What does it feel like to be rich?

[Manomanman]

Every time I've ever played an MMO, I've grown very rich in the game. I can buy whatever I want, my character destroys everybody else's, I buy nice things for people I like. Life is good. When I'm poor in the game, I feel stifled, weak, and useless.

I've been poor IRL my entire life. I've never made more than $20,000 in one year, and I'm 26. I decided to go to graduate school rather than make money. I'm on the verge of starting up some online business, but the lure of the virtual world remains strong.

I want to know what it feels like to have a ton of money. By this, I mean you make over $40,000 per person in your household.

I need a new carrot to chase

[jaamkie]

*snort* at the idea that 40K makes one rich... I'm 24, single and make ~65K at my tech job (which is like my version of cocktail waitressing- a way to pass time and support myself while trying to figure out what I'm passionate about and how to make money doing it). I feel like I'm just able to comfortably afford my simple life renting a room in a house while saving for retirement and tithing to charity. My grandparents on the other hand are probably what I'd consider the low end of "rich"- for example, they bought a new car, it was stolen, so they bought another new car without waiting for insurance. Yet... they are very far from the Paris Hilton version of "rich"- they live in a house my granddad built with his own hands, and spend only about twice their social security checks each month, despite the capacity to spend much much more. I think being "rich" is a matter of feeling that money is never the limiting factor in your life, that lack of funds never stops you from pursuing your goals. People may make high 6-figure salaries and not be "rich" in my definition if they are paying a large mortgage or pursuing other large material goals like fancy clothes or fancy cars. My grandparents are "rich" because they have enough money to spend on the things they care about- on frequent travel, on generous gifts, and on any unexpected emergencies.

[aggie]

to me rich is having enough money for the basics and emergencies without having to worry about how to pay for it with a little extra for fun....to be really really rich...oh to just indulge beyond belief in travel and luxuries......to give gifts to those you care about in your life and make their lives more comfortable...to give to charities that i care about...to start some kind of a shelter for unwanted pets.....that is why i keep playing the lottery and i never stop giving even a little and never give up hope

[Still Growing]

I'm a serial entrepreneur and have been pretty successful. I feel rich because I don't have to work but when I look around I see so many people with bigger houses, nicer cars and most are in super debt. I love being debt free and having a good income.

Here's what I've found for me personally:

1. $10K to $30K year: I really struggled here with life's expenses. I felt like I couldn't get ahead.
2. $50K to $70K: I remember being able to buy more, do more. A lot more freeing to me than before.
3. $100K: I remember a distinct lifestyle difference and having excess money to do things. I also started eating better food and not just looking at the price. I started taking nice vacations abroad and investing into companies.
4. $300K: Not a huge difference than $100K to me. I didn't change my lifestyle at all. I made new investments and started saving more.
5. $1 mil year net profit: I'm not there yet but would love to be some day. I am sure I would never risk it all but I'd be able to take more aggressive risks into new companies.

I have found though that when people don't see obvious wealth they don't really listen to you when it comes to business advice. I've had friends and colleagues make smart remarks to me disrespecting one of my businesses. After several years of knowing one of my friends they found out inadvertinently that my company was actually 10 times larger than they had thought. Its interesting how people treat you differently when they find out these things. I value privacy, humility and financial security more than impressing.

I do feel rich but I never really show it that much.

I feel that if I lost it all I'd still be happy and still be back to being wealthy in 5 years.

I really do believe that most rich business people that are self made know more about business and about markets and human nature. Making it big is not like winning the lottery its more like solving hundreds or thousands of problems along the way to your goal. As long as you remember what got you there and have your health you will always be wealthy.

When my child is old enough I'll tell them "Spend less than you earn and you'll always be rich"

Money isn't how I evaluate others and its not my highest objective. I strive to grow more as a person, to inspire others and to bring new products to the market that change their respective markets in some way.

[Steve Pavlina]

You already know what it feels like... pretty much the same as you describe in the game world.

Stop battling orcs for a while, and start going after the real world monsters (i.e. your fears) to get the same results IRL. RPGs are boring compared to real life because the risks aren't realistic enough. It's just pretend risk.

As you might expect, it's a lot more fun to wield a level 50 human being than it is to play with a level 5 human character.

Learn to master the RPG of real life... if you think you're a good enough player.

I think you'd enjoy this article:
Life – The Ultimate Game

[edith]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

You already know what it feels like... pretty much the same as you describe in the game world.

Something that would probably help people is to actually sit down and write about their life as if it were a game. Then when situations come up, they'd be of the mindset to approach them that way.

[ns123]

A guy making 65K a year, but has cars that is paid off, house that is paid off, etc is actually richer than a guy making 500K a year, who has a 1MIL mortgage and a 250K Ferrari that he's still making payments on. So it's all relative.

I'd work toward getting rid of debt (including mortgage), that feels a lot better than earning more income. Like Still Growing said, there is not much lifestyle difference between some one making 100K and some one making 300K. But there is a vast difference between 20K and 100K.

If you've come from a middle class background, you'll find that after you hit the 100K mark, you won't be able to upgrade your life all the much (designer clothes, 5 star hotels, etc) because it just won't be you.

But in my own personal experience, not having any debt (including mortgage) is the most liberating feeling ever. It's a wonderful accomplishment, and it frees you up to really do what you truly want.

[sirkinm]

Originally Posted by Manomanman

Every time I've ever played an MMO, I've grown very rich in the game. I can buy whatever I want, my character destroys everybody else's, I buy nice things for people I like. Life is good. When I'm poor in the game, I feel stifled, weak, and useless.

I've been poor IRL my entire life. I've never made more than $20,000 in one year, and I'm 26. I decided to go to graduate school rather than make money. I'm on the verge of starting up some online business, but the lure of the virtual world remains strong.

I want to know what it feels like to have a ton of money. By this, I mean you make over $40,000 per person in your household.

I need a new carrot to chase

I'm not into MMOs (besides a brief diversion into City of Heroes), but I'm a video game fan, so I can relate I've been where you are -- making barely anything, opting to go to grad school instead of earning a decent salary. Only now (I'm in my early 30s) are things finally taking off with my own online stuff (though I'm still working for "the man," for now...).

At times you may feel envious of friends who have been on a career track the last 5 years and have more financial freedom. But if you can do the grad school thing and start an online business, that will be the best of both worlds.

I'm curious to know what it is you're thinking about pursing (both in grad school and online ventures). Hopefully your schedule in grad school will give you the flexibility to put a lot of time in your biz.

[MrSelfDevelopment]

I have to agree with Steve Pavlina...you already know what it feels like to be rich, it feels great!

Anyone who says money doesn't make you feel good...hasn't had much of it...

I've been fortunate enough to have a nice six-figure income since I was 23 (and while that's not rich to some, based on your definition, I'm really rich ). I love where I live, the work I do, the relationships I have and the cars I drive.

Not having money...is like not having oil in your engine...it makes for a rough ride through life...

Wallace D. Wattles wrote in his infamous book "The Science of Getting Rich" that "man'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 man who has nothing to give cannot fill his place as a husband or father, as a citizen, or a man. It is in the use of material things that a man finds full life for his body, develops his mind, and unfolds his soul. It is therefore of supreme importance to him that he should be rich.

I have an article on my web site called "7 Reasons Why You're Not Rich" that may be beneficial to you.

Rgds,

Mr. Self Development

[Fullcrum]

Steve!

I never thought of equating the feeling of richness with being "rich" in a game.

I'm sure the feelings do have some correlation. My IM power just grew. Cool. Now I can show all my video game playing friends this gateway to IM.

[Steve Pavlina]

Originally Posted by Fullcrum

Steve!

I never thought of equating the feeling of richness with being "rich" in a game.

I'm sure the feelings do have some correlation. My IM power just grew. Cool. Now I can show all my video game playing friends this gateway to IM.

When I would play games and had a ton of gold, I'd stop thinking about the gold altogether. It became a non-entity, and I focused on other aspects of the game. Dealing with financial scarcity was no longer part of the challenge.

When I wanted to earn gold in a game, I didn't bemoan my poverty. I focused on the challenge of earning more gold -- what would I have to do to make that happen?

Real life is pretty much the same in my experience. When dealing with scarcity, people too often get stuck in thinking that it's a permanent situation.

To grow out of poverty, you can focus on completing the quests that will move you toward wealth. Usually this requires summoning the courage to face and overcome various "monsters," and it may also require some tedium now and then. But people say it's fun.

[Still Growing]

Another good way to describe being rich is "How long can you live with your current lifestyle without working."

If you think about it, money is not only stored energy but its also something we exchange for the essentials.

If your lifestyle is so huge that you have to work just to keep up with it then you are a slave of your own devices...

[Daffy Duck]

Originally Posted by MrSelfDevelopment

Anyone who says money doesn't make you feel good...hasn't had much of it...

More money can create more freedom, which in turn can make us "feel good." I definitely agree that having money is better than the alternative!

But no, money in of itself doesn't make you feel good. This has been proven. There are plenty of unhappy or suicidal millionaires.

Steve, I like usually the analogy of games to life as well. It seems to work well when speaking to video gamers especially. "It's time to level up and earn more achievements!"

[Steve Pavlina]

This topic inspired me to write a new article this morning:
Your Wealthy Avatar

[Kanzeon]

Originally Posted by Manomanman

Every time I've ever played an MMO, I've grown very rich in the game. I can buy whatever I want, my character destroys everybody else's, I buy nice things for people I like. Life is good. When I'm poor in the game, I feel stifled, weak, and useless.

I've been poor IRL my entire life. I've never made more than $20,000 in one year, and I'm 26. I decided to go to graduate school rather than make money. I'm on the verge of starting up some online business, but the lure of the virtual world remains strong.

I want to know what it feels like to have a ton of money. By this, I mean you make over $40,000 per person in your household.

I need a new carrot to chase

Money doesn't feel like anything in particular.

The real difference for me is social status and expectations. It feels very different to live in a neighborhood of $1 million houses than an apartment, and outsiders to your social circle treat you very differently.

This can be good or bad. When I was climbing a corporate ladder, I made more money every year, but I could never keep up with the people who were a couple rungs higher than me. It seemed like there was an expectation to buy certain things - upgrade the car, upgrade the home, take a more brag-worthy vacation - just before I could afford them. So, I felt behind, harried, pressured.

Since I work for myself, I only need to maintain appearances to the extent they matter to those who hire me, instead of being immersed in a competition with co-workers. I find it's pretty easy to save money. That wasn't true when I made $20K a year. I found pressure at the $20K level, and some self-esteem struggles, because so many people had important things I didn't (like a car that ran reliably). But whether that pressure dissipates depends on who you hang out with.

It is important to accept that there are people who won't give you the time of day if they don't perceive you are at a certain level of material success. I try to focus projecting my success through reputation, not acquisition of symbols that impress other people.

[MrSelfDevelopment]

Originally Posted by Daffy Duck

More money can create more freedom, which in turn can make us "feel good." I definitely agree that having money is better than the alternative!

But no, money in of itself doesn't make you feel good. This has been proven. There are plenty of unhappy or suicidal millionaires.

Steve, I like usually the analogy of games to life as well. It seems to work well when speaking to video gamers especially. "It's time to level up and earn more achievements!"

I am well aware that people with money are sometimes sad, depressed, or suicidal (I know a few of them ). I did not intent to imply that money was the source of life's joy...my point is that there's a good feeling associated with having money versus the contrary and anyone who would say that money is not a wonderful thing, etc. obviously has had very little experience with it.

[runningbird]

Having money sounds incredibly good. I am going to be so giddy when I don't have to be a slave. I will just wake up and say "what do I want to do today?" And then, I can start hiking the appalacian trail, or set up a tightrope in my yard, or go to Coney Island, or Burning Man...

In addition, I will be able to eat great (healthy) food and go to spas to relieve stress, so my health will increase. And I will be able to give money to those who are really in a jam.

I'm pretty sure my self esteem will increase too. There's a lot more I'll be able to do to help out when I have money. First, my mind won't be bogged down with constant commitment to labor, so that will free up innovative thoughts, and second, i will actually have the power to enact those ideas. Incidentally, altruism is also linked to better health.

!ABRACADABRA! !!Manifest!! !ABRACADABRA!

[MrSelfDevelopment]

Runningbird you are right!....money has amazing benefits....but a word of caution to everyone (not to imply that you don't already know this)...money comes from growth....money does not cause you to grow...money does not give you higher self-esteem...but high self esteem can help you attract money.....you have to "be it" before you can "have it"...

Money will not make you a success....you must first become a success and then the money will follow....It's like high school, you go through all the grades, and then you get the diploma....the diploma doesn't define you, it's what you went through to get the diploma that makes you who you are...

That's why people who win the lottery typically lose their winnings in a short amount of time...they got the diploma (if you will, the money)....so they look like a success...but they never became the successful person, as far as money is concerned...they never got the education...so they can't hold on to it...

Money ruins the fool....although it's great, it's a double-edge sword...a mugger uses a knife to kill, while a doctor uses it to cut out cancer, so it depends on the person wielding the knife....

With all that said, you are right, money when used properly can give you an amazing life.

I'm sometimes extreme in my comments when I say things like, money makes you feel good, because I want to combat a mentality that says, "It's OK to be average, rich people have it bad too...."

We should all be striving to grow and become our best so that we become people who can properly handle money for our good and the good of others....we all have the potential to be rich...

[Manomanman]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

You already know what it feels like... pretty much the same as you describe in the game world.

Stop battling orcs for a while, and start going after the real world monsters (i.e. your fears) to get the same results IRL. RPGs are boring compared to real life because the risks aren't realistic enough. It's just pretend risk.

As you might expect, it's a lot more fun to wield a level 50 human being than it is to play with a level 5 human character.

Learn to master the RPG of real life... if you think you're a good enough player.

I think you'd enjoy this article:
Life – The Ultimate Game

I'm glad to hear that it feels prettymuch the same, that's what my instincts were saying.

I read "Life the Ultimate Game" 4 months ago and my brother and I had a good chuckle about it, because we know it's all true! (True = funny). We have always done what you suggest, which is consciously acknowledge our problems, but we're still slaves to them.

I am definitely a good enough player. I frequently declare myself to be the smartest person in the world. I used to think that I had to prove that to people with an argument, but I've since come to realize that actions are the only proof for our ideas. Everybody thinks I'm insane when I declare I have #1 worldwide intelligence, because I'm a poor grad student. But I have the potential in my mind to radically change the reality in which all humans live, because I'm the only living human who realizes the nature of the technology that can alleviate the need for human beings to do physical labor (see Make money or invent new technology? for a more detailed description).

The reason I fell back into MMOs was because I couldn't fulfill the need to make money for myself, so I had to delve back into gaming to satisfy that need. My self-esteen is just perpetually low because I have yet to "Do It Now".

Well, it's time to do it now

[Steve Pavlina]

Originally Posted by Manomanman

I'm glad to hear that it feels prettymuch the same, that's what my instincts were saying.

I read "Life the Ultimate Game" 4 months ago and my brother and I had a good chuckle about it, because we know it's all true! (True = funny). We have always done what you suggest, which is consciously acknowledge our problems, but we're still slaves to them.

I am definitely a good enough player. I frequently declare myself to be the smartest person in the world. I used to think that I had to prove that to people with an argument, but I've since come to realize that actions are the only proof for our ideas. Everybody thinks I'm insane when I declare I have #1 worldwide intelligence, because I'm a poor grad student. But I have the potential in my mind to radically change the reality in which all humans live, because I'm the only living human who realizes the nature of the technology that can alleviate the need for human beings to do physical labor (see Make money or invent new technology? for a more detailed description).

The reason I fell back into MMOs was because I couldn't fulfill the need to make money for myself, so I had to delve back into gaming to satisfy that need. My self-esteen is just perpetually low because I have yet to "Do It Now".

Well, it's time to do it now

I don't know many people who'd define intelligence as "knowing what to do and then not doing it."

Would you consider a robot who made such claims to be highly intelligent?

Talking about the intelligence you can't apply is like bragging about a car you can't drive.

[Manomanman]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

I don't know many people who'd define intelligence as "knowing what to do and then not doing it."

Would you consider a robot who made such claims to be highly intelligent?

Talking about the intelligence you can't apply is like bragging about a car you can't drive.

My concept of intelligence has to do with my problem solving skills, my creativity, my ability to think about a problem from different angles. In an ideal set of circumstances (say, the Starship Enterprise), I wouldn't have to worry about all of the practical problems like "funding" and "feeding myself", and I could simply work on the scientific problem. Most people don't have a very good concept of what intelligence is, which is why people like Einstein were thought of as stupid by their peers and the world until they were able to prove everybody wrong with tangible ideas.

What keeps me from acting is damaging beliefs that lie beneath the subconscious surface that prevent me from acting on higher impulses (like the desire to create technology), via emotional mechanisms like fear. A robot, in the classical sense, lacks all emotion and does what it's programmed to do, in a linear fashion. That is why the terms robot and intelligent and antithetical in my book.

The main thing I lack is the software required to take care of all of the practical, physical, and emotional concerns so I can go back to focusing on what is really important to me. I like to think of myself as irrational (controlled by emotion), rather than unintelligent.

[Beuford]

Well some people who are rich are completely miserable because they are married to their stressful job, others are rich doing what they like, and have plenty of time to do what they wish.

If I were rich, I'd go to public places and meet new people and not have to worry about money at all. I'd do that if I were poor, but I would be thinking about my money. The different would be, "I want to go see a movie.. can I afford that this week.. Better go next week.." compared to "I want to go see a movie and I'll invite someone" with no reference to having a budget. Then somewhere in the middle would be "Okay but I've spent a bit much recently so I'll take it easy for the next week". Just as an example.

Then you can be really happy with a lot of money, spend it all, then you'll be really unhappy because you don't have anymore and you are used to just being able to do what you want. So you'd still need to be responsible with your money even if you were rich.

[MrSelfDevelopment]

Originally Posted by Manomanman

The main thing I lack is the software required to take care of all of the practical, physical, and emotional concerns so I can go back to focusing on what is really important to me. I like to think of myself as irrational (controlled by emotion), rather than unintelligent.

Manomanman, I don't think Steve P. was saying that you are unintelligent (as in stupid).

I think the point was, why would you go around not doing "what you know to do," and then proclaim, that you're the most intelligent person in the world.

If you were the most intelligent person in the world, you would do what you knew to do...

I think he's saying your "talk" doesn't line up with your "walk," and that's not a sign of the most intelligent person on our planet....so...

Do what you know to do....then people will begin to respect the intelligence that you have...

[Strem2]

Originally Posted by Manomanman

...
What keeps me from acting is damaging beliefs that lie beneath the subconscious surface that prevent me from acting on higher impulses (like the desire to create technology), via emotional mechanisms like fear. ....

I don't know why I'm answering this. I don't have the money or business experience that Steve or Mr.SelfDevelopment has, but I was raised by a father who was an engineer. I started out very intuitive and unbeatable. When I had some difficulties, I retreated to the engineering credo, "If it isn't measurable, it doesn't exist."

I started to depend on logic and gave up intuition and creativity and a flair for adventure. I did this for many years until I was too unhappy to do it any longer. I am reconciling with my intuition and courage. They are very forgiving, but I am being sent through a testing ground like Ulysses.

Fear was clouding my judgment. It isn't any longer and I'm much happier for it.

- Nancy

[Orecle]

mr selfdevelopment

i have just read your blog

u have seriously inspired me. you dont bullshit. the post on how you got your house hit the spot

thank you kindly

[UIS4821]

Wow this is a popular thread!

Anyway I like Steve's post on Life as a game. That post should ring true with Manomanman since he seems to be a game player. I'm not rich but I have learned thing that way is not going to make me any richer. You have to act as if or at least that is my understanding.

[shaggles]

I inherited a big chunk of money recently and also make more money every month than I can spend. Basically nothing changed. We look less on prices while shopping for stuff but are still careful that we do not waste money. We just opt more often for a higher quality option when we have to make decisions on what to get.

Money is just something that helps you to exist in this society and gives you a certain amount of freedom. In terms of happiness money can give you some little superfical quick rushes but if you do not work on yourself and address the larger issues nothing will change.

Oh and one thing from mmos also applies to real life. Invest as early as you can in good quality bags. In real life these would be things that could reduce your spending or make you work more efficient. This will pay in the long run. But never think being rich is the end of problems... problems are there if you are rich or not. Maybe even more if you are rich because you might get worried of losing some of your wealth.

[MrSelfDevelopment]

Originally Posted by UIS4821

You have to act as if or at least that is my understanding.

Well...that's about right...let me give you a practical example of that, to help you better understand the principle...

Think about Abraham Lincoln, he was a backwoods lawyer who became one of the greatest presidents of the United States. "To act as if" really means to "be great right now," don't wait until you have "arrived" to start being and thinking your best. Abraham Lincoln took great actions, an acted "great" as a backwoods lawyer. If he would have waited until he became president to start giving his all, and being great, he would have never become president.

You shouldn't think that you are going to become great one day...think that you are great today...don't think that one day you will have great actions...act great today...

I think I'm going to write an article about this...

[MrSelfDevelopment]

Originally Posted by Orecle

mr selfdevelopment

i have just read your blog

u have seriously inspired me. you dont bullshit. the post on how you got your house hit the spot

thank you kindly

Thank you...my intentions when I write is to give a practical example of how to succeed...I really believe that everyone is capable of greatness...they just need the right information and motivation...I want to give people that information and motivation, so that they can move beyond "stagnation" into their intended "destination"...

I have some great articles coming up that you won't want to miss

Please feel free to subscribe to my site at: Mr. Self Development.com