What Would Make You Feel Rich?
March 23rd, 2008 by Ana
I was driving around last night delivering to some of the truly nicer neighborhoods in our delivery area and a thought occurred to me: The reason I am so jazzed about the gift ink pen is it makes me feel “rich” to have something like this. Seriously. It may sound funny to some of y’all, but the only ink pens I have bought came in ten-packs that cost less than a dollar (usually Bic or Papermate brands on back-to-school sales).
A fancy ink pen, especially a handcrafted and unique one, has always represented “luxury” in my mind. It’s always been one of those “If I ever win the lottery” type luxuries, one I have never considered indulging myself with before.
This realization hit me as I pulled into a semi-circular diveway to deliver a pizza. Why? Because a paved semi-circular or circular driveway is another thing I tend to associate with luxury. Of course, it simply must be right in front of a large porch, preferrably with columns (or are they pillars?) and an ornate oversized wooden door with stained glass for windows and fluer-de-lis carved into it. LOL Hey, it’s my little fantasy of rich and luxury (and of course was what I was looking at as I waited for the customer to open the door to complete the delivery).
After exchanging the pizzas for money, as I climbed back into my trusty little Pizza Taxi, another thought hit me: This is no longer limited to fantasy. I’ve been doing a bit of neighborhood hunting to get a feel for how much of a down payment to save over the next 3-5 years. This is now something I can PLAN for and -better yet- ACCOMPLISH!
There is a huge shift in mindset when I realized I have gone from dreaming to planning, from wishing to long-term goal-setting. It’s almost as drastic as transitioning from the “paycheck to paycheck” mindset to the “budget, plan, and save up” mentality. It’s a huge hopeful world out there when you have goals and plans for the next several years, and know you can achieve them.
So, all it really took to make me feel rich was a very beautiful handcrafted ink pen. Give me five years and I should have the semi-circular driveway 
and if I can find a good deal a carved wooden door on the house. I might still be driving the Pizza Taxi LOL and that will probably be a sight parked in the driveway! Now, your turn: what would (or did) make you feel rich?
PS-Still not sure who got it for me, but I know someone out there is probably smiling very big to him/herself right now…
Posted in random stuff |
March 23rd, 2008 at 1:19 pm
I’d feel unbelievably rich if I had my own room for sewing/writing/studying, etc. As it is, I have a part of the bedroom, but I do most of my writing in the living/dining room.
A three-bedroom apartment (as opposed to our 1-bedroom) would be like heaven because then Micah and I could each have our own “office.” Makes me feel giddy just thinking about it!
March 24th, 2008 at 5:10 am
Having and eating delicious nutritious food from the fridge that is good for me makes me feel rich. an Interesting sauces, great wine, fresh bread and other wonderful things to feed to my friends are part of what makes my simple life wonderful. As I sit around the table talking and laughing over a meal, that’s when I feel the most satisfied and comfortable.
March 24th, 2008 at 7:48 am
I’d love to have a home office. We currently have 3BR/2BA with no bonus space. We’ve set up shop in our master bedroom, which isn’t an ideal solution. I’m envious of others who have a separate space, or extra bedroom for a nice desk, a comfortable chair, and some quiet work space.
March 24th, 2008 at 9:00 am
When I have enough money to replace the carpets, kitchen, doors, and bathroom in my house, I will be rich.
March 24th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Gee, I must be simple to please LOL All it took for me was an ink pen
Y’all all want a bigger/better house or home office (which I have since I bought a larger house than I needed, but y’all might cringe at the neighborhood I’m in).
Nicole: I hear ya on the good food! Mac n cheese with tuna is fine every once in a while, but if you have it regularly it does get old.
March 25th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Please use a spell-check program. There is no point is publishing articles full of mistakes.
March 26th, 2008 at 6:23 am
Stuff doesn’t make me feel rich because stuff doesn’t make me happy over the long haul. I’ve learned that from experience.
I guess I’ll feel rich when my assets have grown enough to support me, and a paycheck becomes optional. That point of financial independence will be a great satisfaction. I love my work, and it will be even more fun when it becomes optional and strictly voluntary.
March 28th, 2008 at 5:58 am
Let’s see:
1. A quarter million dollars in cash assets (non-house) before I’m 40. On track now.
2. A 2000+ square foot house on a 1/3+ acre in a good neighborhood. On track for 35 years old.
3. Always having 2 cars that I bought brand new. Not on track for this since we always buy used.
April 2nd, 2008 at 9:37 am
[…] Allen While browsing through the posts at The Carnival of Money Stories , I came across this post from Ana at DebtFREE Revolution She asks “What would make you feel rich?”. That’s […]
April 2nd, 2008 at 10:18 am
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April 2nd, 2008 at 2:18 pm
[…] at DebtFREE-Revolution asked What Would Make You Feel Rich? She starts with talking about a fancy ink pen, but progresses to having her own house with a […]