No Splurging: Irrational Consumption (3)
I'd spent so much time buried in the internet that I couldn't pinpoint the source, but I'd come across something like this somewhere.
They say lottery winners end up more miserable in life.
They lose any sense of the value of labor, blow through the cash recklessly, and spiral down to ruin.
Or that people with overflowing money actually crave work.
And naturally, the comments were a shitstorm of backlash against the post.
'It's only natural to think that's bullshit.'
How many lottery grand prize winners are there in the world? Just one or two?
Anyone these days would know that's not true.
Everyone knows those stories cherry-pick the rare failures out of countless winners to sour grapes the whole thing.
And even if those cases were common, it's usually because the payout wasn't big enough.
"Right? If you get enough to share with everyone around you and still live luxuriously forever, there's no way it'd wreck your relationships."
"Hm."
"What do you think, Seola?"
"…I'd just be happy with enough to live on forever."
Seola's answer says it all, but in reality, the lottery really is a life-changer for most people.
Once you're financially secure, you start looking out for those around you.
For average folks crushed by work, quitting everything with money to spare? That's a pipe dream.
But you've never heard of some big shot on Wall Street retiring after hitting the lottery.
"Now that you mention it, yeah. Why's that?"
"Only the ones who enjoy chasing money stick around."
Someone might ask if it's just different personalities.
But I can say for sure: even if there are people like that on Wall Street, they don't become 'prominent' figures.
Remember when I said even a 140 billion won salary doesn't buy you a private jet?
If survival's the goal, fuck a jet—you don't even need a car.
But at Wall Street pay scales, ten years gets you enough to retire. No need to climb high.
'That's why fresh newbies aim to grind ten years and bail.'
Sure, it varies by field, but in my hedge fund world…
Ten years nets you 4 to 10 billion won, from what I heard.
'If you invest it right, that's plenty to retire on.'
Let alone someone famous enough to be known on Wall Street—they've stuck around way longer without retiring. Meaning their money's multiples more.
So why do they keep grinding at the top? Simple.
They weren't in it for the money—they're dopamine junkies who get off on the hunt itself.
"…So, like you, sis?"
"Exactly. So it's not that I love luxury—it's that I don't put much value on money itself."
"How'd you hide that side before?"
"Wasn't hiding it. Just no chance to show it. Paradoxically, you need money to break free from obsessing over it."
"Even so, dropping this much on clothes…"
We'd changed into our new outfits casually and headed straight to the electronics section.
Seola's a college student, so she probably needs a bunch of gadgets.
"Pick out a laptop and a tablet, whatever you want. Don't look at the prices."
"I'm good, sis. It's your money—buy what you need."
"Seola."
"Yeah?"
"You haven't gotten it yet. If you don't pick anything, I'm holding you hostage till the store closes."
"Th-that's blackmail! If you have money for this, you could…"
"Could what?"
Seola's face went blank at my words.
She couldn't think of where to spend it.
"Isn't this the perfect place? You need it for studying, assignments, work. Where else?"
"…"
"Close your eyes and grab whatever. It's my money anyway."
"Ughhh… Fine."
I'm the one buying, but somehow I'm the villain here.
'But playing the bad guy… that's familiar.'
In the end, she couldn't beat me, squeezed her eyes shut, and grabbed a work laptop.
About 3 million won.
But obviously, we weren't here just for her laptop.
"Grandpa's eyesight isn't great—gotta get him a big TV."
"That does seem necessary…"
"Oh, this one's nice."
Service in electronics was way better than clothing.
They demoed stuff or explained only when we lingered. That's proper service.
The TV ran about 5 million won extra…
Even Seola agreed it wasn't a waste for filial piety.
"Can't resist games."
Next up: top-tier gaming laptop.
My old rig was barely more than a tin can with internet.
In timing-critical trading, slow speed is a no-go, fuck that.
Absolutely not because I want to play high-spec games.
With peripherals like keyboard and mouse, the receipt hit just over 20 million won.
"…Sis."
"Yeah?"
"Thanks. I haven't done anything proper for you."
"I appreciate the sentiment, but let's tweak your mindset a bit."
"How?"
"Do you have to do something specific?"
I'd never had family, but that's why I knew how precious they are.
Even I get down sometimes. Failures happen.
Having someone believe in you unconditionally? Pure bliss.
But that means I have to believe in family the same way—no strings.
"Sure, getting too used to just receiving is bad, but no need for guilt trips."
"…Yeah, true."
"Just say thanks. Got it?"
"I'm always grateful."
"Ready to shop furniture next?"
Beds for good sleep, premium bedding, decent desks—another 15 million won or so.
But money well spent here. Good rest keeps you healthy and strong, right?
"…But just mine and Grandpa's? What about you?"
"Too annoying to move when we relocate. I'll buy then."
"Makes sense."
I said that, but truth is, nothing caught my eye.
Local department store limits.
Can't compare to Giza 45, Egyptian royal-grade stuff.
'And yeah, we really do need to move.'
Can't live in this basement studio forever.
Buy new furniture then.
Skipping that, next: cosmetics shops.
No clue on cosmetics, so I grabbed recommendations.
About 5 million won.
Word must've spread about the big spender—service leveled up.
"Browse comfortably."
"Thanks."
Then some luxuries: matching rings or earrings for Seola, wallets, watches…
Low-tier compared to my past life, but spending flew by.
"Time for food. I'll treat you to something good."
"For real?"
"Expect big. I'll erase those water-for-dinner days from memory."
Seola, who'd resisted at first, now smiled at the word "food."
Figuring food can't cost that much, huh?
Lots probably think that.
'Spend big on food? Omakase or fine dining tops out at a few hundred thousand won, right?'
But surprisingly, dining burns cash fastest.
Most see meals as survival costs.
Upper crust treats it different.
Everyone's heard of caviar or truffles.
'But those aren't that pricey per use.'
Kg might hit 6 million won, but portioned like seasoning.
The real killer? Booze.
"Pfft, booze is booze, right?"
To them, fine wine prices are another world.
How much? Famous ones list like this.
Explanations? Bare minimum.
No one clueless orders it anyway.
"Sis… how's one bottle of wine this expensive?"
"Because people buy it at that price."
"Who? It just disappears after drinking."
True—wine's consumable.
These premiums oxidize once opened, so buy whole bottles.
30 million won a pop? Normies see buyers as insane.
'One common misconception, though.'
Rich don't spend big on watches or supercars first.
Heard "money makes money"?
With enough, interest alone snowballs it.
Watches, cars? Not burdensome.
Car? Buy once, pay upkeep forever.
True wealth goes to experiences and disposables.
"Big deal closed today—charge it to the deal card."
"Sweet."
"Gonna drink till we drop."
Even for me, 70 million won on one dinner's a bit much.
That 70 mil vanished with the bill.
That's elite spending essence.
At least it's memorable, right?
"…Wait, no?"
"Whoa, that's kinda scary."
"'Kinda' now? Anyway, glad…"
"Save that wine for after bigger wins. Got it?"
"Huh?"
Hm.
5 million won a bottle—splurging or not?