Why Do you Care about being rich?

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Financial independence from passive cash flow is the ultimate way to earn money, in my view. So that's a big motivator. But I don't do what I do just for myself. I buy affordable homes in my city and then owner finance them to hardworking people with zero credit history. We help hundreds of families in our city become homeowners, people who usually rent forever. I have seen the proof on the ground of how neighborhoods improve when many people own their houses and stop renting. It's actually a Christian ministry, and it is something I am very proud to be a part of.[SELF PROMOTION REMOVED BY MOD]

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I want wealth because I watched my parents work everyday of their lives and loose our house when my step dad got laid off from the steel mill. I seen my mom struggle to make sure we had gifts at christmas. I seen my mother in law struggle every day to provide for her children. I remember my grandfather making what was considered a good living when I was young. He used his money to help his family. He made house payments for his son and daughter when they couldn't. He gave them money for groceries when they had none.When I was young I was poor, but I didn't really know it because of the my grandfathers generosity. Later in life I realized all of the thing he had done for us, and how money gave him the ability to do so. Now money gives me the opportunity to help others in my family. While I won't "Give" them money, I can give them opportunities and creates situations for them to better themselves.Finally. I like nice things and I'm not afraid to work my butt off to give my wife and I everything we want in life.

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I grew up in the middle-class in the midwest. I always scoffed at the ways "rich people" spent their money on frivolous "toys". Then I spent most of the last 15 years working in Africa. I've done everything to community-based development in war zones to running small companies in larger cities. I quickly realized that as a middle-class American, I was a multi-millionaire in the eyes of most Africans. In the same ways, middle-class Americans berate the wealthy CEO making 5, 10 or 100 times more than them... I was suddenly making 5, 10 or a 100 times more than the people around me.I realized that I might not be a multi-millionaire (yet), but I need to take responsibility for everything in my life. My education, my gifts, my opportunities. Compared to the upper crust of the US income spectrum, I'm down-right poor. Compared to many of my friends in the Africa, I am the upper crust.I want to make money in Real Estate. But I also am seeking ways that my business can positively impact my employees/ contractors, tenants and the wider community. Further more, I'd like to take some of the wealth I'm building and invest it social enterprise here in the US and abroad.That's my two cents. There a lot of "rich" people out there that are miserable. So lets not chase money for money's sake.Mike

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Because I used to be poor and it sucked. There are also things I want to do that I never did because I was too busy earning a living. I have only taken 2 real vacations in my life, I would like to change things like that.

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my honest reason to why I want to make and aquire real wealth, is not for the sake of having the money. Don't get me wrong it's great to have the money. My underlying reason as to why I'm on here (bp) daily and asking the questions and working hard now is because with the wealth I seek freedom more then anything else. Time has become something I cherish more now than Id ever realize I'd cherish it. With wealth I can have my time to do those things in life sooner rather then when I wait for a pension from my job. With my time aka freedom, I'd get to attend those camp trip with my son's boys scouts. Take my daughter to her soccer events. Watch my new born grow. Wealth we can accumulate but time is lost forever. I hear some people like my parents say things like you have a good job that has pensions, and your in the union Yada yada. The problem is my time isn't mine, it's my Companies. 8 hours work 2 hours driving equals 10 hours 8 of which are the same pay no matter how much and how hard I work. To have the ability to wake up and look to my wife and say let's go here today or there today, without having to worry about checking our bank accounts or having to be home in time to get sleep for work, is a super motivating factor for me.with all that being said, it would be right not to give back. I would love to help and sponsor st judes children hospital out here In NY. Knowing I have 3 kids of my own that are healthy happy and vibrant, I want these kids in the hospital to have as much enjoyment in their lives as possible. So with my free time and excess of money I can and would do more to help that hospital. So I guess you can say I want the ability to do what I want as I please and when I please with the time that's been given to me in this Planet.

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Financial freedom and stability are the first reasons. Being in control of my own destiny. Being free to travel and work when and where I want. But I have a huge heart to give. I want to be able to freely give out of my abundance. Maybe because I am introverted, or my background, but I place a very high value on "home" I want a safe, comfortable, nice place to live and or stay. It doesn't have to be multi millions, but real estate in particular draws me in being able to provide "home" for people. There is something very redemptive in rehab, seeing the value and potential that others may not, and turning it into something beautiful that provides shelter, safety, comfort for someone.

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Thanks man. Great book, read it the beginning of this year. I guess you can say it was to me like rich dad poor dad to was to many others.

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Alfonso Velazquez very well said sir. Freedom to do as you please whatever day of the week it is. Just finished reading The millionaire fastlane and it talks about freedom now instead of waiting 30-40years of your life in a regular job.

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In reading through alot of the other stories already posted a common theme comes across loud and clear - FREEDOM. I want to have enough income coming in from sources other than an employer so that I have the freedom to support my parents as they age, support my wife's parents as they age (in another country!) and be a big part of my kids' life.

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@Kimberly T. Congrats. I am 8 months expecting my 1st. I too love the flexibility that being a professional investor allows.