In order to form an idea as to what would have probably been my concerns in the 1720s, its must be recognized that the worries of the rich would be somewhat different than those of the poor. For the sake of simplicity, the area will be narrowed down to the area of England, and/or the British Colonies in North America.

If I was living in the 1720s my main worries would start the basic necessities of shelter, clothing, and especially getting enough food to eat and stocked up for the harsh winter months. In the American Colonies and outside of cities this was an absolute necessity, where farming was a way of life for the vast majority of the population before the widespread adoption of the potato and improved farming methods in later centuries.

If I were poor but a tradesman my main concern would be improving my craft to make better money than the competition, and hopefully catch the eye of a enough well-to-do customers to garner a positive reputation. If all goes well I acquire a rich benefactor that allows me to hire more employees and advance my status as much as possible given the time period. Then I would have luxury of becoming literate enough to learn about the wider world, science and history in detail.

If I had the privilege to be rich in the 1720s, my main concerns would be to stay updated with the latest Enlightenment thinking, keep aware of the latest trends but not indulge, and perhaps involve myself in the affairs of my country’s destiny.

The recent South Sea Bubble would also play a major role in financial concerns. The proto-Ponzi scheme rocked the British Economy and led to what is believed to be the world’s first financial crash.