$$

Many people have the wrong idea about what being a millionaire is
all about. Many also equate instant gratification with happiness.

They believe that millionaires live lavish lifestyles and all that
self-indulgence brings lasting happiness.

Well, from my research and my own observations of the many
self-made multi-millionaires I know, I find that most self-made,
sustainable millionaires DO NOT live this way.

What does sustainable mean? It means a person whose millions of
dollars will last a lifetime and not just a couple of years.

Officially, Bill Gates is ranked as the richest man in the world
with a net worth of $46 billion. Unofficially, figures put IKEA
founder Ingvar Kamprad as the world's richest with a net worth of
$53 billion.

One of the reasons he managed to accumulate so much money is
because of his frugal nature. Up to today, it is said that Kamprad
flies economy, drives an old Volvo and even waits until the
afternoon to buy his fruits and vegetables, when the prices drop
significantly.

If he were alive today, Sam Walton (1918-1992), founder of Wal-Mart
would be the richest man in the world with an estimated net worth
of $90 billion.

If you take a look at Forbes list of the ten richest people in the
world, five of them are the Waltons who inherited their money from
Sam. How did this once poor farm boy accumulate so much wealth?

Again, he was well known for sharing rooms during business trips to
save money, flying only economy and wearing clothes from his own
discount store.

Another fascinating example is Warren Buffett, officially ranked
the second richest man in the world today with a net worth of $42
billion. Even with all this money, it's said that Warren will not
buy a brand new car as he thinks it's just not worth the money.

Back in the '60s, Warren remarked that if he spent $20,000 on a new
car, it would be worth little or nothing in ten years, He also knew
that he could achieve a 25% annual compounded return on his $20,000
if he were to invest it.

Going by this return, investing $20,000 would bring him $158,518 in
ten years, $1.26 million in twenty years and $9.96 million in
thirty years...he figured that $9.96 million was just too much to
waste on a car!

When many people learn of this frugal trait of millionaires they
often think to themselves, 'Why make all this money if you cannot
enjoy it?'

Well, here's the answer, most millionaires get their joy and fun
not from spending money but from doing what they love to do! To
them, money is just a means of measuring their success.

This is why, even with all the money in the world, they still work
hard to build their businesses and empire. This is because they are
driven by passion for what they do and a sense of mission.

If spending money brings you enjoyment, you will never be rich.
However if making money brings you enjoyment, then your wealth is
guaranteed.