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I hate these theoretical scenarios because my practical brain kicks in and I start asking questions like: Do I have lots of money making money not important/cr

I hate these theoretical scenarios because my practical brain kicks in and I start asking questions like: Do I have lots of money making money not important/critical? Does everyone also not have to worry about money? Do my kids/family also have the same "money free" existence as me? Am I able to travel without incurring any cost? If I do have tons of money, am I allowed to spend it on other people/causes? I don't need attention so that's not a concern, but the money issue is too complicated to simply take it out of the equation for me. If I ignore my practical brain ... my priorities would be my kids, my wife, my immediate family and community in that order. Spending time with my kids, making sure they have everything they need, most of what they want, and simply loving them (without being distracted by providing for them) would be the easiest and most gratifying part of not having to worry about money. However being super-rich wouldn't solve any of these issues for me as I would feel a great burdon to help those in need. If my family was taken care of, the logically extends to my community, and those around the world most in need (similar to Gates) What a nightmare to know that you have more money than anyone and are in the best position (besides governments) to help people. I don't know how Bill sleeps at night.

JoeAltmaier 13y ago
Most of our concerns about money are definitely 1st-world. Keeping up with expectations - school, housing, car, travel. Most of the world doesn't have these concerns. And we don't (have to) have them either. Its voluntary. There was a great book "Your money or your life" which like those others referenced here, talked about how the pursuit of money becomes a lifestyle, instead of enabling one. Lots to think about there.
- ahomescu1 13y ago
  > Most of our concerns about money are definitely 1st-world. Keeping up with expectations - school, housing, car, travel. Most of the world doesn't have these concerns. You'd be surprised. In fact, I'd say quite the opposite: poor people in developing countries are even more concerned with appearances and expectations (for example, I have heard a lot of stories about people who can barely afford rent/food, but they drive a BMW or own a smartphone).
  - josefresco 13y ago
    I think that's statistically true of poor people living in a first-world or middle to upper class environment. Anecdotally I spent time in one of the poorest counties in Florida but never saw so many "normal" people with expensive cars, jewelry etc. The want to appear to be rich is strong if you are surrounded by it. I can't say the same would be true in a society where all were relatively equal or didn't wear their wealth on their sleeve. Again anecdotally I find the differences within regions of the US intriguing. I'm from New England where there is clearly a lot of upper middle class people, but you don't see them flaunting their wealth. Other regions of the US (to remain nameless) however seem to be much more concerned with showing off their wealth. I think many factors play into this, not just the region but culture, upbringing and the media.
    - ahomescu1 13y ago
      There's a lot of that in Europe too. There's a lot less overt flaunting of wealth in the richer countries (Denmark or Sweden, for example) than in the poorer countries. However, I think even upper class people flaunt wealth, but in different and subtler ways. One example of this (for the super rich) are art collections (such as paintings).
  - JoeAltmaier 13y ago
    My friend Rajesh from Bangalore was amazed when he visited my place in the country. Our house is large but placed on a hill so only presents a modest front to the street. We drive economy cars. Our most expensive furniture is plain Mission style. He explained that back home, people worked for the opposite effect - to make a little seem like a lot. But in our community showing off is not respected much. We wanted to look like everybody else, or even less than average, so we would not find folks hesitant to accept us.
- josefresco 13y ago
  I find it helpful to read accounts of people in old age, near death who are pondering their life and what is/was important to them. I contrast this with my own aspirations to succeed in business and hopefully come out with a reasonable plan for everyday life. I try to put myself into uncomfortable situations that I know will have the potential to enrich my life. I try to balance my need to "plan ahead" with the realization that "living in the moment" is far more enriching (but also dangerous at it can negatively effect tomorrow). What good is a mountain of money if you never get to spend it? If I ignore the need to make money how will I be able to enjoy my life tomorrow if I can't provide the basic essentials to myself and my family? I also try to minimize the need to be "happy" and instead look to fulfillment as the measure of "success". IMHO it's not right to say the ultimate goal in life is to be happy, because for many, happiness never comes but they are still able to lead a meaningful life.

JoeAltmaier 13y ago

Most of our concerns about money are definitely 1st-world. Keeping up with expectations - school, housing, car, travel. Most of the world doesn't have these concerns. And we don't (have to) have them either. Its voluntary. There was a great book "Your money or your life" which like those others referenced here, talked about how the pursuit of money becomes a lifestyle, instead of enabling one. Lots to think about there.

ahomescu1 13y ago
> Most of our concerns about money are definitely 1st-world. Keeping up with expectations - school, housing, car, travel. Most of the world doesn't have these concerns. You'd be surprised. In fact, I'd say quite the opposite: poor people in developing countries are even more concerned with appearances and expectations (for example, I have heard a lot of stories about people who can barely afford rent/food, but they drive a BMW or own a smartphone).
- josefresco 13y ago
  I think that's statistically true of poor people living in a first-world or middle to upper class environment. Anecdotally I spent time in one of the poorest counties in Florida but never saw so many "normal" people with expensive cars, jewelry etc. The want to appear to be rich is strong if you are surrounded by it. I can't say the same would be true in a society where all were relatively equal or didn't wear their wealth on their sleeve. Again anecdotally I find the differences within regions of the US intriguing. I'm from New England where there is clearly a lot of upper middle class people, but you don't see them flaunting their wealth. Other regions of the US (to remain nameless) however seem to be much more concerned with showing off their wealth. I think many factors play into this, not just the region but culture, upbringing and the media.
  - ahomescu1 13y ago
    There's a lot of that in Europe too. There's a lot less overt flaunting of wealth in the richer countries (Denmark or Sweden, for example) than in the poorer countries. However, I think even upper class people flaunt wealth, but in different and subtler ways. One example of this (for the super rich) are art collections (such as paintings).
- JoeAltmaier 13y ago
  My friend Rajesh from Bangalore was amazed when he visited my place in the country. Our house is large but placed on a hill so only presents a modest front to the street. We drive economy cars. Our most expensive furniture is plain Mission style. He explained that back home, people worked for the opposite effect - to make a little seem like a lot. But in our community showing off is not respected much. We wanted to look like everybody else, or even less than average, so we would not find folks hesitant to accept us.
josefresco 13y ago
I find it helpful to read accounts of people in old age, near death who are pondering their life and what is/was important to them. I contrast this with my own aspirations to succeed in business and hopefully come out with a reasonable plan for everyday life. I try to put myself into uncomfortable situations that I know will have the potential to enrich my life. I try to balance my need to "plan ahead" with the realization that "living in the moment" is far more enriching (but also dangerous at it can negatively effect tomorrow). What good is a mountain of money if you never get to spend it? If I ignore the need to make money how will I be able to enjoy my life tomorrow if I can't provide the basic essentials to myself and my family? I also try to minimize the need to be "happy" and instead look to fulfillment as the measure of "success". IMHO it's not right to say the ultimate goal in life is to be happy, because for many, happiness never comes but they are still able to lead a meaningful life.