I Tried Convincing Mum $150/Day is All We Need for a Good Life. She Said I’m Naive
The classic clash of generations
It was a dining table conversation.
I cited articles over articles about people being happy, living a good life, and free of stress just by earning $150/day.
“Some of them deliver food, packages, and brew coffee. And they are happy with what they have. It is a good life.”
Mum was unconvinced. Unimpressed, even. She didn’t even bother establishing eye contact while I spoke.
“Tell me, son. Are you even convinced with what you just said?”
I went quiet. I had doubts for sure. Mum knew it.
“Remember Crazy Rich Asians?”
A Clash of Generations
“Of course I do. It is a good movie.”
She looked up from her bowl of rice. Mum looked glad. I knew she was.
Then she said this.
“Don’t you think Michelle Yeoh’s character exhibit wisdom when she schooled her boy for wanting to marry the American girl?”
I leaned my head backward, staring at the ceiling. I was trying to recall the scene, conversation, and the wisdom within.
“Ah, I think I remember. It is about responsibility, growing family wealth across generations, and being wary of people wanting to live for themselves.”
Mum smiled. She took a sheet of tissue to wipe her mouth before continuing.
“Yes. Responsibility. We must take responsibility for ourselves and our wealth. Growing our wealth takes generations. Living a good life for yourself is just a 1-generation issue. And plus.”
Plus?
What’s next?
“You must understand that we have different temperaments. You will not be happy brewing coffee, making $150/day, covering your bills, and watching your bank account stagnant. Don’t be stupid. I know you.”
Haha!
Well, that is my Mum.
She might not have a Bachelor’s degree, but she understands how people think about life, retirement, money, and freedom.
She might be uneducated.
But she is not dumb.
Her Thoughts on the Modern-Day Alternatives to the Cubicle Nation
I asked Mum if she thinks we work too hard and shoulder too much stress.
She nodded her head.
Of course, she said.
I thought about telling her how the world has changed.
That the young no longer believe in cubicle-based career growth. That the idea of retiring at 60 is crazy. That we can make money without earning a salary.
I wanted to tell her all of the above.
But I suspect her worldview rejects them.
I am [more] interested in her reasons for rejecting them.
And so, I continued the conversation on $150/day and why she is against it.
Mum sighed.
Her sigh captured her bewildered thoughts and unspoken words.
Like… ‘Why do I even need to explain this?’
“Son, where does $150/day bring you? Are you 40? Or 15?”
Hmm.
Fascinating, I thought.
“You can blow $150 in a day, right? What’s left? Nothing? If so, why bother? And your goal is to be wealthy, not living from hand to mouth. Why are you even telling me this? It’s strange. I thought you were smart.”
Mum has sharp eyes and keen ears when it comes to me.
Mum cleared my mental fog. $150/day is not something to wave about because I have a wealth goal.
Some people do.
Some people don’t.
I want to have 7-digits under my name. I have always been thinking about it since I was a kid.
Indignance overran my heart when Yan became a millionaire at 37 while I was [still] struggling with life and at work.
“Son, quit your job if you need to. But stay close to your heart. You are a millionaire wannabe. You won’t be happy earning $150/day. I know you. You will be upset and grumpy. You should know yourself.”
Mums will be mums. They know their childish kids. Even when they’re 40.
Living for Ourselves — Yay or Nay?
At the heart of our dining conversation lies this question.
“Should we live for ourselves?”
I have no doubts many people will answer yes. Loudly. Resoundingly. With conviction.
But is that the right answer? The better answer? A good answer?
I have no idea. Share with me if you do.
For now, I asked Mum.
She laughed.
Loudly, too.
“Has anyone achieved anything great by being selfish? Or self-centered? The millionaires you read about have a greater mission beyond themselves. I don’t think Warren Buffett became a billionaire by making $150/day.”
She paused before continuing.
“No parents ever lived for themselves. They will always think about their children. Are they fed? Do we have enough money for their education? No one actually lives for themselves. Not possible. Maybe when you are young. And then, life’s reality will hit you as you age. Simple as that. You have a family to care for.”
Mum ended with this.
“Go beyond selfishness, Son.”
Mum is right.
Maybe… I got too carried away by associating the idea of a good life with $150/day.
The Close
I have been thinking about my conversation with Mum.
She got me thinking deep and hard.
We should not be choosing freedom as a way to escape responsibility. We are, after all, accountable for our goals and the people around us.
Is she right?
Is she outdated?
I don’t know.
Here’s what I know.
It boils down to us.
Who we are and what we want in our lives.
Really. That is it.
Article inspired by a conversation with Sarina Chiu, Matt | Financial Imagineer, and Denis Gorbunov on what it takes to Live A Good Life… whatever that means.
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Oh, oh, you can buy me a cup of black too! Thank you!
