“My Wife’s Mum Is Loaded—We’ll Never Have to Work!” My Friend Antony Declared. But His Dream of a Life of Leisure Didn’t Go As Planned

My wifes mother is loadedwell never have to work, my friend exclaimed with delight.

One of my acquaintances, George, always dreamed of living the easy life at someone elses expense. He went out of his way to win the affection of a girl from a wealthy family. I could see plainly he didnt truly care for her, and any marriage between them seemed destined for trouble. Yet George was convinced that marrying into money would bring him the carefree, happy life he craved. You might even believe him, if not for the fact that his wife-to-be had little idea how to earn her keep herself. It turned out, her familys fortune stemmed from her mother, who owned several sizable shops around London.

I tried reasoning with George.

Surely you dont think theyll fund freeloaders forever. Its good to be independent and have a job, I said.

Oh, nonsense! Weve a baby on the way. Her family trust me completely! George replied with unmistakable satisfaction.

I simply couldnt get my head around it. How could a man do this to his fiancée? It just felt wrong. A man ought to pull his weight and provide for his loved ones.

Time passed and I began to wonder how George was managing. I asked where he was working these days. It turned out that neither he nor his wife were working at all; they just lazed about at home all day. They played computer games, watched telly, or slept. His mother-in-law provided for them. I even felt a strange twinge of envyGeorge had gotten exactly what he wanted.

My wifes mum is rich, well never need to lift a finger, George boasted, clearly content with his cushy lifestyle.

Perhaps it would have lasted much longer if things had stayed the same, but then trouble hit the business. The family income shrank considerably. So, her mum offered both George and her daughter jobs at one of the shops.

A month went by after I last saw George, and then my phone rang. In a worried voice, George asked me if he could borrow five thousand pounds for a fortnight.

Im looking for work, having interviews. Once I get an advance, I promise Ill pay you back. Were absolutely skint, my friend confessed somberly.

And so his carefree days came to an end. From then on, both he and his wife started working. True to his word, he repaid me. So much for living in a wealthy family. You really cant rely on others; you need to be independent and stand on your own two feet. Thats how you find real security and happiness.