Personally, I'm not that into money. I like to have things like CD's and books and videos because I like music and reading and movies, but I can live without them. Money also pays for my college and where I live and my Jeep. I have always had this kind of pastoral urge to go be a hobo, though, so I could live without those things too. I have to admit, though, that I wouldn't like foraging much and I really like my apartment and my Jeep. I'd actually like to never have to move again (until I found a husband or moved to Colorado or something).  So I'm relatively low-maintenance. One vehicle is enough for me.  I'm happy for most of my possessions to be functional rather than fancy. And although I have furniture now, I am still the kind of person who flops down on the floor if it's soft enough. My parents pay for my college and rent and everything, so I can't really put a dollar amount on what it costs me to live. I pay my bills out of my checking account and then they reimburse me, so I kind of pay one bill at a time and keep my balance relatively stable. It actually makes me feel guilty to have my parents pay for so much. If I could get a good job that I liked right now and pay for everything myself, I would. It's hard for me to work and go to school at the same time, though. I tried in high school and it didn't work out very well. I guess people who appreciate what they have are less likely to want more things. I really am grateful for the good things in my life, and that's why it doesn't take much to make me happy. Right now, for instance, I'm going to find happiness in a grilled cheese sandwich. . .

Karen, 20
Marshelltown/Ames, IA

I'd like to have $175,000 for a house and land, $20,000 for a car, and $5,000 to take my family to DisneyWorld. And maybe an extra $10,000 to invest in case of an emergency. I wouldn't want more than that because I tend to be lazy. If I didn't have the motivation to get up every day and do something productive (i.e. work), I'm afraid I'd waste my life doing nothing.

kimberfreed, 31

Not an easy question. Seems that our definitions of wealth shift as we change our financial situatiion. I've always felt like I had enough up until my friends started buying houses, getting married, and having kids. Suddenly it creeps up on you that you are not where you should be. And even if you know that is just a constructed thing you can't help but be shaped by it. But you know, all it takes is seeing the old Vet at the Charles Street T stop panhandling for money because he can't make ends meet to know that I am blessed with all sort of wealth in the material sense.

Felicia, 33
Somerville, MA

I would like enough money so I would not have to work at a job every day, enough to be able to persue my quilting and other crafts and send my kids to college.

Janet, 42
E. Brunswick, NJ

I have all that I need right now. My bills are paid each month. I have friends, family and a satisfying career. My God sustains me.

Laura, 34
Lowell, MA

mothmc, 35
Pensacola, FL

Many, many years ago when my children were young, I spent a great deal of time at the l03rd street sandbox. One afternoon three of us were chatting--while keeping eyes on our offspring. The wife of a graduate student who has about half of my family income was feeling poor. The wife of a rising oil company executive who was bringing home double my family income was feeling poor. I was always feeling a little poor--but only when I thought about it.

Jill, 59
Saylorsburg, PA

Enough wealth to only have to work 6 months out of the year and still be okay. I think that 40+hrs/wk - week after week after week - year after year after year is entirely unhuman. I don't know how some people do it. My spirit begins to deaden after only three months of such a routine.

Liz
Medford, MA

Enough to live the rest of my life very comfortably without having to account for every penny spent for fear of not having enough of the BASICS, and to be able to travel the world.

Sue
Henryville, IN

$25,000 1989 dollars per year (after tax) In 1989 this seemed like more money that I was likely to make any time soon.  This is one of those slippery slope things.

Dan
Lowell, MA

That's a tough question. I'd like to be able to afford to live closer to work. But I still want to live in the country and not the city. I want to afford to have a big dog, like a malamute. I want to be able to afford to paint, take classes. So to be wealthy I would be able to have these things and the people in my life that I love. Right now I don't feel like I can have both.

Cindy, 41
Lowell, MA

I don't want a lot of money. Give me enough to buy a nice motorhome and I'll take care of the rest.

Reba, 50
Rockville, MD

If I could have it set up so someone would just get my bills and pay them, I'd be a happy camper. That way, my needs would be out of the way and the money I work for could be for things I need for my personal happiness (Yes, Virginia, money does buy happiness. Or maybe it doesn't DIRECTLY, but it buys everything you need to be happy.)

Kristin, 20
IA  USA

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