My mother-in-laws loaded! Well never need to work a day in our lives, my mate beamed.
Theres this old friend of mine, Oliver, who always fancied a cushy life at someone elses expense. The lad pulled out all the stops to charm a girl from a wealthy family. Honestly, I could tell he didnt care much for her, and nothing good ever comes of that sort of marriage. But Oliver was convinced that marrying into money was his golden ticket to a life of blissful idleness. That seems plausible, until you realise the so-called rich girl didnt actually have the foggiest idea how to earn her own money. Turned out, her mother was the one whod built up a tidy fortune, running several swanky shops around Manchester.
I tried to talk some sense into him:
You dont honestly think theyll bankroll a loafer, do you? Its far better to have your own job and stand on your own two feet.
Oh, dont be such a bore! Weve got a baby on the way. They trust me completely! Oliver grinned, thoroughly pleased with himself.
I just couldnt get my head around it. Doing something like that to your girlfriend was hardly fair let alone expecting to sponge off her family. A proper man should work and support his own.
Some time later, I got curious how things were going for him. I asked about his job, figuring he must be up to something by now. Turned out, neither he nor his wife lifted a finger. They lounged about the house all day, playing video games, watching endless reality telly, or napping. Her mum provided all their meals. Ill admit, I almost felt a twinge of envyOliver had pulled off what hed always dreamed of.
My wifes mum is absolutely minted, well never need to work. Ever. he boasted about his plush lifestyle.
Perhaps things mightve gone on like that indefinitely, but then trouble hit her mums businessincome plummeted overnight. Her mum reluctantly suggested they both come and help out at the shops.
A month passed since Id last seen him, and then my phone rang: on the line was Oliver, sounding about as cheerful as a rainy Tuesday in November, asking to borrow five grand for a couple of weeks.
Im job hunting. Ill ace an interview, get an advance, and pay you back. Were skint, mate, he said gloomily.
So ended his glorious stretch of freeloading. From that day on, both he and his wife found proper jobs. He paid me backall the money, every penny. So much for the fortunes of a wealthy family. If theres anything to be learned, its not to rely on someone else for your happiness. Being independent and self-reliantthats where you find real security (and, dare I say it, a bit of pride).
