We’re all humans, so it’s inevitable that we have numerous things in common. However, for people with means they often have a leg up on the rest of us. No matter how much they like to empathize with us, they often reveal their ignorance, blatant or not. In a recent discussion online, people shared things they wish rich people would stop saying.
Here are 11 phrases of our favorite sayings they need to stop using to pretend they can relate to us.
We’re All in the Same Boat
Are we all in the same boat? Sure, that’s generally true. We all put our pants on the same way, but commonality ends there.
One person explains one saying they wish would go away, saying, “We are all in the same boat, but it’s not like a Caribbean cruise. It’s more like the Titanic where the third class drowned.”
Having means provides you with a lot. Stop pretending like it doesn’t.
A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats
Yes, generally, a rising tide does lift all boats. However, what happens when half of the boats are leaking?
One commenter explains their issue with the phrase, saying, “That one actually can be true. Just not in regards to the rich people. But the easiest example is unions. As more places unionize and more workers get better deals, even nonunionized jobs see rises in pay and benefits.”
Another person says, “Sure, a rising tide lifts all boats. But, if you can’t afford a boat, you just drown.”
It’s hard to argue with either.
It’s Not Really Work if You Love What You Do
Don’t you just love it when a wealthy person says that it’s not really work when you wake up every morning excited to do your job? Yeah, me too.
“Yep, I used to be a photojournalist. It was a combination of stress, excitement, new experiences, and more stress. I got to do a lot of cool things and meet interesting people, but it paid terribly,” adds one commenter.
Again, it’s easy to say this when you’re earning mid-six figures plus.
If You Never Work a Day in Your Life, You’ll Love What You Do
Another fun saying rich people like to bandy about goes further at loving your work. Sadly, it misses the point that many of us don’t have that luxury.
“I’ve been on unemployment for months now and it’s been fantastic. All the time in the world for my hobbies and hanging out with my wife and dog in between applying for jobs. Really healing for mental health overall, but I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t some anxiety based on what my next step is.
If I could live like this forever, I’d be very okay with it. I could master my hobbies and eventually turn them into a career I actually enjoy somewhat,” notes one person.
Same friend. Same.
Money Can’t Buy Happiness
Money buying happiness is an age old debate. It’s also something many rich people like to throw around, almost as a means to defray the fact that having a lot of resources gives you a ton of power.
One person says, “It might not buy happiness, but it sure isn’t going to make me sad.”
Another commenter adds, “Ultimately, things will not keep you from being miserable, but it’s better to be miserable and have things than be miserable and have an additional truckload of economic stress.
Say my marriage falls apart. That would suck. It would still be so much better than watching my mom sell household belongings to afford groceries after her marriage fell apart.”
It may not buy happiness, but it can make things a lot easier for you.
Drop Your Subscriptions and You’ll Have What You Need
How many times have you been told that you just need to stop spending money on X and you’ll have all you need? It’s a common thread from wealthy individuals.
One person agrees, saying, “Quit your Netflix/Spotify/ Insert-any-subscription here and you will save enough for a mortgage in three months.”
Yes, you need to be wise with your spending. Pretending cutting one or two things will provide exactly what you want in a short span of time is ignorant, at best.
If I Can Do It, You Can Too
This isn’t unique to rich people, but a common saying many like to use is that it’s possible because I did it. Yes, in theory, it may be true. However, it reveals numerous logical problems.
“If I was able to pull myself up by my own bootstraps, anybody can do it,” notes one commenter. Just imagine how frustrating it can be to hear that phrase when you’re struggling, especially when it’s said with no empathy.
Stop Being So Lazy
Are poor people lazy? Sure, some are. There are some wealthy people who are lazy too.
“Poor people are just lazy! If they really wanted to not be poor anymore, they’d just [insert solution here that involves money or time the poor person doesn’t have, because they are poor],” adds one commenter.
At best, this saying reveals a chosen ignorance.
More Money, More Problems
Does more money equate to more problems? Sure, it can be possible. However, to use it as a blanket statement is misguided.
“It might be true in the absolute literal sense in terms of the “number of problems”, but in the grand scheme of things, the scale of those problems is drastically lower.
I would rather deal with 100 ‘I can’t keep track of all the things I bought’ / ‘My friends keep wanting more money’ / ‘My fancy Italian car keeps breaking down because Italians don’t know how to make cars properly’ / ‘Oh no the contractors on my second house dipped on me’ every single day for the rest of my life if it meant I never had to think ‘Okay, if I skimp on groceries and just don’t have lunch for the next week I’ll be able to make rent in full on the 1st’ again, even once,” says one commenter.
Valid points, indeed.
We’re All in This Together
Yes, we are all in this together. Unfortunately, for those without lots of means they’re often on their own without a paddle.
One person explains the lunacy of this, saying, “It’s okay to pay the staff late. Don’t they have savings? That was an actual rich person talking about paying the household staff.”
Sadly, the commenter went on to explain the economic impact this had on the staff. Suffice it to say, it wasn’t a good experience.
You Can’t Fix Problems By Throwing Money at Them
Another favorite way for some rich people to relate to us is by saying money doesn’t fix everything. Again, this is an awfully convenient statement to make when you have means.
“You can when the problem is they don’t have enough money. Specifically thinking about public schools for this one,” adds one person.
This isn’t the truism that a rich person thinks it is.
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I’m John Schmoll, a former stockbroker, MBA-grad, published finance writer, and founder of Frugal Rules.
As a veteran of the financial services industry, I’ve worked as a mutual fund administrator, banker, and stockbroker and was Series 7 and 63-licensed, but I left all that behind in 2012 to help people learn how to manage their money.
My goal is to help you gain the knowledge you need to become financially independent with personally-tested financial tools and money-saving solutions.
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