Steven
👤 PersonAppearances Over Time
Podcast Appearances
Right. And, of course, he could live anywhere. He could buy anything. But he likes being with his friends, doing it on, you know, likes playing bridge with his buddies.
Right. And, of course, he could live anywhere. He could buy anything. But he likes being with his friends, doing it on, you know, likes playing bridge with his buddies.
That is very difficult. You know, there's a thing where, I forget who said this, but like they're responding to the quote, money doesn't buy happiness. And they're like, okay, but let me go figure that out for myself first.
That is very difficult. You know, there's a thing where, I forget who said this, but like they're responding to the quote, money doesn't buy happiness. And they're like, okay, but let me go figure that out for myself first.
Like if you don't have a lot of money and you see rich people tripping over themselves and people like Will Smith saying like, I was no happier at all when I was rich than when I was poor. Actually, I was happier when I was poor. Yeah. If you are poor when you hear that, you're like, bullshit. I don't believe it. I have to go figure it out for myself.
Like if you don't have a lot of money and you see rich people tripping over themselves and people like Will Smith saying like, I was no happier at all when I was rich than when I was poor. Actually, I was happier when I was poor. Yeah. If you are poor when you hear that, you're like, bullshit. I don't believe it. I have to go figure it out for myself.
I think a lot of lessons in life you have to learn firsthand.
I think a lot of lessons in life you have to learn firsthand.
Right. Now, let's say that there's a big difference between not being able to buy food for your kids and making 200 grand per year. And the difference between 10 grand a year and 200 grand a year is massive. Takes away so many stresses, so many worries about being evicted and whatnot. But the difference between 200 grand and 500 grand is not that much.
Right. Now, let's say that there's a big difference between not being able to buy food for your kids and making 200 grand per year. And the difference between 10 grand a year and 200 grand a year is massive. Takes away so many stresses, so many worries about being evicted and whatnot. But the difference between 200 grand and 500 grand is not that much.
And the difference between 500 grand and 20 million is not that much. And the difference between 20 million and 20 billion is zero. I think that's a lot of what it comes down to. And even I think there is such thing as like a peak net worth that you would want in life, after which all the money that you accrue becomes like a social liability.
And the difference between 500 grand and 20 million is not that much. And the difference between 20 million and 20 billion is zero. I think that's a lot of what it comes down to. And even I think there is such thing as like a peak net worth that you would want in life, after which all the money that you accrue becomes like a social liability.
I mean, who has more social liability or pressure than the mega rich? Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos. There's a huge amount of pressure. You better donate this money and you better do a good job doing it kind of thing.
I mean, who has more social liability or pressure than the mega rich? Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos. There's a huge amount of pressure. You better donate this money and you better do a good job doing it kind of thing.
And I think that number of like, and at a much lower realistic level for people, it's when your friends learn you make a lot of money and we go out for dinner and they're like, you're paying, right? And that's a small thing, but it can really grate on people that like, oh, it's going to change how people think about me. Now, that's a good problem to have, of course, but it's a thing.
And I think that number of like, and at a much lower realistic level for people, it's when your friends learn you make a lot of money and we go out for dinner and they're like, you're paying, right? And that's a small thing, but it can really grate on people that like, oh, it's going to change how people think about me. Now, that's a good problem to have, of course, but it's a thing.
And I think the idea of there is a maximum amount of like there is a net worth level at which your happiness is going to be maximized. And it's probably lower than you think.
And I think the idea of there is a maximum amount of like there is a net worth level at which your happiness is going to be maximized. And it's probably lower than you think.
I don't think anyone really does because I've done this in my own life. I'm sure you have too. When I was 19, I was like, oh, if my net worth was this amount, I'll be happy forever. And then I was fortunate enough to hit that amount. And I'm like, okay, but what if we got over here? And you just keep going up the ladder forever.
I don't think anyone really does because I've done this in my own life. I'm sure you have too. When I was 19, I was like, oh, if my net worth was this amount, I'll be happy forever. And then I was fortunate enough to hit that amount. And I'm like, okay, but what if we got over here? And you just keep going up the ladder forever.