I made $15 million before I was 30, and it wasn't as awesome as you'd think

[silverlux]

Note: An anonymous user posted this insightful answer to the question "Is getting rich worth it?" While we can't confirm the identity of the user, the answer is definitely worth a read.

I made $15 million in my mid-20s after I sold a tech startup. I talked to a lot of people about this question, and thought a lot about how to stay the same person I was before and after making money.

Here's my answer: being rich is better than not being rich, but it's not nearly as good as you imagine it is.

The answer why is a bit more complicated.

First, one of the only real things being rich gives you is that you don't have to worry about money as much anymore. There will still be some expenses that you cannot afford (and you will wish you could), but most expenses can be made without thinking about what it costs. This is definitely better, without a doubt.

Being rich does come with some downsides, though. The first thing you are thinking reading that, is, "cry me a river". That is one of the downsides. You are not allowed to complain about anything, ever. Since most people imagine being rich as nirvana, you are no longer allowed to have any human needs or frustrations in the public eye. Yet, you are still a human being, but most people don't treat you like one.

There's the second downside. Most people now want something out of you, and it can be harder to figure out whether someone is being nice to you because they like you, or they are being nice to you because of your money. If you aren't married yet, good luck trying to figure out (and/or always having self doubt) about whether a partner is into you or your money.

Then you have friends & family. Hopefully your relationship with them doesn't sour, but it can get harder. Both can get really weird about it and start to treat you differently. They might come and ask for a loan (bad idea: if you give, always give a gift). One common problem is that they don't appreciate Christmas presents the way that they used to, and they can get unrealistic expectations for how large a present should be and be disappointed when you don't meet their unrealistic expectations. You have to start making decisions for your parents on what does and does not cost too much, and frankly, it's awkward.

Add all of these up and you can start to feel a certain sense of isolation.
You sometimes lay awake at night, wondering if you made the right investment decisions, whether it might all go away. You know that feeling standing on a tall building, the feeling you might lose your mind and jump? Sometimes you're worried that you might lose your mind and spend it all.

The next thing you need to understand about money is this: all of the things you picture buying, they are only worthwhile to you because you cannot afford them (or have to work really hard to acquire them). Maybe you have your eye on a new Audi — once you can easily afford it, it just doesn't mean as much to you anymore.

Everything is relative, and you are more or less powerless to that. Yes, the first month you drive the Audi, or eat in a fancy restaurant, you really enjoy it. But then you sort of get used to it. And then you are looking towards the next thing, the next level up. And the problem is that you have reset your expectations, and everything below that level doesn't get you quite as excited anymore.

This happens to everyone. Good people can maintain perspective, actively fight it, and stay grounded. Worse people complain about it and commit general acts of douchebaggery. But remember this: it would happen to you, too, even though you might not think so. You'll just have to trust me on this one.

Most people hold the illusion that if only they had more money, their life would be better and they would be happier. Then they get rich, and that doesn't happen, and it can throw them into a serious life crisis.

If you're part of the middle class, you have just as many opportunities to do with your life what you want of it. If you're not happy now, you won't be happy because of money.
Whether you're rich or not, make your life what you want it to be, and don't use money as an excuse. Go out there, get involved, be active, pursue your passion, and make a difference.

[Howiester]

Some good points. It's like winning the lottery, I would tell as few people as possible.

[johndoejd54]

Cliffs!

[PlatypusMounter]

Christ OP, I thought you made all this money after I scanned the thread. Was disappointed.

[Archaic2021]

[i]The next thing you need to understand about money is this: all of the things you picture buying, they are only worthwhile to you because you cannot afford them (or have to work really hard to acquire them). Maybe you have your eye on a new Audi — once you can easily afford it, it just doesn't mean as much to you anymore..

I can kinda relate to this. When I first bought my old c6..I was happy as can be. I though man this is awesome. 6 months later I sold it...it lost all of it's luster.

[Archaic2021]

Some good points. It's like winning the lottery, I would tell as few people as possible.

I would give my mom enough money so she would never have to work again..that's the only person I would tell. My sister would magically have enough in her account to be better off and help raise my nieces.

I would by a small house on the lake and fish all day everyday.


One of my best friends lives down in florida by the beach...drives an ok car, work as a Manager in retail. Don't have a'lot to show for anything...happiest dude ever.

[CrookedDink]

If you have 15M and buy an Audi that isnt an R8 then you're a tard

[Travis99]

Strong post. Srs

Hey will you pay for my stem cell transplant so I can get rid of my multiple sclerosis. Will rep if you do.

Insurance won't pay for it

Good job op

[danimal81]

For some reason I spent the time to read that, and as I figured most of the complaints (of being rich) involve friends and family.

This is one reason why if I ever fall into a bunch of money whether from my job or the lottery or whatever, I wouldn't tell a damn soul....ESPECIALLY when it comes to dating.

Some good points. It's like winning the lottery, I would tell as few people as possible.

I wouldn't tell anyone. Period. I live 1500 miles away from home so they're not going to know and the acquaintances i've made here will never see me again because i'd change my phone number and get the hell out of here.

and if I made a bunch of money through a job, I wouldn't tell them that either. They don't need to know how much money I make.

[The_Albatross]

Sorry not buying it. Not having to worry about money is the elimination of a barrier that prevents you from doing just about anything. Having to worry about sloots and your family bugging you about a loan isn't going to offset that.

[OniichanJoe]

ever been to thailand snorting lines of coke and banging trannies

[CollegeBoy12]

interesting read, lots of valid points. but at the end of the day being rich is still much better than not being rich as the author states.

[bigtex89]

Id still like to get rich and try my hand at not becoming a douchebag

[LifterBrah]

Where is your proof OP. How do I know your not just some bored neck bearded ****

[corndogbrah]

I'll tell you what I'd do if I had a million dollars

[John4789]

Good read.

SRS.

[DistanceSkater]

I've been poor my entire life, I don't even own a car right now, just a motorcycle. I really don't think money would change me. I'd share a majority of it with my family and then take me and my closest friends for camping/hiking trips all over the globe. The last thing I want is to eat fancy dinners and drive an Audi, I want to ride an Adventure motorcycle around the world, and skateboard New Zealand tip to tip, Climb everest, learn to fly airplanes....

My life is pretty amazing, other than my financial situation. I think people that can't handle the money are a bit too immature and ungrateful

[danimal81]

Sorry not buying it. Not having to worry about money is the elimination of a barrier that prevents you from doing just about anything. Having to worry about sloots and your family bugging you about a loan isn't going to offset that.

this. I don't care about the ability to buy nice cars and homes and shit, Its the freedom of knowing you can do whatever you want that attracts me to money, not material crap.

[soon2b3olympic]

Interesting read but those are all good things.


The people that all want something from you? They always wanted something from you and were likely crap to begin with.

The things that you now realize are pointless? You're enlightened.

Not being able to complain? Well that can be said for anyone, there will always be someone better off and worse off.

Wanting more? That's life. The day you stop wanting things, the day you stop enjoying things, what's there to have?

[GravityLee]

I have a friend who is young and on six figures time. The stories he tells of dates are hilarious. Literally he had one girl on the first date "I want to live in a really big house.." she starts rattling off a laundry list of what she expects out of marriage. Solid 7/10 entitlement.

[ContrarianIndi]

$15 million pesos isn't that much brah, but interesting read.

[danimal81]

I really don't think money would change me. I'd share a majority of it with my family and then take me and my closest friends for camping/hiking trips all over the globe. The last thing I want is to eat fancy dinners and drive an Audi, I want to ride an Adventure motorcycle around the world, and skateboard New Zealand tip to tip, Climb Everest, learn to fly airplanes....

This right here. Hell I don't think i'd have a reason to buy a house or a car for probably 2-5 years since I would be traveling so much, and as for my stuff I collect, i'd probably just throw it in storage somewhere.

[mp83]

I believe it. It's like when you are a kid and you think "if I had X dollars, I would buy this!". Then, when you are an adult, you just don't care. You could spend Y dollars on something, but you'd rather keep that hard earned money.

The family/acquaintance thing I totally believe, too. If I were to somehow become a multi-millionaire, I would quit my current job, work in retail, and tell no one about it. Just enjoy life, live modestly, lie about how much I have.

[BatmanBeGains]

My only problems in life are money-related.

I have a firm hand, am not materialistic, don't want to get married anyway and don't give a chit about money grabbing people.

Give me a nice house in a nice area, nothing too flash, a regular car, a couple of pairs of Jordan's a year, a good internet connection and the latest console/games and a bit of pin-money for activities and I'm golden. I'd never fall into the trap of materialism. My life would be the same now except my work time would decrease and my leisure/weight lifting time would increase. Would possibly cycle and maybe get into recreational marijuana use now that I have more chill time. I'd probably end up ignoring my money and just using it to fund becoming a pro MMA fighter or doing something stupid like going down to fight in Rio Heroes or something. Material chit for the most part really doesn't interest me.

[Pown]

I would keep it on the down low like you brahs for obvious reasons...but dont they always say who wins the lottery publicly? It seems everytime someone in the region wins big, they are in every paper. Can you request not to?

[LinuxJon]

Good read man. Repped.

I definitely think it all depends on where you're coming from. If your attitude is simply "I want enough money to retire and be free to do the things I already enjoy in life", I think enough money to do that really would make you happy.

If you're someone who wants more money so they can aquire things to make them happy they don't already have, I think it's unlikely to work.

[wnc817]

I wouldn't have the problem of worrying about money with 15M in the bank. Also, it wouldn't bother me one bit if hot chicks wanted to be with me for my money. I would **** the hell out of them but not give any $ to them. I don't see the problem..

[Carbonfibre]

cliffs

-first world problems


sounds like miserable phuck before and after getting rich

donate it to charity then instead of preaching nonsense.

[SkinnyBeast24]

Some good points. It's like winning the lottery, I would tell as few people as possible.

That doesn't happen...that have to announce you publicly if you did...Read the rules or w/e...I know you can't keep a secret though.

[mp83]

I have a friend who is young and on six figures time. The stories he tells of dates are hilarious. Literally he had one girl on the first date "I want to live in a really big house.." she starts rattling off a laundry list of what she expects out of marriage. Solid 7/10 entitlement.

It's true. I am on dat dere six figure time. I once put on my OKCupid my income range, and suddenly I started getting more messages from sloots (usually single moms). I removed that, and it went back to what it was before. I never let any girl I am seeing know what I make, only what I do. Most have no idea what I make, and that's how I want it.