You don't have to already have blueprints for the house in order to want the million dollars. Once you get the million, then you have time to look at blueprints.

The dream is so far out of reach, it doesn't even exist. Yet we chase the money anyways. Thank you for explaining.

Many people chase money just to chase money, because they think that it will make their life wonderful. And many of them are disappointed when they get money (if they do), because it didn't make their life suddenly wonderful. I think that's the point you're trying to make, and it's a valid one.

But you're making it in such an extreme way that it makes you sound completely disconnected from reality. I can want a nicer house. I don't have to have the blueprints for that to be a dream that exists.

Money has consequences. When rich people get old, they suddenly find themselves surrounded by enemies, conspiring to hasten their deaths. I've personally seen it happen thrice now. And before that I was hearing about it happening to friends of my own well-heeled friends.

So I guess I'm just curious to see why people want to put themselves in that position. To me, a nice house and a happy spouse just doesn't inspire me to walk around wearing a massive target on my back y'know? To me, "1 million dollars" just sounds like "a whole lot of Trouble", especially for those who are not good with the legalities of trusts, estates, etc.

There are lots of ways and reasons to kill people. Poor people tend to die a lot younger than rich people and people just tend to not care or notice.

As Cher once said: "I've been rich and I've been poor. Rich is better."

Being poor doesn't make the people around you automatically trustworthy. Trust is a chronic challenge in the world. It's not somehow unique to wealthy individuals.

Though you do have a point about "especially for those not good with the legalities of trusts, etc." Most people who win the lottery have their lives ruined by it and end up bankrupt.

But it matters how you get there. If you build a business, you also build business contacts, etc. You end up knowing lawyers and the like because you had need of them along the way to getting rich, unlike someone with a winning lottery ticket. It generally seems to go better.

Yeah I think you’ve got it. At a certain point the happiness returns on money are marginal. And it’s easy uk fall into a trap of “I need more”.

But if you have a humble mind, are a bit frugal, and build something that not only you but the ones you live can enjoy, having a solid base of wealth is really lovely.

I guess I’m living proof that you’re wrong. There’s likely quite a few people on this site that have managed to achieve a million+ net worth by 40 without coming from a high net worth family.

I feel like you are missing some important details about the space you are participating in. Quite a lot of people here make very good money. Lots of programmers and business people here, both of whom trend towards well heeled.

It really isn't out of reach. You shouldn't chase the money for the money's sake, but it's undeniable that having money avails you to a different lifestyle than not having money.

Poignantly, my wife and I co-founded a startup which was acquired by a company who subsequently went public. We built our house (the first we ever owned, actually!) by selling shares after the IPO.

Is it likely? No. Is it impossible, or somehow out of reach? Absolutely not.