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Friends with money

By John Bailo   Follow   Fri, 8 Jul 2011, 6:35pm   1,854 views   29 comments
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I have a lot of friends now who have a lot more money than me. A lot, lot more.

So when I visit, they constantly want to pay for dinner and things.

I guess I should feel embarrassed, but the thing is what is a regular lunch for them is like a once a year night on the town for me!! So, I let them pick up the tab...there is no hint of a problem, in fact, they pay for it the way an aunt would reach into her purse and pay for some candy for her favorite nephew ... no problem at all.

The whole thing is fascinating in a way...to be able to jump into a world where costs are an order of magnitude different. It's like an alternate universe. Take my world, and then multiply everything by 10 -- salaries, bank accounts, restaurant prices.

I'm basically living in Eastern Europe before the Wall came down.

I think this is where we are all in housing, and jobs, and finances, because there still are quite a great number of haves...and they are not smug pot bellied monopolists in tuxedos smoking cigars, they are like random lottery winners interspersed in our society. It's like a flying saucer soared around zapping every eighth household with a Magnitude Ray that raised it all up.

The only thing I'm not sure about is whether they'll drop back to my orbit, or I'll ascend to theirs or we'll meet...nine-tenths to one-tenth in between.

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1. B.A.C.A.H. Follow Befriend (6) 5 threads 2,359 comments

   1   8:12pm Fri 8 Jul 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   John Bailo says t's like a flying saucer soared around zapping every eighth household with a Magnitude Ray that raised it all up. Yep, and a lot of them folks moved to the USA (and Vancouver) to live in The Fortresses.

2. Clara Follow Befriend (10) 11 threads 169 comments San Bruno, CA

   2   8:44pm Fri 8 Jul 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   What business are they in?

3. Patrick Follow Befriend (54) 5,181 threads 6,153 comments 46 male Menlo Park, CA Premium

   3   9:19pm Fri 8 Jul 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Protected   I've known several people who got pretty rich in Silicon Valley. They got it from joining a tech company at the very early stages, like when there were less than 20 people.

4. bubblesitter Follow Befriend (5) 10 threads 2,329 comments

   4   9:27pm Fri 8 Jul 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   ...and they happily lived ever after. :)

5. seaside Follow Befriend (3) 34 threads 696 comments Alexandria, VA

   5   9:58pm Fri 8 Jul 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   So, John, what did you eat w/ them and how much was that?

6. Cautious1 Follow Befriend 9 threads 94 comments

   6   5:34am Sat 9 Jul 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Wow. Out here the flying saucer zapped one in eight households off the map. Last night we entertained friends who have struggled through unemployment, surgeries and chronic illness (the dad had to go home early because his lungs are at half capacity and without enough oxygen he gets extremely tired...this could have been prevented if he'd had timely medical care). We dined on a pack of "Manager's Special" chicken ($3.12 for ten thighs!) with homemade pie and sun tea. The floor show was provided by a sweet baby our guests had rescued from a friend of theirs-- actually his grandma, who is stuck with the baby and two of her unemployed adult children who are camped out in her 900 s.f. mobile home (the baby's actual parent lives elsewhere). While our kids ran around we talked about how fortunate we are to have each other and a place to live and a nice Goodwill down the road where we can pick up some jeans for growing boys (they're having a sale! $2.75 for a pair of pants!). Did I mention my husband's dead and the roof and faucets leak and the car is making a weird whining sound? But for the moment, at least, we're the wealthy ones.

7. American in Japan Follow Befriend (28) 149 threads 1,398 comments

   7   6:20am Sat 9 Jul 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   @JohnB I appreciate an honest post like this. I have been getting tired of the political discussions these days.

8. B.A.C.A.H. Follow Befriend (6) 5 threads 2,359 comments

   8   9:37am Sat 9 Jul 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Cautious1 says But for the moment, at least, we're the wealthy ones. Measured by the living conditions of most people in the world, indeed you are. And so many Americans here, with their Sense of Entitlement, are oblivious to it.

9. Tude Follow Befriend 15 threads 356 comments

   9   12:39pm Sat 9 Jul 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Sybrib says Cautious1 says But for the moment, at least, we're the wealthy ones. Measured by the living conditions of most people in the world, indeed you are. And so many Americans here, with their Sense of Entitlement, are oblivious to it. How very true. I live in a "tiny" 1000 sf house, with one bathroom that barely fits one person, in a "undesirable" working class neighborhood that most of the people on here are too good to drive through. Every day I wake up thankful that I am in a home, wake up in a warm bed, have running water, indoor plumbing, and a refrigerator full of food. Every day I ask myself how I can make the world better. Every decision is made with the best interest of not only myself, but society. I am truly blessed, so much more than so many of my friends and acquaintances with millions.

10. PasadenaNative Follow Befriend (1) 28 threads 288 comments South Pasadena, CA

    10   1:37pm Sat 9 Jul 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Most people I know are either working p/t, unemployed, or underemployed. I have NO friends with money...

11. B.A.C.A.H. Follow Befriend (6) 5 threads 2,359 comments

    11   1:39pm Sat 9 Jul 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Fellow Californian, try making friends with iwog. He's got a link to his business by his photo.

12. bubblesitter Follow Befriend (5) 10 threads 2,329 comments

    12   1:57pm Sat 9 Jul 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   PasadenaNative says Most people I know are either working p/t, unemployed, or underemployed. I have NO friends with money... Hmm, and that in So. Pasadena?

13. PasadenaNative Follow Befriend (1) 28 threads 288 comments South Pasadena, CA

    13   2:22pm Sat 9 Jul 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   bubblesitter says PasadenaNative says Most people I know are either working p/t, unemployed, or underemployed. I have NO friends with money... Hmm, and that in So. Pasadena? Yes. Pasadena too....Most folks are just getting by. None of us are homeowners...

14. PasadenaNative Follow Befriend (1) 28 threads 288 comments South Pasadena, CA

    14   2:24pm Sat 9 Jul 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Most of us went to art school, or, we are dancers. Never expected to make a lot of money in the first place...just doing what we love!

15. Clara Follow Befriend (10) 11 threads 169 comments San Bruno, CA

    15   2:32pm Sat 9 Jul 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   How much you make as dancer? On average. Easy to find jobs?

16. B.A.C.A.H. Follow Befriend (6) 5 threads 2,359 comments

    16   2:48pm Sat 9 Jul 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   I have a cousin who was a "dancer" at a honky tonk bar outside of Tulsa. Good money, good tips, till she was "bumped" out by even better looking babes.

17. Patrick Follow Befriend (54) 5,181 threads 6,153 comments 46 male Menlo Park, CA Premium

    17   2:51pm Sat 9 Jul 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Protected   PasadenaNative says None of us are homeowners... Nor are you homedebtors! There's some real freedom and value in having no debt.

18. Katy Perry Follow Befriend 8 threads 530 comments Murrieta, CA

    18   3:03pm Sat 9 Jul 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   the only friends with money I know, didn't earn a dime of it. everyone else is broker than broke and getting broker( net worth is -0 with zero savings and many debts)

19. Katy Perry Follow Befriend 8 threads 530 comments Murrieta, CA

    19   3:08pm Sat 9 Jul 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Patrick says PasadenaNative says None of us are homeowners... Nor are you homedebtors! There's some real freedom and value in having no debt. like having time. tons more time! the trick is doing something awesome with it IMHO. wants and needs wants and needs......

20. PasadenaNative Follow Befriend (1) 28 threads 288 comments South Pasadena, CA

    20   3:30pm Sat 9 Jul 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   masayako2456 says How much you make as dancer? On average. Easy to find jobs? I have friends that danced in ballet companies, they are retired now. Not sure how much they made but it wasn't much.

21. PasadenaNative Follow Befriend (1) 28 threads 288 comments South Pasadena, CA

    21   3:34pm Sat 9 Jul 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Patrick says PasadenaNative says None of us are homeowners... Nor are you homedebtors! There's some real freedom and value in having no debt. That is right, Patrick, I live by those words! My boyfriend is a painter, he teaches high school art p/t and spends the rest of the time in his studio. We live below the radar, happy to not be part of the mainstream...no kids, no debts, not rich, but quite happy :-) I went to art school, then library school. I had to quit working due to illness. Now my brother and I have inherited this rental property. We are very fortunate...no plans to sell it, it keeps us afloat.

22. Edzakory Follow Befriend 15 comments Flagstaff, AZ

    22   4:32pm Sat 9 Jul 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   I've been to Hollywood I've been to Redwood….. Keeps me searching for a heart of gold And I'm getting old. Everyone has riches; you just need to learn where and what to look for.

23. Clara Follow Befriend (10) 11 threads 169 comments San Bruno, CA

    23   6:52pm Sat 9 Jul 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Sounds like you have a really good thing going. Congrats! PasadenaNative says Patrick says PasadenaNative says None of us are homeowners... Nor are you homedebtors! There's some real freedom and value in having no debt. That is right, Patrick, I live by those words! My boyfriend is a painter, he teaches high school art p/t and spends the rest of the time in his studio. We live below the radar, happy to not be part of the mainstream...no kids, no debts, not rich, but quite happy :-) I went to art school, then library school. I had to quit working due to illness. Now my brother and I have inherited this rental property. We are very fortunate...no plans to sell it, it keeps us afloat.

24. Clara Follow Befriend (10) 11 threads 169 comments San Bruno, CA

    24   6:54pm Sat 9 Jul 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   BTW, any website I can check out your boyfriends paintings? I am looking for landscape, abstracts. Any reference would be appreciated. Thanks. PasadenaNative says Patrick says PasadenaNative says None of us are homeowners... Nor are you homedebtors! There's some real freedom and value in having no debt. That is right, Patrick, I live by those words! My boyfriend is a painter, he teaches high school art p/t and spends the rest of the time in his studio. We live below the radar, happy to not be part of the mainstream...no kids, no debts, not rich, but quite happy :-) I went to art school, then library school. I had to quit working due to illness. Now my brother and I have inherited this rental property. We are very fortunate...no plans to sell it, it keeps us afloat.

25. PasadenaNative Follow Befriend (1) 28 threads 288 comments South Pasadena, CA

    25   8:37pm Sat 9 Jul 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   masayako2456 says BTW, any website I can check out your boyfriends paintings? I am looking for landscape, abstracts. Any reference would be appreciated. Thanks. Sure! He's very abstract, but here you go... http://ddandradeworksonpaper.weebly.com/index.html

26. PasadenaNative Follow Befriend (1) 28 threads 288 comments South Pasadena, CA

    26   8:40pm Sat 9 Jul 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   masayako2456 says Sounds like you have a really good thing going. Congrats! Thank for the kind words. All we have is today! I lost my sister a few months ago; she was in great shape, ran 20 miles with no problem, then she was struck with pancreatic cancer and gone in a month. I really try to stay in the present and make the most of every day. Life's too short to chase the almighty dollar.

27. Austinhousingbubble Follow Befriend 7 threads 677 comments

    27   9:14pm Sat 9 Jul 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   @PasadenaNative -- your husband's work is outstanding. I especially liked his drawings. AND you're a librarian...you two could not get anymore alright in my book.

28. PasadenaNative Follow Befriend (1) 28 threads 288 comments South Pasadena, CA

    28   10:26pm Sat 9 Jul 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Austinhousingbubble says @PasadenaNative -- your husband's work is outstanding. I especially liked his drawings. AND you're a librarian...you two could not get anymore alright in my book. Wow, that's so nice of you. My boyfriend (we're not married) loved the compliment on his work. I've always wanted to visit Austin...only place in TX I would go ;-)

29. APOCALYPSEFUCK is Shostakovich Follow Befriend (28) 168 threads 4,147 comments Premium

    29   10:51pm Sat 9 Jul 2011   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike   Protected   When I am not planning for the coming cannibal anarchy, I can be found in the grip of Disco Fever at dance clubs all over Michigan.