(pelf)
(n.) Riches or wealth, especially when regarded with contempt or acquired by shameful means

"Pelf" is apparently from Old French "pelfre" meaning "booty," and may be a relative of "pilfer."

"Unfortunately, she soon learned, his entire philosophy might be summed up as 'me, my pelf, and I.'"

--------- George adds:
Thomas Pynchon, in "Mason and Dixon" gives us the character of Timothy Tox, epic bard and scribbler extraordinaire whose chef-d'oeuvre, ''The Pennsylvaniad,'' is a marvel of inspired doggerel:

A young man seeking to advance himself,
Will get him to the nearest Source of Pelf. --
And few of these are more distinctly Pelfier,
Than, -- Long Life, Queen of Schuylkill! -- Philadelphia''