Money, Money, Money

Once, many eons ago, someone told me completely out of the blue, that I would never have any money worries and I would always have enough to do exactly what I want to do.

So far so good.  I think it all comes down to attitude.  Money is a tool.  It doesn’t buy you love or friendship or happiness or a  more interesting life but it can certainly enhance these things greatly once they are in your life.

I’m back in London for a writing course meeting with agents and publishers in an attempt to bowl them over with my manuscript.  Yesterday as a treat en route I flew into City, booked into a nice hotel and spent the day with my sister before going off together to  a concert at the Albert Hall.  We took taxis everywhere and ate an early dinner in one of my favourite Italian’s in St. Martin’s lane.  It was lovely and we deserved every minute.

Soon I will be back to the school run and walking the dog and staying home to write and spending very little (apart from the fortune it takes to feed a family of five).

I think a good way to test your attitude to money is to ask yourself what you would do if  you suddenly came  into money.  If you feel it would change your life drastically than you are living the wrong life.  I would buy a white baby grand piano (very Liberace I know but it would look great in my living room), pay for a family member to have a surgical procedure, buy more books on Amazon, buy more fresh flowers (in fact a weekly delivery would be nice) and possibly travel more – I’d start with The Sundance Film Festival and Basle Art in Miami.  But that is it, no great life change I love my man, my kids, my friends, my family, my writing (perhaps I could bribe someone to publish my book….no, no, no smacks hand). 

You don’t need money to feel rich.  There is richness all around us, for FREE!, if you open up to it.  Great weather, friends, laughter, connecting with people, a kind word, a joke with a stranger, a simple thank you.  They were giving out free roses in Kensington Gardens yesterday and the Magnolias were in bloom and  people were jogging and walking dogs and as far as I know there is no entrance fee to Kensington Gardens.

Money is great, does it buy you nice things?  Of course it bloody well does but just make sure the essentials are in place first.

I’m off to eat Eggs Florentine at Patisserie Valerie (you’ve got to try them) then a brisk walk down to the Thames and back hoping to avoid any G20 shennanigans before heading out to the picturesque sounding Charney Bassett in Oxford.