My Best Friend Thinks I’m Scum

Dear Scott,
 
I am so privileged. Thanks to following Barefoot from age 17, I bought my own home in Brisbane on a modest salary when I was 24, which I am now renting out while I live interstate. At 27, I am with the man I plan to marry and we are looking to the future. Yet I feel guilty about having multiple investment properties during a cost-of-living crisis. My best friend says “all landlords and shareholders are scum”. I want to build wealth for my family and future children, but I feel bad about getting ahead when others are being left behind. Can I please get some advice?
 
Lina
 
Hi Lina
 
Congrats on your success, I’m so proud of you!
 
Now, what I tell my five-year-old daughter is that whenever someone tries to hurt you with their words it says much more about them than it does about you. They’re the ones who are in pain.
 
Your friend sounds like she’s frustrated that she hasn’t been able to achieve financial security.
 
I get it. You get it. Fact is, we may all live in the wealthiest country on earth, but there’s a growing divide between the haves (home owners) and the have-nots (renters) that is driving deep-seated resentment.
 
However, calling people names is a five-year-old’s way of looking at the world, and it’s going to lead her to becoming a bitter and twisted Greens voter.
 
If this was a playground tiff, I’d tell you to not take it personally and to try and be kind to your friend as she goes through a rough patch. However, if she continues to use you like a cat uses a scratching post, I’d argue it’s time to branch out and find some new kittens to play with.
 
Onward and upward, Lina.