Money means different things to different people

[gsdx]

I was watching the Antiques Roadshow the other day and there were two people in particular who caught my attention. One was a woman who I guessed to be about 40-50 years old. I don't recall what item she was getting appraised (she had inherited it), but when she was told that it was worth from $12,000 to $15,000, she was going "Yes!! YES!!!" and practically doing a victory dance.

The other was an older man, probably in his 70s. He had a ceramic mug that his mother used to keep string in and he inherited it. He found out it was worth from $2,000 to $3,000 and started crying. He couldn't even talk.

For the woman, it was all about the money and how rich she suddenly was, but, for the man, he was richer by far.

 

[Ninja108]

Money can't buy happiness. Sounds clique but it's true

 

[looseliam]

"Happiness is not having what you want, it's wanting what you have."

I forget who said it.

 

[cityboy-stl]

We recently had a big Powerball winner here in Saint Louis (not me unfortunately). A few weeks later there was a story in the paper where they interviewed several other big lottery winners. What came out was that 95% of big winners actually are much happier since they won. Everyone hears the stories of people who flame out and crash after winning but the fact is most do not do that. People were happier because having money meant their life was no longer controlled by trying to make ends meet and most handled the windfall very well. One of the statements was it's not what money can buy, it's the freedom it offers. I think I have to agree with that. I don't think money can buy happiness but it sure as hell gives you better shot at achieving it.

 

[heandhe]

I have always been told that if money cannot buy you happiness then you simply don't know where to shop.I think this work thing is very over rated, I would love to find out for myself.
</IMG>

 

[jonboy1645]

Money's the world's curse.
May the Lord smite me with it.
And may I never recover!

(From Fiddler on the Roof)

 

[Swellegant]

I watch that show sometimes and wonder what it is that motivates people to bring in their heirlooms. I mean, unless you're going to sell it, it has no practical monetary value.

I'm always having this argument with my Grandmother. She'll be fretting about some old object or other around the house, and when I shrug at her and wonder why she's worrying about it at all, she says "Because it's valuable." "Are you planning to sell it?" I ask. "Of course not." "Do you have a sentimental attachment to it?" "Not particularly." "Then it's not valuable. It's just old."

"Oh, I'd never sell it," they say on Antiques Roadshow. Then why'd you schlep it all the way down there and wait in line all day? Just to be seen in a rather unflattering light on television? Don't get me wrong, I'm glad they did, they entertained me and so they've done the world a service. But why would they care how much it would fetch at auction if they don't intend to sell it? That's a truly useless piece of information.

 

[frankfrank]

Money doesn't buy happiness, but a lot of money gives you a lot more time to FIND your happiness.

 

[elra]

Money doesn't buy happiness, but a lot of money gives you a lot more time to FIND your happiness.

Ding ding ding. We have a winner. I know I'd be a lot more happy if I didn't have to think about rent/bills at all. Less time thinking about that = more time thinking about .. well.. whatever, really.

 

[ashonfire]

Why was the old man crying? Was it because he wanted more money?

 

[gsdx]

I watch that show sometimes and wonder what it is that motivates people to bring in their heirlooms. I mean, unless you're going to sell it, it has no practical monetary value.

Some people (like the woman) are interested only in the cash value of the item. A lot of them say they'll never sell it, but I should imagine a lot of them do. I have a feeling the woman started asking about dealers as soon as the cameras stopped rolling.

Other people (like the old man) want to know what the item really is and from whence it came. The cash value is secondary and, no matter the value, would never sell the item.

Why was the old man crying? Was it because he wanted more money?

As I mentioned above, the old man wanted to know the story behind the item and that would have been enough for him. Even if he'd been told that the jug was worth $5 he would have been ecstatic. However, when he discovered that it could fetch over $2,000 at an auction, I think he realized what a priceless gift he'd received from his mother, and he'd never sell it no matter how much it was worth.

It was a very touching moment.

 

[Pringle]

Money doesn't buy happiness, but a lot of money gives you a lot more time to FIND your happiness.

^ That is what I was going to say. Tis true money itself doesn't make you happy (in fact it can create as many problems as it solves) but it does allow you to look for happiness in more places.

 

[woaini]

Money means different everything~~

 

[Eternaldarkness]

Happiness comes from a lot of thing (friendship, love, victory...and so on)

I am not going to lie. Money shouldn't be on that list but, unfortunately, it is.

Sometimes, when a person doesn't have the money, they will never be truly happy. Such people who are suffering from poverty, their stress and worriness kills all their happiness already.

 

[buzzj]

Money doesn't buy happiness, but a lot of money gives you a lot more time to FIND your happiness.

Ding ding ding. We have a winner. I know I'd be a lot more happy if I didn't have to think about rent/bills at all. Less time thinking about that = more time thinking about .. well.. whatever, really.

Well said! That goes to the heart of the matter!

 

[star-warrior]

Its sad sometimes watching Antiques related programs, for often, it's the heirs who are selling the things off because 'it doesn't fit the decor in the house' or 'its hideous' etc. That's a real shame. Once they're told how much it now costs, they are asked what they will do with the money. Go on holiday they say. What a waste.

Yeah, I think I agree, gsdx. The old man and his epiphany. (Didn't think I'd ever used that word on JUB).

 

[Txgoodoldboy]

But why would they care how much it would fetch at auction if they don't intend to sell it? That's a truly useless piece of information.

They are just curious as to how much it is worth. People are curious about many things. Sometimes, it's the history of the item, such as, when it was made, or who made it. Or they want to know how much to insure the item.

I love the Antiques Road Show.

 

[Jeimuzu]

Money can't buy you happiness. However, it can buy you lots and lots of marshmallows, and that's kinda the same thing.

On a serious note, to me money would represent a reprieve. I'm one of those people who is terrified by my future, because I have no idea what to do. I'm on a degree that I don't think I can succeed at all that well, I don't have the practical good sense to make good use of what I have, and I don't want to be trapped into a punishing job (that I can't leave because of money) before I've really lived.

A large sum of money would save me from all of that.

I'm not likely to get it, but I'd love it. If I had a large sum of money, I assure you, I'd know how to spend it to achieve happiness. I'd travel, I'd experience, and I'd live my life knowing I was able to see everything the world had to offer. It's not happiness that it'd buy, I admit. It's contentment, and that's vastly better for me.

 

[LarsVenice]

They are just curious as to how much it is worth. People are curious about many things. Sometimes, it's the history of the item, such as, when it was made, or who made it. Or they want to know how much to insure the item.

I love the Antiques Road Show.

The main reason is for the insurance value. People want to insure what they have for their true value. If they wanted to sell it, they could take it to an auction and find out when it sold what it's really worth. But since they don't want to sell it, an appraisal makes sense for knowing how much insurance to buy.