Genxer
New Contributor
"Happiness & Success" have different definitions for different people. Unfortunately, most "normal" people have been programmed by society to believe that "happiness & success" is having a huge mortgage, car payments, lots of unsecured debt and a great job. And if you're really lucky, in 35 years when you're all used up you might have enough money to eat Ramen noodles in the old folks home until you die. I'm pretty sure most of us on this site don't want to end up like this. I, like Merkin Man, am comfortably living the life of Mr. Average as well- nice cars, nice house, nice toys, nice job, etc. The only difference between me and my fellow "corporate" co-workers is that I own several pieces of investment property, probably have a higher net worth and have a plan to, hopefully, not work as an "E" forever. People like us (i.e. cashflow quadrant thinkers, net worth builders) face mental challenges that are much more involved than the "average" joe because we are choosing a path that really isn't publicly talked about. No one walks around asking you how much passive income you've earned this month or how long before you can dump your job. You mention these ideas to most people and they look at you like your nuts. I often feel like I'm leading a double life when it comes to these ideas as most of my friends and family are content to work their job, be happy with their promotions and complain they don't get enough time off. No one said enlightenment or the path to enlightenment was easy. The power of this forum is that it provides a place to talk, vent, relate and pontificate the ideas and habits that lead to wealth. One of the most important things I have learned about life and obtaining wealth over the past few years is that the only definition of success that counts is the one I create. "Success" is a personal thing. People get over extended or feel like they have failed when they are trying to satisfy someone else's definition of success. Just my 2 cents.