I talk a lot on this blog and in The Old Money Book about the things Old Money doesn’t do and doesn’t spend money on. Don’t buy the latest fashions. Don’t buy new cars. Don’t waste money on this. Don’t spend money on that. Maybe it can all get a bit depressing.
Certainly, we all know the personal rewards of living the Old Money life: health, a solid family unit, financial independence, work with purpose, educational opportunities for your children and grandchildren, a set of values that you can embrace and pass along, a sense of something permanent in an ever-changing world.
But what about the material rewards? Are all OMG’s puttering around in 20 year old cars while sporting threadbare tweed jackets and bombed-out penny loafers? Do they huddle in worn wing back leather chairs and sip bargain-basement Scotch with visions of compound interest dancing in their heads like some modern day Scrooge?
Not exactly.
Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I’ve decided to pull back the curtain slightly, with a caveat: below are images of material things. They do have a certain dollar value in this world, and they are comfortable, but they are not the be-all and end-all of life’s pursuit. By themselves, they will not bring happiness for an extended period of time.
They are the residue and dividends of non-material things, i.e., the values, priorities, and habits of Old Money. In this particular case, the consistent application of those values over what is now three generations. These non-material things can bring happiness for an extended period of time. They do pay off, both in personal terms and financial terms. They do endure.
So, for insight or inspiration, here are some photos of an OMG’s home.
Enjoy.
- BGT
It’s not depressing, Byron. It’s uplifting. That second paragraph is enough for me. I think Old Money does spend. Maybe less often but choosing carefully and making it count. Beautiful photos but where’s the tv? 😉
Your blog is wonderful.
Thank you, Phillippa. I really appreciate your kind words. Ah, yes…the television! It’s in a cabinet. When there’s something good on public television, we’ll pop it open and enjoy. Then back it goes. Hope all is well with you. – BGT
Nice pictures. Reminds me of the house I grew up in. And I agree with Phillippa, its not depressing. If you desperately wanted something and couldn’t scrape together the money to buy it, that might be depressing. But when you see people buying the latest fashionable item and you think “I don’t need it, I don’t want it, its a waste of money and I can’t believe all these people are buying it”, its not depressing. If anything, you may derive a certain satisfaction from your enlightened perspective.
Thanks for another good post and keep up the good work!
Thanks, Amy! – BGT
I think there’s a lot to be said for having money to spend if/when you want or need to. In my humble opinion, just having it, in the bank or CD somewhere, eliminates that burning desire to have, have have all the time without thinking it through. Lovely home by the way….I’m partial to the French décor myself.
Thank you, Bev. Yes, cash on hand can be a great feeling. = BGT
Beautiful home! Very well-maintained timeless pieces, well done! I also noticed that there was no visible television; something I was taught many years ago. 🙂
Thank you. Yes, the television gets wheeled out when there’s something good on PBS. – BGT
I love the pops of color.
Thanks, Melissa. Hope you’re well. – BGT
Need me those red chairs. Thank you for the article.