Idealistic people and those who want to appear idealistic will say stuff like:
Money will never change me!!
I admit to saying it too, but it isn’t the truth. Money has changed me, mostly for the better:
- No more nightmares: I have (had?) big-time money insecurity issues. I used to wake up from nightmares where I dreamt I was broke. This doesn’t happen anymore. Yippee!
- I’m more real: I used to hold back and say what I thought people wanted to hear. Now, I don’t care. I tell crude fart jokes around other adults and wear ridiculous t-shirts. I fully acknowledge that insecurity shouldn’t be solved by money, but hey, what can you do?
- I like to take long walks at sunset: Oh puke, this sounds like a line from a TV commercial for a dating website. Sorry ladies, I’m not on the market, at least not yet. One day, I may tell one fart joke too many and Mrs. 1500 will join a dating website. But really, I’ve started spending less time worrying about jobs and money and more time squeezing in family stuff. One tradition is evening walks. I took this picture on our walk last night:
- Lifestyle upgrade: I now drive around town in a swanky $100,000 Porsche Cayman GT4 while wearing a fur coat and boots made from crocodile skin. I light cigars with $100 bills. Here is a picture to prove at least part of this:
OK, I totally made that last one up. That is a GT4 sitting in my garage, but I’m carsitting for a friend. The only Porsche I own was made by Hot Wheels and the only crocodile footwear I have are the ugly-ass, plastic Crocs:
Unfortunately, the part about the fart jokes is totally true. I have even conditioned my children to laugh at all things fart related. We are getting a new garage door, so I let the girls draw on the current one:
I know you’re dying for an invite to my next BBQ right now!
***Mrs. 1500 frowns, looks down, shakes her head, unleashes a big sigh and gives thanks that she didn’t sign a prenuptial agreement.***
Enough about me; what about you? Has money changed you? If so, how? If not, how are you so well adjusted? Do you own a GT4 or Acura NSX? If so, may I borrow it some day?
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Mrs PoP says
I’m a lot less anxious now than I used to be, and at least some of that is due to our financial security, even if we haven’t reached FI yet. I’m also way more likely to think long term about a purchase than I used to be when I had less money. It’s easier to justify soothing like shoes than cost twice as much but will last 3 times as long and be four times as comfortable when you’ve got plenty in the bank to pay for them, ya know?
Mrs PoP recently posted…PoP Income Statement – September 2016
1500 says
It’s cool that having more money actually made you smarter about it! No more race to the bottom.
Team CF says
“I know you’re dying for an invite to my next BBQ right now!” – you have no idea 😉
I wish I could offer you anything nice on the car front, but that ain’t going to happen I’m afraid. And I doubt you will get enthusiastic about a Prius!?
As for the money, I do sleep better at night. That’s for sure! Has it changed me otherwise, not as far as I know. I do like talking about it more. Does that count?
Team CF recently posted…Savings Rate September 2016
1500 says
Hey Team CF, any time you’re in the area, come on over! I can’t guarantee the affair will be flatus free, but I will supply good beer.
The Green Swan says
Well money hasn’t changed me enough yet…I haven’t started telling fart jokes but I hope that comes in time. 🙂
I am a little more carefree with money since I don’t stress about it as much, but I can’t really say it has changed me much considering I still have a ways to go before I reach FI.
The Green Swan recently posted…The Green Stork
Chad Carson says
ha, ha. You got me laughing with this one.
I am with Mrs. PoP – I am a lot less anxious. For years as a small entrepreneur, I knew when I began a year or even began a day I would have to hustle like crazy to put food on the table and get ahead. There was always a tension inside. But that anxiety was sort of a good thing, because it motivated me.
I actually worry a little about getting too soft and too comfortable. I think there is something deep in me that needs to be pushed and on edge to be my best. But perhaps it does not have to be money pushing me. Many important projects and growth areas – like parenting, my blog, travel, new business ventures, and community projects – should push me plenty:)
Good question, Mr. 1500!
Chad Carson recently posted…7 Ways to Finance Your Very First Real Estate Deal
1500 says
I can’t ever picture you getting soft (except if you live close to place that sells the chocolate covered nuts)! I think most folks in the FI community will just move on to new challenges.
Jeff from Jersey says
How are you restraining yourself from not having your own “Mr. 1500’s Day Off,” and taking that garage sitting Porsche out for a spin? Just make sure to drive it home backwards to roll the mileage back. (hehe)
Would like to think that having money has not changed who I am, my values or my circle of friends (except for the additional online blogging ones!) – still hang out with the same delinquents I did 20 years ago. But, we drink better beer.
Perhaps where it has changed me is in my mindset…In the past, used to think of money as a possession, but now see it as more of a tool. And having the tool available makes dealing with the curve balls life throws at you easier and with less stress. Once you have that tool, you don’t want to lose it and are much more careful and thoughtful about your behaviors.
1500 says
Dude, if the keys would have been here… Don’t think that I didn’t think about it almost constantly. I did get to drive it though and it was pretty sweet. Except for the part when I blew by a cop going in the other direction. Luckily, he didn’t come after me…
I like what you say about it being a tool. I think the same way and furthermore, that’s about all it is to me. It’s a very powerful tool used to facilitate all kinds of stuff including making more money, but still just a tool.
Brian @ Debt Discipline says
Pull my finger? We tell fart jokes all the time around our house.
We have a lot less stress related to money now. Since we get ourselves organized, and paid off debt there is no fear associated with it. We do seem to talk more about it now, that’s been a change.
Brian @ Debt Discipline recently posted…Ways to Take Your Personal Finances to the Next Level
Mrs. Picky Pincher says
Hahahaha, I absolutely love that your Crocs have duct tape on them. 🙂 My dad wears his around all the time and, come hell or high water, he’ll wear those things down to the ground. I could totally see him putting duct tape on his, too. 🙂
Money has changed me, of course. I’m still stressed about money, but not like I was before. Whereas money was something that I never had, now it’s a tool I use to become free. I now worry about not using my money wisely, since I need it to prioritize our early retirement dreams.
It’s funny; the more positive net worth we have, the simpler I want to live. I’d give up my dryer if I weren’t sure Mr. Picky Pincher would divorce me over non-fluffy towels!
Mrs. Picky Pincher recently posted…30-Day Frugal Cleanse Week 1
1500 says
Those Crocs have holes in the bottom too. I wish new ones weren’t like $40. It kills me!
“It’s funny; the more positive net worth we have, the simpler I want to live.”
Yeah! All that stuff you thought you needed just doesn’t matter so much once you can have it.
Mr. Tako @ Mr. Tako Escapes says
No fancy cars for me!
I suppose having plenty of money has actually made me a little more guarded about money in person. I try not to let on that I’ve got money.
I’ve been sued way to many times. I prefer to avoid being a target, so outside my blog, I don’t talk about it.
Other than that, I’m a lot more relaxed about life now. There’s a million times less stress now that I’m financially independent.
1500 says
Yikes, I’m sorry about your legal issues, but glad to hear life is less stressful…
Eric B says
“Carsitting” is a thing?
1500 says
Ha, I just made that up. I’d rather be Porschedriving, but the keys weren’t left with me…
Done by Forty says
I fart loudly, too.
Yeah, I think money’s changed me. I’m less optimistic about the changes, being a liberal at heart. I think I’m less connected to average people and the issues that affect them. I have different feelings on debt than I used to (more thinking it’s about personal responsibility than, say, the predatory nature of payday lenders, as an example). Sometimes I gloss over the fact that our family has an abnormally high income, and that’s probably the big driver to FI. More or less, I feel less connected to the group of people I hung out with in my twenties: lower middle class people.
Anyway, stuff like that. Overall, I’m still the same person, basically: I like beer and boardgames and chilling at home. But there are some changes.
Done by Forty recently posted…It’s Not Going to Stop
1500 says
Sounds like you’re well adjusted. Beer, some games with good people and conversation are what it’s all about.
And if I ever do meet you, we better avoid Taco Bell.
Mr Crazy Kicks says
Definitely as the cash accumulated I started caring less and less about what other people thought. As we got further on our FI journey I started wearing jeans and crazy looking kicks to work.
Now that I quit my job I no longer get butterflies in my stomach on Sunday nights from stressing about what will happen at work on Monday.
Although, I did have a dream the other night that I was in a pre-calc class, and had an exam I didn’t study for. That was a flash back from college years, and in that dream I remember reasoning that maybe my 10 years of engineering experience might help me slide through, weird 🙂
Mr Crazy Kicks recently posted…Take a Picture, It’ll Last Longer
1500 says
Ha, I have dreams like that all the time too!
Ten Factorial Rocks says
Yes, it has, Mr. 1500. Like you, the change is for the better. While my inherent job role and the challenging projects I undertake haven’t changed, what has changed is my stress level, which has meaningfully come down since I became FI. I am also far less toleranct of corporate bullshit but sometimes, I have to bite my tongue to not show it in the interest of still doing some interesting projects.
Ten Factorial Rocks recently posted…FIRE: How Long vs. How Much
Ms. Liz says
Great post Mr. 1500! I was able to be more forthcoming (some might say mouthy) about issues at work once I reached FI. You’re smart to not go down the Porsche road. We did go down that road and purchased a Cayman which was fun but we soon realized we worried too much about preventing damage to the car (door dings, rock chips etc.) and having a really nice thing prevented us from having a really nice life. We sold it but since it was bought used, it didn’t end up costing us much.
Ms. Liz recently posted…The Early Years Are the Hardest
Wade says
Does having money change us? Hmm. This is tough. At 45 with 3 school age kids, we don’t feel (as much as we should) the affects that being financially secure should have.
People with mortgages, car loans, boat loans, credit card debt, student loans, furniture loans live EXACTLY like we do with none of those. In fact, they might appear to live better because they have newer houses, newer cars, fancier counter tops, etc.
Will we come out ahead? I think so, but it can be slightly discouraging. It partly is our fault because we are not choosing “less spending/less work” paths that we could choose. We are still on a mainstream path although we certainly have saved more than most and have no debt.
Financial Panther says
It’s funny, having money has made me much more careful with the money I have. I feel like when I was younger, I just didn’t care at all because I wasn’t really in a career yet and was still reliant on my parents to help me out. The money didn’t seem all that real to me, I suppose.
Since I’ve started earning decent money, I’m much more careful about saving it and using it wisely. Probably because it feels more “real” to me now.
1500 says
I value it now more as well. I used to buy some really stupid things before I cam to my senses…
Tawcan says
Having money has made me want to be more responsible with money. I think more about our future, more specifically about kids’ future.
For some reason I don’t have many materialistic desires. I am content with what I have. Just had a ride in a few really luxurious and expensive cars the last few weeks. Yes the cars are nice but I have 0 desire to own one, even if I have the money. Weird.
1500 says
I’m a car nut, but my desire to own a fancy car has just about completely faded. I’m content to drive a nice car once a year. That completely quashes the desire.
It’s interesting how our desires fade once we can actually afford them. I’m thankful too.
Stefan - The Millennial Budget says
I am now starting out my quest to FI as I just graduated college but I am sure it will change the way I think. Right now I only focus on how much can I save and invest. When I reach FI there is no way for me to tell if it will change me but I expect that I will probably become more carefree as I do not have to rely on monetary incentives. The only luxury I seek to enjoy it travel. The world has so much to offer I feel like that is the best way to allocate additional money.
Stefan – The Millennial Budget recently posted…Cash vs. Credit Card: What Should You Use?
Alexander @ Cash Flow Diaries says
Finances in general has greatly changed the way I live my life and will continue changing my future for sure. When the light bulb finally turned on in my head regarding how to handle money I began to live a much more conservative life and became very cognizant of where my money goes.
Eventually I will be in a financial position that I have always dreamed of and that makes me love my new lifestyle revolved around becoming financially free.
Alexander @ Cash Flow Diaries recently posted…September 2016 Net Worth Update – How To Track Net Worth
Full Time Finance says
Like a lot of other posters I see the difference in a decrease in anxiety and stress. Most recently I saw the ramifications magnified durin a job interview. I’m notorious for being nervous in a job interview. And yet in the most recent one I breezed through with no worries as I realized I had the money to do without. The extra cash from the job was nice but it wasn’t going to make that big a difference in my life.
Full Time Finance recently posted…How to Increase your Savings Rate
1500 says
That’s pretty great that money has actually made you a better person. That’s how it should be, right?
Steven says
I think I went from douchey know it all and plan to make millions driving my Benz, playing golf, and living in mansions to a harsh reality of i’m deep in debt, below average job, and I don’t know if I’m going to be able to make it out in one piece.
Today, I think is some sort of combination of content money nerd, more likely to buy clothes at a thrift store, go to bed early so I can ride my bike to work the next morning, and day dream about financial independence instead of a Lexus IS300.
Steven recently posted…Should You Sell Your Car and Ride a Bike
1500 says
“I think I went from douchey know it all…”
‘…went from?’ No comment. Ha, I crack myself up!
Really though, I can’t picture you like that at all. You seem so well adjusted now. I can’t picture you at all as a Mercedes driving jerk.
And of course, nacatamale!
Mustard Seed Money says
In some ways money has changed me for good and bad.
I have been able to upgrade to eating steak when I want it versus eating hamburgers. I feel I am a little pickier about food since I can afford a little more and am more conscious about what I put in my body.
On the flip side I feel like I can take more risks on projects since I’m not as worried about a paycheck. This has worked in my benefit since my risk aversion has greatly diminished and I am more comfortable speaking my mind at work. Both good and bad 🙂
Mustard Seed Money recently posted…Benefits of Using a Credit Card
1500 says
“This has worked in my benefit since my risk aversion has greatly diminished and I am more comfortable speaking my mind at work.”
Nice! Someone once said that that ‘the rich are strange because they can affford to me.’ So, I’m thinking money just brings out who we really are.
Mr. Need2Save says
We’ve certainly been able to take ‘better’ vacations with the extra discretionary income. But I feel even better having the ability to save and invest more, so that we reach financial independence even sooner than we originally planned.
In regards to work, I think it has allowed me to take a few more risks as I’m not as concerned with failing at something I try. On the personal side, not much has changed… although I do have a small obsession with running shoes.
G-dog says
How do you separate the money from everything else – age, experience, self-esteem, relationships, etc.?
I think I am less anxious, I pay less attention to money on average, I pay more attention to investing, I am not as driven as when I was younger.
1500 says
I think it’s pretty much impossible to separate. Maybe, a perfectly adjust person can, but that is rare…
Kyle says
I just realized I stopped getting emails when you publish a post, hope you got my email I just sent. I attempted to clean and reset the mail settings. I’ve been busy at work, election is crazy, lots of distractions. Sorry I never got that beer out to you.
Money change me? well I have been considering on and off a car upgrade, but sticking with and fixing the Saab is winning the debate for now. I definitely feel more secure and slowly spend more money than I would’ve in the past. I think part of what’s helping not change too much is putting all that money into retirement accounts right away, then it still feels like you don’t have much. Looks like I’ll be able to max out both retirement accounts and have maybe $6k left over at the end of the year. Finally time to start playing with investing in standard accounts.
Today I started thinking about starting a new blog, the old one hasn’t been updated for several reasons, all of which wouldn’t be a problem if I start a new blog. Something about ex’s and family being able to see your finances has stopped me from divulging too much and really stopped me from caring about the blog for the most part.
M says
Saving couple of grand allowed me to hop jobs doubling my salary in 1 year
Money Beagle says
Ha ha ha, that garage door killed me. Hopefully the installers got a kick out of it.
Money Beagle recently posted…Does Being Too Close To Money Make People Turn Evil?
1500 says
I’ll let you know next week!
Roadmap2Retire says
Like you, reason #1 rings true in my case. I used to spend many a nights worrying about my financial situation dreaming that I would go broke. Now that we are much more comfortably and stable financially, those nightmares are gone 🙂
Great read. Keep these articles coming
R2R
1500 says
Thanks R2R!
ChrisCD says
One way or the other, money changes you. Whether you use it as a tool for good or bad. Having been in a place where we had very little, we do enjoy somethings to much, but I wouldn’t trade the memories created for anything. Hopefully, we make reasonable decisions with what we have.
Our Next Life says
Hiya, buddy! Did Mr. ONL get his hands on some paint and your garage door? I’m pretty sure he did, and I’d like to apologize right now. I’ll send him over to clean that up.
Money has DEFINITELY changed both of us. Growing up and in the early years of my career, we would not have been able to afford to ski all the time, and though it’s cheaper now with a season pass than it was when we bought day passes, it’s still a hobby that’s unfortunately out of reach for a lot of people. It’s brought immeasurable joy to my life, though! Same goes for travel — I was lucky to get to leave the country as a kid, but having money lets us travel out of the U.S. on a semi-regular basis (will soon happen a lot more often after we quit!), which broadens our minds and perspectives (and makes us more grateful, better people). And, yeah, sometimes we act like total assholes and we have a nice bottle of wine. But I had to write all that other stuff first to hide that last note. 🙂
Our Next Life recently posted…The Magic Is Real // 2016 Q3 Update
1500 says
ONL, you’re hilarious! If having a nice bottle of wine makes one an asshole, I must be the Asshole Overlord of the Galaxy for all the nice bottles of beer that I drink!
And snow-sports! There aren’t many things better in life than a day on the slopes followed by a night on the town followed by a soak in a hot tub with a… wait for it… nice bottle of wine! Holy shit, I’m the Asshole Overlord of the Galaxy x 10. Sorry, not sorry.
Finance Solver says
Of course you can borrow my GT4, mr 1500… If I had one. I don’t think I’ll ever buy something like that even if I could afford to. I’ve got a long ways to go before I remotely can, anyways.
It’s great that money lets you have more family time. That’s what I’m shooting for, to not have money stresses and know that I could spend a lot more time with my family!
Joe Freedom says
The accumulation of money definitely changed me. I worked for years in a profession that did some hard-core soul crushing for the sole purpose of accumulating wealth. After doing some pretty good accumulating, I realized that it wasn’t worth it. Actually having money made me realize that it wasn’t worth trading your life (or your soul) for it. I’m not sure that I could have learned that lesson without living it.
PS–I’ll have to come back here more often if for nothing other than the fart jokes. They are largely banned in my house, so I need an outlet.
Physician on FIRE says
Cyndi Lauper said it best. Money Changes Everything.
To be honest, now that I have more of it, I feel no need to show it. When I first started making money, I had to have the big waterfront home. Let the world know I’d arrived.
Now, knowing I could have the house, and a fleet of GT4s if I wanted them (and choosing not to), is more satisfying than actually having those things.
Best,
-PoF
Ms. Montana says
With 5 little kids, plus my husband, my life is overflowing with bathroom jokes. Sometimes I try to make them reel it in. It’s useless.
Joe Freedom says
Yes, that sounds familiar.
Revanche @ A Gai Shan Life says
I’m a lot happier with money. Way happier and more relaxed in general in a way I couldn’t be when I was always bracing for financial impact. I’m not totally without worries but it’s at a far more useful level – it drives me to be strategic and smart with my money even if I have enough that I could be stupid with it for a while.
When I hit the big bestselling author money or sell my still to be dreamed up fabulously performing business, you can take a ride in the NSX that I’ll buy for PiC 😉
Also I was sad to see the 10 questions is ending! I should have told you earlier that I have that as a to do item in my Trello board.