I’m not rich « Allison Cooke

I’m not rich

19Jul09

This is kind of a strange thing to write about, but it’s something I’ve been thinking about and I really want to try to continue updating. I guess this is really something I have thought about or dealt with in some way most of my life.

I can’t say that my family is rich, but they have always been well off. My family is upper-middle class, but they worked for it. Everyone had jobs, invested wisely and lived comfortably. I was fortunate as a child to have parents and grandparents who cared about my financial well-being and started me off with savings and college accounts.

When I was 14 I started working a job and every pay check would go into my savings account. I would also babysit some and that money would go to my savings as well. I never got an allowance until I was in high school, but before then I would spend my saved money for my own entertainment, but my parents did provide me with major purchases. My family would give fairly generous birthday and holiday gifts and I would always save that money as well. I guess you could say I hoarded my money. Why? I have no idea.

I continued working through middle and high school and would work during the summers as well. Once in college I was responsible for paying for any of my entertainment, gas money, etc. However, as I said before, my family had been saving for my college education, so along with their help and scholarships, I was able to go to college with no debt.

The summer I stayed in a house in my college town was my responsibility and I paid all of my bills. I had also been responsible for the credit card I got my senior year of high school. My mom always told me not to spend money that I don’t have, and I always pay my credit card in full every month.

I have never considered myself to be spoiled, but I certainly know that I am fortunate and appreciate all that has been provided for me. Now that I am an adult, I don’t receive any special assistance from my family. Besides the usual holiday gifts, I live completely off myself.

After graduating from college I had a decent savings which I lived off of until I was able to find work. Once I moved back to Bloomington I did live with my mom for about a year and I was able to save some money by sharing expenses with her. But after that time I was able to get a down payment together and I bought a condo.

Now I have a mortgage and a car loan, along with the typical bills (utilities, etc.). I am able to pay my bills because I have a full-time job, and I have for almost three years.

So anyway, the whole point of this post is about how I often feel guilt about my “wealth.” People have always made comments about the nice things I have or something along those lines. Yes, I have nice things, but that is because I worked for them and I bought them. I like having nice things, and I don’t think there is anything wrong with that as long as I am living within my means.

I am in a different point in my life than many people my age. Most are in grad school or fresh out of undergrad, haven’t yet found a career or are paying off college loans. I didn’t have any loans to repay and I have been working for several years now, and that’s how I am able to live comfortably.

I don’t have diamonds and fancy clothes or servants. I clip coupons, I shop at T.J. Maxx and Target, I love my Kroger Plus card. I pay my credit card bill, make my loan payments. I like to think I am fortunate, but that I’ve also worked hard to be where I am. I guess sometimes I need to stop feeling guilty about that.