Why do you want to be rich?

April 8, 2005 · 92 comments

Sometimes, teaching people how to get rich gets me a bad rap. “You just want to make money,” I’ve been told. Or “money isn’t everything.” These gems, while not particularly eloquent, do have a point. Actually, I’d prefer that these people ask me why I teach people to be rich. It’s important to ask yourself, too: Why do you want to be rich?

Take a second and think about it.

Do you want to have a luxurious lifestyle? Do you want to travel? To eat at nice restaurants? Maybe you want to start your own business.
I believe it’s really important to consciously think about why you want to be rich. If you don’t, it’s easy to get caught up in a race to get more and more money without ever knowing why.
“But Ramit,” you might say, “I’m really smart. I got a 4.0 at Stanford and I don’t really want to take the time to think about this. I just want some cash, playa!!”
After I point and laugh at you, I’ll actually get serious. Trust me–take an hour to write it down and compare your long-term goals to what you’re actually doing on a day-to-day basis. It’s easy to say and harder to do, so I’ve taken my own advice below. And hopefully, I can use these things to explain why I teach people to be rich. It’s not just money–far from it.
Why I teach/learn how to be rich
In one sentence: I never want to have to make a bad decision because of money (e.g., staying at a job I don’t love because of car payments).
Long-term goals of earning wealth (in order):

Give my parents a retirement where they don’t have to work if they don’t want to
Comfortable, sometimes gaudy lifestyle (I love pens)
Make career decisions because I want to, not because of money
Stay in touch with my friends by seeing them in person often
~~Start a scholarship fund for high school/college entrepreneurs~~ [done]

There it is: an online, accountable list of goals for why I teach and learn how to be rich. What if you made a list like this and checked it every 6 months to see if you were moving towards your goals?

Now what?

Stay current with updates: Sign up for the free IWillTeachYouToBeRich newsletter
Learn all of this (and more) in my 1-hour IWillTeachYouToBeRich class

92 comments

Leave a comment

1 Baldo January 12, 2006 at 4:07 pm: “Make career decisions because I want to, not because of money”
this is the stronger one to me..
2 Kay January 31, 2006 at 10:29 am: I dont think I want to be filthy rich, but I want to be comfortably well off to do the foln..
1. Make career decisions because I want to, not because of money
2. Start a scholarship fund/Open a school that teaches lifeskills, for underprivileged
Your post made me think more than my usual comfort level about richness associated with money. Thanks!
3 Romance February 16, 2006 at 12:17 pm: i want to live comfortably in life, take care of family and start my own bussiness. But the main reason I would like to be rich so I could give more to help people in need. That more important that having high quailty things when you can be happy with just he basic.
It nothing wrong with having nice things in life, but difference would it make if you ate your food on a $10 plate than a $400 plate.
Its good to save. Live to give, not to receive
4 betty overall May 9, 2006 at 5:51 pm: I’ve lived being truly poor for 7 years now. After loosing everything we had, we were never able to get back on our feet. Now i have seen how poverty is, I want to be able to experiance what it is like to raise my kids without haveing to worry if my electricity or water will get turned off. I want to send them to college and be able to pay for it myself. (college is important– i use the Pell Grant)
5 Bree June 21, 2006 at 12:40 am: You love pens! How fantastic. This made my day.
6 Elsindel June 21, 2006 at 12:43 am: Dear Ramit, good point with asking this question, however… don’t you think that there’s a more important one really close, that is: “why do you want to live?”. You know, long-term goals, things like that… sound pretty big.
7 Chris June 23, 2006 at 1:28 am: I was just surfing tonight and stumbled across your blog. I haven’t read all of your articles, but I have yet to find a definition of what rich is. If it is here somewhere, I apologize. I think it would be useful if everyone knew what rich is.
Rich or Real Wealth is not a specific number. It differs for everyone. Rich is being able to maintain a lifestyle from your investments only.
And the real secret to obtaining this elusive goal, is to not change your lifestyle until you rich this point. At once it is obtained, it is easier to improve the lifestyle you are currently living.
So if you can maintain your current lifestyle for a month, you are already rich. If only rich for a month. What you want is to be life long rich.
But other than that, most of the information here is dead on. Getting rich is not easy, but its not hard either.
It only takes time, patience, a plan and execution.
I will check back in on you from time to time and see what nuggets you have uncovered.
Maybe give a little advice on how to actually trade/invest.
And one more point. Never listen to anyone who is not better off than yourself.
Just the opinion of a someone who is rich.
8 Laura August 23, 2006 at 10:33 am: Why do I want to be rich?
1. Having the money means not having to worry over things that won’t matter in 50 years.
2. We want four children. Forget raising costs, think about college!
3. We don’t want a terribly extravagant lifestyle, but we do want to raise horses. This requires serious $$$.
4. I want to homeschool my children… this means that either myself or my husband would almost HAVE to be a stay at home parent.
5. I want to start my own theatre/voice school (just graduated Voice Performance), preferably as a not-for-profit “teaching theatre”… not high-rent professionals, but kids & 20somethings getting their feet wet & learning the ropes.
5. Once we start having kids, we don’t EVER want to move again. And for four kids, a fair-sized house will be a good thing.
Oh, and this last guy? He’s dead on… never listen to anyone who is poorer than you. They obviously don’t know what they’re talking about.
What am I doing towards these goals? Right now? Working a 9-5 that uses NONE of my professional skills, but is reasonably enjoyable. It’s not a NEEDED job… my husband brings home plenty to pay the bills, but we can save almost 80% of my pay every month towards the future. (Next three big things: a full size freezer – John hunts- a 4WD vehicle – Wyoming winters are vicious – and either land to build a house, or a house w/ decent land attached.)
Beyond that, I don’t really know WHAT to do… we’re very frugal, but as for investing… we’re clueless.
9 Charlie Panella August 23, 2006 at 9:55 pm: Yes before undertaking a plan its nice to pursue reason, if only for a very brief time. I would like to be rich so that I could have greater controll over my life and others around me. Like right now I am moderately poor. So I don’t choose what food to eat and when. I eat whatever I can get whenever I can. Sometimes I eat multiple meals in a couple hours of food I don’t like because its free. So I would like to controll and plan my life more. But mostly the biggest reason I want to be rich is because everyone else likes rich people and wants to be rich themselves. So in order to make those around me more happy and comfortable I would like to be richer. It may sound shallow but its the truth.
10 Jose Benites October 6, 2006 at 12:40 pm: I am working on begining my own buisness as well, do not know what buisness yet though. Im 19, working in real estate, and hopefully I too want to retire my parents so they would no longer have to work , and i cold keep them by my side forever.
11 prlinkbiz October 9, 2006 at 7:02 pm: I am financially free at 29. I am continue to learn to make money and invest it until I reach my own personal cash flow goals. What motivates me? Two things:
Freedom and Fear. I want my freedom. I want to be rich, because I am afraid of being poor. PS Ramit- fabulous job on riding the Why We Want You To Be Rich wave (PR and SEO wise this week I mean)- your site traffic should be through the roof! I hope people stay and learn!
12 Reece October 13, 2006 at 6:43 pm: I want to be Rich because i could live a more expansive lifestyle, But most importantly is the need to give. Giving is Fullfilling. Brings you closer to what we all really want which is Happiness. Finding contentment~ compare yourself with a child from the Darfor region in Africa experiencing Genoside through starvation and you will quickly learn to be content with what you have and be HAPPY. Compare yourself to Trump, Gates and the like and you will be unhappy. I know i will be Rich all my life in more ways than one because i wont ever quit, or loose sight of my goals. it will take time through taking baby-steps but i will be extremely wealthy as well~ this is because my intention are Pure~For the good of others. I NEED to start up a more effective aid program for helping those suffering in 3rd world countries. And i will always saw with eagles’~Not scratch around with turkey’s. lifes to short so realise your impermanence NOW!!! From the day you were born you started to die. live each day like it could be the last because it really can be its no joke. Drop our western ideal of “let it be”. if we dont do it today we will do it tomorrow. what if a drunk driver sped into the side of your car tonight and killed you instantly-(sorry if there are children reading this). But everything in life is constantly changing before your eyes. Dont take anything for granted and always be greatful for what you have if your a fellow australian. i might be 19 and still only a baby in the scale of this world, but my understanding of the world is always growing and i encourage everyone to think about the rest of this world because in the system the world runs only the RICH can make a difference for the better. Sadly the sheep are being slaughtered by the wolves and once you run with the wolves it easy to become one. Have someone who is doing the good you want to do and it will help become rich sooner. I look at the work lead singer of U2 Bono is doing with Hollywood stars in Africa and the various charities Bill Gates is opening. if read this you may want more but im half asleep and just thought id deposit my 2c worth. Good Luck with your dream but remember your responsibilities as a human being. RKC c:
13 Ranjan November 1, 2006 at 12:48 am: “Making career decisions because I want to, not because of money” adds a fresh perspective to my thought process.
I wd love to go back farming in my native place. But I’m stuck in a job faraway. More than that my wife and kid would not like to come with me.
I don’t hv any clue to what shd I be working at???
14 Xin November 10, 2006 at 1:44 pm: I want to be rich, so I can be free.
Free to live my life in ways I choose.
Free to spend time on things I’m passionate about.
Free to pursue my goals unabaded.
15 Kevin November 25, 2006 at 4:17 pm: Xin sums it up pretty well for me too. Money doesn’t solve your problems, but the lack of money creates problems.
16 marfo emmanuel blaise November 28, 2006 at 1:52 am: teach me to learn how to fish, but don’t teach me how to eat the fish. in short; l would be happy if you teach me how to management my finances and move on in the right track. thanks alot for the education.
17 billie December 2, 2006 at 8:40 am: The purpose of money in my life:
food, shelter, day to day expenses & helping those in need.
Long-Term goals of earning wealth:
Make art as a career (having a job I want – not need for money)
Give it away to help tell God’s story
Take care of my brother after we’re gone
Travel the world & experience other cultures.
18 thoughts December 16, 2006 at 2:57 pm: Love the blog. I was just wondering: what would you say to someone who agrees with everyone you write, but intends on going into a very low-income field (academia) and doesn’t have a lot of start-up capital (so to speak)? Yes, saving and starting early (not even 20, so I’m good there), but can you teach me to be okay with being lower middle class?
19 Ken December 27, 2006 at 2:56 pm: I think this website is the best resource I have seen about “getting rich” I have read books from Donald Trump to RObert Kiyaski ‘or what ever his name is ‘. I have dedicated my life on becoming rich because I grew up in such a poor state”no food,no clothes” and I believe that a little hard work will produce all the things not only want but need.
20 Eric January 1, 2007 at 9:10 pm: I want to be rich so I can be hermit. Just hole up in a nice place and have things I need delivered to me.
21 Biern Nelterz January 13, 2007 at 6:34 pm: Being rich means having to envy the super rich, i.e. the ones with billions. While I’m enjoying my deluxe sedan they are flying around in a jet. When I’m enjoying a swim off my boat I’m staring at the island they own. I simply could not handle it and it would me very unhappy.
22 Dave January 17, 2007 at 2:58 pm: Good stuff – but I note it’s aimed at graduates and students. Is it OK if a 41 year old broke guy in the UK reads your stuff too? I’d like to be rich, but right now I’d settle for just not having negative net worth…
23 DAVID, CHANG January 17, 2007 at 10:52 pm: I’m korean guy, this topic is interest and impressed to me.
ofcourse i want to become a rich.
In korean idoms, ” the man who has many foods, he has a mind to give others his owns. ”
I want to give my owns to others as my ability.
24 Dan January 18, 2007 at 12:22 pm: Rich… for me is not having to do anything. Not because I want to do nothing, but because I want to have complete freedom over the use of my time.
My plan involves me having to put in roughly half an hour of work every day, but I think that’s reasonable.
I think I’ve been failing so far because I’m not making any goals for ‘right now’, and because I’ve gone too far pursuing my current lifestyle, which I don’t want.
I want to live on the water, in the tropics, to build, and have financial freedom, and I’ve married a seasick Canadian woman and had a daughter.
Folly.
25 Jason February 4, 2007 at 11:58 am: The reason for me is simple I want to do things whenever I want to and to be so far ahead of my bills that I can live life to the fullest and have an extravagant lifestyle setup small amounts of cash for my children so they wont need to struggle through life or even live paycheck-paycheck and be
or have Just Over Broke those of you who cant see what I mean just over broke means to have a job or work for someonelse I want them to own investmenst they can make money with without ever having to set foot in or around, this is one of my own personal goals I have set I have been working at this goals for almost 10 years and still have not found the right kind of investment as of yet!
26 jim February 4, 2007 at 5:27 pm: I’ve worked 28 years at a job I can’t stand and which I feel is essentially morally wrong. But I have not made it as an ‘artist/writer,etc’. So I’ve put my life on hold for the past 28 years. I have two years to go to get a pension and then hopefully I’ll have a few decades to pursue my art, my writing, my freedom.
Money to me represents freedom. There is nothing I don’t have that I could not buy at this point in time,however, one can’t buy one’s freedom w/o survival dough! Money for me is not a materialist trip, it allows me to live as I prefer. So I wait and wait.
27 Alex Boutet February 5, 2007 at 4:49 am: You might like to check the website:
http://www.43things.com
It’s a checklist of the things you want to do in your life, as well as a social community based on it, with tagging and such 2.0 things. I use it to keep track of my goals and deadlines.
28 paul February 10, 2007 at 9:23 am: well i think im gonna be really rich by the time im 30… because im just 21 right now…
of course i think being rich is the best thing of this world … hahahaha
29 manishaa February 11, 2007 at 1:50 am: I WANT TO BE RICH, period. AND there is plenty i can do once i have al that money in the universe.
30 BOB WITT February 12, 2007 at 12:52 am: I am 51 years old and I have worked hard since the age of 13. My ID was stolen in 2005 and it sent me upside down. My wife and I have help many people over the past 25 years and now because of one person we were helping we face loseing everything we have. I would like to have enough money to be able to help my mother and wife with their medical problems, save our home as well as my credit. Ant funds needed to help my brother build his church so that he can help people. Our dream of dreams was to have enough money to live a peacfull life for our time remaining. and to build a small ranchet for children that are termaley ill to come to and see the all that God has created and to stay untill there time here has ended. Better that being in a concret building waiting to die. I am asking for help this time.
31 jack February 14, 2007 at 9:34 am: I wanna be rich because of one single word “Security” … I wanna be able to support my parents when they get sick. I wanna be able to send my kids to school and college.
I wanna be able to help others without suffering my financial plan.
32 liz February 23, 2007 at 6:00 pm: I want to be rich because of something called “security” Im afraid everyday when i wake and look into my sons’ eyes maybe im not here 2morrow then what? what about him, his future, where to live, education and the rest. Money, it’s def not everything, but it does help.
33 Matunda March 9, 2007 at 4:57 pm: I want to be rich because this is the God’s thought when He created me and sent me into this world. It is was about to have riches and honor to gives like Himself, prosperity and success. This desire is like a burning fire in my heart and I can’t escape it. That’s my real raison of living on earth.
34 Mike Luehr March 10, 2007 at 6:27 am: You love pens. A much better idea than the lady, who had collected over 2000 cookie jars…..all over the house! My wife loves writing with fountain pens. And I, being a mailcarrier, collect letter openers.
35 cheryl hale March 11, 2007 at 4:05 pm: I want to be rich so I can become debt free! I am 52 years old and am helping raise a family of 5 that has been thrown out of there home! my daughter and i are struggling and my finances are in a huge bind! I want the load to be lifted! Thanks
36 Ravi March 11, 2007 at 7:57 pm: I just came across your website today coz I was looking to learn about stocks, bonds, future investments.
I want to be rich for many reasons:
Take care of my mother when she’s ready to retire without her having to worry about bills etc.
I want to pay off my debt that incurred from a car accident I got into; and my father gave the insurance company a false statement to teach me a lesson, leaving me at $20,000 debt at the age of 18. I am now 23 and it’s not paid off yet. Extra money to help pay that off would be great!
I’d like to buy a new car by next summer.
I want to buy a house for my mother and I before I’m 28.
I want to give back; help educate children in India and South Africa.
37 Doug March 12, 2007 at 6:46 pm: I would like to be able to rest. I’m whipped.Physiclly and emotionally. I had dreamed of being a singer/songwriter since 13.Became a father at 19 and have provided pretty well for all three kids and my wife by working my tail off for other people and just getting by,to the point I blew my back out. I have gotten burnt by just about every one I have worked for, but cannot seem to focus on becoming finacially independant. Either the starting capital isn’t there,or I run into empty promises that never seem to pan out.I feel blessed that I was able to provide for my kids,and build the house that we raised them in with my own two hands but now their grown and gone,I’m 51 and have $25.00 In my 401k and no other savings but the equity in my house. I’ve spent most of my spare time in my music room trying to get good enough at my music to maybe be able to save myself from total poverty but I’m emotionally drained.I’m rich in so many ways like,being with my 1s’t wife for 32 yrs,having a wonderful relationship with all of my kids,and 4 fabulous grandchildren but, I can’t afford to take them anywhere or buy them anything.and when they have needs, I feel guilty that I can’t help them or anyone else anymore.So for all the young people reading this, don’t put all your hopes and eggs in one basket.and think about YOUR future. It will be here sooner than you think.They say money don’t make the world go round but, it sure greases the axle that it spins on.
38 Darwin Tobias March 15, 2007 at 6:43 am: I want to be rich, so I can help those in need, so I can live the life I want to live. I’m a giver not a taker, my happiness comes to see other people happy from my help.
39 Gyenyami March 24, 2007 at 6:07 am: I want to be rich so that my daughter and family can enjoy a life that has never been tasted, So that my daughter will have no worries when it comes to college and so my mother can finally have a break in life. And also so I can have time spend assisting troubled youth and women in countries like Ghana and Somalia that can afford to taste salt while we waste it in superstition.
40 Jennifer March 30, 2007 at 9:43 pm: I just lost my home and car and all of it just a little over a year ago. My husband has a good job but it means that we have to travel and not live close to family and friends and my kids have to grow up with out the family and friends in their lives right now. I want to be rich enough to help my mom retire and my sister get her business started and I want a home to raise my family in I want to live completly off grid so that it does not take that much to live if the money is not rolling in. Yeah I mean with solar power and green houses and all of that. It may sound far fetched to some but to me having nothing to pay except property tax and Insurance sounds great to me. Oh and clothes cause I don’t know how to sew. I want my husband to be home and help me home school my kids and I want us to live our lives to live instead of living to work. I hope to acheive these goals soon within the next 2 years if possible…
41 lahna April 4, 2007 at 3:03 am: i don’t know that is meaning of wanting to be rich or not. I just want to be the position i can support my kids, my parents, my sisters and my brother if they have problems about money situation. But seem …yeah i have to have enough money !!!
42 Shak R April 7, 2007 at 7:59 pm: I want to be rich so that I can do something with my life that I want to do without worrying about the financial situation. I don’t want to get a degree in a field just for a job that has a good salary. I want to do whatever makes me happy. That, and I’d like to retire my parents from working and give them a care free life for the many sacrifices they have made for me and my siblings.
43 Rui April 11, 2007 at 9:45 am: Why would i wana be rich? Hmmm… When i was a kid i walked on da street and see lot of poor people begging for food and money. When i looked at them i was sad because they don’t get to live like us. So i’ve told myself that i have to work hard and set my goals in order to help these people. One day i want the money work for me not me working for the money
44 Teresa May 1, 2007 at 3:53 pm: i am sick of struggling with two children and all neccessities left to me.
I would like to give my children a good head start in life instead of throwing them to the dog eat dog world, and my mum who was in same position as i now, i would love to buy her a home
45 Jeffrey Green May 7, 2007 at 9:16 pm: I want to be rich because it would be fun to be more generous with time and money.
46 Gary Bellows May 12, 2007 at 3:08 pm: I do not want to get rich. I just want to make a comfortable living to take care of my family. The hard part is not making enough money to be able to try to start a buss. or get credit. Much less pay your bills on time every time and have enough money for gas to get to work and back home. Any ideas? Thanks GARY
47 Amanda May 17, 2007 at 1:03 pm: Why do I want to be rich? When my son asks me if we can go to a soccer game, I could say, “sure, when?” Instead, my answers are – “How much does it cost?” and “I have to work.” Children grow up so fast, and this time is precious. I should be spending this time with my kids instead of spending every ounce of time and energy just to provide the necessities.
48 raj May 21, 2007 at 4:25 am: i want to be rich because life is hard with no money. im in debt
i work hard and cant find the answer and im stuck,
49 Sammuel July 27, 2007 at 1:42 pm: I want to be rich:
So I can really choose what I want to do with my career.
To be able to paint and write.
To be able to persue my goal of self-education.
To be able to not stress over the nexessities I need in my daily life.
50 wayne July 29, 2007 at 7:04 pm: Iwant to be rich.What I consider rich,not what others might consider rich. I know what it means to not have anything and I know what it feels like to spend most of your time thinking about being broke. I want to know that my children and family will do well and that means that I need to do well,and I will.
51 josh October 2, 2007 at 2:46 pm: i just want to be with my kids and stop wondering about bills my kids are far away from me but there is no work there for me so i have to move away to get work it sucks
52 anonymous analyst October 9, 2007 at 9:38 am: “I never want to have to make a bad decision because of money ”
Ramit, I don’t think many people will grasp just how powerful a concept that is. Whether we like it or not, this is a material world. Money drives the vast majority of our everyday decisions. I don’t love being an analyst….if my wife would let me I’d follow my dreams of being a writer or rock star….or anything BUT being an analyst. But I am good at it and it is intriguing. And I have become accustomed to the lifestyle that Wall Street salaries pay. And money drives where we live, what cars we drive, what schools we send kids to, etc. I ahve become a slave to the lifestyle, not that I am complaining or ungrateful. It is simply the truth. Others much less fortunate as I are just as trapped. They make decisions based on their current station in life financially and make those decisions on a day-to-day basis because the demands of TODAY obscure the bigger picture. They drink that $5 latte ( I know you hate these examples) everyday and then complain that they don’t have enought money for this or that at the end of the month. Bad decisions are made because we don’t plan and we fall victim to liveing our life the same way we did yesterday…We weren’t happy with yesterday’s outcome and if we do nothing different, why are we shocked that today turned out no different than yesterday.
53 Brad B October 11, 2007 at 2:36 am: To steal a title from Dave Ramsey, “Financial Peace.”
I do not want bills to run my life, similiar to your idea. Don;t want to have a stress avalanche if the car breaks or the water heater goes out, just want to pay for it and drive on.
It amazing a thow many people are amazed that me and my wife tell our money what to do. The power that it gives you. I feel that being free of debt is key to gaining fianncial peace, unleashing the true power of your income.
I want to be the start of a legacy taht changes my family tree forever. Have the following generations start off at a higher point than I did and keep up the momentum.
54 Stuart October 20, 2007 at 4:51 pm: I want to be rich, so that money is never the problem for why i or my family can not do something. I hated the fact that when it came to family decision it eventullay came down to money issues.
55 JP October 23, 2007 at 10:34 am: I want to be rich…
because, put simply, I want to bring a lot of children into the world and I want them to be comfortable and I want to spend a lot of time with them. Seriously, I want like 10 kids.
56 Tariq October 29, 2007 at 5:27 am: because im tired of living in poverty…living day to day selling my personal belonging to make something so i can eat, or have gas for my car. Because i came from a family where 26 ppl lived in a 4 bedroom house. i want to be rich, and be able to take care of myself… and because i want it to be better for my kids!
57 Angie November 2, 2007 at 5:55 am: I don’t “want” to be rich. I “will” be rich! That is my new outlook on life. My husband and I have struggled to keep a property in his family for three generations. All generations have finacially struggled. These past weeks a threat of foreclosure due to our ARM payment increased. I told my husband no more and he agreed. No more will be a slave to this property! 1. We are getting refinanced next week. 2. We will fix and sell this spring(houses sell better in spring) 3. We will use profit to build our little 3 bedroom house(had this dream for 10 years) 4. Payments will be lower 5. Invest in our future and dreams
Don’t wait to become rich, decide to become rich. That is what we are doing. My son is a freshman in college and I want him to see his parents pull themselves up and make the decision to be rich. When we thought we were going to lose our home my husband said the worst part was “we were this close.” We weren’t meant to come “this close.” Jesus came so we could have life and to have it more abundantly. So that is what we are doing, planning to live abundantly. I will be a writer, my hubby will make furniture for a living, we will afford living expences, college for our son, giving to ministries, travel in our RV when we retire (another dream) living and loving life to the fullest. Remember if nothing changes, nothing changes. Change your life “decide” to become rich and make it happen. Good luck to ya’ll and God bless your journey.
58 William November 10, 2007 at 7:40 am: Why not listen to someone who is poorer than you? Or not better of than you? You don’t take their advice of course but their is alot of information in their stories of the mistakes they have made to learn from.
59 Anil Korkut November 15, 2007 at 9:52 am: Now this is a nice blog. I am so happy that more and more people realize that wanting rich and becoming rich and being rich is the noblest thing you can do for your self. Ramit Sethi you are the man. I too, teach people how to get rich.
Cheers A.K.
60 Albert Denyl December 12, 2007 at 1:06 pm: It is a nice blog. I agree with most of the people here. BEing rich can be very important under some circumstances. But it is also important to be lively and happy.
61 Abbas December 12, 2007 at 10:16 pm: I want to be rich becouse my mother died of cancer and I want to build reserech center for advance medicine in my country and help poor people ,, thats it I dont want any thing for my self i love my life and I am happy rich in diffrent regards ,
62 Mo Ali December 13, 2007 at 2:26 am: I want to be wealthy because I am insecure really, having endured countless failure in the past through naivety and possessing a huge ego which makes me a very competitive individual.
63 Dena December 23, 2007 at 1:10 pm: I want to rich because I belive it means having a wonderful life. You can do whatever you want and not have to worry about things like bills. They say having more money brings more problems but I say…I’d rather have rich people problems than poor people problems. Im not trying to help everyone it would be all about me. Maybe thats why God hasnt allowed me to have much more than I already have. Thats ok. I’ll keep asking him and maybe he’ll give in. Soon I hope. I dont want to be old and broken down before he blesses me. I want it now.
64 johnny January 3, 2008 at 6:53 am: i would like to be rich because i am sick of working 60 hours a week and not having a life. i only bring home what i need to survive for the next week… thanks
65 Maria Santos January 22, 2008 at 4:15 pm: I don’t want to be filthy rich, just have enough to help my Daughter’s and My Grandchildren and some of my refugees that I have been helping since 2002 .
I have been poor all my life My father passed away when I was 5 and My Mother was Mom and Dad and although she worked 2 jobs to keep food and a roof for us we never had much of anything and so the cycle continues. I Love helping people out I think its my calling I Love seeing a refugee family thrive and know I was a part of it … even if I did not give them much they though I gave them the world.
God Bless you for making this program available to people that want to better the lives of their Family.
Maria
66 Apple February 6, 2008 at 12:16 am: I want to be rich to
- Living seperately from my husband’s big family.
- Work on my desired job not the job that pay the most.
- Support my parents
- Funding my kids education.
- Giving to community.
67 Todd February 14, 2008 at 4:03 pm: In order to be rich you must have to know your WHY. Some people have a stronger WHY then others. Hence some will actually go after their goal to be financially independent.
The unfortunate reality is that many turn to things on the internet and are taken for a ride with the promise of making huge amounts of money. It’s time to get back to reality.
Yes it is possible to become rich working from home and using the internet, but it’s a huge learning curve. So unless you find a person with integrity and some smarts your chances are slim to be rich from online enterprises.
Just keeping it real. I do very well for myself online. I wish most of you the good fortune of finding something you love to do and THEN the money will follow.
Dare to Dream,
Todd Konitzer
http://www.12monthstofreedom.biz
68 Bobur February 16, 2008 at 9:50 am: I live in Tashkent capital of Uzbekistan. I’m 17 years old.
I have many dreams and between them the dream is to be “rich” ! I don’t “want” to be rich. I “will” be rich! this phrase I like very much!
69 alina April 1, 2008 at 11:13 am: How do you feel, when you want the best for your family and you can’t, becouse you have a non chanse to be something…. I loss almost all my hearing perceptions… I have a academic degree and? I can’t do nothing with…I t is like a dream. I can’t bealive that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
how to help others when I can’t help myself?
Any suggestions
70 Mercury April 12, 2008 at 5:41 am: I want to be rich because I’ve done almost everything for everyone else and I’ve never asked for anything in return. I know that we should do things because it is Gods will and I’ve seriously tried to do that. Ive even given until it has left me broke and without any means for months and then I get behind in bills. I work so hard everyday I’m a music teacher and I’ve had big dreams to have my own recording studio. I just know that with all my giving that will never happen. I can’t even afford to get married to the love of my life because money is streched so thin. I’m just tired of coming home everyday to a new bill and a phone call from a family member that ask “can I please borrow some money I have to pay rent or buy food I swear this time I’ll pay you back” Money although is not everything it will do great things. I’ve grown up poor and my family and I have struggled since I can remember. I just want to have the money so I can still give and also have for myself. I do thank God for what he has given me a women who loves me, a job that gives me the means to help out my family when i can and the opportunity to do and go places people only dream of (but even that has left me bone dry). I believe that I deserve the chance to live my dreams and that will only happen if I am rich.
71 Charlie April 27, 2008 at 3:17 am: I am extremely shallow. I want status, wealth and control over my life. I am not into flashy cars, private jets or swimming pools, etc, but I do like antiques and want a big country estate designed by myself, with huge grounds that I can turn into a park for local people. I guess I want to display status, but in ways that make other people happy also.
I want to collect all the old leather-bound books that end up in the backs of antique stores and create a massive library that has that dusty smell of polished wood and old leather.
I want to open and run my own classical atelier and work with and train fine artists.
I want the freedom to wake up in the morning and really be able to choose how to live that day.
I want to be able to sit and work on and finish my novels for weeks on end without interruption if I so choose.
I want to be able to pay for all my family’s needs.
I want to be respected by the people I respect.
I want to travel to every country in the world.
I want to be remembered.
Those are just a few of the many goals I have. I took your advice and compiled a folder of every single one of my goals. Some of them I can obtain by other means, but other than that I have many years of hard work and severe frugality ahead of me. I’ve crossed out my ‘rich by 30′ goal as that is completely unrealistic unless I win the lottery! But I do think I can reach the million mark by 40 if I put in the effort. I had to decide whether to give up my time and life now to reach that goal, but I’ve decided it’s worth it. Even if my descendants are the ones who enjoy the wealth rather than me. My grandad started off the pattern of working my family out of sudden poverty and I know how much my family respect him today. I want to earn that same respect. If I earn respect from others outside my family along the way, then even better!
72 sonia ellis May 10, 2008 at 8:11 am: I don’t want to be”rich”, I am rich with the love and health of myself and my children. My faith in God makes me rich as well. I work very hard , I am a nurse with two teen aged sons, but we are always scraping change from paycheck to paycheck, especially just to pay for insurance, groceries and gas, lights and housing. I have cut corners in everyway imaginable. I just want to be able to do something, besides pay bills and work all the time. We barely have money at the end of the month for groceries and gas. I don’t mean to whine, but I guess thats what I’m doing. I don’t like asking for money.
73 alfred kelley July 2, 2008 at 9:40 pm: What happened to my ingenious remarks that were posted?
74 Eric J July 3, 2008 at 4:13 pm: I want to wealthy beyond measure. Now I know that is shooting a bit too high, but I want to do everything I want to do when I want to do it. Fly to Vegas to go to a restuarant, then fly to NY for a Knicks game. But honestly helpng others achieve thier true potential is good too. I love children and they make me smile more than anything in the world.
I want time to get educated, and time to read all the books I wnat to read.
75 Robin August 31, 2008 at 5:57 pm: I do not how or when but I know I would like to be a wealthy women. I do not want to spend the rest of my life spending the majority of my time working long hours and not to be able to enjoy what I like to do. I would like to be rich so that I can truly enjoy what life has to offer wihout having to worry. I hope I can find some inside or encouragement into how become a weaLTHY WOMEN.
76 Dan September 8, 2008 at 6:03 am: What does it mean to be rich?
It’s more than having allot of money. As it’s been said money can’t buy you happiness but it sure doesn’t hurt.
Money is a great tool but a terrible taskmaster. I’d want to be come successful having the feeling of accomplishment as well as fulfillment. Money alone can’t achieve this.
Many wealthy people are the sadist people you’ve ever met. And some of there children commit suicide. So money alone isn’t the answer.
But the ability to live and not have a concern of the next bill coming or if I dream about going to say. Australia I can go because I have the means.
If my dad or mom needs a little help I’d like to be able to be a blessing to them. I’d like to be able to see someone I befriend say on the street in a grocery store in a restaurant that is struggling but is sincerely trying to make it. I’d like to discreetly help them turn there life around in a major way. Because I know if some one did it for me I’d be thankful.
77 Hanson September 26, 2008 at 9:19 pm: At 16 years old, I have over $100,000 in my Bank. As being the richest kid school, I still haven’t gotten my driver’s license. I wear regular clothes. I think before spending. Although I’m very thrifty, when it comes to business, I bet $10,000-$20,000 at a time and I love it. I’m a risk taker and also I read a lot like crazy. I turned $3k into $20k. Then $20k into $100k. Some books I don’t believe like rich dad poor dad. Hmmm. I still have trouble with girls.
My goal to be rich: So I can help my parents, who helpped me. And so that I can do activities, like go to lazer quest, go sky diving, go golfing, go hang gliding, go sailing, play poker for fun, and do all those fun stuff.
If anyone wants to talk to me email me at
revenueguard-guaranteed [at] yahoo.com
replace [at] with @.
-Hanson
78 Ercu October 20, 2008 at 5:54 pm: I would like to say like almost everyone who wrote here that I want to be rich, but I won’t say it; instead what I will say is I need to be rich. That’s for sure that I need to be rich just because otherwise there is no sense that I do live this life so far. There should be a reason that I am here on this earth and I need to be rich in order to fulfill it.
By the way, many of you who wrote here say that they would help people who are in need when they become rich, but it is not that realistic because you wouldn’t probably see or you would probably ignore those poor people once you get that money. If not, don’t forget in the future that I am here
79 Ammar November 6, 2008 at 10:00 am: This website is my 1st step to be rich.
80 Abbie November 11, 2008 at 6:43 am: i want to be rich an hard working , because i feel my parents have help me loads since i came into the world and id love to be able to pay them back , im only 19 an i would love an amazing future for myself an my family , we dont really have alot of money but i will never moan about it because i am happy because my family are loving , it would just be nice to achieve something , i am a hair dressing student an currently on my level 2 , business is my long term future , i get angry with dreaming because i want it to be a reality, i no im only young but achieving my goal would be amazing , what would you say to help me , an where to take my next step for my future after i have finished my last nvq level 2 . i dont want to sound like i am selfish and i dont want to come across as another money maker, i want to help others , becuase i no how it feels to struggle in life it would be lovely to get to my goal .
81 Chris November 15, 2008 at 5:33 pm: I want to be rich because I am not fit to work, i have mental disorders and would have to rely on Disability to live. That is clearly not enough money, and i wouldnt live a normal life.
Looks like im heading that way though =(
82 Karen K November 24, 2008 at 8:12 am: I have always felt that there is more for me in store than where I am at. I have already made the leap and worked my own house-cleaning business for the last six years. However, I have since been either afraid of or unsure how to proceed. I know I don’t want to be cleaning houses when I’m 40 and I have always been good with money.
I’ve been good with money but not great. I am good at tracking my budget and forecasting three months in advance. I tend to make my meager income stretch more than the average person. However, I never seem to get ahead.
In fact, in part thanks to the economy, and in part thanks to my recent divorce and moving, I have a significant amount of consumer debt I cannot refinance. So, though my cards are no longer in use and I am maintaining purely on cash now, I do not like the idea of paying finance charges forever.
Also, like I said in the beginning, I always thought there was more for me. Maybe 2009 is the year for me to get serious about a “get rich” plan. Not in the billionaire sense maybe, but in the set-for-the-future way: money saved, minimal living, money for travel, secure in my future.
If I were to do this, my first bit of homework would be to think out and create my own accountable list of goals. That may be the hardest part. I tend to live for the now, and that can be a problem.
This requires a bit of thinking.
83 N December 13, 2008 at 3:38 am: i am happy with what i got but being rich would be great that way i can buy anything for my girl and worry about stuff,
money does buy happiness : )
84 cathie December 25, 2008 at 2:12 pm: I want to never worry about (my family) needing. AND, I would like to go EVERYWHERE comfortably. I think it would be so much fun to do so and you only live once.
85 Adrian January 23, 2009 at 7:15 am: I am currently working because I have to. Enduring inadequate pay and injustice at times. I want to be rich so I can live my life to the fullest and not just survive. I know people who lived to pay bills and died in debt. I want to be rich so that I can live a truly meaningful, fulfilling life by being free and capable to do whatever I want, whenever I want. I want to touch lives and bring joy to as many people as possible. Being rich to me is the only way to be truly free in this life.
86 crazy bats January 25, 2009 at 8:02 am: Being rich solves alot of problems. Obviously not al,l but i would say 98% of my problems. I still belive! Must commit!
87 Christopher February 4, 2009 at 10:09 pm: I do not like the rich word. People who use it tend to be uneducated i prefer wealthy. There are many reasons i would like to become wealthy or financially independent. For starters when you are wealthy you don’t have to worry about whether your going to have a job tomorrow or how your going to pay for basic necessity’s. Wealthy means that you and your family’s future are set. no matter what happens tomorrow and that is a good feeling which sadly not many people know what that feels like. Another reason is i wanna be able to take care of my parents and take care of them. They have always provided me with things i needed so they should be provided with the things they need. I also wanna do some type of mission work and help underdeveloped countries build roads and bridges which i am an engineering major so i could help them out in many ways. Our county was built on these principles to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness Thomas Jefferson knew what he was writing when he wrote that. Because happiness is not a place you will never get there it is a feeling and is self fulfilling no one thing will ever give you happiness it may make you happier but it will not fulfill you. Being wealthy is not a place you can not get there. it is a gift and to whom much is given much is required. when you do finally become wealthy there is more things that require your attention its just a matter if you are going to ignore them of pursue them.
88 Ben February 13, 2009 at 6:51 pm: I am rich! Iam Rich! I AM RICH!!!!!!!
I am 26 I own two businesses, land, houses and shares. Everyone starts with nothing and WANTING to be rich is hoping you will win it. I have what I have because my mindset says im rich already and everything else eg money comes flooding in when you beleive it.
89 Trevor Hunt March 3, 2009 at 6:38 pm: I want to be rich!
90 Elena March 20, 2009 at 2:25 pm: I want to be rich, I am nearly 45 and stil single mother… All my life I tried to work hard and think about tomorrow, not today… I am really sick of being in short of money and be afried to spend little more on myself… I want good life – really, I think I decerve it!
91 Oketona Adejare June 22, 2009 at 1:48 pm: Honestly, wealth is good for man livelihood. Is an answer to almost everything. It’s also a determinant of standard of living somebody desire for himself/herself. Therefore, i desire richness not at all cost to make me be fulfilled and affect my generation positively.
92 trev July 3, 2009 at 4:46 pm: i think everyone wants to be rich in someway or form ,, we all want not to work but to havethe time and money to let us truley enjoy life ,, yes sometimes work itself can be rewarding but 95% of the time it isnt ,, and hand on heart threre is only a small minority of people who truley enjoy there jobs , there for i want to be rich to enjoy my life with my kids and not be working 12 hours shifts over a weekend !!!!!