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The problems of the over-privileged lot

Having grown up in a fairly financially-constrained environment, this topic seems like a total case of wishful thinking. But its not!

Seriously. Truthfully. Painfully.

What are these problems you ask? Well they range from how to invest the money you earn to what to buy as a gift for friends and family. Let me attempt to explain these.

Investing your surplus earnings is a normal and natural cycle in life for most Indians. Where this enters the problem zone is when you’ve built a decent base in MFs, have a property and own the jewellery you would like to wear. After this, what to do with the extra salary every month is a VERY painful decision to go through. Before this, there are simple goals to aim for. But what when your goals have been achieved and you’re not willing to expand your lifestyle just to accommodate the surplus. Happened to me a few years ago – when I paid off the loan against the property investment I had made. I remember asking a friend of mine – extremely sheepishly if I may add – what she did with her money cause I was totally lost!! She gave me one of those – “Are you SERIOUS??” looks and only on understanding that I wasn’t mocking her short-on-money status, did she calm down L

Really what do you do when your monthly expenses are a very small part of your earning? Start spending more just to avoid investing? Buying fancy bags or designer clothes or going to 5 star hotels? I found these to be an even more daunting task than figuring out investment routes honestly. Hats off to those who can do these with nonchalance and style. I feel like a wannabe-gawky-teenager if I even attempt thinking in that direction!!

The other big one in my life is to figure out what to gift to those who already have everything they need, want or desire!! Gone are the days when making something by hand would count for a thoughtful gift – except of course if you’re truly gifted. Which I am NOT! Given my middle-class upbringing (yes at age 43 I still blame it all on my childhood!!) – any gift upwards of 3-4K becomes a VERY serious decision. In the world of the over-privileged, this amount is left in tips for regular dinners at the fancy clubs. Hence my perpetual state of Holy-Crap-THIS-much-for-a-gift leaves me in great pain too. Something which cant be shared with others. Has to be borne all on my own!

Its not about affordability – I think the earlier point already explains that.
Its not about not wanting to gift something nice – I make this effort only for people I want to make it for.
Its definitely not about being less creative too – I can circulate gifts as smoothly as the Aunty-from-south-ex. I think. Or actually I hope.

Another huge problem in a similar vein of course is wanting your child to grow up with the same middle-class mindset when his parents are not really middle-class any more!

How can I expect him to value his toys when he gets a new one every few days – courtesy loving friends and family.

How can he learn to share when he can easily choose something exactly the same as what he wants and give that to the other child? There’s usually two or more of everything!

How can I teach him the art of saving when he sees ‘impulse shopping’ so often?

Its just about not having the basic privilege-oriented mindset I guess. I still value everything I own. I still value every dime I earn. I still think before spending every dime I spend. But in today’s world I think I do it without the snob appeal it used to have.
Finding the perfect deal used to be an art. Taking time over high value decisions used to build character. Shopping for that one coveted item used to serve as friendship building memories. Thinking before spending used to be a resume-worthy character trait; not a sign of being short-on-cash!
Here's to those mad-crazy and yet simple days of constraints - you made me have much more fun that these privileged days are giving me!!
 

 

 

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