Are you well off?

tempnam · 06-07-2018 10:10PM #1

As the title says, are you well off? - i.e. are you comfortable, financially; do you have nice things like a big house, nice car, decent holidays every year, do you own property etc.?

If so, how did you get to your current situation?

Personally, I'm not. I have a very small modest house in a rough enough area, a small family, a car, and I work full time. Every month we cover all bills & expenses and then have a small amount left over until payday. We can't afford pensions, health insurance or to put much into savings.

I know a few people who seem to have a lot more in terms of disposable income, bigger house, etc. etc. But all these people seem to have received help along the way.

For example, one guy I know has a huge house outside Dublin on a big piece of land, has property in Ireland and UK, a decent job etc. - but he 'comes from money' - was sent to private boarding school and his family owned the land where he now lives. Other people I know are able to turn to their parents for help if they ever need it.

I'm aware that there are plenty of people worse off - homeless families etc. And i am grateful for the fact that I can provide a roof over my family's head.

So are you like me, or better or worse off?

Atlantic Dawn · 06-07-2018 10:13PM

I know lots of people with new cars who don't have a pot to piss in, I wouldn't classify driving a new car as any status of wealth.

keano_afc · 06-07-2018 10:14PM

Sitting here on a Friday night drinking Lidl beer using my work paid phone to browse the net.

Thats a resounding no, in case you were wondering.

Mark Horgan · 06-07-2018 10:15PM

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

I know lots of people with new cars who don't have a pot to piss in, I wouldn't classify driving a new car as any status of wealth.

Especially if it’s a Dacia.

OldMrBrennan83 · 06-07-2018 10:15PM

This post has been deleted.

Yer Da sells Avon · 06-07-2018 10:15PM

Nope. My most valuable asset is a ten-year-old car.

Capt'n Midnight · 06-07-2018 10:15PM

keano_afc wrote: »

Sitting here on a Friday night drinking Lidl beer using my work paid phone to browse the net.

Thats a resounding no, in case you were wondering.

Aldi beer is cheaper.

Bitches Be Trypsin · 06-07-2018 10:16PM

No I'm not well off, but not broke either. I disagree that those who do well for themselves come from good backgrounds. A good work ethic and solid planning can get you to a good place, regardless of inheritance/Parental support.

Avatar MIA · 06-07-2018 10:17PM

Wealth, generally, doesn't mean happiness. Health, physical and mental, would have far greater impact on happiness I imagine.

So, you drive a nice car, it's fine, but you get used to it after a while and the thrill is fleeting.

As long as you're not short as per Dickens - Income per year €30,000, expenditure €29,950 equals happiness. Income per year €60,000, expenditure €60,050 equals misery. You become accustomed to your "wealth level".

eviltwin · 06-07-2018 10:17PM

Not rich by any means but we are comfortable and can afford a few nice things. We worked our arses off for it, we had a tough start but with help and determination we are where we are. Of course it could all go tits up tomorrow but such is life.

Harry Palmr · 06-07-2018 10:17PM

Well off is a capitalist construct.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1 · 06-07-2018 10:18PM

I'd say I'm well off. Don't have a big house or any other property except the small family home but it's what we want. We can change our cars every couple of years, go on holiday if we wish and generally don't have to worry about the cost of things. I consider us lucky to be comfortably well off at this stage in our lives but it's all relative and depends on what you want out of life.

Conservatory · 06-07-2018 10:18PM

No rent and no mortgage at 35. Earn average industrial wage roughly I think. Don’t run around like a flash harry or seem to save a lot. I should probably do a spreadsheet of where the hell my money goes.

qo2cj1dsne8y4k · 06-07-2018 10:19PM

I’m comfortable
No real worries have a good quality of life not deprived and getting better

Avatar MIA · 06-07-2018 10:20PM

Conservatory wrote: »

No rent and no mortgage at 35.

And does Yore Ma still wash your clothes? :P

Conservatory · 06-07-2018 10:21PM

Avatar MIA wrote: »

And does Yore Ma still wash your clothes? :P

No the wife does that for me now.

RobbingBandit · 06-07-2018 10:23PM

Nope very sick man with a few disabilities and an ever growing list of health complications preventing me from returning to education or taking up meaningful employment after paying my rent and weekly expenses I'm left with about €60 to buy food which doesn't go very far for healthy eating life is **** if you are single sick and disabled in this country but life is what you make of it and I like making fun of mine.

Atlantic Dawn · 06-07-2018 10:23PM

Avatar MIA wrote: »

And does Yore Ma still wash your clothes? :P

Conservatory wrote: »

No the wife does that for me now.

Double ROFL

GreeBo · 06-07-2018 10:24PM

40 and would consider myself well off, I don't want for anything and own a nice house and car, but I'm not wealthy.

I'm well off because I save and don't spend money on throwaway things. I don't smoke and drink occasionally, but I watch what and where I spend and will look for bargains on things.

I've always saved since I started working, mainly because I never want to be without money or in a situation where I can't buy something I want.

TerrorFirmer · 06-07-2018 10:50PM

Not really but I live a pretty decent single life at the moment and don't want for much. Could I do alot more if I had more money? Yes, but I don't dwell on it so much and am content with what I am lucky enough to be able to afford. That said, if and when kids come along....it'll be a struggle.

Try_harder · 06-07-2018 10:52PM

I'm not well off.

I'm in a fairly low paid job.

But I'm single and childless so all my moneys is for me.

Roger Mellie Man on the Telly · 06-07-2018 10:55PM

We have loads of disposable income. I paid €90 for a tin of white paint recently.

Conservatory · 06-07-2018 10:56PM

Roger Mellie Man on the Telly wrote: »

We have loads of disposable income. I paid €90 for a tin of white paint recently.

Nice.

copperhead · 06-07-2018 11:00PM

about three fiddy

Charlie19 · 06-07-2018 11:01PM

I'm well off as in...

My partner and I are both healthy, thank fu*k.

As the old saying goes "your health is your wealth"

smokingman · 06-07-2018 11:06PM

Currently dictating this to my butler. I'm not sure what well-off means...is that a peasant term Jenkins? Oh these people on the webernets are funny aren't they Jenkins; mmuah hha haaaa.

...you can wipe me now Jenkins

myshirt · 06-07-2018 11:10PM

Somewhere in the region of 90% of people are more wealthy today than the top 10% of the general population rich 100 years ago, and are well beyond the poorest of the poor 50 years ago.

You have less chance of getting killed by polio or TB. You have access to medicine, food, sufficient bed and board, and peace in the country. You can go about your affairs without much hassle. Overall it's not bad, though we must never give up on striving to make sure everyone gets a fair shake and there is no child left behind.

So lads, cool the heels, there are not many of us 'not wealthy'. Having to use Merlot in the Beef Bourgouin because you can't afford Shiraz is not a problem. Any deep bodied red will do, so calm down.

What the op is referring to is the hedonic treadmill.

PandaPoo · 06-07-2018 11:12PM

Roger Mellie Man on the Telly wrote: »

We have loads of disposable income. I paid €90 for a tin of white paint recently.

I'd say we're well off. We have our house, and disposable income and savings. We would never spend €90 on a tin of paint though so maybe we're not

mrcheez · 06-07-2018 11:12PM

yeah, pretty comfortable. No kids, no car (cycle everywhere), small mortgage and work in IT. Didnt come from money and didnt particularly kill myself overworking. I just dont waste money and only buy stuff I know I'll use. Not having a car is a big plus though.

jluv · 06-07-2018 11:22PM

Not well off financially but comfortable..but when compared to how my life was..
Was a career person working long hours with a nice salary..but had no time and was throwing money at things just to keep them under control. Very little personal time so was not taking care of me..
Had to give up career due to a family issue..scary..
OMG! so much less income but as I have more time to prioritise I actually am in a better financial position.So now I FEEL I'm well off. Working less,can pay bills and have time and a life.
So yes in my world I'm well off..

GreeBo · 07-07-2018 01:10AM

PandaPoo wrote: »

I'd say we're well off. We have our house, and disposable income and savings. We would never spend €90 on a tin of paint though so maybe we're not

The reason I can afford to spend €90 on a tin of paint is that I would never spend €90 on a tin of paint.

In my experience, this separates me from most people.

Are you well off?

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