# What small things would change in your life if you became wealthy? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 30, 2012, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-small-things-would-change-in-your-life-if-you-became-wealthy/620418 "2012-04-30T15:44:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-small-things-would-change-in-your-life-if-you-became-wealthy/620418/21 "2012-04-30T19:06:24Z")
> [@Sattua](#): > > Another vote for fresh sheets every day… and towels. And have all the bathroom fixtures wiped down. And the floors always very clean. Grubby bathrooms and crumbs on the floor are something I, sadly, live with. Cheryl Mendelson would weep for me. > > The maid would also turn down the bed before she left for the evening. My maid would not leave for the evening. ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-small-things-would-change-in-your-life-if-you-became-wealthy/620418/22 "2012-04-30T19:23:10Z")
> [@carlotta](#): > > I would invite people over for dinner a lot more often. > > I like hanging out with people but I hate cooking, especially for other people (since I feel like it has to be specialer than the same old stuff I make for myself over and over). > > If having people over were as easy as saying “Andre, we will be six tonight” then I’d do it all the time. > [@ZipperJJ](#): > > OMG that’s exactly what I came in here to say! I’d spend my days making exquisite dinners from high-quality exotic ingredients for \*\*carlotta \*\*and **ZipperJJ** ’s dinner parties. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![JoelUpchurch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-small-things-would-change-in-your-life-if-you-became-wealthy/620418/23 "2012-04-30T20:47:38Z")
I’d upgrade my internet connection and my netflix plan and add bluray and get cable TV. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-small-things-would-change-in-your-life-if-you-became-wealthy/620418/24 "2012-04-30T20:59:24Z")
I’d buy a bidet. One of those expensive deluxe toilets with a HEATED bidet. yay 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-small-things-would-change-in-your-life-if-you-became-wealthy/620418/25 "2012-04-30T21:12:49Z")
I’d probably drive twice as much, given that I’d have the means to do so (and I log 25k per year now). I love my cars/trucks/boats, but with excess wealth, I’d drive them all farther and more often with much more frivolity. I’d probably have a couple more pure fun cars, too. Long road trip to a B&B somewhere? Yeah. On a whim. Definitely. . ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-small-things-would-change-in-your-life-if-you-became-wealthy/620418/26 "2012-04-30T21:59:30Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > My maid would not leave for the evening. Neither would her sister. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-small-things-would-change-in-your-life-if-you-became-wealthy/620418/27 "2012-04-30T22:02:37Z")
A few issues of Archie comics, circa 1958. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-small-things-would-change-in-your-life-if-you-became-wealthy/620418/28 "2012-04-30T22:15:16Z")
I probably wouldn’t be so safety cautious with my cameras. Might get into a few photo situations I tend to think twice about now. Kind of like I was when shot film. I knew I could get a replacement camera used and cheap if I had to, even had a few extras lying around. Now, with my better DSLRs, I’m always somewhat aware of of what salt water spray, extremes of temps, or dropping of of a cliff will do to them. (Yes, even with the weather sealed, heavier duty models.) But, if I had some back ups of equal quality, or the ability to just go and freakin buy one at a moment’s notice…, well, that would be a small change. I probably wouldn’t wait to get gas at the cheaper place I drive by a couple of times a month, but just fill up where ever and when ever I want. I would get my wife more fresh flowers. She would also have the latest phone and tablet always. She likes that geeky stuff. (I like cameras.) ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-small-things-would-change-in-your-life-if-you-became-wealthy/620418/29 "2012-04-30T22:51:09Z")
I’d never ever drive again. Someone would drive ME! I hate driving. I hate driving with the fury of a thousand suns or whatever. And my husband has no license - so I HAVE to drive EVERYWHERE. And I HATE it. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Devil_s_Grandmother)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-small-things-would-change-in-your-life-if-you-became-wealthy/620418/30 "2012-04-30T22:55:03Z")
> [@Sattua](#): > > Another vote for fresh sheets every day… and towels. And have all the bathroom fixtures wiped down. And the floors always very clean. Grubby bathrooms and crumbs on the floor are something I, sadly, live with. Cheryl Mendelson would weep for me. O, wow. I would totally get new towels. Big fluffy towels that all match. All my towels are stringy around the edges, but new towels seem so expensive, I just haven’t been able to bring myself to buy new ones. Kitchen towels too. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-small-things-would-change-in-your-life-if-you-became-wealthy/620418/31 "2012-04-30T23:02:16Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Neither would her sister. Come on now. With this kinda money you can afford to live a little. Include the brother too 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![minionkat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@minionkat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minionkat)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-small-things-would-change-in-your-life-if-you-became-wealthy/620418/32 "2012-04-30T23:10:47Z")
> [@NoClueBoy](#): > > I would get my wife more fresh flowers. I would have fresh flowers in the house, always. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-small-things-would-change-in-your-life-if-you-became-wealthy/620418/33 "2012-04-30T23:11:28Z")
I haven’t bought a razor blade in 45 years, so that’s not an issue. I guess we would get a cleaning service once a week. But the main thing I would do is travel first or at least business class everywhere. And I would get one of those VIP passes so I could get through customs quickly. Actually, if I had enough, I would use charter planes and avoid security. ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-small-things-would-change-in-your-life-if-you-became-wealthy/620418/34 "2012-04-30T23:16:33Z")
I don’t know if this counts as ‘small’, but I’d have shoes that fit. Because I’d buy me a cobbler, just for me and my weirdly shaped feet. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-small-things-would-change-in-your-life-if-you-became-wealthy/620418/35 "2012-04-30T23:21:51Z")
> [@The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](#): > > O, wow. I would totally get new towels. Big fluffy towels that all match. All my towels are stringy around the edges, but new towels seem so expensive, I just haven’t been able to bring myself to buy new ones. > Kitchen towels too. ☹ Now I want to buy towels for you. > [@minionkat](#): > > I would have fresh flowers in the house, always. Oh dear, THAT. Even if I lived in a place where fresh flowers were really fresh and affordable, I would do that now. Unfortunately I live in a place where you pay $12 for six wilting rosebuds. Boo. ---
**Author:** ![thirdname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@thirdname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdname)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-small-things-would-change-in-your-life-if-you-became-wealthy/620418/36 "2012-04-30T23:24:42Z")
Salsa tastes much better at room temperature than it does out fo the refrigerator. I would open a new jar of salsa every time I wanted it, and either throw out the leftover salsa or leave it for the help to eat. Of course, if I was really wealthy I would probably have a live-in chef who would make fresh salsa on demand rather than buying it in jars. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-small-things-would-change-in-your-life-if-you-became-wealthy/620418/37 "2012-04-30T23:28:10Z")
Perrier with every meal. Tablecloths and cloth napkins with every meal. In various pleasant locations around where I lived. That would be really nice. Vinolia soap. I dunno why, but the “it was used on the Titanic!” line really gets me. I love the stuff. Makes me feel spoiled. And sadly, more fruit and vegetables and seafood. We live on a budget now, and the things we can get cheap are red meat, starches, and “boring” fruit vegetables. We eat a lot of cabbage, carrots, broccoli, and frozen spinach… and apples and bananas and sometimes oranges (the cheap ones aren’t worth eating, you know?) I long for more variety and more delicate seasonal things. We garden. Maybe I’d just get some glass houses and grow my own year-round. ---
**Author:** ![maggenpye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@maggenpye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maggenpye)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-small-things-would-change-in-your-life-if-you-became-wealthy/620418/38 "2012-04-30T23:34:06Z")
In my kitchen there is a list. On that list are all the things that I need or want to pay for. The time limited ones have their dates next to them. It’s a sliding scale between necessities down to wishes. Don’t get me wrong, everything on that list gets paid for sooner or later, and the things that need to be are paid on time. My mum told me how proud the Kid is when she sees me crossing things off that list and adding new things on. It comforts her to know that everything is _managed_, that even wishes are achieved eventually. I would like to throw that list away. ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-small-things-would-change-in-your-life-if-you-became-wealthy/620418/39 "2012-04-30T23:40:17Z")
I definitely agree with the idea of hiring someone to clean the house. All of us work enough that nobody really wants to do the household cleaning, so everyone in the household would be a lot happier with that one change. I’d also start leaving bigger tips when I eat out. My mother raised us to appreciate that service jobs are tough jobs, and she raised us to be good tippers. If/when I am able to afford it, I would enjoy the thought of someone having a better day when they discovered I left a much better tip than they expected. I know that would cheer me up if I was working a job like that. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2012, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-small-things-would-change-in-your-life-if-you-became-wealthy/620418/40 "2012-04-30T23:53:16Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > I’d buy a bidet. One of those expensive deluxe toilets with a HEATED bidet. yay 🙂 Oooh, like a _Japanese_ toilet! > [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > I haven’t bought a razor blade in 45 years,\ I’m starting to understand the “Hari” part of your name. 🙂 > [@lavenderviolet](#): > > \ > I’d also start leaving bigger tips when I eat out.\ That’s a good one - leaving a $50 tip on a $50 meal would be small potatoes to rich old me, but a really nice thing for any waitstaff. I think I’d get some nice soaps and lotions and stuff, too. Hell, maybe I should do that now - a jar of hand lotion can last for a year or more, so why not spend a little more on it? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-small-things-would-change-in-your-life-if-you-became-wealthy/620418.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-small-things-would-change-in-your-life-if-you-became-wealthy/620418.md?page=3)