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Money Money Money Money
By:
Laurel Ross
I
have finally reached a point in my life where I
don't have to look closely at most price tags. Of
course, I'm not shopping daily at Prada and Tiffanys,
but it's nice to know I can occasionally buy something
there without stressing over how I will pay for
it. And I know it could change in a flash. But I've
discovered having some money is not as easy as I
thought.
I've
always been aware of money and the status associated
with it. I grew up in a household where money was
very tight. My dad was a teacher, and my mom worked
in a nursery school part time. We lived in a neighborhood
with a lot of 'haves' and we were 'have nots'. I
was always conscious of money, of what we could
and couldn't afford. My parents always gave Sue
and I as much as they could, but I knew it was a
challenge for them.
Over
the holidays I went upstate to see Rach. Rach was
still at work when I arrived, so I finished my shopping.
I walked around town, purchased some odds and ends,
and then found a beautiful pair of earrings. They
were not exorbitantly priced, I liked them, so I
bought them. I headed over to Rach's wearing my
new jewelry. She asked where I bought them and I
told her. End of story, or so I thought.
For
dinner, we met up with two of Rach's work colleagues.
None of them earn more than $35,000 a year, and
each is the primary earner in their family unit.
Over dinner, Rach commented on the way I spend money.
Then she made another comment about me buying diamond
earrings. I told her to shut up. It was none of
their business what I spent, and I was feeling very
conscious of the fact that I make significantly
more money then they do.
The
next day, the argument continued. I felt Rach was
in my face about my spending habits, and Rach felt
she was indicating pride in my success and ability
to buy things. She thought that I had an issue with
my spending. I told Rach that instead of bragging
to people about my purchases, I would rather she
tell people that I do pro bono legal work and give
money to charity. And let my jewelry speak for itself
(if it needed to speak at all).
The
issue continued to bug me, so a couple of days later,
I called her. She had been right on some level.
Despite being able to spend money as I like, I feel
somewhat guilty about it. The choices I made in
my life, not having children and working hard at
a job that I don't particularly like, have allowed
me a certain amount of fiscal freedom that many
people don't have. And I am very conscious of that
fact. I know that I have been very lucky. Something
as random as the parents I was assigned at birth
opened many doors to me.
I
shared my hopes with Rach on this issue. That I
continue to be able to enjoy my fiscal freedom.
That I continue to share this freedom with my family,
friends, and those in need. And that someday I win
mega millions and never have to stress about money
again.
Editors
Note: Laurel Ross welcomes your (gentle) comments. Her
email is LaurelRoss39@aol.com
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