What Does Your Definition of ‘Rich’ Look Like?
Can you define it?
Most people, if they answer honestly, would say they want to be ‘rich’. But an individual’s definition of ‘rich’ differs significantly to others, depending on their upbringing, current lifestyle, influences, etc. Humans are often not content with what they have, and continually strive for more; but when is enough, enough?
Humans, no matter how much money they make, adjust their lifestyle expectations in conjunction with their rising bank balance, therefore their level of happiness (for most). This tendency in humans is known as the hedonic treadmill, or hedonic adaption. It shows that humans gain no permanent increase in happiness, even if they, in this context, make substantially more money than they have in the past.
An example. You have a job that pays you a salary of $80,000 a year. Life is good, but you want that little bit extra so you can splurge when and where you want. You work hard toward that elusive $100,000 a year job; you just need to get that promotion at work. You work hard, and, eventually, you get there. You’re excited. You have the extra money you dreamed about. Life is great.
Then what happens? Over time, you naturally adjust your spending to accommodate that extra $20,000 a year (lunches every day, expensive shoes, you name it), and you find yourself, again…
