Additional Coverage:
- I grew up with multimillionaire parents; now my family makes an average salary. I’m totally content with my lifestyle. (businessinsider.com)
From Riches to Rags (Not Really!): One Woman’s Choice to Prioritize Family Over Fortune
Sabel Bezet grew up with all the trappings of wealth. Her parents, successful entrepreneurs, built a multimillion-dollar debt settlement company.
European vacations and luxury goods were commonplace in her childhood. But amidst the opulence, something was missing: quality time with her parents, who were often preoccupied with their business.
Now a mother of two young children, Bezet has chosen a different path. Married to a pastor, she embraces a middle-class lifestyle, prioritizing time with her children over material possessions. This conscious decision wasn’t a difficult one for Bezet, who admits she’s never been driven by money.
Bezet and her husband, Jordan, discussed finances early in their relationship. Jordan, who always knew he wanted to be a pastor, prepared Bezet for a life potentially different from the one she was accustomed to. Undeterred, Bezet valued the love and purpose a life with Jordan promised.
Today, Bezet is a stay-at-home mom, and their household income falls just below the national median. While her upbringing didn’t include budgeting lessons, her husband taught her the importance of managing finances on a fixed income.
They tithe, save for retirement, and live comfortably within their means. They even own a four-bedroom house in Florida, thanks to the profit from selling their starter home.
While Bezet and her husband are financially independent, her parents’ wealth still offers some perks. Family vacations to luxurious destinations and access to financial advisors are definite advantages.
Bezet also acknowledges her “expensive tastes,” a byproduct of her upbringing. She enjoys quality items and shops intentionally, even if it requires saving up.
And her mother, whose love language is gift-giving, often spoils her with lavish presents.
Despite having access to wealth, Bezet finds contentment in her modest lifestyle. She learned from her parents’ entrepreneurial journey the importance of balancing work and family. While she recently started a Substack, potentially adding to their income, her focus remains on her children.
For Bezet, “rich” has a broader meaning. It encompasses quality time, love, and purpose – things she believes are more valuable than money.