Money is No Object
Oct 14th, 2005, 12:34 AM
#21
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Hi Voyager, just speaking for myself, the comment "money is no object" makes me smile. As others have said, sometimes when people say that comment they really do not mean it or do not know what certain things cost.
Speaking for myself I do not find myself jealous of anyone that has more money than I do. I know a lot of people that do. But many do not have what I do, loving family members, good and trustworthy friends, good health etc. All assests that money cannot buy. Good wishes to you.
Speaking for myself I do not find myself jealous of anyone that has more money than I do. I know a lot of people that do. But many do not have what I do, loving family members, good and trustworthy friends, good health etc. All assests that money cannot buy. Good wishes to you.
Oct 14th, 2005, 03:00 AM
#22
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>wondering what level of income or employment or inheritance allows a couple of twentysomethings to pay that amount per night for a honeymoon ...<
They are mortgaging their future.
This has become not uncommon: $30K for a wedding, $20K for a honeymoon,instead of buying a house, then, they divorce in a year or so.
They are mortgaging their future.
This has become not uncommon: $30K for a wedding, $20K for a honeymoon,instead of buying a house, then, they divorce in a year or so.
Oct 14th, 2005, 03:56 AM
#23
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I think I have tunnel thinking on all this chatter about spending $500-700 for a hotel room. I could do it for a a short term stay vacation but really now, how much time does one spend in a hotel room if your out and about seeing a city, dining, and living in your host location?
For me, I cut way back on hotel related costs, including the 12-14E for "breakfast" of a juice, coffee and pastry, and instead use any extra free cash to enjoy fine dining and site seeing. I do expect to have a clean hotel room, but beyond that my goals are focused on other things.
For me, I cut way back on hotel related costs, including the 12-14E for "breakfast" of a juice, coffee and pastry, and instead use any extra free cash to enjoy fine dining and site seeing. I do expect to have a clean hotel room, but beyond that my goals are focused on other things.
Oct 14th, 2005, 04:33 AM
#25
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Hi JohnFitz. "I would be interested in knowing peoples 3 'wish list' hotels to stay at" (if money were really no object) - interesting question. I can only think of 2 offhand, the Cipriani and (sort of a hotel) the Orient Express to get there. Sigh... maybe one day.
What are yours ?
What are yours ?
Oct 14th, 2005, 04:54 AM
#27
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Aggiemom and LoveItaly, agree with you that so many things are more important than money. But sometimes people with money also have all those other good things.
Our friends who splashed out for their first (and only) trip to Paris also have two beautiful, healthy, happy, nice kids, a gracious, welcoming home, loving parents in good health who live naerby, a rewarding career (he is an outstanding physician, she runs his office), etc. Obviously, they've been blessed, but they're great people who deserve it.
As for hotel choices, to each his own. We prefer shopping around for 4 star hotels at 3 star prices. We want our hotel to be more than just a place to sleep, although we don't want to break the bank for it.
Our friends who splashed out for their first (and only) trip to Paris also have two beautiful, healthy, happy, nice kids, a gracious, welcoming home, loving parents in good health who live naerby, a rewarding career (he is an outstanding physician, she runs his office), etc. Obviously, they've been blessed, but they're great people who deserve it.
As for hotel choices, to each his own. We prefer shopping around for 4 star hotels at 3 star prices. We want our hotel to be more than just a place to sleep, although we don't want to break the bank for it.
Oct 14th, 2005, 04:55 AM
#28
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I remember reading someone's account of growing up during the Depression of the 1930s, and how rarely his parents were able to afford to buy him treats. Yet, every now and then, a magic bag of candy appeared.
Even as a child, he knew that the sensible thing would have been to carefully apportion one sweet to himself a day, making the bag last a long, long time - since it would be that much time before another one appeared. But that's not what he did - he gorged himself on candy for one glorious day. The bag was soon empty, of course, but the memory stayed with him for a long time.
Those who truly face money shortages often long to have a vacation from having to think about budget all the time. Like the boy in the story, just for once they don't want to think about deprivation; money, or where is the next bag of candy (packet of cigarettes, six-pack of beer) coming from is the last thing they want to think about. I see this all the time where I live. It's frustrating to watch, since of course the policy of short-term indulgence is counterproductive, but remembering the Depression story, I think I have a better understanding of it.
Even as a child, he knew that the sensible thing would have been to carefully apportion one sweet to himself a day, making the bag last a long, long time - since it would be that much time before another one appeared. But that's not what he did - he gorged himself on candy for one glorious day. The bag was soon empty, of course, but the memory stayed with him for a long time.
Those who truly face money shortages often long to have a vacation from having to think about budget all the time. Like the boy in the story, just for once they don't want to think about deprivation; money, or where is the next bag of candy (packet of cigarettes, six-pack of beer) coming from is the last thing they want to think about. I see this all the time where I live. It's frustrating to watch, since of course the policy of short-term indulgence is counterproductive, but remembering the Depression story, I think I have a better understanding of it.
Oct 14th, 2005, 05:00 AM
#29
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"...how much time does one spend in a hotel room if your out and about seeing a city, dining, and living in your host location?"
Short answer for many: about 8 hours to include sleep, getting ready for bed, getting up, washed and dressed, etc. In other words <b>one third</b> of your day/night.
For some people the hotel room, ambience, services, surroundings, and let's face it, the <b>cachet-snob factor</b> are as much a part of the travel experience as the running around and seeing things.
I'm usually more amused at these words used to describ many hotels: "..it was perfectly adequate..." and the ubiquitous, "..it wasn't so bad."
There is nothing quite as bad as "not so bad."
Short answer for many: about 8 hours to include sleep, getting ready for bed, getting up, washed and dressed, etc. In other words <b>one third</b> of your day/night.
For some people the hotel room, ambience, services, surroundings, and let's face it, the <b>cachet-snob factor</b> are as much a part of the travel experience as the running around and seeing things.
I'm usually more amused at these words used to describ many hotels: "..it was perfectly adequate..." and the ubiquitous, "..it wasn't so bad."
There is nothing quite as bad as "not so bad."
Oct 14th, 2005, 05:17 AM
#30
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Money's no object, is just another one of those throw away lines. I can only imagine that it is enabling a person to convey the message that they are going to do something extra special or out of the ordinary, but not to be taken literally.
It's of course a different matter if your company's picking up the bill. I've travelled a lot on company business and when you look at how much they spend on an air ticket, hotel etc to me its stupid amounts. I remember the case a few years ago when the bankers from Barclays celebrated a deal at Gordon Ramsay's and the wine bill for 4 or 5 bottles came to GBP44,000 now that's when money's no object, but I'm 100% sure they wouldn't have spent their own money, especially not now as when the story was leaked they were all fired.
Geordie
It's of course a different matter if your company's picking up the bill. I've travelled a lot on company business and when you look at how much they spend on an air ticket, hotel etc to me its stupid amounts. I remember the case a few years ago when the bankers from Barclays celebrated a deal at Gordon Ramsay's and the wine bill for 4 or 5 bottles came to GBP44,000 now that's when money's no object, but I'm 100% sure they wouldn't have spent their own money, especially not now as when the story was leaked they were all fired.
Geordie
Oct 14th, 2005, 05:21 AM
#31
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I suspect that every one of those corporate dollars/Euros/Crowns, etc., etc., that is spent on expensive hotel rooms, flights, wine, women, and song is eventually charged to the consumer somehow or other.
Oct 14th, 2005, 09:30 AM
#33
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OK, I confess. I have posted and said that 'money is no object'. Of course I have justification since it was for a restaurant to take my father for his 85th birthday. I would pay any amount of money for that since I know how lucky I am to have both my parents alive and healthy.
One thing my mother taught me when I was young is that you will only have so much money. You can choose how to spend it understanding if you blow all your money on clothes you won't have any for food. We choose to spend more on our hotels (not $500!!!!) because my husband is an insomniac. In order to afford that we go away only once a year and we save to pay for it before we leave. How much we saved determines how much we spend on the trip! I don't think I could do it if I didn't have the money direct deposited from my pay to another bank.
One thing my mother taught me when I was young is that you will only have so much money. You can choose how to spend it understanding if you blow all your money on clothes you won't have any for food. We choose to spend more on our hotels (not $500!!!!) because my husband is an insomniac. In order to afford that we go away only once a year and we save to pay for it before we leave. How much we saved determines how much we spend on the trip! I don't think I could do it if I didn't have the money direct deposited from my pay to another bank.
Oct 14th, 2005, 09:46 AM
#34
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When traveling with kids, I easily spend 11-12 hours per day in the hotel room. Even traveling by myself, I still like 8 hours of sleep plus time to unwind, bathe, and dress. I'm clearly not a "MINO" traveler, but I also understand why people want nice surroundings if 40-50% of their holiday time is spent there.
Oct 14th, 2005, 09:55 AM
#35
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Maybe one day, money will be no object, but I doubt it. Even if I end up with more money than Bill Gates, I don't think I could spend the dollars/pounds/euros for the top accomodations in town. I've never wanted to stay in a hostel, and I didn't like camping when I was in girl scouts, so I won't go for the cheapest place either. I think I'll always try to find a 3* for a 2* price.
Oct 14th, 2005, 10:24 AM
#36
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Well, I am "younger" (maybe?) than some of the regular posters here, but none of my friends my age for whom "money is no object" would ever utter that phrase. Don't know whether it's because it's vulgar or because it would never even occur to them to say so. I suspect it's the latter. They don't consider it because of course they can afford...whatever.
Unfortunately, I have rarely been in the position to say "money is no object."
And, another thing. This is in no way a slam to the posters who have said they "work very hard" (I believe you!), but there are many, many people who work very hard and still are poor. Right? So I'm not sure "working hard" answers the OP's question.
And by the way, I don't work very hard. I'm sitting here at work right now.
Unfortunately, I have rarely been in the position to say "money is no object."
And, another thing. This is in no way a slam to the posters who have said they "work very hard" (I believe you!), but there are many, many people who work very hard and still are poor. Right? So I'm not sure "working hard" answers the OP's question.
And by the way, I don't work very hard. I'm sitting here at work right now.
Oct 14th, 2005, 10:34 AM
#37
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Well, Leely, I find myself agreeing with you about everything you say. Some rich people are quite discreet.
However, rest assured that even if they don't say explicitly that "money is not an object," that is the handwriting on the wall. You just have to look and infer and see.
However, rest assured that even if they don't say explicitly that "money is not an object," that is the handwriting on the wall. You just have to look and infer and see.
Oct 14th, 2005, 10:40 AM
#38
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I guess it's all in the perspective. We left San Gimignano on a bus once and headed for Siena. We left a backpack on the bus that had everything in it...money, train pass, passports, everything. (Yes, many lessons learned.)Miracle of Miracles, we got the backpack back, because some angel turned it into the police, everything intact. That night we splurged to celebrate at the Cane e Gatto restaurant in Siena, and I am telling you that money was seriously no object. This was 5 years ago, and the dinner cost$150 for 2 people. I have never regretted that for a moment.
Also, money would be no object for a Simon and Garfunkel concert, or alas, the Beatles.
Oh, and my husband and I are both poor teachers
Also, money would be no object for a Simon and Garfunkel concert, or alas, the Beatles.
Oh, and my husband and I are both poor teachers
Oct 14th, 2005, 12:35 PM
#39
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It's all relative, isn't it? My husband and I are not wealthy, but we have two incomes, no kids, and a good amount of slush money to spend on travel. To me, saying money is no object (which I've never said in my life), would mean spending $500 - $600 a night on a hotel. Which we've done a few times for really special trips like Rome and Tahiti. The problem is, it really spoils you and you want to only stay in the top notch hotels from then on.
Oct 14th, 2005, 01:03 PM
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Well, I can somewhat answer OP, in that I used to work with a number of single 30s people who were either unmarried or two-professional income households with no children. They were in sales and made (I would estimate) between $80,000 to $250,000 per year. They travel about 80% of the time and earn tons of FF miles and Marriott and Starwood points per year. When they vacation, (which due to the nature of their business is usually only for a maximum of two weeks at a time...although one guy always set it up to take of an entire month).
It is their TIME that is the valued commodity, so for them money is no object. While this particular company is a media-related business, I would imagine highly successful real estate professionals, Financial professionals (brokers and up, corporate lawyers and people who are in upper management and executive positions with successful companies of all sorts might find themselves in a similar position. But again, it is likely that these are pretty driven folks who don't take their vacations often, but when they do, are more concerned about the time away from their job than they might be about what their vacation is costing.
It is their TIME that is the valued commodity, so for them money is no object. While this particular company is a media-related business, I would imagine highly successful real estate professionals, Financial professionals (brokers and up, corporate lawyers and people who are in upper management and executive positions with successful companies of all sorts might find themselves in a similar position. But again, it is likely that these are pretty driven folks who don't take their vacations often, but when they do, are more concerned about the time away from their job than they might be about what their vacation is costing.
