Ah, what it would be like to be filthy rich? That’s a dream that many people have, but is it “worth” it? Most would say “yes”, and while life is certainly easier in many ways if you’re a billionaire, there’s still many problems that you have to deal with. The Warren Buffets’ and Bill Gates’ of the world lead lives that are very different from most people, as the top 1% can effectively afford to own almost anything. But what are some of the hardships that they have to deal with? Hardships that “normal” individuals don’t have to face? Here is a list 10 life struggles that only the top 1% understand.
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10. People want you to fail
Throughout the history of modern civilization, the rich have always had an interesting relationship with the general population. Now rich people come in all sorts and sizes; some are mean and greedy while others are compassionate and generous. Regardless, many people want them to fail. This can be attributed to jealousy or just general anger, but there are plenty of people that cannot deal with the success of others, and they want those people to fail to make them feel better about themselves.
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9. Taking charge of your financials is extremely difficult
No one likes to pay their taxes, balance their checkbooks, and manage their financials, but those are things that we all have to deal with, especially the top 1%. Now say the average person has one source of income, one bank account, a 401K, two credit cards, and a mortgage. Dealing with all of those can be difficult, but it’s even harder when you’re extremely rich. If you’re a 1%er then chances are you own a few businesses, have multiple lines of credit, own a few different properties in different tax codes, and more. Dealing and managing you financials when you’re extremely wealthy is an involved processes, plain and simple.
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8. They’re in a constant battle with time
Now dealing and organizing your money when you’re in the top 1% is one thing, but organizing your time is another. Everyone has to manage and use their time, a finite “resource”, to the best of their abilities, but some have it harder than others. Whether it’s traveling the world for various business meetings or scheduling time for loved ones, it’s difficult to manage your time when you’re extremely rich. Chances are that you’re rich because of hard work, and it can often be a challenge to have a balanced life when you’re running a Fortune 500 company, for example.
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7. They’re under high levels of pressure
Chances are that if you’re a true 1%er, then you’re probably a fairly important individual that many people are dependent on. If you’re a CEO of a company, for example, then you’re most likely under constant levels of intense pressure. Between dealing with your financials, running a company, and balancing your personal life, the super wealthy people of the world have a lot of pressure put on them. That’s not to say that others don’t, it’s just probably more when you’re a multi-billionaire that manages the capital investments of 50 different companies.
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6. It can actually be hard to spend money
While the problem of having too much money to spend is somewhat trivial, it is a “struggle” per se that the 1% have to deal with. After you’ve purchased all the essentials and most of the luxuries that life has to offer, what’s left? Your vast net worth continues to increase over the years, but you’ve already bought everything you need and everything you could ever possible want. Suddenly it can actually be a challenge to chose what you spend your money on next. Still, it’s hard to feel sorry for people that have this “problem”.
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5. People don’t see them for who they are
The general public tend to view the ultra-wealthy in a very different light. There are plenty of people that despise the top 1%, and many hold the belief that money can change a person. While that’s certainly true, it’s not like all of the 1% are evil, supervillians. However they are never viewed not for who they actually are, rather, people just see their bank account. They are defined by their wealth first, and then by their accomplishments and personalities later.
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4. People don’t care about your complaints
Another downside to being extremely wealthy, is that people not only don’t want to hear your complaints, most just don’t care. At the end of the day, we are all humans, and we all have our issues and obstacles to overcome. Just because you drive a Ferrari doesn’t mean you’re happy or life a life without adversity. However because you are in the 1%, many people just don’t care about your complaints, and some go as far to say that they don’t even matter since you are so rich.
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3. Finding love and raising a family can be very difficult
One struggle that has always been an issue for the ultra-wealthy is cultivating romantic relationships and trying to raise a family. Let’s face it, when you’re in the 1%, people are jealous and want your money. When it comes to dating, it’s challenging trying to find people that are authentic versus people that just want at your money. Once you do find love, raising a family is also difficult. Sure, you can provide for your family much easier than most, as you are able to give them almost everything. However no one likes spoiled children, and attempting to not raise spoiled children when you’re a multi-billionaire is a challenge in its own.
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2. They face almost constant criticism
Let’s face it, the 1%ers of the world are held at a higher standard, an rightfully so. That means that if you’re extremely rich, you are faced with almost constant levels of criticism. From how you spend your money and how you make your money to how you live your life, the super rich of the world are constantly getting criticized for their actions, regardless if they are “right” or “wrong”.
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1. They are consumed by greed
You could easily make the argument that money is like a drug, and when you have a lot of it, it’s easy to be consumed by it all. One of the biggest struggles that the 1% face is to not be ruled by their greed and wealth, as that’s a recipe for disaster. When you are a billionaire that looses control of your spending habits, things start to spiral out of control, and suddenly you’re not the nicest person in the world anymore. Money changes people, and sometimes, it changes them for the worst when you let the dollar rule your life.
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