"I want to be independently wealthy without trying"

Pile of gold coins with a feather left behind by Scrooge McDuck

Dear Vice Column,

I've been spiraling since Kim Kardashian told the world, “I have the best advice for women in business. Get your f—ing ass up and work. It seems like nobody wants to work these days.”

For years I've admired the Kardashians for being so rich yet effortlessly obnoxious. I've daydreamed about having even a fraction of their wealth, but their constant hustle and shameless need for publicity goes against my core.

While I'd love to slide down piles of gold coins like Scrooge McDuck, I don't have a self-promoting bone in my body. Because of this, I've been feeling stuck in my job and haven't advanced as much as I probably should have by this point to get said gold. I'm tired of the endless grind and just want to be independently wealthy without trying. Why can't Kim indulge my desire to get rich without working?

Why?

- Feeling called out

Dear Feeling Called Out,

Kim Kardashian has no idea who you are, so you probably shouldn't base your self worth on her buzzworthy declaration. I, however, empathize with your desire to get rich or die not trying. Who wouldn't want to stop working unfulfilling jobs?

Based on your reluctant admiration of the Kardashians and the 90s cartoon reference, it seems like you understand the difference between absurd decadence and your current situation — but you didn't elaborate on how far off you are from being independently wealthy or what type of lifestyle you're aiming for.

Without much to go off besides hints of your passive nature, perhaps your best bet is to put your money to work so you don't have to. You could start building your wealth by investing any extra income and taking advantage of compounding interest. Depending on where you're at, a combination of income and growth investments to subside on until you're able to tap into retirement accounts, if any, might work out for you.

And if you're uncomfortable promoting yourself, perhaps you could work on generating other passive income streams and promote your work without having to focus on yourself. Some type of hustle may be necessary unless you strike it rich somehow.

"How can I upskill as a graphic designer and advance my career while fighting my sweet tooth and procrastination?"

Dear Vice Column, I'm a 29-year-old graphic designer who wants to advance in my career and increase my earning potential. But I find myself wasting time binge-watching TV shows and scrolling through social media instead of working on my goals. I also have a sweet tooth and can't resist buying gourmet chocolates and pastries. - Dessert-Loving Designer Dear Dessert-Loving Designer, When faced with the daunting task of trying to increase your earning potential, it's not uncommon to procrastinate and lose focus, especially with the plethora of distractions we have at our fingertips. However, there are steps you can take to upskill yourself and stay motivated. As a graphic designer, it's essential to continually develop new skills to stay competitive and advance in your career. One way to do this is to take advantage of online learning platforms such as Coursera, Udemy or edX. These platforms offer a wide range of courses and certifications in graphic design, UX design and...

"My plan of winning the lottery isn't working. How can I actually save for retirement?"

Dear Vice Column, I'm 30 and haven't started saving for retirement. What should I do? I work as a home health aide and have been living paycheck to paycheck for years. I never thought about saving for retirement until recently, and now I'm worried I'm way behind. I fantasize about winning the lottery and spend my extra cash on lotto tickets and scratchers. I'm devastated when I don't win, and then start spiraling about my finances. - Lotto Loser Dear Lotto Loser, You're not alone in your worries about retirement savings. It's a common concern, and the fact that you're thinking about it now shows that you're already ahead of the game, with 35 years before the common retirement age of 65. While it may not be feasible for everyone, it's worth looking into opportunities for higher paying jobs within the healthcare industry. This could include working at a hospital or in a specialized field such as occupational or physical therapy. Pursuing addi...

"How can I save for a wedding when I'm single and living at home with my parents?"

Dear Vice Column, I'm a 24-year-old software developer who has just started my career and have $100,000 in student loan debt. I want to pay off my debt quickly but also want to save for a down payment on a house and a wedding. I'm not sure how to balance my competing financial goals and I don't even have a romantic partner, mostly because I live at home with my conservative parents. - Love-Struck Developer Dear Love-Struck Developer, It seems like you're feeling a bit stuck in terms of your finances. Don't worry, you're not alone! Many recent graduates face similar challenges, especially when it comes to balancing debt repayment and saving for the future. First things first: you should be proud of yourself for even considering how to prioritize your financial goals at such a young age. You're already ahead of the game! When it comes to balancing competing goals, it's important to remember that it's a marathon, not a sprint. You don't need to ac...

Vice Column

Search This Blog