Would one be happy being a billionare?

The attentions and endeavors of others who would like some of your wealth and may be willing to mess with you in order to get some.

As Mark Twain was supposed to have said, “I am opposed to millionaires, but it would be a mistake to offer me the position.”

Millionaires and billionaires have widespread interests – as in “ownership” – and wide circles of friends, supporters, dependents and others. And they are human, after all, so they have feelings for a lot of those people. So for that reason they are more susceptible to attacks in the form of extortion and kidnapping: because they are perceived to have great wealth, and this is pretty common knowledge, it makes them tempting targets for attack from many quarters. (This is one reason why I’ve always been pretty impressed that Warren Buffet still lives in a modest suburban tract home in Omaha. I’m betting that he also has some pretty good – though unobtrusive – security infrastructure built up around that neighborhood.)

So that’s the main thing: You walk around with a target already painted in place.

For the reasons mentioned above I won’t be comfortable being that person!!

The more you have, the more you want. But I could give it a try…

I think I would, although I would not keep most of that money in my own possession. I believe in sharing the wealth.

I would give lots of it away to friends, relatives, and charity.

It would be nice to give my family security otherwise I don’t think it would make me any happier than I am.

I would be very, very, very happy.
Very very.

I probably would be.

I don’t see why not. Studies show the wealthy are happier than the middle class and poor.

Well. I’m an expert on the other side of the spectrum. I don’t think I’d be a billionaire long. I would give a lot to my friends and family.

As most of my stress is due to finances, and natural disasters, I think it would be great. It would solve many of my problems instantly.

If I won the jackpot lottery tomorrow I think I would initially be thrilled, but I would quickly become depressed after using the money for important bills I need to pay off.

Does Trump seem happy to you, or is he just about the angriest, most disappointed, most vindictive man on the planet?

I don’t think that’s because he’s a billionaire. though. I think he’s a billionaire for the same reason that he seems so angry and miserable. Nothing will ever be enough. If you want everything for yourself, you’re always, always going to have to settle for less.

^ @Jeruba – Good point!!

So happy.

I wouldn’t hold Trump up as the average person with a reasonable amount of wealth. Certainly, money can not make a person with a miserable personality, or inability to have good relationships, happy. There are many other things we could name that money does not make better, and I have to agree that people who are never satiated also have a lot of trouble being happy, except for fleeting moments of intensity.

There is the saying, “money can’t buy you happiness,” but in our society it can buy you a safer neighborhood to live in, green parks, healthcare, better schools, reliable transportation, activities, and healthier food. Worrying about paying bills is an incredibly stressful thing to worry about, especially if you have someone else dependent on you like hungry children or a sick spouse.

I’m not wealthy in the way that I never have to worry about working again, that would be really nice, but when my husband lost his job we didn’t have to worry about not paying our bills the next month. I feel pretty sure if I had felt I might lose everything, even basic shelter within weeks or months, I would have been unable to be happy about anything.

I’ve heard the middle class has the most stress, because they have more to lose, and maintaining their life style is more precarious.

If I was given a billion dollars I couldn’t keep it all to myself. I can’t imagine it. So many people could be helped and I would still be rich even giving the majority of the money away, but having several million sounds really good to me.

^Exactly. I guess, in a way, I wouldn’t be happy if I had to keep all the money. I would be really happy to distribute so much wealth, to people whom I feel deserve it.

^^I wouldn’t say I wouldn’t be happy if I kept it all, but I do believe I would find much more happiness spreading it around a little, and helping people.

I guess if I kept it all and relatives found out I didn’t do anything to help them those relationships would likely get destroyed. But, in my original answer that was not my reason for giving away money, I would want to help relatives, friends, and also people I don’t know, and charities. Probably, with some relatives, no matter what you give they wouldn’t think it’s enough. I can see how money can strain relationships.

Ideally, no one knows how much money you have, but I think in at least some states winning the lottery is public record. So, if you win the money, everyone might know you’re rich.

I guess I was commenting on the intriguing thought, that I feel money would solve most of my problems. But only if I could spread the love…

Money would solve the majority of my problems, but not the one that is most upsetting to me. Sucks. It’s health related.

^I’m sorry.

^^It would solve almost all the conflict in my marriage. That would be nice. I know, because when we were earning much more money we had much much less conflict.

Well. I am under the impression that you are a strong, and smart person. I am confident that you will be a tough opponent to any physical ailments. I wish you luck, and I believe in you.

Peace n love.

Really, really, so happy.