I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.
Stacey Derbinshire
Hunter Nuttall
· 1 year ago
Many people think that having the desire to be rich makes you evil, and I think that's very unfortunate. Irrational obsession with or abuse of money is bad, yes. But there are many rich role models for us, people who have used their money to make the world a better place. Good luck in being one of them!
AJC @ 7million7years
· 1 year ago
Hi BrBl; I agree that "purpose of wealth was to free up your life to achieve your purpose" (whether that's giving to charity ... or just Spitzer-syle whoring for the rest of your life is a personal choice!).
In fact I would restate this as: "the VERY DEFINITION of wealth is when you have freed up your life to achieve your purpose".
Knowing this amount is Step 1 to achieving real wealth ... Steps 2+ are a little more complicated!
AJC.
Matt
· 1 year ago
Excellent article. My line of thought mirrors yours. I'm 26 and my goal is to retire in 5 years. Why? Because I think my talents are wasted doing computer programming for 8 hours of my day. I know I could be doing much more for the world if I could free up those 40 hours per week and invest it into something more valuable.
I don't have a family yet but also want to financially free by the time I start one so I can be there for my future children when they're growing up.
Good article. I'm sure you'll achieve your goals.
Writer's Coin
· 1 year ago
It's probably not a lot of fun to get rich without any reasons either. Then what do you do?
Steve (Brip Blap)
· 1 year ago
@Hunter, @AJC: I think we're all on the same page, but it never hurts to hear that you aren't alone in your thought process - thanks!@Matt: Admirable goal - keep me posted. If you know that's what you want at 26 you're already ahead of me - I didn't realize it til I was in my early 30s. But thanks - I sure do hope (and believe) I'll achieve my goals, too.@WC: I guess I'd argue you'd have the same problem getting poor without any goals. The trick is to have goals - but getting rich makes those goals easier to reach (usually, but not always).@Stacey: Thanks!
dawn
· 1 year ago
Your posts always get me thinking~ I know when I was younger, I was afraid of "getting rich." Especially since my new in laws were rich and they scared the heck out of me. I was afraid hubby and I would end up like them! It's only since my late thirties and now my forties that I've realized there is nothing to fear from money. Money is just a tool - a means to an end. As long as we balance our quest for financial wealth with our quest for spouse/family/friendship wealth - it's all good. Those of us that do achieve "rich" or even a step further, to "wealth" should feel honor bound to give or serve others. Otherwise it seems like we end up lost - and what good does the financial blessing do?
Lazy Man and Money
· 1 year ago
Take it back. We all want to be rich to have Wiis. Okay, well I do in the short, short term ;-).
Jarret
· 1 year ago
Excellent article
bubelah
· 1 year ago
Why not be rich? Here's an excerpt from the book "Science of Getting Rich" The author says it perfectly: "A person’s highest happiness is found in the bestowal of benefits on those he loves; love finds its most natural and spontaneous expression in giving. The individual who has nothing to give cannot fill his place as a spouse or parent, as a citizen, or as a human being. It is in the use of material things that a person finds full life for his body, develops his mind, and unfolds his soul. It is therefore of supreme importance to each individual to be rich. It is perfectly right that you should desire to be rich. If you are a normal man or woman you cannot help doing so. It is perfectly right that you should give your best attention to the science of getting rich,for it is the noblest and most necessary of all studies. If you neglect this study, you are derelict in your duty to yourself, to God and humanity, for you can render to God and humanity no greater service than to make the most of yourself. "
FFB
· 1 year ago
I don't want to be rich so I could buy a Wii either! I want to be rich so I can play real tennis, go bowling, join a softball league, take a boxing class, etc... I want my wealth to improve the adventure in my life.
But if someone wanted to give me a Wii I wouldn't mind.
Steve (Brip Blap)
· 1 year ago
@Lazy Man: I pick on Wiis because I'm not a gamer. They have almost always bored me - except for Doom. That one game obsessed me. After that, I lost interest in gaming altogether - so it's easy for me to pick on video games. I have my vices, that's for sure...
Know The Ledge
· 1 year ago
Well said, particularly the last line..
"Getting rich is about removing money (or the lack thereof) as a barrier to my REAL goals."
I couldn't agree more with that statement. My constant drive to progress in my wealth and that of my family's wealth is really just an extension of my drive to spend more time with them by eliminating the need to work crazy hours to support us.
I may be spending more time working (and building our business interests) now, but it's all to create time for ourselves in the (hopefully) near future.
Adfecto
· 1 year ago
I like your post. I was with you 100% until you knocked the Wii :-P I think that for many people that $250 indulgence more than pays for itself in fun. It is very inclusive and promotes group play too.
Anyway, I want to be rich mostly for the reasons you describe. I'd like to be able to devote my time to the activities that I find most fulfilling: family, friends, and travel. It would be wonderful to be able to wake up in the morning and decide for myself how I will spend every day.
Steve (Brip Blap)
· 1 year ago
@Adfecto: I just have to knock the Wii - I know everyone loves it, but somehow I just recoil at the idea of Matrix-ish virtual bowling. Go bowl! Go outdoors and throw a real baseball! It just weirds me out. But hey, I like blogging instead of writing on paper with a pen, so who am I to complain. I would pick on xBoxs but Wiis seem to be a particular weakness for personal finance junkies, don't they?
All Comments
Stacey Derbinshire
In fact I would restate this as: "the VERY DEFINITION of wealth is when you have freed up your life to achieve your purpose".
Knowing this amount is Step 1 to achieving real wealth ... Steps 2+ are a little more complicated!
AJC.
I don't have a family yet but also want to financially free by the time I start one so I can be there for my future children when they're growing up.
Good article. I'm sure you'll achieve your goals.
I know when I was younger, I was afraid of "getting rich."
Especially since my new in laws were rich and they scared the heck out of me. I was afraid hubby and I would end up like them!
It's only since my late thirties and now my forties that I've realized there is nothing to fear from money. Money is just a tool - a means to an end.
As long as we balance our quest for financial wealth with our quest for spouse/family/friendship wealth - it's all good.
Those of us that do achieve "rich" or even a step further, to "wealth" should feel honor bound to give or serve others. Otherwise it seems like we end up lost - and what good does the financial blessing do?
"A person’s highest happiness is found in the bestowal of benefits on those he loves; love finds its most natural and spontaneous expression in giving. The individual who has nothing to give cannot fill
his place as a spouse or parent, as a citizen, or as a human being. It is in the use of material things that a person finds full life for his body, develops his mind, and unfolds his soul. It is therefore of supreme
importance to each individual to be rich.
It is perfectly right that you should desire to be rich. If you are a normal man or woman you cannot help doing so. It is perfectly right that you should give your best attention to the science of getting rich,for it is the noblest and most necessary of all studies. If you neglect this study, you are derelict in your duty to yourself, to God and humanity, for you can render to God and humanity no greater service than
to make the most of yourself. "
But if someone wanted to give me a Wii I wouldn't mind.
"Getting rich is about removing money (or the lack thereof) as a barrier to my REAL goals."
I couldn't agree more with that statement. My constant drive to progress in my wealth and that of my family's wealth is really just an extension of my drive to spend more time with them by eliminating the need to work crazy hours to support us.
I may be spending more time working (and building our business interests) now, but it's all to create time for ourselves in the (hopefully) near future.
Anyway, I want to be rich mostly for the reasons you describe. I'd like to be able to devote my time to the activities that I find most fulfilling: family, friends, and travel. It would be wonderful to be able to wake up in the morning and decide for myself how I will spend every day.