In our world, not everyone is destined to find their place in the sun, and not everyone can become wealthy. Some lack the skills and knowledge to earn enough money.
Others may have a substantial amount in their personal accounts but pay too high a price for it. However, more often than not, people simply don’t understand what a truly rich life entails, and so they chase after a phantom.
Wealth Is Measured by More Than Just Money
People who strive for a rich life often build their ideas based on business articles, movie portrayals, and stereotypes, leading to a flawed or incomplete understanding. The goal becomes the pursuit of large sums of money, which are perceived as a necessary element. This path often leads to a dead end, decorated with handcrafted luxury items. Imagine someone with tens of millions in their account but forced to work 12-15 hours a day. Their business, investments, or high position don’t allow for a break. They have a luxury car, a spacious house, a new iPhone, but lack freedom, and personal relationships are sustained by money rather than love. Large amounts of money alone do not make life rich or bring happiness and fulfillment, although they can buy short-term joy. Conversely, you can find the opposite story where a person with a slightly above-average salary lives a truly rich and happy life because they’ve found balance and have all they need. In simple terms, to live richly, you need specific things and emotions, and these should be your concrete goals, not just numbers in a bank account.
Design Your Lifestyle
There are two main strategies for planning life. The first is based on where a person wants to go. The second is based on where a person can go. There is a significant difference between them. One seeks opportunities for growth, while the other adjusts to existing resources, such as salary, free time, or acquired skills. Engaging in long-term planning based on realistic desires rather than the current reality—especially if it doesn’t align with your vision of a rich life — is essential. The simplest starting point is to evaluate unnecessary expenses. Anyone with an average salary can spend a bit less without resorting to extreme measures. This means you can save money without significantly affecting your quality of life. Once you’ve accumulated a certain amount, put it to work. Even a bank deposit is better than keeping money under your mattress. The goal is to create passive income and gradually increase it. Additionally, pay attention to your lifestyle. For example, if you dream of becoming a digital nomad, a 20-year mortgage or an early marriage might become insurmountable barriers.
Spend Less Than You Earn
This is perhaps the most obvious rule, yet most people ignore it. We live in a consumer society where everyone wants to consume as much as others, even if they can’t afford it. Some borrow from acquaintances, while others turn to banks. In any case, 78% of the population lives paycheck to paycheck, and nearly half have some form of debt. Constant debt becomes a habit that shapes one’s life. Thus, a once-free person turns into a “perpetual debtor.” You might be familiar with such people. In the context of a “rich life,” they are the poorest, completely dependent on external factors and unlikely to escape their situation because they consider it normal. Aim to never have debt, especially consumer credit. Remember, life is full of surprises, which is why you need a safety cushion. Develop the habit of saving at least a little money before your next paycheck. Over time, these savings will become a sum that can be used for something important and significant.
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Invest More
The earlier and more you invest, the better. Of course, you should approach this with a clear mind. It’s impossible to get 300% returns; such offers come only from scammers. Lower your expectations and accept reality. If you manage to achieve passive income that exceeds what a bank offers, you’ve succeeded. However, investments are not only about earning or preserving wealth. Investing in yourself is equally important. Always take care of your health, not just when something starts to bother you. Take courses to enhance your skills needed for long-term plans. Buy others’ time with your money if it’s available and seems beneficial. Investments in yourself will never disappear; you won’t lose the knowledge and skills you acquire. The key is to apply them, or else you’ll end up with pointless accumulation.
Plan for the Future and Act in the Present
Without planning, a rich life is hardly achievable, but it’s important not to get stuck in thoughts or try to layer the future on top of the present. Dreams about how you’ll spend huge amounts of money in 5 or 10 years may remain unfulfilled. They are not action plans but mere fantasies. One popular piece of advice is to live like a rich person now, even if you’re not wealthy. This is a risky game that can ruin both your present and future. You should think like a wealthy person but continue to live within your means. Remember that your theoretical wealthy future is shaped by your actions in the present. A wonderful future won’t arrive suddenly; there won’t be a special day that changes everything. You will need to do a lot of work, consisting of thousands of small steps.
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