Updated: October 19, 2019
Nobody wants to be poor. However, there seems to be some people who are content on being part of the middle class their whole life.
There is absolutely nothing wrong about that, don’t get me wrong – but personally, I prefer being rich. Why? Let me tell you four reasons.
And I hope that by giving you these reasons, I’ll be able to inspire you to likewise pursue wealth.
Reason #1: Rich people earn money even if they don’t work.
Rich people have multiple sources of income. They earn money not just from the work that they do, but also from their self-running businesses and investments.
So if they suddenly don’t feel like going to the office, and just wants to go out of town and bum around in Boracay – then they can certainly afford to do so.
Wouldn’t you want a life like that?
Reason #2: Rich people can afford to pursue their passion and interests.
Since rich people still earn money even if they don’t go to work, they have more time to do the things that they love.
Rich people can afford to pursue hobbies which most middle-income people would find expensive or inconvenient to do – like collecting art, modifying cars or traveling around the world.
It’s true that money can’t buy happiness, but it’s easier to find happiness if you have money. Don’t you agree?
Reason #3: Rich people have more time to spend with their loved ones.
Again, it’s easier to find happiness if you have money – simply because you have time-freedom. Rich people don’t have to work overtime, and they can skip office altogether if their family needs them.
I’ve seen children of rich families lead fruitful lives because their parents are always there for them – to attend their recitals, to teach them sports and to take them to Disneyland.
Think about when you were a child, didn’t you wish your parents were rich? Not because you want them to be able to buy you the things you want, but more probably because you wanted them to have more time for you.
Reason #4: Rich people are in a better position to help others.
Personally, my favorite reason why I think rich people are better than other income classes – and that’s because they have a lot of money which they can use to do good.
Rich people create businesses that give people jobs; and they put up foundations and charities that give generously to the less fortunate.
Wouldn’t you want to get that same good karma happening for you?
And those are the four reasons why being rich is better than being middle class.
BUT LET ME TELL YOU A LITTLE SECRET…
Being rich starts in the mind, not in your wallet.
So never mind that last P100 you have to stretch until payday – because if you want to be wealthy – for the reasons that I just mentioned above – then all you have to do first is to think and believe that you are.
Rich people have multiple sources of income. The moment you stop relying on your job, and start creating opportunities for yourself, then you are already a step closer to being rich.
Rich people pursue the things they love. The moment you decide that life is too short to spend on things that don’t make you happy, the closer you get to living in wealth.
Rich people value time-freedom. It’s really not about the money – but about having proper work-life balance – so you won’t miss out on the things that matter most.
And finally, to be truly rich… you have to be generous. Believe in the principle of abundance and give without expecting anything in return. Always remember that opportunities are all around, and it will never run out.
Wealth begins with a rich mindset, and that means you have to stop thinking like a middle-class.
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Photo credits: whltravel and ronsombillon
Thanks fitz for sharing to us this valuable lesson. One thing I might add is that rich mindset is different from the “Acting like your rich mindset”. I have friends who spend crazy (using their Credit Cards) just to be “accepted” socially. They’re defined by the “stuff†they own and how much “stuff†they collect. As the saying goes “…spend a lot of money to buy things you can’t afford to impress people you don’t really like”. This is bad mindset that will only result into further poverty. I still prefer the the old adage “Measure your wealth not by the things you have, but by the things for which you would not take money.†This is a much better mindset for me.
And also it is better to be active than passive when it comes to being rich. Simply thinking about “being” rich doesn’t help much if someone would not put his act together and walk towards the goal of financial freedom. According to wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poverty_in_the_Philippines), more than a quarter of the population is below poverty line(individuals earning less than 16,841 Peso a year). I was once part of this group, being a son of a pedicab driver father and labandera mother. But I strive to get off that group. In my opinion, education is always a good start. Thanks to state university like Polytechnic University of the Philippines, I was able to get my Mathematics degree in 2001. Even though, I’m not part of the poverty line anymore, I’m still striving to be one day, my investments will be the one to support me and my family and finally be financially free.
“It’s true that money can’t buy happiness, but it’s easier to find happiness if you have money. Don’t you agree?”…that is so true, I definitely agree. Great post Fitz!
Hi Jonathan,
Thanks for those inputs. I agree, many Filipinos act as if they are rich – which is totally different from the rich mindset.
Truly rich people are actually frugal and would never use material things to boost their self-esteem.
Yes, they buy expensive things – but because they really want it and more importantly, they can afford it. They never buy because they want other people to say they’re wealthy.
And lastly, people should really stop looking for get-rich-quick schemes because that’s a lazy, middle-class mindset. Those who have become truly rich are those who worked hard for it.
I am one of those people who DO NOT believe in the saying, “Work smarter, not harder.”
Instead, I believe that one should “work smart AND hard” to achieve success.
I agree with your post,
Mos t of the people i know is stuck thinking that they could never be rich since they came from a poor family.
It is really in the mindset, action and of course persistence that determines your success in life. 🙂
Totally agree. Thank you for your articles, I was inspired and recently started investing and I’m documenting my journey. Hope to follow your footsteps and learn along the way.
Added you in my blog’s resource on pesobility.com (sorry for the shameless plug)
Hi Fitz,
Great blog! Been a silent follower for a long time but this topic intrigued me enough to come out of the woodwork.
Please tell me how exactly do you ‘think rich’?
I tried adopting that mindset years ago because I too believe that finding happiness is a lot easier when you have money to go on the hunt. Sadly, what I think I was only able to do was the ‘act rich’ part… burying myself and my family heavily in debt, because that is how I (mis)understood the concept of ‘thinking rich’.
So please, please, have the heart to straighten me out. I really want to start digging myself out of the financial ruin I’m finding myself in.
Another great post Fitz. Another wake up call to Filipinos. There’s nothing wrong to be rich.
You can certainly be rich and happy too.
I’d like to respond to the question posted by Jen –
Please tell me how exactly do you ‘think rich’?
When my children or myself want to buy something that we dont really need like a new electronic gadget or toy, I think about how I expand my means to be able to afford my “wants”. Instead of saying
“I can’t afford it”
I ask myself “How can I afford it?”
So my children and I would brainstorm on what can we sell or do to create the money for what we want, instead of immediately using credit cards or withrdrawing money from ATM. An example that my husband would regularly do is instead of throwing away cardboards, bottle, tincans, scrapwoold, he would sell them to the junkshop and it would answer for our toll fees when we go on family trips!
Thats one simple way to think rich!
A wonderful post on how to think rich. The recipe is always the same: Into the pot you place one idea, add smarts, add elbow grease and stir well. With a good recipe, the rich can create a new business that is not only ethical but helps others. This kind to thing should be embraced, not ridiculed as we sometimes see these days with the entitlement generation.