Another greedy story...

**valerian** · 01-26-2010, 10:33 AM

My Mom told me recently that her brother called her and wanted to know if she thought he could be stressed because he ONLY made $100,000 this year and last year he made $125,000. I think he might have been having some symptoms or something, but I'm not sure.

My husband is a teacher and doesn't make anywhere near that much and the fact that my uncle is whining about ONLY making $100,000 really irritated me! We should all be that freaking lucky! When I think of all I could do with that...I don't know why I let it bother me except for the fact that it was almost like he was bragging and he got my dh to get an insurance license like he has and said my dh could make all of this money he's making and my dh never got the contacts here where we live. My uncle said he'd come up and get things set up here for my dh, but then backed out when he found out that he, himself, couldn't make a bundle here. He came up before my dh got involved and stayed with my parents for free and went to Camp Leguene and sold a bunch of contracts and made quite a bit. He did this several times. I think he must have made all the money here so there wasn't any left when my dh got involved.

He was also going to other states to set other people up working for him, but failed to set my dh up after we invested the money for his class, books, etc. The whole fiasco cost us money that we couldn't afford to spend and amounted to nothing. Then he wants to call and whine about not making as much himself! PUHLEEZE! I have no sympathy for him! He also called last year to tell my Mom that they'd had their best Christmas ever 'cause he made sooooo much money. The whole family went to Hawaii. They went on several cruises. Big freaking deal! It just annoys me to hear about it when we've been dealing with medical bills out the wazoo, etc. The other thing that bothers me is they wouldn't have it so cushy if they hadn't stolen my poor, dementia-ridden grandmother's home from her, sold it, and built themselves a nice new house! They tricked her into signing it away when she thought she was signing to help them get a loan for something. Nice people, huh?

Anyway, I just had to vent...this has been bothering me for several weeks and it helps to write it down.

**frugalfoster** · 01-26-2010, 10:39 AM

I always tell my dd's to live their life so that they like what they see in the mirror in the morning..... this guy abviously doesn't subscribe to that theory of life.... Wow....

**Cricketlegs** · 01-26-2010, 10:44 AM

Truthfully. It really isn't that much money. My dh makes about $86,000 and after it all gets taxed and this that and whatever we don't have that much left.

We live very cautiously on what we do get.

Maybe your Uncle really is stressed because his standard of living had to be adjusted accordingly. Living in your means, whatever those means are, is really the same for us all and when it changes you know it!

**Neeley** · 01-26-2010, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by Cricketlegs

Truthfully. It really isn't that much money. My dh makes about $86,000 and after it all gets taxed and this that and whatever we don't have that much left.

We live very cautiously on what we do get.

Maybe your Uncle really is stressed because his standard of living had to be adjusted accordingly. Living in your means, whatever those means are, is really the same for us all and when it changes you know it!

I agree it really isn't a great deal of money. DH makes around $100K/year and we would be stressed if he took a 20% pay cut like your relative did.

I think it is relative to each family/situation

Either way, I feel your frustration, understand where you are coming from and how you feel. Big hugs!!!

**valerian** · 01-26-2010, 11:04 AM

I know it's not much money, but to whine about not making as much to people who make less is distasteful to say the least! I think that his problem is he doesn't live within his means. I like money (who doesn't?), but I'm not going to let it dictate my life. It's not the be-all and end-all of everything. I think that he mistakenly believes it is. I gave up my career to stay home with our children and I wouldn't change that for anything in the world!

**Nana2two** · 01-26-2010, 11:13 AM

Sounds to me like it's not how much he makes, it's the attitude behind it. I have met people that make $150 k a year and they are mean, stuck up snoty. I friends that make $25k a year and they down to earth loveing people and are very nice. It's all about the attitude.

**Greebo** · 01-26-2010, 11:18 AM

I think you may be misidentifying your emotions here.

While I agree that he should have followed through on his promises to help DH when DH went into insurance - and backing out on that is wrong - I don't see why it's unreasonable for anyone to be concerned when they take a 20% loss of income.

**Greebo** · 01-26-2010, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by valerian

he got my dh to get an insurance license like he has and said my dh could make all of this money he's making and my dh never got the contacts here where we live. My uncle said he'd come up and get things set up here for my dh, but then backed out when he found out that he, himself, couldn't make a bundle here. He came up before my dh got involved and stayed with my parents for free and went to Camp Leguene and sold a bunch of contracts and made quite a bit. He did this several times. I think he must have made all the money here so there wasn't any left when my dh got involved.

He was also going to other states to set other people up working for him, but failed to set my dh up after we invested the money for his class, books, etc. The whole fiasco cost us money that we couldn't afford to spend and amounted to nothing.

I think the real emotion you're looking for is anger over broken promises, mixed with a bit of jealousy and resentment that he succeeded where DH failed.

I'm not saying those feelings are unjustified. I just think it's not really about his income.

**kattails** · 01-26-2010, 11:22 AM

I'm sorry, but $100,000 is ALOT of money to me. my dh makes a fourth of that, he made $25,000 last year and we are a family of 4. we were actually shocked to see when filing paperwork for our taxes that technically we are poor

whatever, we do not measure success and happiness with dollar signs in our family.

but your uncle does seem a little ungrateful to me, to state that $100k is ALL he made last year. does he not realize that there are starving and homeless people that don't have a dime? or families that have lost jobs and homes because of the economy? I sure do hope that he makes regular donations or contributes to some type of charity. I couldn't imagine being able to spend all of that money. just remember the grass isn't always greener on the other side

**redmaples** · 01-26-2010, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by kattails

I'm sorry, but $100,000 is ALOT of money to me. my dh makes a fourth of that, he made $25,000 last year and we are a family of 4. we were actually shocked to see when filing paperwork for our taxes that technically we are poor

whatever, we do not measure success and happiness with dollar signs in our family.

I agree, we lived on $25k in 08 too & took in mil for several weeks out of the hospital, fed 6 adults & kept bills current.

100k is a lot more to some than to others!

**monkeywrangler71** · 01-26-2010, 01:23 PM

A 20% pay cut is a significant lifestyle change at any level.

**JanieD** · 01-26-2010, 02:36 PM

I sure this isn't the right thing to add, but its difficult for me to be sympathetic & understanding when someone earns so much more. Actually, I rarely understand how others deal with or see things so differently (& its not just money issues). Guess it has to do with prospective & priority. Not sure it helps, but I think I'd tell them I really can't relate. Perhaps this would discourage them from whining. Maybe I should add that I'm happy to be involved in productive conversations about adjusting budgets to offset lower earning & such. Often, this is not what they want from me though.

**miss_thrifty** · 01-26-2010, 03:18 PM

the highest we ever made was $37,000,year. and thats was pretty good living and yes watching every penny. But then we dont own a house anymore and only have 1 large bill truck payment.
I think it's in all how u want to live and not worry about what others thinks. If he wants to brag,let him, u cant change people and their way of life. Im sorry that he made u feel that way and he was suppose to help you out.
It takes all kinds to make the world. their are givers but I find more takers then anything. they think money and materials make them who they are or stand for who they are. they don't realize that's only a small part of them.
hugggss to ya dear.

**annymoll** · 01-26-2010, 04:27 PM

I do not believe $100,000, or even $125,000 is a large sum of money to live on. What I do believe is that I want to hold myself to a certain ethical standard- although my standard may be different than anothers.I want to follow my own path.It is difficult sometimes when you have friends and family making significantly less than you do. If you talk about any financial gain, vacations, possessions- you are seen as boasting. If you discuss loss of income you are ridiculed for not being content with less.I have learned that if I am excited about good fortune I am sharing. If I am upset over loss I am sharing. I don't take income into account anymore.Otherwise I would feel as though I always have to be on guard, and I don't like that feeling.

**miss_thrifty** · 01-26-2010, 06:29 PM

I think it sin all how u want to live and not worry about what others thinks.
I edited this mis-spelling and spaces but it should read ""I think its all how you want to live...
u deffently tell Im not great in lang. arts lol

No matter how much anyone makes isn't what I think ur saying its how much u think he's bragging right, and how he makes u feel??