61–70 of 145 posts
I want to get rich. But I don't want to do it because I want stuff. I don't want a Audi, or a Maserati, or a fancy home, or the newest gadget. I have a objective, a plan, for me, and for future generations, and I know how much it will cost, and doing it will require me to be rich. And I know how much problems it will attract, how much relationships it will wreck, and how much danger it will bring to my life. But I do…
http://www.quora.com/Wealth/Is-getting-rich-worth-it
Top answer summary: Here's my answer: being rich is better than not being rich, but it's not nearly as good as you imagine it is.
I want to get rich because money, that commonplace, almost vulgar device, can be traded for time, the most precious thing in the universe, and for influence, a multiplier of time/action that can help me to achieve more good things in my life.
I want to get rich because money, that commonplace, almost vulgar device, can be traded for time, the most precious thing in the universe, and for influence, a multiplier of time/action that can help me to achieve more good things in my life.
If I could build Fogbeam Labs to a point where an exit would leave me with, say, 3-4 million USD, I'd be set. That's not egregious wealth, not enough for a yacht and a private jet and all the "stuff" that Larry Ellison or Bill Gates have. But it would be enough to live the rest of my life, without being under the thumb of a "boss", and would give me the flexibility to do some traveling and spend time doing stuff I enjoy doing. That's all I need.
Well, OK, that and a redheaded supermodel and a Maserati[1][2]. ;-)
I want to get rich. But I don't want to do it because I want stuff. I don't want a Audi, or a Maserati, or a fancy home, or the newest gadget. I have a objective, a plan, for me, and for future generations, and I know how much it will cost, and doing it will require me to be rich. And I know how much problems it will attract, how much relationships it will wreck, and how much danger it will bring to my life. But I do…
...James Gatz?
> First, one of the only real things being rich gives you is that you don't have to worry about money as much anymore. I disagree with this. One thing being rich gives you is the ability to make things happen. Being a benefactor of a cause or artistic organization or an investor in a startup means that you can help set into motion meaningful projects that you believe in that would not otherwise have been possible. I'…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedonic_treadmill "The hedonic treadmill, also known as hedonic adaptation, is the supposed tendency of humans to quickly return to a relatively stable level of happiness despite major positive or negative events or life changes.[1] According to this theory, as a person makes more money, expectations and desires rise in tandem, which results in no permanent gain in happiness. Brickman and…
Very good link. From the article, > And contradicting set point theory, there is apparently no return to homeostasis after sustaining a disability or developing a chronic illness. I can vouch for that. I was an avid runner, but two years ago I got cartilage damage in both knees that left me unable to run or even walk entirely normal (I'm 22 years old). After surgery this year, I'm doing much better, but I feel like I…
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I agree that that point is a valid complaint, but a complaint is all it is. If the money was really bringing someone down so much, the problem could be dispensed with by writing one check to a charity of their choice. The fact that wealthy people do not give all of their money away is proof that having it is better than not having it.
oh yea for sure. Then again, assuming you're not born into it, I would assume it's difficult to just give away a large portion of the wealth you've accumulated through hard work. There is also the 'rainy day fund'...which signifies another point the author made about worrying about investments. If he loses his money, and suddenly needs it there is a significant amount of regret.
My plan, if I ever manage to get rich, is to live like a student forever, without having to go to work. I don't really care for owning things, as long as I have got a bass guitar, a laptop and a cat, I'm happy.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
This should have been the HN link. (And yours should be top comment.) Many many worthy comments in that thread. Edit: To crusso's point, I didn't realize it requires a login. I guess I finally broke down and got one over there a while ago.
Well, that link tried to force me to register or log in. That's not appropriate for a HN link.
My mistake, I assumed a link to Quora wouldn't bombard you with a registration request, it's been a while since I've registered.