"the nouveau riche need to differentiate themselves from the poor, but the old money need to differentiate themselves from the nouveau riche." This is true; bu

"the nouveau riche need to differentiate themselves from the poor, but the old money need to differentiate themselves from the nouveau riche." This is true; but there is a more fundamental reason for the newly rich to spend money: it is freedom. People who did not have the right to earn and spend money; when they gain their right to earn and spend money; spend money to assert their freedom. This is why women made spending money a ritual under the name of "shopping." They celebrate their newly found freedom.