Ya know, I think beyond being able to do cool things with friends I think wealth doesn't really change mental aspects for a lot of people. I was talking about aging with my friend the other day, and we basically were talking about how everything above your basic needs and some comforts are status symbols. His parents are in healthcare and make decent money, but he said they come home exhausted and watch TV all evening. Then I told him about a very wealthy housewife I know who despite not having to work, just sits in her multimillion dollar home watching TV all day too.
I used to be obsessed with status items, then I realized they do nothing for my mental health. Tons of lavish vacations generated great memories, but only because I had friends there with me. Wealth by itself doesn't do much, because if you're unhappy anywhere by yourself like I am, you'll generally be unhappy anywhere on the globe.
I'm very ambivalent about my death, I really do NOT want to get old and I'm unable to work so I feel deserving of SSI at least. Hey, even on that tiny income, I'll be doing the same stuff my wealthy friends parents do all day apparently, sitting around watching TV. If I knew I wouldn't have to work or leech off of my parents and would have a guaranteed monthly income for the rest of my life I might even buy an RV or something and live close by, delaying my death. Just knowing you have your basic needs met without having to save and constantly be terrified of funding the future does a huge amount of good for your mental health.
I have BPD, and I think of someone like Marilyn Monroe who was also reported to have it. She was extremely wealthy and famous, yet she said she was "generally miserable." If her vast wealth and freedom to do whatever she wanted didn't make her happy, there isn't much hope for someone normal with the condition.
