<p>Simple, my passion, the one thing that makes me happier than anything else (horses) costs a rediculous amount to do properly. I'd like to continue living in California and live in a nice place, with a car that doesn't break down, and have two or three horses kept nicely at a nice barn. To keep the 2-3 horses by themselves, the way I want to keep them, in the part of california I want to live in would cost roughly $2,500 a month. I am also way big into having a financial safety net, as my family was VERY poor when I was little (I can remember counting pennies from our penny jar to buy gas so my mom could drive me to school and then to work for that day). I NEVER want to worry about not being able to pay the bills, ever. Been there, done that. I would also like to retire early so I can just do my horse thing all day long. That is why I want to make an ungodly amount of money.</p>
<p>I grew up poor as well but in the Bahamas with less oppurtunities. I just want enough money to have a comfortable life with some luxuries. I always wanto to study something that I love so it would work out both ways. I also have this thing to be successful cuz my parents came here from haiti to cut the chain of poverty in my family. I rememebr having to share a can of soda with my brother when I was little. Things are much better now but I want to be upper class in the states instead of lower to mid middle class in the Bahamas</p>
<p>^ In that case I completly agree. I think everyone should do something they love. If you don't, then what is the point. Even if you would be making a ton of money, I would be miserable. </p>
<p>That's why I'm majoring in Political Science. Many people think it's really lame, but it's something I love and know that for however many years I'll have a job I love because of it</p>
<p>agreed, man. That's why I'm majoring in English it may not be the most financially smart thing to do, but it's what I'm passionate about. Plus English is a really good pre-law major and my dream is to become a lawyer at the EPA or ACLU and make a difference in people's lives. I'd rather fail chasing my dreams than succeed in something I wasn't passionate about</p>
<p>its not about the money, its all about passion :)</p>
<p>I guess in our society, material wealth is often associated with success and a high status in society. The more money a person makes, the more successful that person is perceived to be, and the person also gains a more elevated status. It's like, why, if given the choice, would some people buy a BMW or Mercedes over say a Honda? Both cars will get you from point A to point B.</p>
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would some people buy a BMW or Mercedes over say a Honda? Both cars will get you from point A to point B.
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<p>Only when the BMW/Mercedes works though, which is around half the time. A honda is more reliable. I'd much rather have a lexus than a BMW/Mercedes. Wood interiors and italian leather seats are nice, but a car's foremost function is to get the passenger safely and comfortably from point A to point B. Lexus cars have the best balance between environmentally friendlyness and reliability and luxury. :rolleyes:</p>
<p>I'm majoring in finance and I'm fascinated with the financial markets. So to combine my interests and monetary interests, I'm going to become a stockbroker or stock trader. (Traders and brokers actually do different things. :D)</p>
<p>A rich tool is still a tool.</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>You're pretty much asking, why is money important?</p>
<p>In which case I will ask...have you been living on Mars?</p>
<p>Making more money = more purchasing power = more possessions and a higher living standard. It also means you have more options. It also means you gain many advantages in life. Money can also solve problems. I can go on and on.</p>
<p>Would you prefer to post on CC using your computer or not have a computer? Guess what a computer costs money. Would you like to attend Harvard? That costs money. Would you like to eat? That costs money. Would you like to eat WELL? That costs a lot of money.</p>
<p>Why do peopel want to make money? Money brings comfort, satisfation, security, and survival.</p>
<p>Now of course, doing something only for the purpose of making money is questionable. Of course you should also follow your passions. And some people care about their passions much more than money. More power to them. But they still care about money. And money does matter. A lot. You can't question that.</p>
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would some people buy a BMW or Mercedes over say a Honda? Both cars will get you from point A to point B.
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<p>I have seen this analogy used over and over again, and it is getting tiresome.</p>
<p>Yes both cards will get you from point A to point B. But would you also like comfy, leather seats? Or no? Given the option, of course most people would pick the former. Would you like a cd player to go with the car so you can enjoy listening to your music while getting to point B? I'm just giving it to you for free. Want it? Of course people do.</p>
<p>People prefer a car with leather seating over one without. People prefer a car with cd player, power locks, moonroof, GPS, over one that does not. People prefer a car that looks sleekers, and built with better parts, than one that is not.</p>
<p>Sure a Honda may be able to last a few years longer. But look at it this way, if you have enough money, you can just buy another BMW after a few years.</p>
<p>I am pretty sure the OP understands how money can enhance the quality of life. However, he is curious as to why we find so many people in our world so invariably obsessed with the gain of wealth. Many people he has associated with, and many posters on this forum, are planning their whole life based on how much money they will accumulate throughout. Is this the best way to go through life, with wealth the end all be all? Maybe... But I really don't think so. I'd think that many(not all, of course) of these type of people-who are just looking to make it rich- will never really find a fulfilling life if they don't find their passion or what they enjoy. I mean, you can never really make enough money, once you have a lot, most will just work their ass off to make more. It could be never-ending cycle, per se.</p>
<p>Drew's a smart guy, he's establishing clear goals, knows what makes him happy, and will probably will live a far more enjoyable life than your average person.</p>
<p>You're pretty much asking, why is money important?</p>
<p>In which case I will ask...have you been living on Mars?</p>
<p>Making more money = more purchasing power = more possessions and a higher living standard. It also means you have more options. It also means you gain many advantages in life. Money can also solve problems. I can go on and on.</p>
<p>Would you prefer to post on CC using your computer or not have a computer? Guess what a computer costs money. Would you like to attend Harvard? That costs money. Would you like to eat? That costs money. Would you like to eat WELL? That costs a lot of money.</p>
<p>Why do peopel want to make money? Money brings comfort, satisfation, security, and survival.</p>
<p>Now of course, doing something only for the purpose of making money is questionable. Of course you should also follow your passions. And some people care about their passions much more than money. More power to them. But they still care about money. And money does matter. A lot. You can't question that.</p>
<p>I think you misunderstood the point of the thread. What I don't understand is why people are so money hungry that they are willing to compromise their dreams, career choice, interests, and ultimately themselves just so they can make more money. Money does not buy happiness, would you like to go to a job you hate everyday for 8 hours a day just so you can become rich?</p>
<p>I'll love my life with litte or lots of money. No matter how much I make, I'll never live in a house larger than a school (too much cleaning, and too much to pay in property taxes), I'll probably drive a fuel efficient car (though, I've been contemplating if I'll get the BMW or VW), and I don't buy stuff at all (as seen with the 4 year old gift cards I haven't spent and the $10 dollars in my wallet I've had for a month). IDK, I just don't spend much. The only "luxury" thing I would think of getting would be a nice car because I enjoy driving. But little trinkets come and go so I just don't end up buying useless crap in the first place.</p>
<p>^plus, if I were say a doctor or lawyer, what would be the point of buying a large ass house if I were to live most of my life at a lawfirm/hospital?</p>
<p>It would just be a waste for me. But, it you like that, then buy all means buy that large house... FUEL THAT ECONOMY ;).</p>
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I think you misunderstood the point of the thread. What I don't understand is why people are so money hungry that they are willing to compromise their dreams, career choice, interests, and ultimately themselves just so they can make more money. Money does not buy happiness, would you like to go to a job you hate everyday for 8 hours a day just so you can become rich?
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<p>Yes I have stated in my original post that I do not advocate those who only want to make money and that they should follow their passions as well.</p>
<p>Why are some people so money-hungry they're willing to compromise their dreams? They probably value money more than their ideal job. Sure they would like to work a job they like, but they would like all the perks money bring them even more.</p>
<p>Also you have to remember, many people do not have a "dream job." They don't have a subject of area about which they are so passionate they would stay up well into the night to study. Many college students enter not knowing what they want to do with their lives. Many graduates still aren't entirely sure. So if I don't really have a passion, why not go for a job that pays well?</p>
<p>Also, I think we are speaking in theory which is too idealistic. Ideally, we should all follow our dreams. But in the real world, this is often not possible. Why give up your dreams of being an elementary school teacher to be a businessman? Some would say "I'd rather be with less money." But this is a simple view at the problem. Let's take more factors into account here. Say you are married with three children, and you simply cannot, CANNOT, support your family with your elementary school teacher salary. At this point I would not say that you are not sacrificing your dream for money, but for the well-being of your family, because you care about your family even more than yourself and your own aspirations.</p>
<p>Yes there are people who do something they don't like just to make money and no other reason. They value money above something they like to do. Is that WRONG? It's an opinion after all, is it not? They might say "my opinion is that, to me, having $500,000 a year > something I like to do." Are they wrong? Well, they are entitled to their opinions. You value your dream job over money, and they value money over their dream jobs. It's simply a difference of opinion.</p>
<p>It's all about passion. I'd still become a stockbroker turned hedge fund manager even if they get paid $50k per year rather than $2MM. Why? I value doing what I love. I'm fascinated by the financial markets. So it's perfect for me. As someone famous said, "Do what you like. The money will follow."</p>
<p>runningincircles1: If you were a doctor/lawyer, you'd most likely live in an affluent neighborhood, where people live in $2MM McMansions. Why would you do such a thing? Because how would you feel like crap if your six-year-old kid asks you why your house isn't as nice as the next-door neighbor's or why he can't have two rooms when his friends have two rooms. What are you going to say? "It's because I don't make as much as money as the neighbor."? </p>
<p>And it's much easier to show off a huge chateau-esque mansion with a wrought-iron fence and a gate than a little cottage in the woods.</p>
<p>To the OP: I do agree with you that alot of people choose particular fields because they tend to be more lucritive than others. Interest does indeed take a back seat to wealth at times but I dont think it is so wide spread. I want to be a prosecuting attorney. I would in fact work for the government which doesnt pay alot unless your higher up in the law food chain. If I worked in corporate law at a large firm chances are I would be making ALOT more money than I would working for the government. But the truth is (and I wasnt always this way) I would work for the office of Public Defendor for the city of Saint Louis if it meant that I could do what I am most passionate about which is practicing law.</p>
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runningincircles1: If you were a doctor/lawyer, you'd most likely live in an affluent neighborhood, where people live in $2MM McMansions. Why would you do such a thing? Because how would you feel like crap if your six-year-old kid asks you why your house isn't as nice as the next-door neighbor's or why he can't have two rooms when his friends have two rooms. What are you going to say? "It's because I don't make as much as money as the neighbor."?
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<p>i hope you are kidding</p>
<p>ihateCA, I'm talking from the perspective of being childless for the rest of my life. And, to tell you the truth, why live in a McMansion neighborhood and compete with everyone to "make the most" and "be the best" when I can go to a middle class neighborhood, build the larger house, and have everyone be jealous of ME and have pretty much little competition?</p>
<p>Interestingly enough, there was a poll on this. Question was:
Would you rather live in a neighborhood w/ and average income of 150K making 120K, or live in a neighborhood with a 50K avg income making 100K.</p>
<p>Guess which side won? The people who would rather live in the 50K neighborhood making 100K. </p>
<p>It's not about money; it's about power. In reality, we don't care about how much money WE make, but how much everyone else makes in comparison to us. And, you prove my point perfectly. "If I can beat out my neighbor by a few bucks, I must be successful."</p>
<p>On a side not, why would you want to live in a McMansion? They build them on 1/8 acre, there's no yard, not much of a driveway... they're ugly as sin! To each his own, I guess.</p>
<p>"Money does not buy happiness, but it buys everything else."</p>
<p>So I can buy all the hookers and pot I want when they become legalized.</p>