To be a millionaire, whose dream is it?

There are many books and websites which publish all sort of tips and tricks on how to become a millionaire. Just look at these books listed on Amazon here.

So, everyone should know the 'How to ...!'

Therotically at least, if people follow the tips and tricks, they can become a millionaire.

An important question is why would anyone want to be a millionaire?

I am often made to understand that people need lots of money to live, and some need lots of money to live happily. On the other hand, I have also seen people who have just enough money to pay for their three meals a day and not a penny more to spare living very happily indeed.

Just to emphasize on the point I am trying to make here, there are also many people with lots of money who are unhappy and living miserably.

So, why?

Knowing the reason why, in my view, is the best driver to ensure you will become one. If you feel passionate enough about your reasons, you will overcome barriers and you will find ways to achieve your dreams.

When I was ten years old, I was asked to write an essay on the topic, "If I were a millionaire..." At the time I really didn't have a clue how much a million was ! Living in  a kampung didn't expose me to a lot of ideas on what I could do with that much money either. I thought a car was a Volkswagen, because my headmaster was the only who owned a car in the whole kampung, and his was a volkswagen.

So I listed all the things I wanted to do if I were a millioanire...and that included, to buy a volkswagen for both my parents, and everyone of my sisters. I also said, I wanted to buy an ice-cream factory, because often I had to swallow hard whenever I saw my friends licking on their ice-cream and I could not afford to buy one for myself.

So I studied hard!

When I was ten, therefore, my motivation to be a millionaire was to afford the things that I saw others have but I could not afford!
When I moved to my secondary school, I received schoalrship. It was then that I started to taste a little of simple luxuries - for instance an occassional Cornetto!

At that time, my motivation to be a millionaire shifted from affordability to luxuries! I listed Ferrari, a bungalow on a hill by the sea, and trips around the world. The list still revolved around buying and doing 'things'!

So 1 studied harder!

My perspective change after I started working and got married. Again my motivation to own millions (not just one), changed. I wanted to be my own boss! I wanted to be abe to decide what time I woke up, and not having to prepare any presentations to anyone!

I realized then that I need to start saving. So, I opened saving accounts. Time was hard, because expenses were also high. Even with double income we were struggling to find money which we can save. The only way was to get higher salary!

So, both my wife and I, we worked hard!

The combination of a compelling reason resulted in specific actions, and that resulted in  positive results. I was promoted, and so was my wife. At the same time with the arrivals of our children, our household expenses increased. With higher salaries, we were able to start saving a little more. Then, we did what we have been planning to do. We invested in a second house which we then rented out. The rental was more than the amount we have to pay the bank for the loan. We started to see our wealth being created.

So, we invested more!

There is a difference between being a millionaire, living like a millionaire, and feeling like a millionaire.
But, elaboration of these differences will require another posting!

The flow therefore can be summarized as


Study hard >>>Work Hard>>>Save money>>>Invest smartly
Pray hard  >>> Be nice to those around you>>>Give some back!
Foot note:
Adjusted for inflation,and real spending power,  a million Ringgit today was worth only RM77,000 in 1960.