I have been fortunate enough to have grown up surrounded by ‘rich’ people.
By rich, I don’t mean the kind of wealth that you find splashed across the pages of glossy magazines, but a kind of contented wealth that comes from hard work, dedication, and a strong work ethic.
Growing up, I was always interested in the habits of the wealthy and how they used their money.
I was particularly intrigued by their shopping habits and how they prioritised their purchases. It seemed that despite having more money than most of us, they didn’t spend it on branded goods.
I remember when I was a teenager, I was desperate to buy the latest pair of Nike. My friends had them and I wanted to fit in. My parents refused to buy them for me. They said that I should save my money for something that was more meaningful.
Looking back, I now realise that my parents were trying to teach me something important about money. They wanted me to understand that just because something has a fancy logo or is made by a big brand, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is worth the money.
The same is true for the wealthy people I know.
They may have more money than most of us, but they don’t waste it on expensive name brands. Instead, they focus on buying quality items that are built to last. They prefer to spend their money on things that will give them a good return on their investment.
My wealthy friends don’t just buy the best quality items they can find, they also shop around to get the best deals. They look for discounts and sales and even haggle with the shopkeepers if they can. They know that they can often get the same quality items for less money if they just look around.
This is something I have adopted in my own life now that I am an adult. I still like to buy things, but I look for quality over brand name. I shop around for the best prices and I make sure that I get the most for my money.
I have also learned that the ‘real’ rich people often don’t buy branded goods. They don’t need to because they know that quality and value are more important than a fancy logo. They have worked hard for their money and they want to make sure that it is being spent wisely.
The lesson I have learned from observing the wealthy is that you don’t have to be rich to be smart with your money. You don’t have to buy the most expensive items or the fanciest brands in order to look good or feel good. You can still find quality items and get a good return on your investment if you just look around and shop smart.
So if you want to start living like the wealthy, start by rethinking how you spend your money. Look for quality over brand name and focus on getting the best value for your money. Don’t be afraid to haggle or look for discounts. You might be surprised at how much money you can save.
These days, I try to be mindful of how I spend my money. I still like to buy nice things, but I focus on quality and value, not brand names. This way, I know that I am making smart investments that will last me for years to come.