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Living without money can be extremely stressful. It’s overwhelming when you don’t know where your next paycheck is coming from and whether you’ll be able to put food on the table. However, there are moments when you have a bout of good luck that can transform your life.
User u/willow-mist sparked an interesting discussion on the r/AskReddit forum. Folks who came into large sums of cash very quickly opened up how it all changed their lives. Scroll down for their stories about the impact that winning, inheriting, and earning lots of money had on these people.
Bored Panda got in touch with the author of the viral thread, u/willow-mist, and they were kind enough to share their thoughts on wealth. You’ll find our full interview with them below.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Not me, but my sister. 2017, she had no permanent residence, bouncing from couch to couch. She was working for minimum wage, just keeping herself afloat. Something happened and my nephew (son of a different sister) was taken into protective custody, and she and I took on the responsibility together. I moved them into my house, which was really small, so they had to share the living room. She worked really hard and saved to get a tiny apartment for them, struggled to furnish it and pay the bills, but she did it. Then another one of my sisters OD'd on heroin with my niece present (luckily for her, there was narcan on hand and someone smart enough to administer it), so my niece was also taken into protective custody, and my sister took her on as well. The money from CPS and state benefits helped, but they still struggled. Then in 2019, her estranged bio father took his life, and the trust fund that her bio grandfather set up was passed down to his only living relative - my sister. Literally overnight she became a VERY well off person. She owns a really nice house now, has a new car, her back yard is like a paradise for my nephew and the 2 other foster kids she took in (my niece ended up back with her mom after she completed rehab, etc.) and she never has to work again. They want for absolutely nothing. No one deserved it more than her.
Norman Yenney 1 year ago
You rarely hear of a happy result for a deserving person. Usually some trashy person gets money then wastes it all. This is a breath of fresh air. 😀 I'll bet it is the only happy story in this compilation.🫤
Bored Panda asked the author of the thread for the advice they’d give anyone who’s feeling overwhelmed by an unexpectedly large sum of cash. “If someone has just come into a large amount of money, I would tell them to consult a financial advisor before making any major purchases,” u/willow-mist told us.
The OP urged everyone to keep their newfound wealth a secret. “Don't tell anyone. There are many people who reach out asking for money when they think someone has more than them.”
RELATED:
#2
My relatives and I divided the inheritance equally, each bought an apartment, no one took more, acted humanely.
Sunny Day 1 year ago
I told my brother to keep everything. I had been NC with my parents for years, but he arranged my dad's funeral, got my mom settled closer to him, and handled the sale of their house. When she passed there wasnt a huge amount left, but a nice nest egg that her will stipulated be split between us. With the reason I went NC, I really didn't need the memories their money would bring , so I signed everything over to him. He deserved it anyway.
The Starsong Princess 1 year ago (edited)
My dad and his brothers split their respectable inheritance without a single dispute. My uncle was executor and my dad helped him. My parents will leave something provided neither of them needs long term nursing home care and I don’t expect any problems with my sisters. This is normal.
Oskar vanZandt 1 year ago (edited)
Yep. This kind of business can be conducted and settled in a sensible manner... If people decide to stir sh1t, the only ones who benefit most are the lawyers.
Valek Fermiga 1 year ago
A nice, civilised way of doing things, show's how they were raised.... Properly....
B 1 year ago (edited)
Got a surprise inheritance from my aunt & uncle it was split between 13 of us no arguing at all. But enough for it to be life changing for me even though I still have to work. I paid off all of my credit card debt I had been chipping away at for years when my husband got sick & donated to a few Charities. Still have some in the bank. I think my DIL thought I would pay for their wedding but they are in their 30's & both work, so I bought them a set of laundry instead. My son was thrilled. She got herself in debit trying to have a wedding for more than they agreed to. I am forever grateful to my aunt & uncle for taking the weight off of my shoulders.
#3
I'm an independent contractor, and my job requires a lot of travel, and for years I made decent money but it was never really enough to own a home or really even have my own place.
I got to a point where I signed a contract with a massive bonus and all these perks, and essentially went from making slightly more than your average middle manager to clearing a million dollars in less than a year. It was literally a life changing opportunity.
The biggest change was just being able to do all the things I held off on doing because I never had the money. I was finally able to buy a home. I bought one for my younger brother too, helped him start his own business and now he's co-owner of a logistics and shipping company. My sister is disabled and I was finally able to get her into an amazing long term care facility. Several of my best friends work with me and their lives changed in similar ways.
In 2 years time, I didn't just make my own life better, but I helped make the lives of some of the people I care about the most in this world significantly better. People that say "money doesn't buy happiness" are ridiculous.
Oskar vanZandt 1 year ago (edited)
I share this view... I would use any wealth I acquired to make life easier for those I care about (and charities close to my heart).
According to the author, people are more likely to ask you to share your wealth if you either inherited it or won it in a lottery. “That makes people believe that it is ok to expect a handout because the money wasn't earned by but given to the recipient,” they said.
Though u/willow-mist agrees that relationships can make us happier than money, there’s also the practical side of life to consider.
“Money can take away many of our problems,” they said, pointing out that being rich means being able to afford good housing, having the time to visit family and friends, and covering medical and dental costs.
What’s more, if you have a financial safety net, you’re not desperate. So, you don’t have to endure having a bad boss or being in a toxic work environment.
“I’ve heard it said, ‘I’d rather cry in a car than on a bike,’ and it’s true. Money can’t buy happiness, but it can help us choose our own misery.”
#4
Stress levels before and after. It's like night and day. Being poor is stressful. Very stressful. Having money means having options that coincidentally means less worrying about making things work & more focus on actually figuring them out. Which leads to more success.
You simultaneously have more options while ending up needing plan b less. It's almost cruel. Money doesn't bring happiness, but it absolutely kills 90% of actual real life day to day stress. Which kind of paves the way for positive change.
ElfVibratorGlitter 1 year ago
Money doesn't buy happiness but it does buy housing, clothes, food, medical care and a sense of financial stability.
Heather Evans 1 year ago
My ex got a 15k inheritance when we were in our early 20s. Not a ton of money and we depleted it over time. But for a few years the stress-free feeling that we were simply not going to become homeless was absolutely palpable.
John Dilligaf 1 year ago
Money may not buy happiness, but being rich and miserable sure as s*it beats being poor and miserable
Bo'owowo'uh 1 year ago
Being rich doesn't make you more happy, but being poor makes you less happy
Max Fox 1 year ago
There was a study on income and happiness. Up to a certain point, increases in income result in increases in the sense f wellbeing. Once the income is high enough that there is no real food or home insecurity, increase in income do not increase one's sense of wellbeing. A good example is what you can see in the Varsity Blue admissions scandal. These people are in th etop 1% of income and yet they have a constant feeling that they are suffering from multiple disadvantages. It's not that being wealthier makes you unhappy, but that people who are unhappy when they are making enough money that so that they don't have to worry about losing their home, paying their bills, and feeding their kids will not really feel any happier if they double their income, while people who feel happy in that situation will feel no less happy if they started making twice as much.
Karen Bryan 1 year ago
"Maybe money can't buy happiness, but it CAN buy the most remarkable substitutes." --RHett Butler, in "Gone with The Wind".
Hakitosama 1 year ago
The saying "money doesn't buy happiness" means "the blind pursuit of wealth won't fill any void in your heart" not "deprive yourself of your basic needs". Stop buying in Capitalism propaganda
#5
Freedom from every day financial worries
Pro Tip: do NOT tell anyone - people will make you miserable 😩.
Brian Droste 1 year ago
I read that people that win big in the lottery, they have a higher rate of sui cide due to people pester them for money.
#6
We inherited a substantial amount of money recently. We knew there was an inheritance coming, but it was easily 3x what we thought it was. My day to day life didn’t change. I still work, same job, as does my husband. Everything is the same - except relief when thinking about the future, which is huge.
We took half and put it in an account for our kids - their college, grad school, etc. are completely paid for. We then took the other half and hired an advisor we know well to invest it for our retirement. The plan is to park it until we both stop working, still decades away.
We also cut big checks to our beloved niece (for school in the future) and two charities that are close to our hearts.
The thought that our future is secure is breathtakingly amazing.
Nikki Angulo 1 year ago
Honestly, I would have put the money into a trust fund for each of the kids and also for the niece, make sure you have control over what it’s used for. School and those expenses first, then when they have found a job and know where they want to live, a down payment for a house, if there’s anything left.
Mike F 1 year ago
You're a real cheerleader, aren't you? We get, time and again, you are NOT a fan of the US.
Load More Replies...The author had no idea that their thread would get so popular online. They told Bored Panda that the inspiration for the question came from their personal life. “I know someone who inherited a large amount of money and wasted it all with nothing to show for it after two years.”
It’s not just stressful when you lack money. If Fortune smiles upon you and you win the lottery or inherit a sizable sum, you might not be as happy as you think. Your immediate response might be panic! Many of you might daydream about becoming millionaires. But if that actually happened, you might be sick with anxiety.
You might stress about how you’ll have to protect all of your newfound wealth. You might feel anxious about how best to spend all of your doubloons. Or you might worry about how becoming rich might impact your relationships. Because, unless you’re deftly practicing stealth wealth, how people treat you will change.
#7
Quit my second job, paid off all of our debt, purchased a house (only debt currently) and could finally afford to start a family. Sure money can’t buy happiness, but it sure as hell can get you a lot closer to it.
Kristal 1 year ago
No, no, money CAN buy happiness. Normalize this: money can buy happiness but happiness cannot thrive on money alone
Cerridwn d'Wyse 1 year ago
I would phrase this to money can facilitate happiness. It doesn't buy it
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Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 1 year ago
Money gives you options that can make you happy (or miserable).
AJZombieJag 1 year ago
This sentence is key: "... could finally afford to start a family." And so many politicians in so many countries are confused why birthrates are falling.
kitteh floof lover 1 year ago
money can buy happiness. but it can't buy contentment, big difference
Skip Reynolds 1 year ago
Money can't buy happiness, but it can make unhappiness a lot less unpleasant.
Michael Largey 1 year ago
When it comes to unhappiness, poverty has tremendous purchasing power.
Stephanie Barr 1 year ago
It's not money that kills happiness. It's greed. When you have money but are OBSESSED with more money, you'll never be happy.
#8
My mouth. I spent 20k at the dentist.
Robin Roper 1 year ago
I don't understand why eyes and mouths/teeth aren't considered part of health car coverage in the US and "special/extra" insurance is required for coverage or it's out of pocket.
Nikki Angulo 1 year ago
They also aren’t part of our health care in Canada, we do have to pay for that, but that is usually covered if your employer provides health coverage.
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ValdaDeDieu 1 year ago
What kind of Hellscape "dental office" is this? AI, you've done it again!
FluffyDreg 1 year ago
*Crying in learning today that i have approximately 4k+$ of dental work today but my insurance will only cover another 495$*
#9
Everything changed. Firstly, I lost my father, that was the biggest issue, then I lost my job over attendance during settling his estate, his home being broken into by his meth head neighbors after they found out he died, then his ex-girlfriend sued us for half the estate. Then everyone I know came out of the wood work asking for money. Then when I refused to give people money for existing, they all decided that I was an a*****e and didn't want to have anything to do with me. I lost pretty much all of my acquaintances that I thought were my friends. I paid off all my bills, bought a reliable car, then bought a house to make a better life for my children and put as much away as I could. Only a handful of people continued to be a part of our lives after. I found out quickly who my real friends were.
Penguin Panda Pop 1 year ago
It's sad how universal the friends-weren't-really-friends part of the story is. Humans suck.
Irishwoman abroad 1 year ago
Not all humans do - the real friends will stick around and be happy for you.
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Sarah Gerber 1 year ago
Let me know when you find one. My kitty is pretty flaky.
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Brian Droste 1 year ago
I am curious, was you able to win against your dad's girlfriend or lose?
Robin Roper 1 year ago (edited)
A sad but good lesson; cut those greedy people out of your life!
Investopedia urges people to take their sweet time deciding what to do with their wealth if they suddenly inherit a large amount of cash. There’s no rush to decide there and then what you’ll do with your millions (or even billions). Nobody can be expected to transition into a wealth-oriented mindset at the drop of a hat. Especially if they’ve been very frugal for most of their lives.
If you happen to have any debt, you should think about paying that off first. Prioritize high-interest debt. Meanwhile, consider what part of your money you’d ideally like to invest. You might be able to make enough passive income to become financially independent. Just be sure to do your research so you don’t get scammed.
#10
For me it wasn't like a lump sum thing, but rather my husband joining the IBEW (electrical union) and overnight going from making like $20/hr to over $30/hr (and now up to about $40/hr) changed our lives. We went from barely making ends meet to having a savings account, buying a house, a brand-new car, finally getting to take proper vacations, even getting to fly on a plane for the first time and visit a whole other country! As someone who lived the first 30-some-odd years of my life in poverty, the last decade has been a huge in terms of quality of life. And not just cuz I can buy name-brand toilet paper and no longer live in a mobile home, but because my stress levels have been significantly lowered as well. I'm not worrying about bills, I have a little extra money to pursue hobbies and interests, and if something messes up in the house, like my washing machine last month, no problem. I might not be able to afford a brand-new one spur of the moment, but I can at least afford to buy a new shift actuator and pump and fix it myself.
Hphizzle 1 year ago
This makes me happy! It’s the little stuff. Good toilet paper. Afford to fix it solidly enough until you can afford a new one. My friend said that just being able to throw stuff in the shopping cart, like socks and underwear, and not have the stress of whether it would break that week’s budget.
Pandamonium 1 year ago
I can say from experience that when you're living paycheck to paycheck, getting even a small boost like a small raise or some overtime can make a big difference. Just freeing up enough money to cover one utility bill seems like a huge step up.
Bec 1 year ago
It felt like I was never going to get out of the hole I was in, going into debt because there never seemed to be enough to cover everything; but it was about 1.5 years after finishing my Master's degree that I got a better job, with benefits. I paid on my credit card debt twice per month and paid it off within 6 months, then started saving. The secret is to not start over spending just because you get a raise.
R.k. White 1 year ago
Unions are life changing! My hubby is a union ironworker and he will retire at 55 with an amazing pension.
#11
I inherited 100K from my grandmother. Put it all into High yield accounts, interest payments every month got larger & I feel way less stressed about money now. I do withdraw a little every year on my birthday to "treat" myself. Other than that, I refuse to touch any of it & still live within my means. Hoping to use it for a down payment one day.
#12
My grandmother had an education fund made for me and put money in it every month. I was pretty young and my mom was poor and wanted to use that money to buy pot and cigarettes and other stuff. She kept bugging me and bribing me with stuff. I told my grandmother who made sure my mom couldn't access the account.
Look, it’s important to celebrate your victories. If you’ve earned a huge commission thanks to your hard work, then by all means, splurge a bit. Have a nice dinner at a fancy restaurant with your loved one. Go on a brief getaway. Get yourself a cool suit or bag. In short, do what makes you happy. Reward yourself because you definitely deserve it. Money is there to be used, after all.
That being said, don’t go too wild! Think about your future. Don’t party away all of your cash. Don’t burn through everything on a few off-the-rails shopping binges. There’s always a balance to be found. You never know: you might need that extra cash just to get by in the future if the economy gets worse.
#13
Nothing changed for us - matriarch of the family realised nobody is really financially educated enough to handle a change from middle class to that, so she proposed everyone puts their slice of the cake into state bonds (atm the gains beat inflation by a good bit, we're not American) and that's what everybody did.
We all essentially tossed the can 5 years down the road, and are living exactly the same as before.
Oskar vanZandt 1 year ago
I don't intend to live much differently than I do now, we're I to acquire a large pot of money... But having a safety net and more options would be marvellous.
Nikki Angulo 1 year ago
I would buy a house, possibly the company house I’m living in now, I know the company will not be wanting it soon, as they will be building new housing and I don’t want to move again! A larger vehicle (driving 2 1/2 hours with three cats to the town with the closest vet and decent stores but with not much room for groceries is no fun.) Share some with my mom and brother, and put some into a trust fund for his kid’s schooling. If it was a huge amount, I’d also share with other family and friends.
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#14
A company I was vested with sold. I made well into the seven figures. Didn't touch it for a year at the advice of a business mentor. It was probably the best advice I've ever gotten. It really stopped any potential lifestyle creep in its tracks. Now I don't have to take s**t at work, and can spend as much time with my kids as I want. .
#15
Most big lottery winners end up poor or dead in a few years. If you win, keep it secret. Move if you have to.
The Starsong Princess 1 year ago
I’m not sure that stat is true. Many big lottery winners do everything possible to keep their names out of the media and won’t respond to surveys. But people who win big have the same problems with money, addiction and relationships that they always did, it’s just times a million.
Brian Droste 1 year ago
If you do let other people know, put away I say 1 million to 5 million in a different account without letting anyone know. That way you have something to fall back on if something happens to the rest of your winnings.
Nikki Angulo 1 year ago
Set it up as a trust fund that pays you a certain amount every month (but only if you need to start accessing it) so you don’t make the same mistake twice!
Load More Replies... Oskar vanZandt 1 year ago
I would definitely keep it secret... And move as well as change my amex if necessary.
Kirsti-Tina Thompson 1 year ago
Google the best law firms, ask for a senior named partner. This is to manage any legal s**t coming your way. Set up trusts for any kids/nieces/nephews you want and stipulate it's not to used for anything outside of education and the checks go straight from the lawyer to the school. Split the rest of the money in half. With one half buy swiss bonds on 10 year, and 20 year. Put the rest into a high yield account and live off the interest. Anyone asking you for money send them to your lawyer, as you don't control the money, they do. The asker then has to deal with the lawyer telling them no rather than you, n you don't look like an a*****e to anyone creeping out the woodwork looking for a hand out. Best of both worlds, if the lawyer says "hey, your nephew actually does have a good business plan and you may profit from it if you help finance it. I'll draw up the contracts" it's a win win.
Kirsti-Tina Thompson 1 year ago
If you really are bad with cash, put a limit on your interest account on how much you can spend a day, OR any large purchases such as houses etc need to be signed off from your named partner lawyer. One major purchase per. 6month or something. This will stop your a*s from blowing money on stupid stuff. The swiss bonds are there held for 10 and 20 years incase you f**k up badly.
Load More Replies...At the end of the day, true wealth lies in your relationships with people. Whether you have a swimming pool full of gold coins or you’re barely making ends meet, it’s the quality of your social life that matters the most. And that’s not just empty idealistic talk, either.
A study started by Harvard researchers back in the late 1930s found that what truly makes us happier and healthier are our positive relationships. They’re more important than money, our careers, our fitness, and even our diets. These relationships make us more resilient to the stress that life throws our way. The more socially ‘fit’ we are, the longer (and higher quality) our lives are bound to be.
#16
Fixing things is no longer about the cheapest way to do it yourself but about weighing a good DYI solution vs just writing a check and being done with it.
E.g. a tree needs to be cut down. Without money you think about what saw you can use or borrow. Renting is a last resort but viable. With money you think that owning a chainsaw would be useful, so maybe you should buy one. Beyond that, do I really want to drop this thing myself or should I just find someone to do it for $500.
As a specific answer, I now pay someone to cut my grass.
Donna Peluda 1 year ago
You can by time. Now I have someone to clean etc. I don't have to spend my Saturdays cleaning the house.
Sunny Day 1 year ago
I hate housecleaning. You just finish and have to start again
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Moose 1 year ago
I used to try to do everything myself. Now that I'm more well-off, I hire others. During the transition years, I worried I was being irresponsible. Now I think one of the best ways to use my money is to find people in need and pay them well to do jobs that need to be done (or in some cases - jobs that don't really need to be done).
Oskar vanZandt 1 year ago
I would definitely opt to have outside help if I were better off... Time is limited, so buying in time from someone else and compensating them well is a sound strategy.
#17
It fell on me when I was 13, so it took six years before I had full access to it.
It allowed me to fund my own education through a Master's Degree.
Valek Fermiga 1 year ago
That's the way to do it - congratulations on getting your masters - hopefully your now working a job you like....
#18
When my father in law passed, my wife (and her 3 siblings) each got $2.2M in stock/cash from his estate. Having a pretty successful business, it didn't change my/my wife's life, but it's set up our 3 daughters (and 4th child on the way) with a pretty good nest egg for them to be able to buy their first house, start a business, or take a risk that they otherwise wouldn't be able to do.
Note - the money is theirs once they turn 25.
M.J. J. 1 year ago
Hoo boy, it can be a huge mistake to give it to them all at once. They could lose over half in taxes the first couple years, not to mention at that age, they could blow through it all, not having had much of a normal life before the money. We've all known people who are just waiting for their money, and never build a career, finish school, etc. After the money, there's no incentive to hit those goals. A better set up, depending on where you live, might be 30% on their 30th, 35th and 40th birthdays. Oh, and don't tell them that until they're at least 22 years old, or they'll just acquire a group of leeches and party pals also waiting for payday.
TomCat 1 year ago
My friends dad died when she was fifteen. They filed a wrongful death lawsuit and the three kids got a LOT of money. When she turned 18 she got hers and it was gone by 21. Definitely would recommend splitting it into payouts over time.
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OnlyMe 1 year ago
I intend leaving my assets to my grandchildren - my children already have successful careers/lives and doing very well financially. It will be my grandkids who need the funds. And I hope my children will do the same.
M.J. J. 1 year ago
Be sure to mention WHY you're leaving the assets only to the grandkids in your will, or leave your kids a token amount along with the explanation. Otherwise your kids and/or their spouses could contest your will, depending on where you live. It rapidly turns into an ugly situation and divides many families, especially those who assume that their family 'would never do that'. Put it in writing, don't just say it!
Load More Replies...But those relationships can’t be left untended. You have to be very intentional and proactive in strengthening them. It also means being more selective with whom you spend time with. Try to identify the people already in your life who energize and empower you. Who makes you laugh? Who do you feel like you can be vulnerable around? Focus on those individuals!
What’s your philosophy on money, dear Pandas? Do you focus on maximizing your profits at the expense of everything else, or do you prioritize your relationships? What advice would you give someone who unexpectedly comes into a lot of cash? Share your thoughts in the comments if you happen to have a spare moment.
#19
My grandma left me 70k and I invested all of it. Also didn’t tell any of my cousins and only my parents know. Hoping 70k in 20 yrs in the S&P will do retirement well that I can retire by 55. That’s the dream at least. Also didn’t spend it on anything down.
ElfVibratorGlitter 1 year ago
I just plugged this into a Future Value Calculator and 20 years at about 12%pa (assuming S&P at 12%) compounded monthly, $420,640.61. yay!
Paul Gerrard 1 year ago
Of couse prices will also rise. At 5% inflation in 20 years $100 of purchases will cost $263.
#20
When I was younger my family sued my elementary school district for negligence when I repeatedly reported bullying but they ignored it, eventually culminating in sexual assault. The district settled for $200,000 ish but I was to get it in installments when I turned 18. The first installment was $13,000; it was a hell of a nice birthday present.
The biggest change was I didn't need to rush finding a job and I was able to pay for my associate's degree 100% out of pocket and take a trip to Japan before adult responsibilities started, which I always wanted to do. Also doing stuff with friends was no biggie because doing things like movies was pretty much pocket change. I did get a job a few months after graduating Highschool but I also knew if I lost it I would be OK, so I got to not stress too much about it (even though I ended up doing so anyway).
Unfortunately I also had zero experience managing money, since my family had horrible money management and no one ever taught me how to be responsible with money. I went through all of that first installment in less than a year on dumb c**p, the only thing being really valuable was paying for school and travelling.
To this day I'm still kicking myself for a decision I never made. At one point there was a house that needed some work but it was all pretty minor; things I could either learn to do on my own at worse hire someone to do pretty cheaply, like painting the house, replacing a couple of pipes, and swapping out some boards on the back porch. It had 2 bedrooms, a living room, full kitchen, and two bathrooms with showers in both. We lived in a small town and knew the property owner and he offered to sell me the house and the land for $120,000 with a meager $1,000 down payment as soon as I could get a mortgage. This was an *insane* deal and I was such an idiot for not realizing that. Could have fixed that house up and used it to work up to a bigger house.
Advice to anyone who has received or will be receiving a settlement: Put like 90% of that s**t in savings and pay for everything with your salary. Trust me. In this economy being able to afford a down payment on a house is everything.
Somethingpenguin 1 year ago
200,000 is not worth the trauma, but it's better than my parents who would probably pay the bullies for doing it
Jesha 1 year ago
Sexual assault is kind of a big deal. Don't know how to tell you this.
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#21
You start identifying the things that can be fixed with money, and those that cannot.
Morgen Stern 1 year ago
That's a very valuable lesson in life. It changes your perspective and your priorities.
#22
I stopped caring about keeping my job since I have a safety net from stonks. I can push back on stuff that's unreasonable now, and I'm a lot more confident when asking for raises knowing I can comfortably quit anytime.
#23
You find that lots of things you thought you wanted, you don’t want now you can have them.
ColdSteelRonin 1 year ago
“After a time, you may find that having is not so pleasing a thing after all as wanting. It is not logical, but is often true.” – Spock, Star Trek, season 2, episode 1
Brian Droste 1 year ago
I am retired now and even before I retired as I got older as I accumulated some stuff nd things I need to live on. I realize I don't want as much stuff as I used to when I was younger.
#24
I'm less reluctant to speak my mind at work. Having the "GFY" option available is very liberating.
#25
Motorcycle accident with truck in 2016. TBI/broke right arm/helicoptered to ICU/breathing tube and feeding tube/rehab for years to get my mind functioning again.
Lawyered up and got $300k from the trucking company. I'm making my monthly mortgage payments from that money.
It's a house but good God I would never want anyone to ever go through what I or my family who supported me the whole way went through. .
Michael Largey 1 year ago
If I got the 300k, I would have paid off (or paid down) that mortgage and saved myself a boatload of interest payments. In fact, that was what I did with the inheritance from my mom.
Natalie Fike 1 year ago (edited)
Depends where you live, how much your taxes are, whether you can refi to a lower interest rate, if it is worth it to write off the interest on your taxes....just saying, while eliminating a mortgage is always a good idea, there are times when it is more beneficial not to.
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Sue User 1 year ago
Due to the healthcare system in USA, that money will be needed to pay for medical in the future.
Load More Replies... #26
I didn't cry at the thought of my car needing a new clutch or brakes or anything for that matter. i was also able to go back to school since im able to pay for the tuition in full .
Daniel Atkins 1 year ago
These stock photos are nuts why is he taking a grinder to what looks like a good paint job on a car?
James Hagan 1 year ago
Also, that's a cutting disc. Where's the rest of his PPE???? Those aint the right gloves for tbat tool and there's no face shield
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#27
These comments have taught me not to worry about inheriting material things to my children. I will leave them a paid-off house and a fully funded education, and I will enjoy spending my money with my wife.
#28
My student loans disappeared overnight (paid off in 1 large lumpsum with some of the settlement check)
That's about it though, my life stayed the same other than that.
Me Oh My (He/They) 1 year ago
Well, it IS a nice photo. It looks more natural than other stock photos.
Load More Replies... #29
I (32m with wife, and 2 kids) got a windfall inheritance (low 8 figures). The only change has been that money doesn’t stop us from doing anything now. Going out to eat, vacations, having a handy man fix things around the house, house keepers, nanny, private schools. The convenience you can buy is amazing.
Looking forward, we’re hoping to retire early and enjoy our young kids for as long as they’ll let us.
LavenderHippoInAJar 1 year ago
"The only change is that we changed almost everything"
Load More Replies... #30
You know how on online shopping or real estate listings you can list things "Highest Price to Lowest"? I thought that was hilarious and that nobody would ever use it. It turns out that it's really useful when money is no object and you prefer to not spend time looking at the lower end options.
Dianellian 1 year ago
Looks like Malaysia. It’s full of these sorts of McMansion neighbourhoods.
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shankShaw deReemer 1 year ago
Well....sounds like this person is real snarky about the money. You can search highest to lowest...
#31
People turn up out of the woodwork when they hear you have a lot of money. When I signed a massive, massive deal at the company I owed (and I assume my mom told a bunch of people) suddenly friends and family I hadn't heard from in years wanted to spend time together.
Same when my mom passed away, in both cases I wanted to think it was for altruistic reasons, but the timing was just too convenient.
The interaction between my existing friend group who also knew about these events did not change.
Edit: Thank you Reddit, for doing exactly what would be expected of you.
#32
I still try to live off my paycheck as much as possible. And then I've started traveling more now that Covid is mostly backgrounded.
Already had a major trip this year, and three more scheduled by the end of next year. Two of those will be international.
#33
I had overpaid my taxes and found myself with a $10,000 check from the government, no strings attached. It was enough to pay off the last of my student loans and my car. Bam- $700 a month instantly freed up for me. It was definitely life changing.
#34
Was able to quit my job and essentially retire in my mid 30's. There was such a great feeling of freedom in not having to be wedded to going to a 9 to 5 job and giving up so much of my time for a paycheck, while also owning my house and car outright and being able to travel the world (in great luxury) on a whim.
Jasper Sardis 1 year ago
Not jealous at all, good for you. But I'd need to feel productive somehow. Won't even luxury travel get old?
#35
It changes how everyone you know treats you. Some people will get mega entitled and assume money has no value to you now, some people will get jealous, a lot of people will suddenly want to be your best friend. You will be surprised time and time again at who it is and how they react.
#36
If this ever happens to you TELL NONE OF YOUR FRIENDS - ONLY TELL PEOPLE MAKING MORE MONEY THAN YOU WHO YOU CAN CONSULT. And maintain skepticism of everyone who comes near you - anticipate jealousy envy gossip users and opportunists etc seriously biggest lesson of my life. Seriously expect d-bags to come at you with everything they have... Carry a very large bat in your back pocket invest in Acme Bear Tracks -just kidding but you get the point money makes people that don't have it creepy.
#38
So many decision that were previously dictated by money are now dictated by other factors, with convenience and quality being primary drivers. * Don't feel like cooking tonight? Can order out. Can order out at a nice restaurant. * Could walk, but also could take an Uber. * Could save a few hundred dollars on a less agreeable flight time, but not worth it. * New car? Well, if I buy brand new, I can get all the options I want. Yes, even the upgraded audio system. Convenience and quality are addictive d***s.
#39
Not a massive amount, maybe half a years salary, but honestly, the biggest change has been not worrying quite so much about life. Which in turn leads to me being better with my day to day money, which means that I feel better because I’m not quite running to the end of the account each month. It’s a little thing, and I wouldn’t say that it is happiness per se, but I guess money can at least ‘buy’ a little of the stress off!
Leigh 1 year ago (edited)
I received a small inheritance when my father died. I know it's not a lot of $ with the price of everything these days. But hey when you've been dirt poor it seems like a lot! I'm a lot less stressed out now that I'm not living paycheck to paycheck and I can afford to go on vacation. Before I was always so broke at the end of the month I had to go to food pantry. I feel like I can finally relax and enjoy things without worrying about bills. Trying to make my $ last.
#40
I inherited about half a million dollars from my dad, plus some real estate. After I bought a house and a car, I was still left with quite a bit, but I was in a really bad place (my dad's death was very sudden and affected me very badly) so I was wasting money left and right on going on vacations and buying stupid s**t and going to fancy dinners. Most of it wasn't leftover, and so my life was more or less the same.
The only difference was that my family now owned a house and had a couple of nice cars.
#41
Just received a decent inheritance yesterday. Took 10k of it and left the rest in a compounding interest account to build over time and away from easy reach so I don't blow it all. Used what I did take it to create an emergency fund, bought myself new clothes and a few new toys like a new gun, paid off 1500 in credit card debt and probably going to make a larger payment towards my student loans. Still living off of my budget but being able to fix the AC in my car now and my bumper is a huge win. The stability and lack of worry is really nice, and being positive on my net-worth by multiple thousands of dollars is also really nice, but mostly it's the peace of mind that's doing it for me and I think I won't spend most of it just because I don't want to give up that peace of mind. Now I don't have debt payments to make other than just 50 bucks a month so I've regained a lot of spending power which will let me save faster over time, as well as having a new job with better benefits and that pays me a 300 dollar bonus once a month for gas and cell phone really makes me feel truly financially stable in my life. Not enough to retire on, but enough to get a solid plan for retirement going and change my life for the better. I'd give it all back if it meant I got to spend one more day with my grandma and aunt, though. :/.
Baby Jenks 1 year ago
Many people enjoy target practice as a hobby. It IS fun. The majority of legal gun owners are decent human beings, not psychopathic criminals. Please educate yourself before making such statements.
Load More Replies... #42
For years, I would whine about how I couldn't do what I wanted because I had to work to pay the bills. Despite being free of that pressure to make money, I still struggle to do what I want. It's depressing. Edited to add: having to get enough money together to pay rent is the [MacGuffin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacGuffin) that runs the plot in most peoples' lives. It's like the [briefcase in Pulp Fiction](https://www.slashfilm.com/1334271/what-was-in-pulp-fiction-briefcase/): the plotline of your life may not be about money per se, but without it, there is not a cohesive plot. For years, people work s****y jobs because rent, go to college to get better paying jobs, make housing choices because poor, and scrimp and save in hopes of salvation from all this. But if suddenly this way of living is no longer required, the existential problems of meaning do not necessarily abate. If you take away the need to strive just to survive from a person who has lived decades this way, that person may have a hard time re-orienting themselves. Even a s****y job provides a community of sorts, even if it's a community of complaint. Scarcity provides a rubric for decision making. Ask most people what they would do if they did not have to work for money. They will come up with all sorts of fanciful answers. They will talk about going on cruises around the world. They will talk about hiking the Appalachian Trail. They might say something about wanting to travel. Fine. If these far-fetched fantasies come true, eventually one must decide how to live after taking the cruise, the long hike, or the long-delayed European tour. "What shall I dedicate myself to?" one asks oneself in such a circumstance-- and without practice at exercising so much freedom, coming up with an earnest answer takes great effort.
Penguin Panda Pop 1 year ago
Yeah, boo-hoo buddy! I get that having so many options is daunting, but having no options is miserable. Guess which one 99% of people would pick?
The Starsong Princess 1 year ago
My parents are retired comfortably- my mother focuses on painting and my dad focuses on golf and his golf leagues. That’s sufficient for 80 year olds. I plan on travelling a bit and volunteering to get out of the house but I’m going to focus on my art.
#43
Money will fix a roof or pay a medical bill but it won’t give you anymore memories if the money came at the death of a loved one.
What do you think ?
michael reid 1 year ago
Regarding the saying, Money can't buy happiness, it's better to look at from the other side and say, Happiness doesn't need money to exist
howdylee 1 year ago
My husband inherited low 6 figure sum from his mom. We instantly paid off the house and bought a family car (was in the market to get one anyway). Nothing else of our lifestyle changed - except we don't have to worry about ANY debt. It's very freeing knowing your house is YOURS!
Trisec Tebeakesse 1 year ago
Well gee, I just got a $2/hour raise, and we're into the overtime period at work. So now rent will only be one month behind instead of three!
SummerVeE 1 year ago
After I inherited enough to buy a house, fully paid off, and tuck away a decent savings account for my family's future. My ex lived rent free and waited the two years for him to be "common law status" which is the same as being married in Canada. Then he took off on our daughter and I, with his new girlfriend, and he is taking me to court to get his half of the "family property" that he contributed nothing towards.
Steve Hall 1 year ago
I don't have money, I don't worship money, therefore I don't need money.
michael reid 1 year ago
Regarding the saying, Money can't buy happiness, it's better to look at from the other side and say, Happiness doesn't need money to exist
howdylee 1 year ago
My husband inherited low 6 figure sum from his mom. We instantly paid off the house and bought a family car (was in the market to get one anyway). Nothing else of our lifestyle changed - except we don't have to worry about ANY debt. It's very freeing knowing your house is YOURS!
Trisec Tebeakesse 1 year ago
Well gee, I just got a $2/hour raise, and we're into the overtime period at work. So now rent will only be one month behind instead of three!
SummerVeE 1 year ago
After I inherited enough to buy a house, fully paid off, and tuck away a decent savings account for my family's future. My ex lived rent free and waited the two years for him to be "common law status" which is the same as being married in Canada. Then he took off on our daughter and I, with his new girlfriend, and he is taking me to court to get his half of the "family property" that he contributed nothing towards.
Steve Hall 1 year ago
I don't have money, I don't worship money, therefore I don't need money.
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