I often think of Bill Gates when questions of wealth/success come up. I’m no student of his trust me. However, I do wonder if he genuninely considers himself “successful”. Does he consider himself wealthy? Or is he continuously chasing the illusive realm of “I’ve made it, this is it”…
I am the sort who day-dreams about financial wealth but frankly isn’t the sort who is capable or willing to do what it takes. As a result, as financial needs increase (car, rent, children etc., 401k), I take steps necessary to fulfill those obligations, such as getting a better-paying job, taking an exam, courses, etc. I guess I like my weekends and sleeping in on Saturdays a bit much!
I don’t have what it takes to be a billionaire, and I say this because I sense that besides intelligence, timing and financial acumen, a person needs to be, in my opinion, somewhat pathelogically obsessed (or driven you might say), to really “make it”, such as Bill Gates, Richard Branson, etc. So you see, I make myself happy by convincing myself that infact really really rich people are essentially slightly demented. I’m normal, yeah! Maybe if inflation keeps up I might be a millionaire by my sixties, huh? Unless my 401(k) tanks! Nonetheless, I am serious about not getting bamboozled by the local-socal housing market. The last few years have got me upset enough to take the time to learn as much as I can, as Perry Chase says, so I can perhaps actually make housing work for me, or at least not work against me. This site and the contributors have opened my eyes over the past year, given me psychological support and data to counter the “owning a home is a blessing” crowd (yes it would be if I hade bought 10 years ago but I didn’t have a real job back then). Thanks to all of you…and may 2007 bring good sense and hasten the collapse of our glorious housing market.
