@Nolus:
My family is unfortunately very money driven, and I'm starting to slowly realize how bad that thing is.
! A few days ago when I was feeling awful I looked around and saw all the things I got and bought over the years (cool figures, dragons, Transformers, books, games etc.) and it didn't really comfort me at all. A lot of times I heard that I should be happy because other kids don't have as much as me, so I have no right to complain at all.
! So once again I'm turned down and got examples of other kids being "better" than me (this time not because living with less, but because working more jobs while going to school). So what? Should I search for more job? What about university? It's not like I can choose when my lectures are. If they're in the middle of the day, they are there and I can't move them around. Should I work at night? Or in the weekends?
! When will I study? And this is once again a very tight spot, because I feel I don't really know as much as I wanted to. I'm constantly trying, but it's hard, because learning a whole new language in a year is no mean feat, while working and going home late with so much mental exhaustion, I don't even want to see numbers and letters.
! So because all of this, I'm regarded as less than other kids my age, less than my brother, and don't forget, it's my family who does that. You know how bad that makes me feel? And I got this even when I was little and had perfect grades and such. I just got something different: Why don't you go dance with the others? Why don't you have as many friends? Why do you play all day? Why aren't you more girly?
! Meanwhile, they want me to be glad I have such a mother and such a brother and such grandparents and such a collegue.
! I've had enough…
My family is also very money driven, but in a bit of a different way I guess. My mother's side probably emphasizes money as a sign of social status and power, but for my dad, it's about long term investment towards things that are better. Money for him (and me) is simply a necessity as a means to something end, but money itself will never make you happy. But as a result of that necessity, you need to be cognizant of the role it plays in your life and the best way you can use it now, whether it be saving it for later.
That said, there are different investments that are pretty much as important if not tantamount to the current value of money. Education is the greatest weapon you have, especially in this modern age, and spending money and time towards that is something that produces great returns later on. For my family, although my dad's a monster and managed to work full time while studying full time, the key is that you work and live within your means, and if education is a priority as a step to something else, then focus on education rather than working for money. There is zero shame in admitting your own limitations or, to frame it a different way, your true objective and interests. I understand that your family has it in your best interests to do things that other kids are doing because, it's working for them, so my child/sibling/friend should do this as well, and working may also give you benefits in connections, social skills, etc, just as them goading you to do things like dancing and other stuff as a child, but the intrinsic value of money is not that it leads to happiness or reputation but that it is an intermediary to comfort.
Long story short, work if you want to gain experience or absolutely must to support yourself or pay off loans (compounding interest is the strongest force in the universe), but working for money for money's sake will not make you happy. It may make your family happy that you're following their advice, but if it does not make you personally happy, then there is no harm in understanding your own priorities and what you want. Don't ever feel down just because people are trying to shame you into doing things their way, because in the end, they're not the ones living your life, and as long as you're meeting what you want and need, then that's all you need to ask for.
That said I do love money