"Real wealth is quiet" (and other broke people lies)

You guessed it, I'm writing this on the walk back from E+Rose in the Gulch.

Just ordered my usual, an overpriced smoothie that probably costs more than most people's lunch.

While I was walking back to my place, I overheard two guys on the sidewalk having the most broke conversation I've ever witnessed.

"Bro, real wealthy people never flaunt their wealth. Anyone who shows off is just compensating and probably doesn't actually have money."

First of all, shut up.

When I hear that, I immediately know that person is broke and has zero idea what they're talking about.

It's the financial equivalent of "looks don't matter" – something only ugly people say.

Here's what actually happens when you start making real money...

It comes down to personality. That's it.

The person who grew up wanting the finer things in life and had expensive taste? They usually end up doing more of that when they start making money.

The person who didn't care about material stuff and lived modestly? They stay modest when they get rich.

I've been around enough wealthy people to see both sides.

I know guys worth eight figures who drive a 2018 Honda Accord and live in the same house they bought 15 years ago. Multiple rental properties, cash flowing businesses, seven figure investment portfolios... but you'd never know it.

Then I know someone with a similar net worth who has the Lambo, the iced-out Rolex, the penthouse downtown, and drops $500 on dinner at Geist without thinking twice.

Both are actually rich.

Both do whatever the hell they want with their money.

That's the cool thing about having money – you can spend it (or not spend it) however you want.

You don't have to listen to some broke loser on Twitter who says "ReAl WeAlTh Is QuIeT."

Maybe real wealth is having the freedom to buy whatever you want, whenever you want, and not giving a single fuck what some anonymous internet person thinks about it.

Maybe real wealth is being able to afford the lifestyle you actually dreamed of growing up, not the one that some financial "guru" tells you is "responsible."

The same people who preach about "quiet wealth" are usually the ones checking their bank account before buying groceries.

They've convinced themselves that not having nice things is somehow virtuous.

It's not virtuous. It's just broke.

So if you want the Porsche when you make it, buy the fucking Porsche.

If you want to live modestly and invest everything, do that.

But don't let some bitter person who's never had money tell you how to act when you get it.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to grab an overpriced lunch and not feel guilty about it.

Because that's what having money is actually for.

Talk soon,

Grant

P.S. The real question isn't whether you should flaunt wealth or not. It's whether you're actually building any wealth to flaunt in the first place.