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So. This topic has been killed and cliched and reduced to soundbites.

"Money don't buy happiness"

et cetera

So I will simply rehash with an observation that seeks to reinforce my perspective.

Firstly, I want to reiterate that acquisition of "wealth", money, whatever the term, beyond basic comfort level is a serious and progressive development disorder. Why do you need to feel secure beyond your ability to provide for self and family? Okay, not bread alone, we should acquire comforts and the means to live what we feel is an actualized life.

So, my observation.

This morning I asked a neighbourhood gardener to do some work in my backyard. We agreed a compensation of $50 TT which seems fair...just to pull some brown palm branches and shuttle them to the dumpster. However, I started wondering if I should give him a bit more, to feel generous or to show appreciation (whatever fcuking validation I need). I am now arguing with myself that many guys do boss work first time, you reward them extra and next time they do crap work and you already spoil them.

I counter that with an observation that he may need the 50.00 and whatever bonus more than me so just pay him. I counter back "No, he doesn't; he has learned to get by and be happy with little money and day-jobs like that".




The irony and truth in that was Epiphany.

Who is wealthier: a man who can get by on $50 or a billionaire who frenetically needs to make another billion?

In reply to DAVE400


making money is a game, has nothing to do with needs,the billionaire will end up giving away more than half of his accumulation.

In reply to DAVE400

You can make an argument for billionaires having too much but I doubt whether the guy you paid fifty bucks to, couldn't use a little more help.

In reply to camos

So...it's a game then... what are the rules?


Can you then explain the mindset of the exploitative billionaires? Those with the sweatshops or other cruel labour practices?

In reply to DAVE400
the only rule I know is" make sure you are not caught doing wrong".

but it is the ultimate game for people with big ego.

In reply to DAVE400

normal human behavior ,seeking short cut or advantage, it's like ball tampering.

In reply to camos

It's an easy copout you know...to ascribe it to a game...

Truth is I don't know how many people realise that they are in a bit of a system-lock where they doing something...totally unconsciously. Not knowing why they doing it..other than this is what they have been taught.

Now forgive me...but let's explore this further. And forgive me if I get culturally insensitive. What about the Chinese Are you telling me the acquisition of wealth is their national pastime?

Or is it more like religion?

Last I check ball tampering never brought misery to people lives...or put their limbs in danger? Fanatic sub-continent excepted.

In reply to DAVE400

For the Chinese it is even a bigger game conducted by the entire nation rather than individually.

My wealth is measured in time, not dollars
To be rich one needs approx 2.5 million US dollars (survey)

Being wealthy may mean the following for people.

Spending time with family

Having time to myself

Owning a home

Many people think that being rich and being wealthy are the same thing.

Is there a difference between the two?
The rich have lots of money but the wealthy don’t worry about money.

My definition of wealth is the number of days you can survive without physically working and still maintain your standard of living.

I view wealth as measured in time, not dollars.

This is because there’s a difference between being rich and being wealthy.My business was making me a lot of money. I was earning more and working less.I had what most people considered financial success.

Though I was considered to be rich, I still was not wealthy; much of my time was spent working to build the business. My goal was to build the business to the point that it would cover all our expenses from cash flow each month. Investing in other entities also.

The income from my business and assets was greater than my expenses. At that point, I was considered to be wealthy, not just rich.

One meets individuals that earn lots of money but it goes out in the expenses. Nothing is left to go into the asset column. It’s this kind of behavior that separates the rich from the wealthy.

Conclusion, it’s not how much money you make that matters but how much money you keep—and how long that money works for you. I don’t work for my money. It works for me.

Lots of people can become rich. But only financially intelligent people can become wealthy and that takes a strong financial education that allows you to build cash-flowing businesses and assets.

The rest is just playing at wealth and a lot of worries.

My notes from a Charles Schwab conference in 2004

In reply to DAVE400

My only contribution is this:

If you are unhappy because your light has been turned off due to failure to pay the bill then money will afford you relief. So in that regard money can buy you happiness.

But when you see wealthy people commit suicide you know that money could not make them happy. I think the path to happiness is all about how you deal with sunshine and raindrops.

Like Hoyte said in Training Day - Smiles and Cries

In reply to DAVE400

I was watching a Sadh Guru video the other day and he made the same point as you, some people are only happy when they have more than their neighbours.

In reply to steveo

Sadhguru ji has a Foundation that milks millions to set him up to talk sh**..

1.You must invest in your health
Exercise and proper diet..it cost money to live a healthy...however it is wealth

2. Invest in continued education...that is wealth.