Rich List 2008

[engine]

The number 13 has long been considered unlucky by superstitious people around the globe. How fitting, then, that Bill Gates' reign as the world's richest person ends after his 13th year at the top.

Despite being worth $58 billion, $2 billion more than last year, Gates is now just the world's third-richest person, ceding the top spot ranking to his good friend and partner in philanthropy, Warren Buffett, whose net worth jumped $10 billion to $62 billion. (All stock prices and net worth valuations were locked in on Feb. 11.) Ranked No. 2 is Mexican telecom tycoon Carlos Slim Helú, whose fortune has doubled in just two years to $60 billion.

Rich List 2008 [forbes.com]

Now I've read that, i'd better get back to work.

[walkman]

Looks like the world is taking over on commoditities (India, Russia et al.)

My fav: "Mukesh is using some of his money to build a 27-story home."
[finance.yahoo.com...]

And then this guy:

Created computer industry's marquee event, Comdex, in mid-1980s; sold show to Japan's Softbank for $862 million in 1995.
Then Vegas: bought Sands Hotel & Casino for $128 million, demolished it to build the $1.5 billion all-suites Venetian Resort Hotel Casino and the 1.2-million-square-foot Sands Convention Center.

Now worth $26 Billion.
[finance.yahoo.com...]

[davewray]

Huh...these poor saps, however do they manage? I mean, for the 27 storey house you'd definately need an elevator so as to not wear yourself out ;)

[pageoneresults]

Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. You just gotta love how some of their money is spent.

27 story house? I guess when you reach the billion mark, spending is no longer an issue. You are probably making more in interest than you are spending anyway, isn't that the way it works?

I am currently aspiring to be like Howard Hughes. Minus this part...

...but his highly-publicized descent into madness and prescription-drug addiction.

[walkman]

pageone,
you can't pick and choose: you're either "Hughes" or not. So, would you still take it?

[wyweb]

Personally I wouldn't take Hughes. Money does wierd stuff to your head. You lose your goals. The drive that you once had disappears. Not everybody of course, but it happens often enough.

When I was in construction in North Texas I had money. Not big money but I could basically buy anything I wanted and pay cash for it. I have to say I was pretty miserable though and I believe the money was the cause.

Now I'm a poor internet affiliate marketer slash web designer who takes on work far below scale just so I can have some extra money coming in and I've never been happier. I guess I'm at my best when I'm hungry. Go figure.

[pageoneresults]

Are you sure it was the money and not the environment you were in? I'm one of those who "know" that money can buy a little bit of happiness in someone's life. Yes, it all comes down to being materialistic in a way but hey, money talks! You choose whether it makes you happy or not.

Just imagine, $1 Billion US Dollars in the bank. I'd probably still be hanging out here at WebmasterWorld too. This Internet thing is too ingrained in my lifestyle. But you can bet I'll be coming to you live from the back of the SEO Yacht somehwere tropical. :)

You have to manifest it!

[wyweb]

Well, you have a point pageone. I think it may also boil down to personality types. I need to be pushed. I need to have long term goals and unfortunately most of those goals revolve around money. When I have lots of money, "lots" being a highly relative term, I seem to lose sight of what it was that brought me here to begin with.

I don't know what I'd do if I had billions. Probably lose most of it in the stock market and give the rest away.. ha ha... It's so unattainable I guess I've never given it much thought.

[buckworks]

money talks

Very true.

Mine keeps saying, "Goodbye!" ;)

[pageoneresults]

Mine keeps saying, "Goodbye!"

Ah, think positive.

Mine keeps saying, "See ya later!"

Mine says C'ya. "I know" we're going to see each other again sometime in the very near future. You have to manifest it! I make friends with each dollar that passes through my hands. I make really good friends with the larger denominations. I want them all to be there for my/our Billionaire Party! :)