4 ms·

I don't know about billionaires, but I do know couples who between the two are earning nearly a million dollars per year - yet because their spending has grown

by bluGill 3mo ago

I don't know about billionaires, but I do know couples who between the two are earning nearly a million dollars per year - yet because their spending has grown to match their income they are stressed about having enough food to eat the last few days of every month - even worse than poor people I know who have almost nothing. Sure they both are driving new cars, living in a large house (near mansion?), their kids are getting music lessons and many other things that make their life much better than the poor families, but at the end of the month they are out of money and stressed about it. This isn't stress about their stock value (I haven't asked but I suspect they are maxing out their 401k and so have a nice amount in stocks that they can't touch), it is about enough food to eat today. The stress is exactly the same despite a much richer life.

hackyhacky 3mo ago
I don't understand the point of your comment. Am I supposed to feel sorry for the irresponsible upper middle class who spent themselves into debt? Do you think that equates at all to actually poverty?
- bluGill 3mo ago
  No. You are supposed to understand them, and why despite having so much more wealth they often really do feel like they are in real poverty. I don't have sympathy for them either. I'm working hard enough to make my own [slightly] more modest life balance and wishing I had some of the toys they do, but I can't afford.
  - hackyhacky 3mo ago
    > why despite having so much more wealth they often really do feel like they are in real poverty. Why are you so concerned about the feelings of the rich who choose feel stress despite suffering little to no actual risk to their lifestyle, and so unconcerned about the poor, who suffer very real material risks?
- phyzix5761 3mo ago
  You're trying to villainize people just because of their net worth. They're human just like everybody else and as such they have desires and aversions which lead them to stress and suffering like everyone else. Like the commenter you're replying to I know people who live in poverty who are very happy and lead fulfilling lives. I also know people who are millionaires who are constantly stressed for multiple reasons; including financial and non-financial reasons.
  - hackyhacky 3mo ago
    > they have desires and aversions which lead them to stress and suffering like everyone else. That's the point: they don't stress "like everyone else." Stressing over whether you'll be able to afford your fifth home is not the same as stressing over whether you're going to lose your only home. When you're rich, stress is a lifestyle choice. Some people thrive on that kind of pressure. But the actual, real-world risks between the rich and the poor are not comparable.

by bluGill 3mo ago

hackyhacky 3mo ago

I don't understand the point of your comment. Am I supposed to feel sorry for the irresponsible upper middle class who spent themselves into debt? Do you think that equates at all to actually poverty?

bluGill 3mo ago
No. You are supposed to understand them, and why despite having so much more wealth they often really do feel like they are in real poverty. I don't have sympathy for them either. I'm working hard enough to make my own [slightly] more modest life balance and wishing I had some of the toys they do, but I can't afford.
- hackyhacky 3mo ago
  > why despite having so much more wealth they often really do feel like they are in real poverty. Why are you so concerned about the feelings of the rich who choose feel stress despite suffering little to no actual risk to their lifestyle, and so unconcerned about the poor, who suffer very real material risks?
phyzix5761 3mo ago
You're trying to villainize people just because of their net worth. They're human just like everybody else and as such they have desires and aversions which lead them to stress and suffering like everyone else. Like the commenter you're replying to I know people who live in poverty who are very happy and lead fulfilling lives. I also know people who are millionaires who are constantly stressed for multiple reasons; including financial and non-financial reasons.
- hackyhacky 3mo ago
  > they have desires and aversions which lead them to stress and suffering like everyone else. That's the point: they don't stress "like everyone else." Stressing over whether you'll be able to afford your fifth home is not the same as stressing over whether you're going to lose your only home. When you're rich, stress is a lifestyle choice. Some people thrive on that kind of pressure. But the actual, real-world risks between the rich and the poor are not comparable.