The Entrepreneur Forum | Financial Freedom | Starting a Business | Motivation | Money | Success

Welcome to the only entrepreneur forum dedicated to building life-changing wealth.

Build a Fastlane business. Earn real financial freedom. Join free.

Join over 80,000 entrepreneurs who have rejected the paradigm of mediocrity and said "NO!" to underpaid jobs, ascetic frugality, and suffocating savings rituals— learn how to build a Fastlane business that pays both freedom and lifestyle affluence.

Free registration at the forum removes this block.

Billionaire Dreams: What Makes You Happy?

lowtek

Legendary Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
332%
Oct 3, 2015
2,164
7,186
42
Phoenix, AZ
Apart from film making yes, my point was I won't have to interrupt myself with the tiresome chore of making money :)



"President Exalted Life!"

"Yes General Mubatto what is it?"

"The army, they are saying they want more money."

"But we pay them well, their wages are six times the average for a soldier in this part of the world."

"Yes, but they say that the rich people they are guarding can afford to pay them more."

"Mmm, Okay, give them a small raise."

"Thank you El Presidente. Now the matter of the eighty seven million people who of course still live here even though you have 'bought' the country."

"What of them?"

"Well years of corruption and underdevelopment have left the infrastructure of the country in tatters. They say that now their country is owned and lived in by billionaires, they should have better roads and schools."

"Okay, well build them."

"The estimated bill for new roads, plumbing, and electrical system is around $228 billion dollars, and that's just to build, it doesn't take into account the ongoing upkeep costs."

"Fine, we'll just ask the billionaires to up their voluntary donations."

"But Mr President."

"Yes?"

"The billionaires say that they are not going to increase their voluntary donations, as they do not want to pay tax. Plus not everyone is giving money freely."

"But we need the money to make the country safe and a nice place to live."

"They say that they are happy with their private security, and their dwellings are very nice to live in, thank you very much. They say that if the poor want to better themselves they should work harder."

"Tell them I am imposing a 10% limit on the voluntary donations."

"Okay."

Some months later.

"Mr President!"

"Yes General Mubatto?"

"The rich are not paying your 10% voluntary donation. We are still short by over $150 billion dollars to fund the country regrowth program and to pay the army extra money. Plus of course we slip further into debt with the World Bank every day. In the time it took me to say that sentence we owe them another $22.5 million in interest payments alone."

"Hmm, well I'm making a law then, the 10% donation must be paid if you want to live here."

"Mr President!"

"What!?"

"Isn't that just the same as tax?"

"Get out General Mubatto."

It's an old canard, but one that completely misunderstands the nature of taxation.

1) Taxation is enforced at gun point. Literally. Don't pay your taxes, and you will be put in a cage. Resist and you will be shot.

2) Public infrastructure would exist in the absence of coerced funding. Business has a vested interest in building and maintaining infrastructure (no roads means no sales), and would undertake public works. The cost would be rolled into the pricing of the goods. This is really the only way for everyone to pay their "fair share".

The biggest problem with an anarcho capitalist society is not "who will build the roads", but that the people actively cry out for a boot on their throat. The average person has not risen to the level of personal responsibility required for such a society to function. It's about 1 to 200 years too early.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

ExaltedLife

Silver Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
206%
Nov 10, 2015
400
822
31
It's an old canard, but one that completely misunderstands the nature of taxation.

1) Taxation is enforced at gun point. Literally. Don't pay your taxes, and you will be put in a cage. Resist and you will be shot.

2) Public infrastructure would exist in the absence of coerced funding. Business has a vested interest in building and maintaining infrastructure (no roads means no sales), and would undertake public works. The cost would be rolled into the pricing of the goods. This is really the only way for everyone to pay their "fair share".

The biggest problem with an anarcho capitalist society is not "who will build the roads", but that the people actively cry out for a boot on their throat. The average person has not risen to the level of personal responsibility required for such a society to function. It's about 1 to 200 years too early.

Very good points. I admire your ability to think in essentials and conceptualize - you got straight to the point about taxation and the existence of public infrastructure. Considering your PM, @Kak, Lowtek is pointing out something important here.

That being said, I am not sure I would call what I'm referring to as 'anarcho-capitalist'. Just, Capitalism: a social system based on the recognition of individual rights, including property rights, in which all property is privately owned. (This is Ayn Rand's definition, more on the subject here: Capitalism —Ayn Rand Lexicon)

'Anarcho' implies the absence of any kind of government. I think the existence of a government (the consolidation of force, in essence) is crucial for a large society to function, for 3 reasons.

1. To protect the nation against foreign powers (military).
2. To protect the rights of citizens from criminals within the country (police force).
3. To enforce objectively defined laws (court systems).

The third point is the crucial one, because that's where 'anarcho-' systems would fail. Without a central arbiter of justice, I do not see how it would be possible to uphold an objective constitution (not the American constitution exactly, although it's the closest humanity has ever come).

Libertarians, anarchists and 'philosophers' like Stefan Molyneux have suggested that private security firms could replace the need for government. It would not work, and I can explain why, but it will require a lengthy explanation and I don't want to do it unless people express a desire to hear it.

What are your thoughts? @lowtek @Kak
 

lowtek

Legendary Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
332%
Oct 3, 2015
2,164
7,186
42
Phoenix, AZ
Very good points. I admire your ability to think in essentials and conceptualize - you got straight to the point about taxation and the existence of public infrastructure. Considering your PM, @Kak, Lowtek is pointing out something important here.

That being said, I am not sure I would call what I'm referring to as 'anarcho-capitalist'. Just, Capitalism: a social system based on the recognition of individual rights, including property rights, in which all property is privately owned. (This is Ayn Rand's definition, more on the subject here: Capitalism —Ayn Rand Lexicon)

'Anarcho' implies the absence of any kind of government. I think the existence of a government (the consolidation of force, in essence) is crucial for a large society to function, for 3 reasons.

1. To protect the nation against foreign powers (military).
2. To protect the rights of citizens from criminals within the country (police force).
3. To enforce objectively defined laws (court systems).

The third point is the crucial one, because that's where 'anarcho-' systems would fail. Without a central arbiter of justice, I do not see how it would be possible to uphold an objective constitution (not the American constitution exactly, although it's the closest humanity has ever come).

Libertarians, anarchists and 'philosophers' like Stefan Molyneux have suggested that private security firms could replace the need for government. It would not work, and I can explain why, but it will require a lengthy explanation and I don't want to do it unless people express a desire to hear it.

What are your thoughts? @lowtek @Kak

I don't want to derail this thread, as the point is to debate what we would do if money were no object. We're starting to get pretty far off topic into some abstract stuff. It's also political by its very nature, so if the content is deemed subversive then I don't want to take down this thread with it.

It's a topic I do want to discuss, so I'll break it off into its own separate thread, and quote your response there.
 

Roli

Platinum Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
160%
Jun 3, 2015
2,061
3,301

Johnny boy

Legendary Contributor
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
620%
May 9, 2017
2,929
18,172
27
Washington State
I'm 22. I have a lawn care business with the goal of franchising it. We are shooting for 250k+ in revenue this year and are making decent progress. It's less than a year old. I want to build my business nationwide for a few reasons.

I want to use big money to find solutions to some big problems.

My mom's dream is to build a ranch called "Leave Better Ranch" where people can come and enjoy time out in the country. She's not the business type but she's a hard worker. She grew up on a farm herself. I'd like to build her ranch for her and surprise her with it. "Leave better" inspires me to leave the world better than I found it.

My grandpa has parkinson's and I want to help take care of him better than how his care is currently.

I want to climb bigger mountains. I climbed Mt. Rainier a couple years ago without any guided help and I'm still proud of it. I want to push myself harder.

I want to design and manufacture my own super car.

I want to buy a fighter jet, paint it black and fly it around instead of a lame private jet. I don't like being chauffeured. I like being in control and I like speed.

I want to outsource the bullshit: cooking, cleaning, etc. If I need something I can pay for it to be done. I don't want to waste a second on stuff that isn't worth doing.
 

Scot

Salad Dressing Empire
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
472%
Jul 10, 2016
2,975
14,055
Florida
Nice!

I'd like buy an African country, the best army money can buy and then invite all the richest people in the world to live in the first country with zero taxes - a government funded by voluntary donation. If they know what's good for them, they'll contribute.

Rhodesia, is that you?

bruce-get-the-fal-15-minutes-into-bush-war-and-20616431.png
 

Roli

Platinum Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
160%
Jun 3, 2015
2,061
3,301

Everyman

Get To The Choppa!
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
178%
Dec 31, 2015
328
584
Ireland
I wanted to open a similar thread. Just name it "What would you do if you were a BILLIONAIRE"...

1. Start a deep-sea exploration company. We haven't even scratched the surface of Earth, not to mention oceans... Also deep-drilling company (again our impact on Earth is similar to this of ants), and just an exploration company (seeking natural resources).

2. Start a space exploration company that would ensure survival of human race in case of a natural disaster of global proportions (massive volcano eruption, massive earthquake, meteor impact).

3. Start an education company that would be a school, but with it's own teaching program focusing on building skills that are necessary for us to survive in the long term (all practical application, not studying books: engineering, human psychology aka sales, geopolitics and history, sports / athletes, human body - natural healing methods, dieting etc etc... to name just a few).

4. Land a ship on another planet or natural satellite different than the Moon.

5. Develop a kind of perpetuum mobile, which would be a home edition of a 'nuclear' reactor. Free energy reactor / source in every 'household' that would make everyone independent from most of today's problems and people (some people like to control other people...).

6. ... I'll be coming back with more ideas.... Great thread!

The biggest problem with an anarcho capitalist society is not "who will build the roads", but that the people actively cry out for a boot on their throat. The average person has not risen to the level of personal responsibility required for such a society to function. It's about 1 to 200 years too early.

You actually made a great point (even if you think it's derailing this thread, which is not for me...). It's important as we need to know our surroundings (geopolitics), especially when so many people are basing their businesses on trade/sourcing with/from China, which can be more and more difficult (or not)...

To be honest you described a 'normal' state, before 'national' states arose. And even after, it took a couple of decades to 'derail' normal state which is private individuals taking care of defense (police, army), transportation (roads), health (doctors, hospitals), education (schooling)...

I think even not longer than a hundred years ago, it was 'normal'. And the picture you described is not something we are too 'underdeveloped'. In my opinion we move in cycles (somewhat ...) and we are nearing the end of another cycle, which is usually followed by a 'global' war (when one empire replaces another - see 1914-1945 - UK was taken over by US).

So at the moment we are dumbing down, starting from probably 1970-1980 when the dollar was 'pegged' to oil, and the link to gold was removed (it was preventing the 'banks' to print the currency on a massive scale, creating huge global misallocations of currencies - 1M for a cardboard house in Canada anyone?).

Sorry for this off topic. I think we need to be more strategic, when we have a 'billion in our account'...
 

moneytree3006

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
131%
May 10, 2019
77
101
Oh wow this is a big one.

I want to rest, really rest and feel rejuvinated.

Spend my time exploring what life is all about.

Engaging in the arts, like singing, producing music or acting.

Meet as many interesting people as possible and forming meaningful relationships with others that I otherwise might not have time for.
 

Roli

Platinum Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
160%
Jun 3, 2015
2,061
3,301
I want to buy a fighter jet, paint it black and fly it around instead of a lame private jet. I don't like being chauffeured. I like being in control and I like speed.

You'd better by a refuelling plane to follow you around as well, those things haven't got a great range on them! :rofl::cool:

So yeah, there are other things, golf, holidays, golf-holidays, charity, blah, blah, blah,

My god, I put golf holidays twice. I need help!:wideyed::p
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

astr0

Grinding
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
140%
Dec 3, 2017
356
500
36
Lviv, Ukraine
I'm not aiming for billions and not sure if money would help me with this.

The idea is to create a living area for people with the right mindset, willing to voluntarily make it better by achieving collective goals that would benefit many. It can be any size: a neighborhood, a village, a town, a city. The country would be too unrealistic.

It's like a place where many government duties are put to the community. It should be peer-to-peer with some system in place to vote what's important, probably with money.

The problem is I don't know how many of the right people are there or how to change people to fit.

Mindset required:
  • No signs of poor mentality. Everything's possible and abundant.
  • No blaming others for anything and not requiring anything from the government.
  • Being able to help others with achieving goals not that important to you.
  • Not being selfish to take advantage of others.
  • Desire to live in a better world and to take an active part in making it better.
  • Understand what's important to other people.
I have it more in a high-level visual form in mind and haven't ever boiled down to details. And I do have a limiting belief that this is more a utopia than something real.

The idea is not unique, but haven't seen it working anywhere. Changing people is nearly impossible if they fine with who they are, and most do. Screening people have a pretty high chance of missing something. Counting that rich people have this mindset already is not good too, at least here in Ukraine, many people got rich from illegal activities, stealing and corruption thus have a worse mindset than the average middle-class.

So gathering unknown people together doesn't work.
Giving an example yourself doesn't work either - people only take advantage of that.
 

RazorCut

Legendary Contributor
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
358%
May 3, 2014
2,032
7,269
Marbella, Spain
I have no desire to be a billionaire. All I want is more free time.

More free time to travel. More free time to explore the world. More quality time with my family and friends. More free time to make a difference to others.

Expensive material possessions are somewhat nice but in my mind are overrated in the grand scheme of things. I've moved past that point as I've gotten older.
 

Matt Hunt

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
192%
May 9, 2019
91
175
I have no desire to be a billionaire. All I want is more free time.

More free time to travel. More free time to explore the world. More quality time with my family and friends. More free time to make a difference to others.

Expensive material possessions are somewhat nice but in my mind are overrated in the grand scheme of things. I've moved past that point as I've gotten older.

This is me, too. Freedom is the #1 thing. I'd be more happy to have complete freedom making $60k/yr than to make $1 million/year, but have to work all the time. Ideally I'll have enough to travel the world and not be on a tight budget. I love to spend time out in nature, hiking, biking, fishing & taking photos & videos. I also chase storms!

But as far as the day-to-day, when I don't have to spend 10 hours every day at a job (includes commute & lunch), I'll have the time to get adequate rest, to fix healthy meals, and to spend a lot of time in the gym. I have a theory (actually it's pretty much proven) that jobs are bad for people's health. I'm currently a physician assistant, and have seen numerous patients who are slaves to their jobs. Their stress levels are high, and their health suffers immensely. Some people say they "love" their jobs... well, that has never been me! Except maybe lifeguarding in the summers during college!
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Twiizlar

Bronze Contributor
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
112%
Mar 4, 2012
343
383
27
While I am enjoying the freedom of working on my own business I still wouldn't say it's my #1 motivator.

I enjoy the grind, the risk and the uncertainty in hopes that I can make it big and have a large amount of money to spend.

My goal in a couple years is to own one of these and since I don't play the lottery the only way I can achieve my dream car is to be an entrepreneur.

lamborghini-aventador-2drcoupe-8431-18450967-1-1024.jpg



o22fwUa
 

MickeyNicks

Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
122%
Sep 13, 2018
18
22
I’ve never been someone who dreamed about fast cars, exotic travels, money, or women (I’m gay). I think that’s why I don’t have a set dollar amount that will make me happy, all I know is that I want to be financially independent and that I want to live with my future family in a historic home in Savannah, GA or Portland, ME — and then be left alone.

Professionally, my greatest fear is working a job that places me in a cubicle, and I’m unable to tell people what it is that I do because it is so none descript.

I’ve seen many of my friends jump into the cubicle world and be perfectly content, but that isn’t me. I want to transform people’s community both local and digital using the power of platforms. I may fail, but at least I’ll try. :thumbsup:
 

Post New Topic

Please SEARCH before posting.
Please select the BEST category.

Post new topic

Guest post submissions offered HERE.

New Topics

Fastlane Insiders

View the forum AD FREE.
Private, unindexed content
Detailed process/execution threads
Ideas needing execution, more!

Join Fastlane Insiders.

Top