What did George Soros 'create' that resulted in his fortune? Looks to me like he earned it via lots of outperforming trades in the financial markets. He seems to have done better than most who 'create'.
Dumb and rich for sure. There is no happier life than those driven by simple material needs, especially when you can afford it.
This is a good observation. But I wonder if there is a third option. The question was would you go high society or anonymous. How about neither/both? Trading successfully can buy the life I want in ways that money can't. Not just the stuff, houses, cars, etc., but the people too. For example, I can be anonymous about how much money I have while offering a spot in my mutual fund to my close friends and family so that they can acrue money to be used when we all go to the Virgin Islands next year. For all they know, I'm just a good trader. Enough said. Not totally anonymous, but not flashy either. On the other hand, if I just paid their way, they'd think I was loaded. Here's another option. If I was making 100million /year in the market, I'd start a corporation, donate the money to it, and hire myself as the president. That way I could buy a private island, a jet, have a full staff for whatever I need, and just claim "My company owns them." Even though I have full access. There ya go. High society, with anonymity. My friends would think, "Maybe he's making a couple million a year as president" while I live like a king.
I don't think the question is any different for people who became rich in other fields as equity trading. I don't know about trying to get famous, but it sure brings a bunch of problems as well as many perks. Not a socialiser and it wouldn't change with 2 zeros behing my present networth (that would be quite a bit over 100millions btw). Definetely would be surrounded with more luxury and would focus on larger projects - producing movies, flying in private jets and getting Europe rid of universal suffrage and socialism would be heaven's like
Have you seen how many hedge fund managers are billionaires? Probably only tech startups are faster, and they are much more reliant on luck.
To me too many people think investing is "trading" Trading a account for family members ect as mentioned doesn't count as hardcore trading for me. Starting out on the floor trading crude oil and having swings in the thousands of dollars is trading. Trading as a "hobby' is not really trading. Just my two cents
I'd prefer a life with enough money to have enough freedom to try out some dreams. Like maybe buy a franchise or a farm. Travel to other countries. Start a small business etc. Take a significant other to exotic places. Maybe buy a small plane. (I'm not a yacht person). And start a tour business by plane maybe bush flying, or just charter courier, lots of fun stuff. Sure as heck can't do that nowadays working 9 to 5 (or 8 to 6) and weekends to help make money for some other rich jerk's dreams.. while they pay you peanuts.