I’ve always dreamt of being rich. Really rich, like having f*** you money. I’ve had fantasies of mansions and luxury cars. Taking vacations to tropical locations where I would chug rum loaded drinks on a beach. I could drop whatever I was doing and go anywhere in the world that I wanted.

I thought I could get rich by trading stocks. I knew that I would pick that one sure thing that would skyrocket and make me a millionaire. So far that hasn’t happened. I’ve probably lost more in the market than I’ve made.

I thought getting that great 9–5 corporate gig with steady pay check would lead to great wealth. It has lead to a comfortable lifestyle, but it’s clear that building wealth by putting away a small amount of cash in savings and 401k is just too slow.

I’m coming to the realization that I just want freedom. I don’t want other people to tell me what to do. I really want to hide in my house and have enough money to never need to leave.

It is probably a blessing that I don’t have that kind of money. Now I’m forced to face my fears. I will get stronger because I can’t hide away from the world.