Is It Possible To Be BFFs With Someone Much Wealthier Than You?

By: Charlotte Baker

Most of us can relate to that episode of Friends in which Ross, Chandler, and Monica order super expensive food at a restaurant and Rachel, Phoebe, and Joey get the cheapest things on the menu because they don’t have any money.

Everyone got pretty offended with each other when Ross wanted to split the bill equally. Navigating friendships with a big difference in income can be difficult.

I guess it all depends on you and the friend in question. I have a number of friends who have been fabulously successful in life. Although it plays a role in our relationship, the impact has been relatively minor.

My parents were hard workers, but we were quite poor when I was a little girl. And I don’t mean “rich poor” — I mean that one year we didn’t have the money to buy my brother a winter coat, so he did without.

And my mother had two dresses for church. She wore one every other week. For years.
When I turned 13, my mom got a job with the post office, and her income more than doubled overnight. Our lives changed instantly.

Mom’s job, along with a scholarship, allowed me to attend a small, elite, private college. It was here that I met my first debutant. I don’t think she knew anything about growing your own food or not having a winter coat.

I was the first person in my family to receive a college degree. I’m thankful for my upbringing and for the education that my parents provided for me. It means I relate well to people of means (courtesy of the debutants at my college), as well as to those who come from humble backgrounds like I do.

I have a number of friends who are quite wealthy, and it just doesn’t seem to matter. Maybe it’s because we’ve been friends for a long time — I’m not sure. But one key is that I’m not jealous of them.

I have a wonderful life, and I’m am able to afford necessities — and quite a few extras. I am grateful and truly content. After coming through a financially devastating divorce about five years ago, I’m just happy to have a home to live in. It’s also helpful to remember that people with a lot of money have all sorts of difficulty and trouble in their life, as well.

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