Looking richer than you really are

You already know money comes and goes. Holding on to it too much could prove hazardous for “the rest of your life” but not managing it to your own advantage would be an equally foolish thing to do.

In essence, everyone should try to "live cheap while looking rich" because it’s a lot of fun and makes life that much more exciting. There are countless guides on how to achieve this but for the busy readers of this blog, here’s a quick primer:

1. Volunteer to meet with the affluent “donors” – grow your influence network beyond your neighbors and your immediate family… it does wonders for your employment search too.
2. Schmooze with the rich crowd at local charity events – not only will you get free snacks but you’ll grow you social network with richer folks. Look for public calendars published online.
3. Never ever pay retail for anything of value – rediscover the art of negotiation. Shop online and at discount stores only. When you want to buy retail, stop and ask yourself if the same thing isn’t available online at half the price.
4. Look to acquire unique items – anything remotely useful that can’t be found elsewhere may eventually grow in value. Not only can you enjoy it for a while but when you come to selling it, chances are it’ll have gained value. Hunt public auctions, online and off, for a chance to own things that don’t lose their value over time.
5. Look like you’re already wealthy – rich people only network seriously with… well, other rich people. Exceptions have been documented but they remain just that, exceptions. Take the metro to the event but enter the room wearing you nicest clothes and then, enjoy more productive networking.
6. Travel to unexpected places – rich people always seem to be coming back from some remote location or preparing to leave. Now, it’s your turn to travel the world by using the last minute airfares or bidding at travel auctions. Dig up your expanded family address book and stay at their place, saving on hotel fees. As a bonus, you’ll have tons of interesting things to say after those trips (see point 2).
7. Don’t say too much about yourself and what you do for a living – if you serve cocktails for a living, say you’re in the catering business. Anything more will just prove useless to upgrading your social status. Entertain a certain aura of mystery. Most rich people do it for usually no good reason so you, as a rich-person-wannabe, should do it too.
8. Buy long-lasting quality items whenever possible – there’s a reason some things cost a little or a lot more, it’s usually because they’re better and last a lot longer. Use your judgement and buy wisely. You’re better off having two pairs of shoes you’ll wear five years than 3 pairs of shoes continuously ruined year after year. The first alternative costs a little more but you a lot more comfortable and in the end, you save a bundle. Rich people will tell you, quality has its price.
9. Find a stable life partner… but be sure to choose the right one – wether you get married or simply decide to live together with your loved one makes no difference as long as you commit for the long term. This will bring stability in your life, financially and otherwise. Even if rich people generally ship their kids to boarding school, you should consider having kids. Even if they’re somewhat expensive, in the end, they’re destined to become the only true justification for your life on this Earth, or something along that line. Love should flow abundantly in your home.
10. Let harmony flow into your life – Feng Shui lovers know the value of moving things around the house so everything just feels better. Add a few plants, clean up the place and immediately, your thoughts will seem more aligned and precise. Harmony is as much a state of mind as a resolve to invest whatever amount of elbow grease it takes to make your environment as satisfying as possible.

Rich people already know affluence is basically a mindset. It’s all a big game in which you work towards getting more for whatever you can trade, that includes money but perhaps you could pitch in some valuable social networking influence or anything else you have that "they" don’t. Think a little and you should come up with tradable offerings.

Don’t wait until you get a fat wallet to enjoy some of life’s pleasures that are free or very affordable. Get in shape, physically, mentally and in your life in general.

The more you follow these pointers, the richer you’ll get but remember, life is about much more than money.

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