A conversation I once had with my wife struck me. “Rich people must be so happy,” she said. “They can go anywhere, do anything without worrying about money.”
I told her that I understood where she was coming from. Earlier, we were talking about how a thousand pesos can buy a lot less during Pnoy’s time.
When we bought our Innova, the price of regular diesel was less than 20 pesos. That was in December 2015.
Duterte promised to lower the price of rice to 15 pesos. Bong Bong Marcos was elected because he promised to decrease the price of rice to 20 pesos per kilo. But these rich people don’t see the realities of most Filipinos.
I digress.
Financial Success
Many wealthy individuals are as entangled in the web of financial anxiety as the rest of us.
A rich investor can face bankruptcy when a slip on social media puts his reputation on the line. The fear of losing it all is very real.
This is much like the fear of dynastic political families losing their grip on power.
But let’s set one thing straight. Money isn’t evil, nor is politics muddy by default. Our perspective shapes our relationship with both.
To me, financial success is straightforward: having enough money to do what I desire in life. 1
And the first step to achieving that is understanding my life’s desires. Those unclear about their life’s goals tend to misuse or undervalue their wealth.
Imagine your financial capacity as a container. If it overflows, many end up squandering the excess.
Money can’t buy happiness.
I was watching a young entrepreneur on FB. He challenged the notion that money can’t buy happiness. He got wealthy at a young age.
But, we know of rich people who took their lives. And that’s because money cannot buy true friends and authentic relationships. When you don’t know what to do with your money, you will attract people who will take them away from you. They sell you drugs to forget your unhappiness.
He missed that fact, and for that reason, he sounded too arrogant. Most commenters did not agree with him.
I agree that money cannot buy happiness. Happiness is experiencing your purposes.
It is easy to make money, but you must know your purpose for having it.
It is easy to make money.
Many may find the idea laughable, but I believe it’s easy to make money. Some might resonate with this. Others will vehemently disagree based on personal experiences.
The real challenge isn’t earning money, but understanding our reasons for wanting it.
Why is having 1 million pesos a year significant to me? I’ve seen politicians spend five times that amount in a single day. Everyone’s financial journey and goals are different.
For me, financial success isn’t about owning money but being its custodian. While money is a man-made concept, I use it to further genuine, noble intentions, making life richer in more ways than one.
Clear Life Goals
It’s time to redefine your financial success. Begin by understanding your life goals:
Clarify Your Purpose.
List down things you want to accomplish in the next 25 years. Narrow it down to the next 5 years, 1 year, and even the upcoming quarter.
Define Your Financial Goals.
With a clear purpose in mind, estimate the financial resources required to achieve these goals.
Remember, it’s not always about having more, but having enough.
Ask Reflective Questions:
- What do I truly value in life?
- How does money fit into achieving what I value?
- What expenses can I anticipate in reaching my goals?
- How can I make my money work for me, instead of working for money?
Don’t be a slave to money. Let it be a tool that propels you towards your goals. Define your success, chase your purpose, and let money be the means, not the end.
Financial Success = Money with a Great Purpose
To me, financial success is simple: having enough money to do what I desire in life.
But desires are tricky. They’re endless. They grow. And if you let them, they can take over.
So, how do you balance the need for financial success with the reality of ever-growing wants?
You do it by getting clear on what you really want.
I love my family, and I want to live a good life. That’s at the core of everything. But let’s be honest—a good life doesn’t have a price tag. You don’t need millions in the bank to live well.
I wrote about “100 million tomorrow” once. About what I’d do with that kind of money. Reading it again this morning, I became more certain that I don’t need that much money to live a good life.
But my desires?
They go beyond myself.
I want to feed the hungry. I want to send kids to school—not just my son, JC, but kids who don’t have the opportunities they deserve. I want to create scholarship programs that give the poorest a chance to rise.
To do that, I need more than just comfort. I need resources that make a real difference.
A hundred million tomorrow?
It’s a dream. And I’m not afraid to admit it.
In truth, I’m not ready for that kind of money yet. That kind of power can destroy you if you’re not prepared. But financial success, as I see it, isn’t about me. It’s about having the money to serve a greater purpose.
It’s about using wealth to bring happiness—not to myself—but to others. Because while money can’t buy happiness, it can feed the hungry.
Months ago, it hit me: I can earn that 100 million—and more.
By 2029, I’ll have it. And when that happens, it won’t just sit in my bank account. It’ll work for people. It’ll fund scholarships, feed families, and create opportunities.
Because financial success is about purpose.
But I can’t do it alone.
Financial success, especially on this scale, isn’t just about hard work. It’s about enrolling people in your dreams. It’s about getting others to see the vision, believe in what you’re doing, and join you on the journey.
That’s why I play my A-Game every day.
Because success, real success, isn’t just about earning money. It’s about what you do with it. And when your goals are bigger than yourself, when your financial success is tied to something greater, that’s when it becomes meaningful.
So yes, 100 million tomorrow might be a dream.
But with the right purpose, and the right people behind it, that dream is well within reach.
And when it happens, it won’t just be for me. It’ll be for everyone I’m committed to helping.
That’s what financial success means to me—money with a purpose.
(Written on September 23, 2024)
- To know how much money I need, I must clarify what I desire in life. ↩︎
