Little things that make you feel rich

[monkey's mom]

I've been thinking about this lately....the psychology of luxury/wealth/security, and how funny that can be. Regardless of what one's actual finances or net worth are, there are bound to be certain emotional triggers that make one feel secure (or not).

I'm interested in what little or unusual things make you feel financially secure. Or if you don't feel that way, what small things might make you feel, "Ahhhh....we've made it."

For example, for my husband, it's a pantry full of food. And not just various stuff....multiples of things. Ten boxes of pasta, 5 jars of sauce, a dozen cans of tuna, etc....THAT would make him feel very secure.

For me it's kleenex.   Yep, having a box of tissue in every bathroom and on the nightstands just feels like luxury/security/wealth for me. Isn't that silly? I think it's because we were so poor in our 20s that kleenex was simply out of the equation. Those years it was a struggle to just get toilet paper, and that sufficed fine for runny noses. But, yeah, for whatever reason buying a $1.29 box of tissue feels like wealth to me.

Do other people have these eccentricities, too?

Maybe not flinching when the cashier does your tele-check, or knowing that a phone call with "Unknown" on the caller i.d. no longer means creditors calling, having your favorite tea on hand? Just little stuff that makes (or would make) you FEEL rich!

[momct]

We bought a house with a dining room- we never had one before.I have been accumulating formal dishes , serving pieces , etc.I got real linen tablecloths and napkins from Freecycle- also a very costly set of china[looked it up on Replacements] from Freecycle.I have been buying crystal wine glasses in one common pattern for $1.00 each as I come across them in thrift shops.When I see my dining room all ready for a special occasion I feel rich even though I personally did not spend a lot of money on it.

[kristandthekids]

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Edited by kristandthekids - 1/16/13 at 8:06pm

[monkey's mom]

Yayyyy! Exactly the sorts of things I was thinking of!

Seriously, my husband is at the store right now replenishing our boxes of tissues (after 2 weeks of colds around our house). I will feel richer placing those around the house than checking my bank balance, my investments, paying my bills, etc. Just feeeeeels so gooooood!

eta: Buying bird seed and filling the outdoor feeders. Same thing for me....so NOT necessary, but brings us so much joy to watch the birds and just feels like, "We've MADE IT!" LOL $30 a month. What a great return on investment!

[enkmom]

This is really dumb, but I feel rich now that I can always have my hot dogs on a bun, rather than on a folded up piece of bread.  I also feel rich now that we can eat real butter rather than margarine.  I'm with you on the tissues, too.

[syn_ack89]

I feel rich when I buy a £3 bouquet of flowers every week for the kitchen window. Fresh flowers feel special and extravagant to me.

[HeatherAtHome]

We went through a tight spot where we stopped spending money on little things. After Christmas we finally when and bought stuff when it was on sale and for the next couple weeks I felt so rich having things we could use instead of feeling lack. 

Toaster

More hangers for the closet

New tea kettle

3 shirts for me, same flattering simple cut but different colours= no more "what will I wear?" moments

A nice big rug for the front door for snowy boots

Some storage bins so I could put things away

[CameronsMama]

What a fun thread!! I totally agree with the full pantry, when I look in our pantry and see that it's full of healthy food, I feel really secure.

A big one for me is coming inside the house after being outside in cold weather. My house usually smells like some kind of food cooking (we use the slow cooker and the bread machine almost constantly!) so when I walk in the door I'm hit with warm air and the smell of something yummy, I don't know why but that makes me feel pretty rich.

Tea. That one is kind of silly, but taking the time to make a nice hot cup of tea, especially when I can wrap up in a blanket and sit in front of the fireplace...that makes me feel like I'm living a life of luxury, lol.

Doing stuff as a family. I know so many families that have to juggle the schedules of multiple jobs, just to make ends meet, and despite working so hard there's no money (or time) to go out and do anything :( So when we get to load up and go to the zoo, nature walks at state parks, even just a picnic at a local park, anywhere really, I feel like we have everything :)

[annethcz]

To me, feeling rich = money in the bank and being able to spend on wants instead of needs.  I also feel rich when I'm able to splurge on something nicer than I usually buy- the Calvin Klein sundress I bought last summer or the expensive bottle of wine or redecorating the living room. 

Tonight DH and I are celebrating the fact that his 401(k) just reached a milestone number by having a fancy dinner at home- steak (grass-fed organic from the 1/2 cow we recently bought straight from the farmer) and a *really nice* bottle of wine.  

[HappyMommy2]

A starbucks latte

[choli]

Funny how it varies from person to person. A friend of mine who is from India told me that she being able to walk around the house in socks makes her feel rich, that she could afford to "waste the wear" on her socks in the house. I spent my teens in a house where only the living room and kitchen were heated, in a country with a rather cold climate, and to me being able to afford to have my home warm enough to walk around barefoot has the same effect!

[Aeress]

Buying a new to us, but still much newer than my ten year old car. Knowing I have a safe and reliable car, makes me feel rich.

Though normally, being able to buy books, makes me feel rich.

[number572]

Full pantry for me too.  And when I have my hair cut well.  And have a few different types of tea in the pantry.  One thing that makes me feel rich too is having enough to be able to give some away, or to give something I don't use anymore but is still in great shape, and I don't need the money bad enough to have to charge someone for it but can just give it away.  Oh, and several different pairs of socks that are in good or new condition.  Nice thread, makes me feel pretty grateful, thx!

[CameronsMama]

Originally Posted by number572 

Full pantry for me too.  And when I have my hair cut well.  And have a few different types of tea in the pantry.  One thing that makes me feel rich too is having enough to be able to give some away, or to give something I don't use anymore but is still in great shape, and I don't need the money bad enough to have to charge someone for it but can just give it away.  Oh, and several different pairs of socks that are in good or new condition.  Nice thread, makes me feel pretty grateful, thx!

 Totally agree. Thinking about how many things there are in my life that make me feel rich, I'm beginning to feel very blessed. Also agree about the giving- that makes me feel pretty rich, too.

[eirual]

A nice, locally made bar of soap.

[Chamomile Girl]

I love this thread!

Fresh, warm crusty bread slathered with local organic unsalted butter. Ummnummnumm.....
Wool knee high socks. Wool sweaters. Wool skirts. I love wool!
Locally roasted "special" coffee (at $12 for under a pound this is a rare treat)
It makes me feel very rich to know my child physically has everything he needs. I think this probably gives me the same feeling of security as a full pantry for many of you.
Having my own washer and dryer (because for years and years we did not)
I agree with having a warm house, but this rarely happens here as we normally keep the heater set at 62. However the last couple of weeks its been at 67 because DS is potty training (ie. nakeybutt) and ohmygoodness what bliss! Bliss I tell you!
A bottle of good wine..even good cheap wine, just makes my day. Served out of a crystal glass. Throw in a homemade pasta dinner and I am happy.
Having a great local library system where I can actually get books that I want (vs the crappy library that had nothing I had to depend on while pregnant! That made me feel very sad and deprived).
Having a stash of essential oils.
Being able to make things that I can give to other people. One reason I have never sold any of my crafts lol.
Being able to make clothes for my son. Thats the best.

[ChristyMarie]

Being able to buy good toilet paper.

[sugarlumpkin]

Fixing up the house with paint colors, floor types, and light fixtures of my choice! Not what's on sale. ;) (I mean sometimes what I chose is on sale but I chose it bc I like it, not solely based on price.) Also, we have a sailboat we bought cheaply last year and being on the sailboat makes me feel incredibly rich even though it is not at all fancy. :)

[chezlyryan]

My good knives and set of stainless steal pots and pans make me feel rich.  I feel good when ever I cook.

[zebu]

shopping at Whole Foods, even if it's just for a scone and a coffee