Ever dreamed of becoming rich? Who would not want to be financially independent, not have to worry about job security, enjoy a couple of millions in the bank, and simply live a life free of any financial constraints? It is ever more surprising, however, that only very few make decisions that would accelerate their journey to financial independence.
We all fall victim to appearances. We meet or see someone and form an opinion about that person. We decide within seconds whether we find someone attractive, likable, and draw our conclusions regarding their financial status. A recent study claimed to have found that it is possible to determine whether someone was wealthy just by looking at their faces.
“Money in reach is money that you are likely to spend.”
I apply a very simple principle to the above that has served me well: If I want to spend money on holidays, gadgets, a night out, or any other daily expenses, it has to be paid from my monthly income. Money in other accounts is untouchable: it is my crew of financial sailors that works hard to earn more money. Making it available for daily life’s spending would be like killing off my workforce and reducing its productivity.
I am going to go on a bit of rant here: The world’s resources are becoming scarcer, pollution is increasingly getting heavier, and our beautiful planet and many of its less fortunate citizens continue to suffer only to supply society with a never ending stream of new products, and still to many of us fall victim to ever shorter product cycles. Do we really need a new cell phone every year? Does the old one indeed work less well? Do we need 30 pairs of shoes of which half we never wear.
When was the last time you consciously thought about your way back from work? A journey you take almost every day. Do you have to reflect where to go right and on which corner to turn left? Chances are, if you have already driven the same route a number of times it requires no concentration on your part. You simply do it and free up cognitive space for other tasks.
A German proverb states that Things that you don't know, don't make you hot or in plain English Things that you are not aware of, don’t need to worry you (Original: Was man nicht weiss, macht einen nicht heiss). In essence it is sometimes beneficial to not be aware of troubling events. If you don't know that the stock market is falling while enjoying a beautiful, sandy beach, it will not affect you. Only if you were to glimpse at your smartphone or laptop would a theoretical drop in your portfolio's value dent your mood.
The larger, the bigger, the better some say. I have learned that the smaller, the better. I am talking about our living spaces: our houses and apartments. If you live in places like New York, Tokyo, or Paris, small spaces are the norm. There is really no alternative. There isn’t enough space and the little space there is, is either already occupied or too expensive for ordinary citizens of the world. In any of the expensive and popular metropolitan areas you are simply not offered much choice.
Cars are technical masterpieces. Many as beautifully drawn and designed as pieces of art. Cars permit us to see friends and family, go to the most remote places. An enormous level of flexibility and freedom to go wherever we desire. Many of us love cars and many more depend on them. Ideally, they provide enough space for our belongings when going on vacation, carrying our mountain bikes or snowboards, and saving us money and hassle when moving our possessions between places. Cars are practical and offer a superbly comfortable and fun way to travel.
How much do people have in savings? If you trust some newspaper reports, there appear to be some with billions and others with no savings at all. I am a curious person and maybe too skeptical, but I don't want to believe in the “only the rich are getting richer ...” stuff.
Do you pay for the services your bank provides? Do you pay for the "privilege" to use your card, save money with them, or hold a portfolio of shares or bonds? Do you pay for transfering or withdrawing money? Ever wondered why a bank might charge fees for basic services?
