions made by competitors" - which is not even something I'm criticizing.

 

[TonyTheTiger.1865]

In the real world, fortunes were and still are being made by exploiting people, producing harmful products, poisoning the environment, bribing public officials, spewing lies, plundering resources, and so on.

Nope, maybe some, but the majority of wealth is accumulated from hard work.

 

[IAFB2021Champs]

My parents had nothing. I have earned millions.
No guilt at all because every opportunity I have had was available to everyone else.
I could see the people that inherited theirs feeling guilty.

I’d love to know what you have done to make millions to make a claim like that. I’m guessing not everyone had the same opportunity to do what you did to make so much money.

 

[Bulldogs1974]

My parents had nothing. I have earned millions.
No guilt at all because every opportunity I have had was available to everyone else.
I could see the people that inherited theirs feeling guilty.

dollars not rubles

 

[RagnarLothbrok]

“I have a mansion, forget the price. I’ve never been there, they tell me it’s nice.”

 

[Hoosierhawkeye]

I’d love to know what you have done to make millions to make a claim like that. I’m guessing not everyone had the same opportunity to do what you did to make so much money.

Anyone who said that every opportunity they have had was available to everyone else is either lying or ignorant. There is no opportunity that every single person in this world or this country has realistically available to them.

 

[RagnarLothbrok]

Anyone who said that every opportunity they have had was available to everyone else is either lying or ignorant. There is no opportunity that every single person in this world or this country has realistically available to them.

That’s true.

But it’s also true people have more opportunities for success in this country than most other countries.

 

[TonyTheTiger.1865]

I’d love to know what you have done to make millions to make a claim like that. I’m guessing not everyone had the same opportunity to do what you did to make so much money.

Finished college in the military, maxed out my 401ks instead of going on a spending spree. Purchased and fixed up homes on my spare time, to sell at a good profit. Married a woman with a brain that worked, had a sense of responsibility and understood the value of a dollar.
So tell me what I did that anyone could not have done?

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

Nope, maybe some, but the majority of wealth is accumulated from hard work.

Stealing and exploiting and polluting and bribing can be very hard work.

What's your point?

 

[RagnarLothbrok]

Nope, maybe some, but the majority of wealth is accumulated from hard work.

Many people work hard; very few get wealthy.

 

[Hoosierhawkeye]

That’s true.

But it’s also true people have more opportunities for success in this country than most other countries.

Most sure. . . but there are a good number of countries with more opportunities than us.

My concern is while those countries have gone all out to try to provide more opportunities for their citizens we stopped in the last 50 years or so and screamed that going any further would be "socialism".

 

[poophawk]

i do feel guilty, i work with a lot of kids who dont have much. ive worked hard in my life but ive had some breaks go my way also. not everyone is so fortunate. lots of hard workers in this world, doesnt guarantee anything.

 

[RagnarLothbrok]

maxed out my 401ks instead of going on a spending spree

This is where many Americans are failing—instant gratification.

My dad was an alcoholic and a total piece of shit, but he worked his ass off as a skilled laborer and lived dirt cheap (other than buying a shit ton of alcohol). Because he invested his money for forty years he retired at 58—a millionaire.

Yes, literally about anyone who is able bodied and of sound mind can be successful in the United States.

 

[RagnarLothbrok]

but there are a good number of countries with more opportunities than us.

To build wealth?

 

[Hoosierhawkeye]

Finished college in the military, maxed out my 401ks instead of going on a spending spree. Purchased and fixed up homes on my spare time, to sell at a good profit. Married a woman with a brain that worked, had a sense of responsibility and understood the value of a dollar.
So tell me what I did that anyone could not have done?

Military. . . not everyone is physically able to be in the military. I didn't join however if I had joined they likely would have discovered I had epilepsy and I would have been removed.

Maxed out 401k's. When you are struggling to pay for rent and put food on the table, you can't max out your retirement funds.

Purchased and fixed up homes. Not everyone has the income to which a bank would give them a mortgage even for a flip. Not everyone has the skills to fix up the homes themselves and if you hired it done it just goes even further into the exclusive part where you have have a large enough income for a bank to consider giving it to you.

 

[TonyTheTiger.1865]

Many people work hard; very few get wealthy.

Agreed, you have to have money to make money. That is the hardest barricade to weath. Working hard in a factory your entire life isn’t going to make you wealthy. A person has to be smart enough to understand that and make a plan.
That’s why I am a big proponent of the inheritance tax over income tax.
People left money have an easy life. The only way to level the playing field is through the inheritance tax. Income tax only punishes hard workers and rewards the worthless.

 

[Hoosierhawkeye]

To build wealth?

To have a better life than their parents.

But granted if your only objective is sheer numbers, to get the highest number net worth possible, sure the USA is #1. But that's mostly for upper middle class kids and above. The kid that has to walk home from school and cook their own meals at 8 years old because both their parents are out working 12 hours a week just to put food on the table. That shit ain't happening for them 99,999 times out of 100,000.

 

[Hoosierhawkeye]

Agreed, you have to have money to make money. That is the hardest barricade to weath. Working hard in a factory your entire life isn’t going to make you wealthy. A person has to be smart enough to understand that and make a plan.
That’s why I am a big proponent of the inheritance tax over income tax.
People left money have an easy life. The only way to level the playing field is through the inheritance tax. Income tax only punishes hard workers and rewards the worthless.

Unfortunately inheritance taxes won't fund the government as people don't tend to die in large enough numbers for it to do so.

However I fully agree with you on the inheritance tax. A wealthy kid already got ahead because his parents likely gave him a stable home, the best education and the best contacts. He can make his own way after that.

 

[RagnarLothbrok]

i do feel guilty, i work with a lot of kids who dont have much. ive worked hard in my life but ive had some breaks go my way also. not everyone is so fortunate. lots of hard workers in this world, doesnt guarantee anything.

I have taught middle school for a lot of years. In that time, it’s amazing the number of kids who come to school looking despondent or pissed off, and I teach in an affluent community. Too many parents are worthless.

Even financial wellbeing guarantees you nothing in the way of peace of mind. I am not rich, but I live comfortably. I really don’t think greater wealth would make me more or less happy. What would make me happier is not having students die from fentanyl overdose—which I had a former one do last week—or have to practice hard lockdown drills or have a student on social media threaten to shoot up our school—like what happened this week.

 

[Kinnick.At.Night]

Hell no. I pay taxes. And I donate annually to three charities.

 

[RagnarLothbrok]

Agreed, you have to have money to make money. That is the hardest barricade to weath. Working hard in a factory your entire life isn’t going to make you wealthy. A person has to be smart enough to understand that and make a plan.
That’s why I am a big proponent of the inheritance tax over income tax.
People left money have an easy life. The only way to level the playing field is through the inheritance tax. Income tax only punishes hard workers and rewards the worthless.

I agree with that.

Except for the fact I am going to inherit a lot of wealth. 😒

 

[RagnarLothbrok]

To have a better life than their parents.

But granted if your only objective is sheer numbers, to get the highest number net worth possible, sure the USA is #1. But that's mostly for upper middle class kids and above. The kid that has to walk home from school and cook their own meals at 8 years old because both their parents are out working 12 hours a week just to put food on the table. That shit ain't happening for them 99,999 times out of 100,000.

You hit on a very important point. Over the last forty years, the necessity of both parents working to make ends meet has increased dramatically to the point that in 2024 almost every two-parent household has both parents working just to survive.

The raising of children has suffered greatly as a result. It probably explains a lot of the why behind why kids are doing so poorly these days. I hate to say this, but it wouldn’t surprise me if some day enough people in America decide to stop hating each other for being of a different race or culture and turn their anger to people in power, demanding that America move to a European model of socialism. It’s going to happen sooner or later.

 

[An Iowa fan]

My wife and I substitute delivering for meals on wheels. I always feel sad after the deliveries have finished. I don’t know if this wealth guilt.
Edit: I wonder how these people got into their situation.

 

[HawkeyeShawn]

No wealth guilt here. I’m proud of what I accomplished in my 53 years.

Grew up poor, of Mexican heritage, small town Iowa in the 70’s and 80’s. Neither of my parents attended college. My Dad never finished high school. My dad worked construction and drove truck to provide a roof over our heads and food on the table. Money didn’t stretch too far beyond that. My mom tried to be a homemaker, but that ended somewhere in the late 70’s and a dual income was required.

I could have very easily fallen in with the wrong crowd and never amounted to much. However i decided at a very early age to NOT be like my parents. I worked hard for my grades. I also worked construction from age 14 through college to pay for my own things. I bought my own cars, insurance and clothes. I paid for my own college and rent. Not one dime from my parents. I am the only one of my siblings (older sister and younger brother) to graduate from a 4 year college.

I started out, post college, in sales and never really left. Eventually middle management, but still had to sell and work off commission or bonuses. I provide 80% of the income for our family. Raised 3 boys. We are frugal in some areas. We live in a $150,000 3br, 2ba house. The newest vehicle we own is a 2017 Nissan Altima. My focus over the last 25+ years has been retirement savings. We are almost to our goal. In the meantime, have been able to purchase our retirement condo.

Zero wealth guilt here. I could have ended up a carnie. I fit in with the local carnival that came to town for the county fair than I did the middle class or rich kids.

 

[Hoosierhawkeye]

You hit on a very important point. Over the last forty years, the necessity of both parents working to make ends meet has increased dramatically to the point that in 2024 almost every two-parent household has both parents working just to survive.

The raising of children has suffered greatly as a result. It probably explains a lot of the why behind why kids are doing so poorly these days. I hate to say this, but it wouldn’t surprise me if some day enough people in America decide to stop hating each other for being of a different race or culture and turn their anger to people in power, demanding that America move to a European model of socialism. It’s going to happen sooner or later.

I would love to see it quite frankly.

I don't know if it will happen in my lifetime though.

 

[HawkeyeShawn]

You hit on a very important point. Over the last forty years, the necessity of both parents working to make ends meet has increased dramatically to the point that in 2024 almost every two-parent household has both parents working just to survive.

The raising of children has suffered greatly as a result. It probably explains a lot of the why behind why kids are doing so poorly these days. I hate to say this, but it wouldn’t surprise me if some day enough people in America decide to stop hating each other for being of a different race or culture and turn their anger to people in power, demanding that America move to a European model of socialism. It’s going to happen sooner or later.

The number of poor people, really poor people is increasing, especially as we continue to import them as well. Something will need to change to address this. More and more are resorting to living in run down RVs and staying year round in camp grounds. I would have to assume they are a paycheck or two away from being home/RV less.

 

[StormHawk42]

No. My parents had/have money but they didn’t flaunt it. Sure, we went on nicer trips than others and had access to shows, sporting events, etc. but lived in a basic house with basic vehicles. So I definitely appreciate that I had a better upbringing than 95% of this country.

But outside of a few thousand bucks for some school things, I’ve done everything else on my own and created my own success. Same with my wife. So we don’t apologize for it.

 

[Hoosierhawkeye]

The number of poor people, really poor people is increasing, especially as we continue to import them as well. Something will need to change to address this. More and more are resorting to living in run down RVs and staying year round in camp grounds. I would have to assume they are a paycheck or two away from being home/RV less.

The numbers indicate a wealth stratification that's taking place where less and less people fit into that "middle class" label.

That's not good for society.

 

[Whiskeydeltadeltatango]

The numbers indicate a wealth stratification that's taking place where less and less people fit into that "middle class" label.

That's not good for society.

Vote Red. Dems have had the ball 70% of the time since the drop and here we are.



*70 was a guess but it's going to be close.

 

[HawkeyeShawn]

The numbers indicate a wealth stratification that's taking place where less and less people fit into that "middle class" label.

That's not good for society.

Liked because I agree, not because I like what you said.

 

[HawkOptimist]

No wealth guilt, but I do experience big cock guilt every time your wife leaves my place and goes back home to you.

 

[soybean]

When I was 14 I hired myself out with 4 or 5 other boys as a hay baling crew. Together we baled several hundred acres of hay and some straw. We earned $1.00 to $1.25 an hour depending on the farmer. We usually got fed lunch as well. I worked as a stock/carryout boy in the local SuperMarket during the winter months. I had a very expensive girlfriend and we did dances, movies and bowling every weekend. She cost me a lot, but I never spent what I earned in the summer baling. When I was 17 a guy from town drove out to the farm to ask my Dad if he wanted to rent a 17 acre field of mixed grass hay ground. da explained that we were selling the milk cows so he would not have a need for anymore hay...the guy tried to entice Dad by dropping the rent from $30 an acre to $25...Dad just shook his head no...I knew it was my chance and I blurted out "I'll give you $20 cash". No one spoke for several seconds. My old man turned to me and said " That is $340, do you have it?" I gulped and said "yes" and the landowner shook my hand and I was in business. It was far from easy, and it was never in a straight line. 20 months in the Army slowed me down, but I started rolling again afterwards. Everything I've got I've earned, but I could not have done it on my own without the help and encouragement of others..I can't tell you how much it helped being able to borrow equipmentwhen I didn't have a pot to piss in.

Over the years Ihave done what I can to help other young guys here and there. Many were family, some were not. I'm 74 now and a beat to hell old man, but I tell myself I'm still not done. Do I feel guilty sometimes,? Yep, but not about anything I have done, or all that I have earned or lucked into. I find myself feeling guilty about all the things I didn't do instead. Lots of chances I didn't take, lots of girls I never kissed, and a couplethree dreams I never chased...but who knows, I'm not dead yet.

 

[Tenacious E]

No wealth guilt here. I’m proud of what I accomplished in my 53 years.

Grew up poor, of Mexican heritage, small town Iowa in the 70’s and 80’s. Neither of my parents attended college. My Dad never finished high school. My dad worked construction and drove truck to provide a roof over our heads and food on the table. Money didn’t stretch too far beyond that. My mom tried to be a homemaker, but that ended somewhere in the late 70’s and a dual income was required.

I could have very easily fallen in with the wrong crowd and never amounted to much. However i decided at a very early age to NOT be like my parents. I worked hard for my grades. I also worked construction from age 14 through college to pay for my own things. I bought my own cars, insurance and clothes. I paid for my own college and rent. Not one dime from my parents. I am the only one of my siblings (older sister and younger brother) to graduate from a 4 year college.

I started out, post college, in sales and never really left. Eventually middle management, but still had to sell and work off commission or bonuses. I provide 80% of the income for our family. Raised 3 boys. We are frugal in some areas. We live in a $150,000 3br, 2ba house. The newest vehicle we own is a 2017 Nissan Altima. My focus over the last 25+ years has been retirement savings. We are almost to our goal. In the meantime, have been able to purchase our retirement condo.

Zero wealth guilt here. I could have ended up a carnie. I fit in with the local carnival that came to town for the county fair than I did the middle class or rich kids.

Well done.

 

[desihawk]

This is where many Americans are failing—instant gratification.

My dad was an alcoholic and a total piece of shit, but he worked his ass off as a skilled laborer and lived dirt cheap (other than buying a shit ton of alcohol). Because he invested his money for forty years he retired at 58—a millionaire.

Yes, literally about anyone who is able bodied and of sound mind can be successful in the United States.

overall your point is valid but there are situations though when instant gratification is actually a great move. for instance, living hedonistcally could result in all your kids (just make sure they are diligent) getting free college at elite institutions. with 3 kids that's 1.2M saved. if you had had actually saved 1.2M otoh you would get zippo.

 

[SI_NYC]

With my wife’s family still in Venezuela, it is apparent we are an extremely rich country. That being said, we send them money and goods which we feel fortunate to be able to do. So, yes I feel a little guilt. I’ve been fortunate. Our family in Venezuela have not.

 

[Tenacious E]

When I was 14 I hired myself out with 4 or 5 other boys as a hay baling crew. Together we baled several hundred acres of hay and some straw. We earned $1.00 to $1.25 an hour depending on the farmer. We usually got fed lunch as well. I worked as a stock/carryout boy in the local SuperMarket during the winter months. I had a very expensive girlfriend and we did dances, movies and bowling every weekend. She cost me a lot, but I never spent what I earned in the summer baling. When I was 17 a guy from town drove out to the farm to ask my Dad if he wanted to rent a 17 acre field of mixed grass hay ground. da explained that we were selling the milk cows so he would not have a need for anymore hay...the guy tried to entice Dad by dropping the rent from $30 an acre to $25...Dad just shook his head no...I knew it was my chance and I blurted out "I'll give you $20 cash". No one spoke for several seconds. My old man turned to me and said " That is $340, do you have it?" I gulped and said "yes" and the landowner shook my hand and I was in business. It was far from easy, and it was never in a straight line. 20 months in the Army slowed me down, but I started rolling again afterwards. Everything I've got I've earned, but I could not have done it on my own without the help and encouragement of others..I can't tell you how much it helped being able to borrow equipmentwhen I didn't have a pot to piss in.

Over the years Ihave done what I can to help other young guys here and there. Many were family, some were not. I'm 74 now and a beat to hell old man, but I tell myself I'm still not done. Do I feel guilty sometimes,? Yep, but not about anything I have done, or all that I have earned or lucked into. I find myself feeling guilty about all the things I didn't do instead. Lots of chances I didn't take, lots of girls I never kissed, and a couplethree dreams I never chased...but who knows, I'm not dead yet.

Well stated, and well done.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

lots of girls I never kissed, and a couplethree dreams I never chased...but who knows, I'm not dead yet.

I have it on good authority that if you become a celebrity (being a celebrity here may not count) you could spend your remaining years grabbing pussy. They let you.

Just a thought.

 

[Finance85]

Unfortunately inheritance taxes won't fund the government as people don't tend to die in large enough numbers for it to do so.

However I fully agree with you on the inheritance tax. A wealthy kid already got ahead because his parents likely gave him a stable home, the best education and the best contacts. He can make his own way after that.

Why do you think the government is entitled to a person's wealth when thy die? They have been taxed multiple ways on the income used to build that wealth.

I'd venture a guess the majority of people want their children to be better off than they were, and those children will likely be middle aged at time of inheritance anyway.

 

[Finance85]

Anyone who said that every opportunity they have had was available to everyone else is either lying or ignorant. There is no opportunity that every single person in this world or this country has realistically available to them.

That's actually wrong. The opportunity is there. The ability to take advantage of that opportunity isn't. There's a difference. I left home before I turned 18, with almost nothing.