People who grew up middle class but then became rich, what does it feel like?

[Anonymous]

What does it feel like to obtain wealth and success? Do you notice your life changing? Do people treat you differently? Do you view the world differently?

[Anonymous]

The difference is in how people treat you.

[Anonymous]

Define "rich."

I was trailer trash growing up and became a Biglaw equity partner. Am I "rich?"

[Anonymous]

It's a very slow adjustment of a new normal and takes a long time.

It used to make me very uncomfortable being in more "high-end" settings...restaurants, hotels, etc. I wouldn't necessarily know the norms and I would be uncomfortable with the levels of service. It made me nervous almost. What I have noticed is over time I am now completely comfortable.

When I go back to where I grew up (a poorer rural area) and I see the people and places it's more of a stark reminder of what used to be normal every day stuff and then the change becomes noticeable.

[Anonymous]

It's lonely because it becomes awkward with your old friends. The new people in your income bracket don't treat money the same way because they didn't have to work so hard for it.

[Anonymous]

It honestly does not seem that different to me. I grew up lower middle class, but my grandparents were pretty rich.

My mom made all our clothes, my first vacation that wasn’t staying at our grandparents house was at 13 and I very much remember the arguing over money.

Now, our HHI is 7 figures, and it’s surreal, but life doesn’t feel different. We travel a lot, and I’m willing to buy my kids the clothes that look good on them. We also don’t fight over money- so good things, but doesn’t really feel too different

[Anonymous]

There is a really steep learning curve. We also have noticed that we often feel uncomfortable and almost guilty about doing things that our peers take for granted. There are a lot of firsts, no matter the age. We are working with a travel agent currently to plan a luxury vacation and this is all new to us. It can feel exhausting.

On the other hand I probably feel more like a kid on Christmas morning than the rest of you do - on a regular basis. We bought a high end espresso machine and I wear Chanel lipstick and we have a real tile shower and all of these things make me happy every single time I experience them.

[Anonymous]

We go to great lengths to keep a low profile but people know we have a ton of $$. We are very kind to others struggling to make ends meet, reminds us of tougher times we will never forget. Life can change on a dime, stay humble, be kind, and greatful for each day.

[Anonymous]

I grew up pretty blue collar. I have imposter syndrome. I hate golf clubs and galas and the like. I’d love to keep the money but drop all the trappings and just live in a simple but nice house in the country among people more like my family of origin, and spend our money to travel well. DH could never live like that, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What does it feel like to obtain wealth and success? Do you notice your life changing? Do people treat you differently? Do you view the world differently?

This is my sibling. So I will answer for him. He feels like he has worked hard for what he has, and purposely married someone from a wealthy family who is ambitious. He has absolutely noticed his life change, and has purposely made changes. People who've known him since prior don't treat him differently. He sort of views the world differently and I've had to point out that he surrounds himself with rich people and forgets the majority are not like him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is a really steep learning curve. We also have noticed that we often feel uncomfortable and almost guilty about doing things that our peers take for granted. There are a lot of firsts, no matter the age. We are working with a travel agent currently to plan a luxury vacation and this is all new to us. It can feel exhausting.

On the other hand I probably feel more like a kid on Christmas morning than the rest of you do - on a regular basis. We bought a high end espresso machine and I wear Chanel lipstick and we have a real tile shower and all of these things make me happy every single time I experience them.

Espresso machine, tiled shower, really?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Define "rich."

I was trailer trash growing up and became a Biglaw equity partner. Am I "rich?"

Obviously, yes. You make MINIMUM a million year.

[Anonymous]

We have residual damage from growing up poor. Mostly manifests in waking in the night in cold sweats with anxiety attacks about losing everything and being homeless. Neither of us ever feel secure, we kept thinking…when we get to $x it will be ok…nope. Now at eight figure income and still worried.

One lighter example of our neurosis—we debated for a month over whether or not we’d get enough value out of a Disney + subscription.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have residual damage from growing up poor. Mostly manifests in waking in the night in cold sweats with anxiety attacks about losing everything and being homeless. Neither of us ever feel secure, we kept thinking…when we get to $x it will be ok…nope. Now at eight figure income and still worried.

One lighter example of our neurosis—we debated for a month over whether or not we’d get enough value out of a Disney + subscription.

Therapy would help

[Anonymous]

Both my husband and I grew up middle class and now we have an ultra high net worth. It feels great but we don’t live to that wealth as some MC habits are in our DNA. I drive a 12 year old SUV and my husband an eight year old former dealer demo car. We do fly first class and we have two nice homes so we are certainly not cheap. The wealth we have amassed means we don’t worry about money and we know it will help our children and grandchildren in many ways along with charity.