[PinkMobilePhone]

(Original post by Sapphire33)
if i i'm being really honest, no. i've always been so fiercely ambitious and driven to do better for myself and live a comfortable lifestyle albeit im not saying it'll make me happy. i want bigger and better for myself, i don't want to have to settle for a £28k salary, a ford mondeo and a semi detached house, although there is nothing wrong with that, i just don't want that for myself. we only have one life and i want to live it to fullest, do the unconventional things and experience the world, an 'ordinary' life won't provide that for me. some people are genuinely content with living an ordinary life. thats just not me.

See, I used to think the same way you did. Two things changed my perspective though.
1) I had kids. Your whole world changes when you have kids. You want a stable life so that you can raise them well.
2) I hit rock bottom. We nearly got repossessed. We were living on handouts from my mother-in-law and I've never felt so crap. It makes you truly appreciate how marvellous an "ordinary" life can be.

[Iram Noor]

probably because it's more than I got now

[Billton]

I'd be really happy with that At the peak of my career I'd like to be earning a bit more- but not to buy a mansion and a mercedes and 2 weeks in the maldives, but merely to help fund my children through University etc.

I'm not a fan of caravans though

[OddThings]

(Original post by PinkMobilePhone)
See, I used to think the same way you did. Two things changed my perspective though.
1) I had kids. Your whole world changes when you have kids. You want a stable life so that you can raise them well.
2) I hit rock bottom. We nearly got repossessed. We were living on handouts from my mother-in-law and I've never felt so crap. It makes you truly appreciate how marvellous an "ordinary" life can be.

My mum has said similar things to me,I've not had really lofty ambitions but sometimes when I'v said that an 'ordinary life' like the one described might be a bit boring she reminds how much worse things could be,then to think how good that life looks then, through different eyes. It keeps you grounded to an extent .Ambition with a healthy dose of realism I guess. Sorry for the ramble here,your post just instantly reminded me of that I thought I'd share.. ahem

[Psyk]

I'm a non conformist. I don't follow the crowd.

So actually, that all sounds pretty good. Although I'll hopefully earn a little bit more than that, considering I already earn something in that range.

[drummer]

Not particularly though if I was happy with my job and wife then maybe

[snozzle]

I'm not sure I want kids but I'd be happy with a 'normal' life that is to say average pay, 9 to 5ish sort of job, and a fulfilling relationship.

I spent quite a few years after Uni travelling the world and working all over the place, it sounds exciting but its chaotic and unsettling ultimately and I felt like 'normal life' was passing me by.

I value relationships much more than material but didn't when I was younger.

[barnetlad]

A Ford Mondeo or similar, no thanks.

A good house and money for a holiday or two every year would be good.

[AspiringGenius]

See I wouldn't mine not having as much money, I just wouldn't like being mediocre if you know what I mean? See I wouldn't mind a small flat in the middle of London if I had a good view and had plenty of stuff to be getting on with, lots of hobbies

[A100whoo]

Same

Good job ( 40,000 pa), 3 intelligent children and a happy marriage with my husband.

[Jodie_668]

I know this is kind of soppy, but I've always said that as long as I have a husband or long term partner throughout my life who I love, then I'd be happy.
So I guess I would be content with that life
But ideally I'd like the travel the world rather than be stuck in a static caravan, and between the two of us, earn enough to not have to worry about bills or overspending

[Accalia]

I couldn't be happy with that, and I don't want to offend anyone who could be, but it just sounds so completely boring and repetitive.

I don't know fully know what I want with my life right now, and I sure don't know what I'll want with my life when I'm older - but I want more than that. Like a fully detached, for a start.

[memomemootoo]

the short answer is no

..if everyone aspired to have an "ordinary" life the world would be a much crappier place

[MrHappy_J]

I'd feel fairly priviledged with 28k a year and holidays abroad.

[cardine92]

I'd be bloody grateful for that sort of life seeing as I grew up in a 2 bed flat, no car and the last holiday I had was a week in Hastings in 2002.

[Petro_99]

although on the outset life may seem "ordinary"

it never would be, as its so uncertain.and the lifstyle the OP describes seems really boring...

id be happy with a mondeo though, prefer a Yaris tbh! LOL

[lil-mazie]

I don't think i want to be living a life like that; knowing that I'm doing exactly what I'm supposed to be doing with my life kind of freaks me out. As crazy as it might sound i would prefer to have an unpredictable life where i make mistakes along the way I also want to become something quite limitless instead of just settling with an average job and life, it’s it what we all want to be able to live a career where I had to push boundaries; that’s the beauty of life we have been given the chance to do things that seem impossible

[CurtisDean]

I think it all depends on how happy that lifestyle would make me feel.
I like to change and be in different situations - constantly (whether it be area or education).
I think that it would eventually make me feel depressed; however, if I find innovative ways in staying 'happy' - I will be fine

[somethingbeautiful]

Well since I grew up in a household with an overall annual income of less than 20K, had no car on the drive and at 22 years old have still never been abroad - what you describe sounds pretty amazing to me.

Most of the grad jobs I'm applying to are in the region on 15-20K, I hope to work my way up into the high 20s by the time I'm least 30 and get my own place and a car, plus go abroad once a year. Anything beyond that is a bonus, I'd love to earn more and have more freedom but I'm taking it step by step and just focusing on securing a decently paid grad job.

Edit: I don't think I'd have kids or a regular '9 to 5' though. My life can be exciting without being financially excessive.

[MrHappy_J]

Everybody says that they dont want to settle into an average job and yet everybody does. Otherwise those jobs wouldn't be called "average".