Growing up with $Money$

I decided to take a different approach this week on the topic of money. I grew up in a family that would fairly be categorized as middle class. I have always had a keen sense of observation on the demonstrated behaviors of individuals that did in fact grow-up in wealthy families. Many families have a fair amount of wealth, but my focus for this article is on the group of extremely wealthy individuals. While there are always exceptions to any broad categorization of a collective group of individuals, I think that overall my perceptions of this group are quite accurate.

Many children living in a financially wealthy family environment expect more from their parents as far as clothing, trips, and gifts. They fail to understand how expensive these items and experiences can be, and also how fortunate they are to get those items and experiences. Can anyone really blame them for having these desires and not fully understanding how fortunate they are? No, not really, what kid wouldn’t have the same wants and desires? But as these children start to become teenagers and young adults this once uniform group begins to separate into two distinct clusters.

The majority group I call the “Appreciators” because they realize how fortunate they are and begin to truly appreciate the opportunities that have been provided by growing-up in a wealthy family. Then there is the minority group known as the “Suckers” because they feel set for life, have very little, if any, appreciation for their fortunate situation, and have little desire to have any meaningful impact in any arena during their life.

The Appreciators often spend their young adult life devoting their time and energy towards setting and achieving personal and professional goals as well as helping others through social causes. They try to add meaningful activities to their lives and in some way shape or form help others. Most people in this group are humble, and don’t like to make others feel as if they are flaunting their money. A prime example of the individual that falls into this group is Anderson Cooper. Most people have seen him hosting his show on CNN, but during his younger years he spent time in Africa trying to bring about change to a struggling society. Even though Anderson comes from the Vanderbilt family, and was set for life, he demanded more from himself and actively pursued opportunities to make a meaningful impact. The point is not that a trip to Africa, or seeking out absolute righteous activities should be expected to fall with the Appreciator group, but an effort toward setting and achieving personal and professional goals should be made. I respect the individuals that compose the Appreciators because they have the desire to accomplish their own goals and make a difference in this world.

Then you have the worst of the worst, the Suckers. This group would gladly waste their entire life playing video games, snowboarding, going to concerts, and attending events and parties so that they can tell their moocher friends about how cool and exclusive it was. (This crowd always has a few moocher friends that feel special for being associated with the rich person, and the moochers often expect some freebies for being such “good” friends). Not that the Suckers don’t have the right to partake in activities they enjoy and spend their time how they desire, but I resent all of the individuals in this group. Mostly I resent them for trying to impress me and the world with their bank account and self-centered experiences when they have the potential to be and do so much more. Rather than dare to be great and make a difference in this world they would rather leach off the past blood, sweat, toil, and success of their ancestors. Instead of having a meaningful life, they would rather pursue endeavors that at best provide brief moments of satisfaction. Sadly, most in this group will listlessly roam this earth without ever realizing their available opportunities, and for this the world will quickly forget they even existed.