Why do we aspire to have large houses,expensive cars etc?

[JBliss]

Morning all

Having a discussion with a friend about various things, and it came up in conversation that, i aspire to earn millions,have a big house, multiple cars (Lambo, Ferrari etc) wear nice clothes (i do this already id like to think) have nice possessions etc. And they asked Why? And i couldnt really come up with a great answer other than 'because thats what i want!'

So, why do many people aspire to much the same? discuss!?

[scorp]

Because they lack any truly fulfilling goal other than appearing to be successful to others. I get the impression that a lot of people assume being rich makes life so much easier.

Edited by scorp on Thursday 3rd October 04:59

[Lawrence5]

I think those that aspire are those who want it easy. ... think lotto win, xfactor contract. most who have it are focused on the success in their given field and it comes with success and leftover cash.

Some are born to it, some leverage everything to look like they have it even if the bank owns it...

Though it would be nice I was happiest when I had nothing living in a shared flat in Brisbane partying hard and having fun.

I felt pretty purged when I moved to Jersey selling stuff I'd become a slave to in order to live in a rented flat and walk to work.

Didn't last though.... back in a house way bigger than needs dictate ! Another sports car I rarely drive, though enjoying the restoration. ....

Be careful what you wish for. ...

"Wealth: worrying about every damn thing but money" Johnny Cash

[sunoco69]

Because we can........simples!

[R11ysf]

scorp said:

I get the impression that a lot of people assume being rich makes life so much easier.

It does.

HTH.

[bogie]

in a capitalist society, many people measure success by the accumulation of money....and then of course the display of things that money can buy

the STATUS game = buying things you don't need, with money you don't have, to impress people you don't even know

[Johnnytheboy]

So ladies will let you have sex with them.

[thebigm]

Because we are increasinlgy a society that uses wealth as a stick to measure the worth of people. Welcome to today's ultra-capitalist world.
Why do people think you need cars and wealth to pull women? My brother has never had any money and he has always been knee-deep in quim

[Simpo Two]

R11ysf said:

scorp said:

I get the impression that a lot of people assume being rich makes life so much easier.

It does.

HTH.

Regardless of income, most people spend most if not all of it as they go. The clever part is accumulating wealth until you don't need to work. My neighbours earn more than me - but have to spend 5 days out of 7 at work.

For years I wanted an Aston Martin. But now that I could go out and buy one, I'm thinking 'But do I actually need/want one any more? What will I do with it? Drive it around so people can admire it. Is that a sensible use of £x?' It's strange.

[Zigster]

Johnnytheboy said:

So ladies will let you have sex with them.

And, in that flippant comment lies the truth!

Going all cod-pyschology on this, in the (really, really) old days the man who got the most punani was the one who was the best hunter - he was the one best able to provide for his family. These days, wealth and power have replaced coming home with an antelope slung over your shoulders - look at some of those fugly policitians getting some extra-marital action.

[richwig83]

What happened to the old fashioned approach of "being successful" or working hard for all the things you mentioned?

[Piersman2]

thebigm said:

Because we are increasinlgy a society that uses wealth as a stick to measure the worth of people. Welcome to today's ultra-capitalist world.
Why do people think you need cars and wealth to pull women? My brother has never had any money and he has always been knee-deep in quim

So eloquent.

For me it's more to do with being in a nice environment. In the UK we could all give up work and live on the social, indeed many have. However, that means a life of living in council housing surrounded by those that can't work or won't work with all the associated social behaviours I would wish to avoid on a daily basis.

Therefore, I work to pay for a nice house , in a nice area, with nice neighbours.

And I have a nice car (by average standards) which I didn't pay anywhere as much as people think I did. Not because I'm trying to impress anyone, but because it's a much nicer thing to drive around in than my old 160K miles MGZT.

In summary: You earns your money and takes your choice; you don't earn your money you don't get to take your choice so much.

[Johnnytheboy]

Zigster said:

Johnnytheboy said:

So ladies will let you have sex with them.

And, in that flippant comment lies the truth!

Going all cod-pyschology on this, in the (really, really) old days the man who got the most punani was the one who was the best hunter - he was the one best able to provide for his family. These days, wealth and power have replaced coming home with an antelope slung over your shoulders - look at some of those fugly policitians getting some extra-marital action.

I was being a bit flippant, but ultimately the ability to procreate is what it all boils down to (IMO).

[zcacogp]

I don't aspire to such things. Life's much easier as a consequence.


Oli.

[mu0n]

I know a few rich people and I'm struggling to think whether they are happy. My boss is probably the richest guy I know (company turns over more than £100mil, has a £5mil house, not a car man really but owns a newish Aston, new Range Rover Autobiography, a few other properties, very young son has an Evoque, Jag F-Type, boat down on the coast, only ever travels 1st class and top ranked hotels so on and so on) but he never seems that happy. He always moans, always in the office (had e-mails at 4am in the morning on a Sunday), doesn't have too many friends who aren't business 'associates', has had some dodgy health issues...

So it definitely comes at an expense unless you're fortunate enough to inherit or win it which would be the best choice because you don't have the associated stress/commitments to earn it in the first place.

I wanted to earn a lot of money when I was younger and I think the reason was to show off to attract good looking women. I think most young lads think this. However, as you get older and end up with a great looking girl despite not earning a great deal, you realise you don't need that much. Sure it's nice to have lovely things but I'd much rather a ski trip with the lads or a cheap all inc holiday with the missus than be on my own in a 5 star resort in Dubai, presidential suite and then moan that the cotton on the bedsheets doesn't have a high enough thread count.

[Simpo Two]

Johnnytheboy said:

I was being a bit flippant, but ultimately the ability to procreate is what it all boils down to (IMO).

That could still be true; all things being equal a rich man is probably more intelligent/harder working than a poor man - so his genes will be passed on. The welfare state of course has rather reversed that.

mu0n said:

I know a few rich people and I'm struggling to think whether they are happy. My boss is probably the richest guy I know (company turns over more than £100mil, has a £5mil house, not a car man really but owns a newish Aston, new Range Rover Autobiography, a few other properties, very young son has an Evoque, Jag F-Type, boat down on the coast, only ever travels 1st class and top ranked hotels so on and so on) but he never seems that happy.

It could all be on borrowed money and every penny he earns goes to pay it off. Probably not, but possible.

[mu0n]

Simpo Two said:

It could all be on borrowed money and every penny he earns goes to pay it off. Probably not, but possible.

Definitely not. I have seen the profits our company earns too.

[Amirhussain]

R11ysf said:

scorp said:

I get the impression that a lot of people assume being rich makes life so much easier.

It does.

HTH.

Money doesn't buy happiness but I'd rather cry in a Ferrari

[fido]

zcacogp said:

I don't aspire to such things. Life's much easier as a consequence.

Amen to that. Moderation in everything is the answer I think.

[Bradgate]

I certainly don't aspire to owning a big house, a fleet of luxury cars a wardrobe of designer clothes or a collection of Rolexes. I couldn't care less about status symbols

Would I like to be wealthy? Yes I would, but the main thing I would value would be freedom.

Freedom to do what I want, when I want.
Freedom to live where I want.
Freedom to travel as much as I want.
Freedom from work, unless I wanted to.

Roman Abramovich is a billionaire, but does he have more personal freedom than an anonymous guy who has a couple of million quid in the bank? I think not.