My ‘Fake Rich’ Life

Hi Scott,

I started reading your book when I was lying by a five-star pool in Dubai, which I had booked on my credit card. I was living a ‘fake rich’ life, holding down a high-paid job but living week to week. I had $23,500 in credit card debt, a loan for my Lexus, and no savings. You opened my eyes and forced me to stop kidding myself. I set up my buckets and started paying off the debts one by one. I sold my car and started cycling everywhere. A house is in touching distance and I cannot wait for everything else to come, because I am now READY!

Nate

Hey Nate,

Well done.

The hard thing about money is that it works the opposite of fitness:

If you’re unhealthy, your muffin-top is on show for everyone to see: there’s no hiding it.

Yet with money it’s often the financially fattest people who look the fittest!

And that explains why I don’t watch reality TV … though my wife loves trashy shows like The Bachelor.

The other night I was walking past her and I casually mentioned, “Hey, did you know one of those reality stars wrote to me asking for advice?”

It was the only time that evening she took her eyes off the TV.

“OH MY GOD, WHO WAS IT?!” she yelled.

“Huh? I don’t remember. As soon as they wrote that they were an Instagram influencer, I deleted it and moved on.”

She just stared at me for a second, then went back to watching her show.

(No rose for me.)

I’ve always said that the hard life is living week to week, desperately trying to keep up appearances.

Being broke drains you of your energy and self-confidence, and clouds your opportunities.

Gaining control of your money gives it back, and then some.

You Got This!