[JonFish85]

While that's true, I do wonder if there's a certain level of hunger that you get if you don't have your parents' wealth to fall back on, or a trust fund or whatever. Gonna make a "Dark Knight Rises" reference here, buckle up. During the escape scene from the prison-pit, Bruce Wayne only makes the jump once he takes off the rope and uses the fear of death to drive him. I wonder if that can be a motivator for some people.

[rfnslyr]

It is. I grew up in a bit of a different family. My grandparents are very wealthy.

My family does not transfer wealth. My Dad and my uncles are all self made men, the only thing they have to fall back on is the bed and food at their parents if things go south, not a cent of their money, and this has been made clear from their modest, even poor upbringing. No private schooling. No excessive tutoring, no special hires. You are dealt the same hand as everybody else. To my grandparents and parents, simple having FOOD and a free bed to fall back on is more than enough to alleviate any stress we have.

Everybody in my family works like dogs to reach my previous families wealth, and now it's the same for me. As soon as I was legal, my parents gave me $1000 for rent and food for the first two months of living on my own or I can return and pay them rent and still live under their rules.

While I'm not on the streets, the shame of having to return is a great driving force. The moment I moved out I didn't waste a second, I got to work, everyday, all day, because time was limited.

It is definitely a motivator.

[philwelch]

You have food and a free bed to fall back on. That's an immense safety net--exactly the kind of privilege we're talking about. And presumably that free bed is in some safe, comfortable suburb or at least the nicer part of the city, the food's not too bad either, and you can even take your MacBook home with you.

Some people don't have any living family members who can take them in. Both of my parents, all of my grandparents, and my only aunt are all dead. The rest of my family are people I don't know too well. I don't have the safety net you have. I've known immigrants who send most of their money back home to their parents. I know parents who have to support their own children.

Being young and childless with parents willing to take you in and feed you is a huge privilege and a massive safety net. Don't go around saying you're motivated because you don't have one.

[rfnslyr]

Absolutely and I am thankful for the chance my parents give me. However I wouldn't think of returning until I have truly exhausted every single opportunity in getting together cash to stay afloat.

>Don't go around saying you're motivated because you don't have one.

Not a chance, I recognize my gifts and it motivates me even more.

[graeme]

That's all well and good. But the point is, your downside risk is still limited, compared to someone who will be on the streets if they fail.

I always knew I could move back home if my work failed. This really helped me take risks in the early stages. I was pretty sure they'd pay off, but I knew I would have the opportunity to recover if things went sour.