It’s forty-eight years ago that the film “High Society” introduced Frank Sinatra and Celeste Holm, as Mike and Liz, singing “Who wants to be a millionaire”. The attractions of having a livery chauffeur, a gigantic yacht, a country estate and wallowing in champagne were lost on them. All they wanted was each other. This highlights an important consideration if you hanker at being a millionaire. If you are not going to be happy – forget it!
If you don’t believe this “Happiness Rule” a look at the some worldwide lottery winners will change your mind. Visit a certain McDonald’s restaurant in Cardiff, Wales, UK and you may be served by a guy who became a lottery millionaire some18 months ago. Luke Pittard celebrated, like many others, buying a new home, having a big expensive wedding and luxury honeymoon. However he realised that he missed his mates and enjoyed flipping burgers, at the place where he also met his future wife, so he’s back there working.
Janite Lee is an immigrant into the USA, from South Korea. Janite won $18 million in 1993 but only eight years later she was filing for bankruptcy. Her generosity was misplaced and the money soon vanished leaving her back where she started. Apparently she felt more relieved to be rid of the pressure of having money.
If we accept that your happiness in being a millionaire is a key requisite what comes next? Well here are some myths to dispel by confirming three facts.
1) Most millionaires are self-made.
2) Most millionaires have stopped short of obtaining the highest university qualifications.
3) Most millionaires do not know a lot about investing in stocks and shares.
Right so YOU want to be a millionaire? Get ready to step outside your comfort zone and start believing in yourself. “Possibilities” and “If only” must vanish from your thought process. It is time to “Get real”. You need to be tenacious, focused and determined. Most millionaires live cost effectively and this means avoiding unnecessary expenditure. Nice things are to be enjoyed but not at the expense of spending overtaking your rate of saving. Living beneath your means is an important part of accumulating wealth. The majority of millionaires, in comparison to what their companies became, had frugal start-ups. There isn’t much point looking the part, if it costs an arm and a leg and you haven’t the customers to pay for it! A helpful idea is to find a mentor who has been there, done that and seek their advice. Consequently, “If you want to be a millionaire surround yourself with millionaires”.
When fourteen year old Suhas Gopinath started Global Inc ten years ago from a cyber café in Bangalore, the capital city of the Indian state of Karnatake, he was not aware that he had become the youngest CEO in the world. He also didn’t realise that he was demonstrating all the attributes of becoming a millionaire. Focused, stepping outside the usual comfort zone for anyone of a similar age, he was frugal with his start-up and still lives in the family home well within his means. Today, Global is a multi-million dollar company with offices throughout the world.
When he needed a computer, but his family couldn’t afford one, he spotted that his local Internet Café was closed in the afternoon. He offered to open and run the shop in return for being allowed to browse the net for free. It turned out to be his first great business deal. If you want some inspiration about becoming a millionaire I recommend reading about Susha’s road to success.
However never believe that being a millionaire will not change your thinking. I love the story of the self-made millionaire who told his church how, many years before; he left the same church penniless having given his last dollar in the collection. He said that having done it released him from all his worries. Soon afterwards good fortune blessed him and he became a millionaire. Everyone applauded as he sat down in the congregation, when an old lady sitting nearby turned to him and said, “I dare you to do it again!”
So go on…I dare you….to become a millionaire!