I've never had more problems in my life than the ones that center around money. It starts when you're young. If you don't have the money to get the nice clothing then you're shunned. If you don't have the money to get a car and a license as soon as you're 16 then you're shunned. But that's all just social status and be overlooked in your adolescent years. There's still ways to have fun and be liked without having money as a youth, it's just more difficult.

Then you reach adulthood. This is when it stops mattering whether you're a good person or how funny you are or how cool you are. The only grade of an adult is their wealth. But not only that, it seems sometimes that if you didn't come into money early (ie: rich parents, inheritance, etc) then you never will. Sure, some people can make something of nothing and get set up for life.. but those opportunities are few and far between (even non-existant for some).

Every bad argument I've had with a friend, family member or my girlfriend has been about money. Doesn't that say something? How happier would everyone be if there was no money and people just bartered for things? Let's hear your views on it.

Yes, there are times where we wish money never existed, or that it wasnt involved in our lives as much. The only good thing I've managed to think of what good money can be, is to place a limit on things. For example, if food was free, there would be a major shortage in food supply. World hunger would be worse than what it is now. I'm sure tap water would be on a low as well. Many other things as well. But, I havent fully thought this through. The rich just get richer. And money is the source of all evil.

And I always thought life was all about how good one looks and how popular they are, in contrast to just how wealthy they are (although that helps). I don't have a LOT of money, but I get by just fine. I buy my clothes at second-hand stores and garage sales (discounts on what is practically new), and I smart-shop so I get quality for a fair price. If one has any talent in anything at all, it seems to me one can make money, whether it be over the Internet or in real life. The world is full of monetary opportunities - one has only to reach out and grasp one.

I'm all for the shopping cheap. I never understood people who looked down on things like coupons and such. Like they're too good to use a coupon. I say, if you can get it for cheaper.. WHY NOT? If anything, they should want to use coupons more because that's more money they have and the better they look. I dunno.. I once watched a co-worker of mine (I worked at a grocery store) purchase $380 in groceries with a $20 bill and a stack of coupons. I mean, ya just cant beat that.

money is good, the root of all evil, but still good. i love love love money, but i won't so many things for it. things that "i" consider bad. now people who snob people due to lack of cash are in my opinion dense inbred fools. i am fairly well-to-do.
so when my friends act funny towards ppl without much money, makes me want to barf! and i let them know they are being idiots.i know some ppl who thinks a guy is cute based on hyow expensive his shirt is.
well i think a guy is cute based on how his face and body fit together. don't mind all those freaks who keep questing for cash while mortgaging thier souls. they would answer to God when the time comes.

Very well put! I despise money 100%. But I am quite fond of some of the things you acquire with it. My electronics, comfortable clothing, etc. I just wish the money wasn't necessary for that kind of stuff, ya know? I dunno, maybe if I'm ever not broke, I may look at money differently, but I sure hope not.

If we just bartered for things then no teenager would ever get off to a good start in life. Somehow I doubt the major car companies and electronics manufacturers would accept your stereo in exchange for a nice car or computer. Bill Gates, like it or not, is setting a good example by donating large sums of money to various charities to research medical problems etc. How many oil company executives do you see doing the same? Studies show that the gap between the rich and the poor is widening. It's odd really that those who are rich often seem to want more money, yet those with little are normally quite content with what they've got. It makes no sense!

People seem to base their entire life on other peoples' perceptions of them. I have seen people refuse to enter 'discount' stores or to pick up 'own-brand' products when other people are looking, just because it makes them look cheap. With most products they are manufactured in the same factory, but put into a different box, you simply pay for a name.

My family do not own the house (rented from the council) or the car (leased via an employer), but this, I feel, is more logical. We are not at risk from house market changes, get repairs done for free, get a new car every 3 years, the tax is payed for, but people say you are cheapskates or immediately presume you are a very low earner.

It's all down to first impressions, which are usually wrong.

Very much so. I don't disagree that money is a necessity.. I just dont like it heh. If we got rid of money, we would be reverting ourselves to before the industrial revolution.. and I'm sorry.. I like my electronics.

As for the generic foods and stuff.. only rarely will I take a popular name brand over a generic brand (some of them just taste better).. but for the most part.. I shop as cheap as possible. I grew up fairly poor so I learned the value of a dollar a bit better than the average child.

See, you've got it right. Rent.. lease.. too expensive to own.

Well for me money is both a good and bad thing. Money is good because it keeps a roof over my head, food in the fridge, a car in the garage, and the ability to buy the things I want. Without money unless you can barter for all of your bills and stuff. Money is a bad thing because if you have too much of it you are greedy and you are looked down upon. If you do not have enough money you will not be able to buy anything and your quality of life will decrease.