I come from both backgrounds. Father has an 8-figure income, compared to my mother working on 26k a year. They divorced, and my mother got custody.
Most of my childhood was spent living on a crazy budget. I was a simple, white, video game playing nerd growing up. At my mothers, she could only afford one game and system for me (around 6 years old). Thankfully, that was enough to keep me occupied for a few years.
Over the weekends (every other one) I went over to my dads. Because of the rivalry with my mother (aka, “who’s the better parent”), my father would ask me for a list of games or anything else I wanted, and in 2 weeks it would be there.
When I was 17 (i never asked for anything over $80, maybe a really good fishing tackle box, but that’s about it) I asked for a jet ski. Fast forward 2 weeks, and there’s a $15,000 jet ski in his backyard (he lived on the water).
The best thing about being rich is the comfort, convenience, and general happiness.
The worst part? It’s not true happiness. True happiness is feeling loved.
2 years ago, my mother made me a bank account linked to her name. Whenever something happened with her account (deposit, etc), I’d get an email.
When I was 16, I asked for an upgrade to my computer. My planned upgrades were 600, and I said I’d help around the house and get a job myself (which I did) to pay her back.
Next day? I get 2 emails. One is a notification of a $1500 purchase and the next one saying that the account has gone in the negative. -1350 on the account.
I never told her that I knew, and I’m happy that I havent. Saying “I love you, and would do anything for you” is one thing, but doing it is another.
Since paying off that payment (took me 3 months), my mother got Graves disease (among other things), and had to stop working.
Even though I’m in college, I go back once a month (5 hour train ride) to help her clean the house, cook, shop, etc. I pay for most of it too.
No game system, jet ski, boat, smart tv, etc. my dad could buy for me could EVER even compare to my mother.