This thread has no "correct answers". I simply put it out there to hear what each of you define these terms as. I remember my father and grandfather telling me two things that now seem quite prescient to me. First was that "Everyone is happy with different levels of Success". My grandfathers definition of rich was quite simple: "I consider rich to mean that if I go to the market and wish to have steak for dinner...I can buy steak."
For me, it comes down to legacy. What did I leave on this Earth? I raised 3 boys who are now either working or going to college. During their time growing up, I NEVER missed a school function or extra curricular activity. If they were in Cub Scouts, I was the den leader. If they played football, I was the coach. If they were in the Naval Sea Cadets, I was an instructor (actually had to do a condensed military boot camp for adults on that one...sheesh). Anyway, I was very involved and worked hard (owning my own business) so I could be there for them and make it on a single income so my wife could stay home with them to make sure they weren't reading mein keimph (sp), building a bomb in our basement, or creating a "hit list" of their school peers. You know, basic American Dream/Leave it to Beaver shit. We always went on an annual family vacation for a week whether it was to Florida during spring break or to our cottage on a quad trip in the summer for the 4th of July week and made many memories. My goal was to set the bar high so my kids would (hopefully) be able and willing to do the same with my grandchildren. They also all save in PMs and understand what "real money" is. They are tangible heavy.
Anyway, a lot of financial gain was sacrificed by remaining a "small business" being a 40 hour per week owner, but for me, the end result was worth it as my kids (in descending order of age):
1) (24) owns his own drop shipping business and is finishing his MBA with NO DEBT.
2) (21) is in his senior year of his undergrad for astrophysics and getting his masters and will have NO DEBT (and as a side note, played football at the FBS level).
3) (19) is in his sophomore year for his undergrad in business with NO DEBT.
All had/have GPAs over a 3.2 up to a 3.75 through all their schooling. They all are also learning second languages.
So this is my legacy. All their school paid for and my wife an I have enough to retire and own our home and cottage are all paid off (no fargin banks!). I could have been Scrooge McDuck with a VAULT of gold, or classic cars, a Harley or a Bennington boat, but I felt success lain with my sons and their ability to earn and succeed. After all, a good used travel trailer and ATVs if maintained properly could provide all the entertainment we needed as a family. The above is my definition of success, because as they say: "There are no armored cars in a funeral procession!!!"
So what is your definition of "rich" and "successful". I know it's a pretty deep subject, but I feel it, at its core, defines ourselves morally, ethically, spiritually and physically. I did leave religion out purposely as I feel that is a very personal decision that is between you and your deity or lack thereof.
Let's hear it!
For me, it comes down to legacy. What did I leave on this Earth? I raised 3 boys who are now either working or going to college. During their time growing up, I NEVER missed a school function or extra curricular activity. If they were in Cub Scouts, I was the den leader. If they played football, I was the coach. If they were in the Naval Sea Cadets, I was an instructor (actually had to do a condensed military boot camp for adults on that one...sheesh). Anyway, I was very involved and worked hard (owning my own business) so I could be there for them and make it on a single income so my wife could stay home with them to make sure they weren't reading mein keimph (sp), building a bomb in our basement, or creating a "hit list" of their school peers. You know, basic American Dream/Leave it to Beaver shit. We always went on an annual family vacation for a week whether it was to Florida during spring break or to our cottage on a quad trip in the summer for the 4th of July week and made many memories. My goal was to set the bar high so my kids would (hopefully) be able and willing to do the same with my grandchildren. They also all save in PMs and understand what "real money" is. They are tangible heavy.
Anyway, a lot of financial gain was sacrificed by remaining a "small business" being a 40 hour per week owner, but for me, the end result was worth it as my kids (in descending order of age):
1) (24) owns his own drop shipping business and is finishing his MBA with NO DEBT.
2) (21) is in his senior year of his undergrad for astrophysics and getting his masters and will have NO DEBT (and as a side note, played football at the FBS level).
3) (19) is in his sophomore year for his undergrad in business with NO DEBT.
All had/have GPAs over a 3.2 up to a 3.75 through all their schooling. They all are also learning second languages.
So this is my legacy. All their school paid for and my wife an I have enough to retire and own our home and cottage are all paid off (no fargin banks!). I could have been Scrooge McDuck with a VAULT of gold, or classic cars, a Harley or a Bennington boat, but I felt success lain with my sons and their ability to earn and succeed. After all, a good used travel trailer and ATVs if maintained properly could provide all the entertainment we needed as a family. The above is my definition of success, because as they say: "There are no armored cars in a funeral procession!!!"
So what is your definition of "rich" and "successful". I know it's a pretty deep subject, but I feel it, at its core, defines ourselves morally, ethically, spiritually and physically. I did leave religion out purposely as I feel that is a very personal decision that is between you and your deity or lack thereof.
Let's hear it!
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