My husband and I have been friends with a couple for 5 years. We are all around our mid to late 20’s.
I get jealous of them because they have new SUVs, they have two children, and they buy nice stuff all of the time.
I am especially jealous of their house, it is bigger than mine and way nicer!
The wife recently told me that they are in major debt and literally everything they have is on loans.
She said they are “house poor” because of their monthly loan payments.
My husband and I have everything paid off except our house, and that will be paid off in 10 months.
I know I should be happy because we will never have money problems, but I feel jealous that they have nicer things than us.
We are planning to have our first child and if we stay modest then we can keep our financial freedom even with children.
Why can’t I be happy with 3 bedroom, 3 bath house?!
How can I be happy with what I have and not be jealous of my friends?
2006-09-20 06:51:09 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Friends
Your life sounds terrific and much better then your friend's. She might have all the show-off stuff -- but everything you've got is much more solid. And a 3-bedroom, 3-bath house is fantastic! Be proud of yourself and your hubby for being so smart and staying financially secure. Years from now, they will probably divorce over their money problems -- you guys sound set for life. Congratulations!!!
2006-09-20 06:55:10 · answer #1 · answered by Rachel 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your friends don't have nice things. They are borrowing them from the bank. One little financial problem, and they will be living in a cardboard box under a bridge somewhere.
I guess you've never had serious money problems, or you'd know how terribly nervous they must be. Sure, on the outside they look like they have it all, but I promise you they fight over money all of the time, and lose a lot of sleep worrying about whether or not they'll lose everything overnight.
You really need to focus on what you have, not what you don't have. What if these friends weren't in debt, but just simply had more money and more expensive things? What does that really mean to you? Are you happy? Does your husband love you? Do you have food on the table and a roof over your head?
Maybe you just need to become friends with some poor people so that you can look down on them and feel better about yourself.
2006-09-20 06:53:08 · answer #2 · answered by FozzieBear 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Whoa!!! Slow down and smell the coffee...if you have your financial ducks in a row and are ready to have a child then you are doing it right...in fact better than 98% of the people in the country.
Did you ever think that you friend might be jealous of you and your husband because you are not in debt? And many years from now when retirement rolls around, who is going to be able to afford a trip to see the grandchildren with out having to worry if all of the payments on the "nice" things have been made?
Forget being jealous and be thankful for what you have and the good example you will set for your future children.
2006-09-20 06:57:31 · answer #3 · answered by OleMarbleEyes 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At least you're honest about it, I'm sure plenty of people are envious of their friends.
You should remember that material luxuries aren't free and like you said, your buddy is leveraged to the hilt. That really isnt a way to live. The credit will run out and then what???
Pluse there is nothing like being financial free of debt, I bet your friend is jealous of YOU! (I know I am!)
This also doesnt mean you can't get nice things for yourself and your family.
2006-09-20 06:58:10 · answer #4 · answered by okiedokey 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First rule of life... never be jealous of anything others have! Who cares if they have nicer and better things than you do... they're all material things. You're just jealous over nothing! It's normal for people to feel this way... but the main thing is that you're happy. Apparently... you've been focusing all your attention to what she has... but you have to understand that you have happiness! You should consider yourself very lucky to have what you have already!
2006-09-20 07:03:44 · answer #5 · answered by UnKnOwN 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would just try to remember all the wonderful non material things you have. Like your husband. And also, everytime you think about what you don't have remember how far in debt they are. If one of them were to loose their job, they would loose everything. They may be envious of you for being smart about your finances!
2006-09-20 06:54:44 · answer #6 · answered by lilcountrygirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
THERE IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE SOMEONE WITH BIGGER AND BETTER THAN YOU. IF YOU WANT MORE THEN WORK HARDER OR GO INTO MORE DEBT TO GET IT, BUT I DOUBT YOU WILL BE ANY HAPPIER. THINGS ARE JUST THINGS AND DONT MEAN MUCH WITHOUT YOUR HEALTH AND THE ONES YOU LOVE.
2006-09-20 06:55:56 · answer #7 · answered by BAG LADY 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may not want to write so many personal details about your friends' lives on here.
2006-09-22 06:37:34 · answer #8 · answered by Rhianna 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get what you want or appreciate that you don't struggle with the debt they do. and maybe pray that God help you out of feeling those feelings.
2006-09-20 06:54:36 · answer #9 · answered by JenaMarie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would say that they are probably jealous of you and they wish they had the money that you have. do be jealous of them, u have everything you need.
2006-09-20 06:55:09 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋