MoneyGram - anyone interested?

Money Game

I want to open this thread up as a space where everyone can share advice or personal experiences about what it actually takes to play the money game successfully. I’m not talking about telling someone, "Go work at an ExxonMobil refinery and earn $4,000 a month," or "Become a Wall Street banker, a politician, or a specific type of small business owner." Instead, I'm curious about what you think regarding one's relationship with money and life in general. What kind of personal qualities and character traits does a person really need to have...

The reason I ask is that I was watching a documentary on wealthy entrepreneurs the other day. The whole point they were making was that it wasn't nearly as important what they did as who they were—how they thought, how they carried themselves in tough situations, and how they handled risk, fear, and the need for security...

Who you are matters way more than what you do.

Because of this, I personally believe that a person's success in life depends much more on their character than on how much startup capital they have for a business.

Most people struggle financially, while a small minority builds wealth. Let's try to analyze the characteristics of both groups here; maybe we can recognize ourselves and see what our own potential looks like...

For example... most people will say, "Play it safe so you don't lose anything." A successful entrepreneur will say, "Manage your risk and learn from your losses, because setbacks are a built-in part of any success story."

Most will say, "I can't afford that." The minority will ask, "How *can* I afford that?"

On most of our forums, you'll see someone pop up with a business idea. They almost immediately get thirty replies saying things like, "That's useless," "It won't pay off," "Too much work," "Too much paperwork," "Too much red tape," and a dozen other reasons why that idea shouldn't be implemented. Out of a hundred people in those discussions, two might have an idea, while 98 find ways to prove those ideas are bad. And those 98 rarely come back with a better idea... they just complain and whine...

So, let me start... here is what I think about money, business, the economy, entrepreneurship, and financial success.

I look at it like a game. Like football. Football is my home turf since I've played it my whole life, and when I step on the field, I think I play pretty well. Football is a game. If you want to play well, you have to know the rules, and you need certain skills...

The money game is similar. If I want to play it successfully, I have to figure out the rules and master certain skills. The key skill here is financial literacy (or the ability to manage money). I don't think that education necessarily has to happen in a classroom—in fact, schools usually teach the exact opposite—but you can gain it through experience. You just need to understand numbers and how they move through the flow of money...

Just like winning in football, you need a positive mindset to win the money game. If you enter the game thinking only about how others are stronger, how they have a better goalkeeper, or how the ref is biased against you—while your striker has no clue and your coach is clueless—you definitely aren't going to win with that attitude. Now, I'm not saying you shouldn't consider those factors, but the problem arises when that's all you think about. If I go into a game aware of those things, but focus mostly on our strengths and how those strengths can counter those potential negatives... then we actually have a shot. Why? Because we gave ourselves that chance...

Alright, your turn...

A fantastic start, all things considered! Now the real question is—can we actually find someone here in America who maintains a genuinely positive outlook toward business?

Or, as you pointed out, are we just destined to deal with the usual wave of cynical commentary?

Do you want to be SAFE or do you want to be RICH?

That’s the question, I guess. Most people just pick the first one.

Good topic. Maybe I'll actually start posting more often.

Later,
Chris Ruiz10

GoGo said:Do you want to be SECURE, or do you want to be RICH?

GoGo

Or more specifically, are we chasing financial security or true financial freedom?

Are we just looking for a steady paycheck, or do we actually want to be free...

GoGo, jump in here.

At least during this break while I work on building that Quadrant B. 😉

😱

Man, life just keeps handing me another MLM recruiter... 😁 😵 😱

Anderlone, anyone? Just ban them already. 😁

GoGo... what's she actually talking about when she says MLM?

Interesting topic.
Of course, I’d love to be loaded.
But dreaming about hitting some massive Powerball jackpot while everyone around me bets their last few bucks? That sounds fake and, honestly, pretty boring to me. I don't believe in miracles.
What I *do* believe is that most smart—and hardworking—people on this planet can get rich if they actually set a rock-solid goal for themselves.
Using the football analogy from above, here’s how I’d break down the percentages:

1. 25% raw talent
2. 20% technical knowledge of the game
3. 54.9% daily grind, grit, and having a solid coach in your corner
4. 0.00001% luck

Basically, it all happens in your head. The trait people actually value here is self-discipline. If you happen to be cool on top of that, the sky's the limit.
When I mentioned "hardworking people" earlier, I was definitely talking about those who just refuse to quit.
Another huge part of this whole equation is knowing when to say no.
For example, right now I have about ten different ideas on how I could make a fortune.
Once I lay them all out in front of me, the first question I ask myself is: what am I going to have to give up? What’s the sacrifice?
And when I tally up those sacrifices, I realize there are things I simply couldn't do to myself.
I’d turn into some miserable monster. I wouldn't have a life left.
I wouldn't do that to myself for all the money in the world.

On the flip side, there are things we absolutely love doing.
To me, the people who manage to dedicate their entire lives to what they truly love are pretty special.

If they also manage to pull in millions without losing their soul in the process, then I’d call them absolute legends.

Yeah... sacrifice is definitely a factor. There are certain things that are non-negotiable priorities for me, things I wouldn't trade for anything. Like quality time with my family.

A few years back, I worked as a landscaper for this incredibly wealthy guy. He ran his own business, had a beautiful family with four kids, and lived in a massive estate with a pool and tennis courts.

We’d chat sometimes about our different lifestyles, and what really blew my mind was how much time he actually had to dedicate to his family and his hobbies. Every weekend, they were hosting parties at the house for friends or the kids' buddies—constant birthday celebrations. During the week, he had plenty of time to drive the kids to sports games or school plays. He could hit the golf course whenever he felt like it, and they’d go on vacation at least twice a year, plus two skiing trips somewhere amazing. He’d even compete in sailing regattas around the Caribbean a couple of times a year. It was an absolutely incredible quality of life...

He used to tell me that the goal isn't just working hard, it's working smart. He structured his entire business system so that the more successful the system became, the more free time he actually gained.

In a standard career path, when you're an employee at a big corporation, the higher you climb, the less time you have. You take on more responsibility, which means longer hours, and suddenly the company owns your schedule. They distance you from your family and your passions... they convince you that it's all worth it because your salary lets you buy a nice new car to cruise around in on the weekends. They encourage you to take out huge mortgages for a big house or even a vacation home, knowing it just makes you even more dependent on them. It keeps you working harder for them, and they make sure you don't even notice it happening.

So, if you have ideas brewing... I’d say start putting them into motion. Even the Bible has a pretty interesting way of looking at it:

"There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to harvest, a time to weep and a time to laugh..."

What I mean is... life isn't endless, but it isn't so short that you shouldn't approach it in stages. Even if there's a period where you have to sacrifice more than usual to reach a goal, that investment might pay off later. What you give up now might return to you tenfold down the road.

However, the fear of failure is one of the biggest reasons people never develop their true talents or professional potential. Instead, they chase a sense of security they think they'll find by landing a job at a "good" company. People end up hunting for financial security instead of actual financial freedom.

That's one of the first things people with an entrepreneurial spirit lack. They just view potential failure differently.

I'll dive a bit deeper into that fear later on...

My take on this is actually quite simple

DO WHAT YOU LOVE AND THE MONEY WILL FOLLOW 🙂

That’s exactly how it played out for me.
(The real issue is that most people just can't handle the wait—it's an ego thing. They want their big payoff in one year, maybe two, or at most five years tops)😁

To some, my timeline—which was more like a 15 to 20-year grind—might seem absolutely terrifying, way too slow, or just plain impractical.
But I started doing what I truly love most in the world when I was just 13 years old. I wasn't chasing a paycheck; I was driven by pure passion.
I faced brutal crises, massive setbacks, and periods of real poverty, but I pushed through it all.

So, now that the fruits of that labor (the money, in this case) are finally ripening, I can honestly say there was no other way it could have happened.

However, if there's one thing I've learned about having wealth, it's this:

IT MEANS I NO LONGER HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT MONEY. It means I am finally free from the constant pressure and anxiety that usually comes tied to financial survival. 🙂

stuntman said:Chris Ruiz10... what does he mean by MLM?

I guess Sandra is probably some manager who got way too wrapped up in climbing the corporate ladder, so she has no clue what you're talking about.

MLM stands for multi-level marketing—you know, that Amway kind of shit. Apparently, Robert’s books sell really well with those crowds. There’s a rumor going around that he only blew up because some MLM guy sold a massive amount of his books through his downline. I think Robert even mentioned in his own books that MLMs are fine.

Personally, I hate MLMs. I could never talk people into joining something like that.

Best,
Chris Ruiz10

hiddenpuma75, man... seriously, props to you... it only took fifteen years to hit financial independence. My own roadmap is set for twenty-five years... ten are already in the books... so I’ve got fifteen left to go.

So you started grinding at thirteen and managed to break free from the rat race in just fifteen years? Let me guess your job... are you a priest?!

Hey, just kidding, hiddenpuma75.

But really... through all those highs and lows, you’ve definitely shaped who you are, whether as an entrepreneur or just as a person. I'm sure you've learned a lot about managing things like fear, risk, and greed...

Don't leave us hanging without more advice or stories... I really hope this was just your introductory post.

In my book, MLM is hands down one of the nastiest scams in the business world. Honestly, I can't believe Sandra dragged me into this... but hey, let's just move past it. It seems like so many people have been burned by these schemes that they’ve become totally paranoid. Now, the second they hear words like "business" or "entrepreneurship," they immediately jump straight to thinking about MLMs.

Ona007 said:It’s a compelling topic, isn't it?
When I lay out all my ambitions on the table—the very first question I find myself asking is—what exactly am I expected to give up? What needs to be sacrificed?
And once I actually tally those sacrifices, I realize there are things I simply couldn't do to myself as a human being.
I would turn into some sort of miserable monster; I wouldn't have a life left at all.
There isn't enough money in the world to justify making that kind of trade-off with my own soul.

.

That strikes me as a rather pessimistic outlook. Working for yourself provides a certain degree of freedom—not to mention the potential for true financial independence.

The beginning is always an uphill battle, certainly, but eventually, you find this drive to succeed—this sheer will—simply because you are building something of your own, entirely free from anyone else's control.

Ronald Castillo5 said:Please, don't feel like you owe us any more advice or life lessons... I really hope this was just your opening salvo.

I’ve already shared my main piece of advice: everyone should just pursue what they love.🙂

However, I honestly don't think my specific experiences would be useful to anyone else because my profession is incredibly niche, both here in the States and globally.
It's so rare that my biggest struggle in life was actually dealing with my own family, who tried everything in their power to steer me away from it.
The reality is, this line of work doesn't typically bring in money, fame, or even much respect from the public.
(But I loved it, and I'm genuinely happy that it took me thirteen years to finally realize exactly what I was meant to do.)

I am fairly certain there are only two people actively working in my field in the entire country—myself and one other guy I know personally.😁 But you just can't make a living doing this in America; we had to move abroad to make it work.
If you count people who dabble in it professionally (on their own terms or occasionally), there are maybe ten people scattered across the US with varying levels of success.
There are no specialized schools, no university degrees, no training programs... nothing.
It is pure risk. You essentially have to be born for it—much like a professional gambler. (Now, I'm not a gambler, but conceptually it's very similar; the inherent risk and unpredictability are so central to what I do that, fundamentally, there isn't much difference between my job and gambling.)

That's why I feel my advice and my journey are ultimately misplaced... and impractical for most people.

hiddenpuma75 said:I know for a fact that only two people from the States are actively doing my line of work right now—me and one other guy 😁(since we're old acquaintances)—but you just can't do this kind of thing back home; we had to move abroad to make it happen.
In total, there are maybe ten others professionally involved in this field (either on their own or occasionally) across the whole country, all with varying levels of success.
There’s no school, no college degree, no certifications... nothing for this job.
It’s pure risk. You almost have to be born for it—kind of like being a gambler. I'm not a gambler, but conceptually it's similar; risk and unpredictability are the core of what I do, so there isn't much difference between my work and gambling.

That’s why my advice and experiences might feel out of place or impractical to most people.

Just asking out of curiosity... tell me more. 🙏

Yeah, hiddenpuma75, you’ve definitely piqued our curiosity about what you actually do—not sure why you're being so cryptic, maybe because you don't have much of a following here in the States? But hey, if that's your choice, there's no need to keep it a secret...

...just so people don't think I'm being vague when I ask questions... I work as an import manager for a private firm in Washington, D.C. The pay is decent, but even though it's way above the average American salary, I still feel like I couldn't afford my own place with it (unless I take out some predatory loans that I'll be paying off for 30 years)...

What really gets to me is that everywhere I've worked (three different companies), I moved up fast, got raises, and all that. But at the same time, people often called me foolish for not working for myself, given my skills and whatnot... I don't mean to sound egotistical, but honestly, they were constantly praising me...

Yet, I always feel too young, too intimidated, and frankly, too chicken to strike out on my own... even though deep down I know I have the potential.
But the startup capital???

Sure, I agree that someone who believes in themselves—and puts in the grit and hard work—usually succeeds...
But how do you actually start believing in yourself? Are people just born with it? Or what?

😉

Hmm.. maybe some people are just born with it, but that doesn't feel like a very realistic scenario to me. It sounds like something driven by pure emotion—people believing they have what it takes when they actually lack the skills, and then they crash and burn. It’s just like football; you need the confidence to win, but you also need the actual talent on the field. You can't have one without the other. If you already have the skills, then it’s just a matter of starting to believe in yourself.

If it isn't something you're born with, then it can definitely be a learned process. That growth often comes from experience working for others. When you see people who are way less capable than you actually succeeding, you realize it makes sense to have more faith in your own potential too. Just make sure you're looking at successful role models, not those total frauds whose egos are massive but whose skills are zero. Those guys are only good at cutting corners to make a quick buck before they end up in the news for all the wrong reasons.

But having self-belief isn't the only hurdle. A lot of people don't start their own ventures not because they doubt themselves, but because they're terrified of failure, bankruptcy, or total collapse.

Take a hard look at how you view the possibility of failing... see if that fear is what's actually holding you back. Most successful business leaders aren't afraid of hitting a wall. Many of them fail several times before they finally hit it big, but that ultimate success makes all the previous setbacks worth it. Anyone who isn't ready for that reality is going to stay stuck working for someone else, just waiting for that steady paycheck. Don't forget, your boss is someone who was willing to take a specific risk, and whoever takes the risk is the one who deserves to get paid for it. You’re essentially paying for the fact that they were brave enough to step up. Plus, successful entrepreneurs look at the possibility of failure as a lesson they need to learn. They see potential problems as challenges rather than dead ends.

If I may, I'd like to offer some encouragement regarding those unfriendly loan terms and that 30-year repayment period you mentioned. That sentence feels a bit heavy on the gloom, and here's why... you might sign a 30-year mortgage just because securing a roof over your head is the smartest move. Nobody wants to live with their parents forever or spend their life making a landlord rich instead of building their own equity. But your circumstances might change in a few years, and you could find yourself able to shorten that loan to 10 years or pay it off entirely. Personally, I took out a 25-year loan when I had no idea things would ever improve... but life changed, and now I'll be paying it off much sooner than expected.

You know, people tend to look toward the future through the lens of the worst-case scenario, which paralyzes them. Let's try focusing on the positive outcomes for a moment. If we combine our abilities with a little bit of self-confidence, that should be enough to take that first step. And honestly, that’s all it takes, because the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Don't forget... in economics, there is no such thing as a perfect equilibrium or a middle ground. If you aren't moving forward, you're actually sliding backward... and while you're slipping, someone else is moving ahead of you. Plenty of people say, "I'm fine with what I have, I don't need anything more." There’s nothing inherently wrong with that mindset—it's noble and honest—but it can be a trap. You shouldn't strive to move forward just to have twenty times more money, but rather to ensure you aren't falling behind. There is no standing still; you're always moving somewhere... the only question is which direction.

Spot on, Ronald Castillo5! Honestly, it took me a few days to process what you wrote. Everything you said was just... incredibly accurate.

Thanks for the encouragement regarding my credit for the apartment!
Seriously though, thanks for the post.
I'd love to see more from you.

I’m currently reading a great book:
Milkovich, Dubravka; Rijavec, Majda
In Search of The Lamp

It features several stories about successful people—how they made it, why they chose their paths, and how they got started. Beyond that, there's plenty of material for self-reflection and figuring out one's life mission.
I've read some of their work before and really enjoy it; they have this modern, approachable way of tackling deep, heavy topics about the human condition.

PARSIFALLLLL!!!!!

How am I supposed to do what I love when I don't feel like doing anything at all?

Stuntman says:

"So now, you've got the skills, you've got the talent—it's just a matter of believing in yourself, etc..."

Brilliant. Truly profound.

Most successful entrepreneurs look at things through a certain lens—if the glass is half empty, they see it as half full. You have to maintain that optimism.

I remember arriving in the United Kingdom years ago with nothing more than four bucks in my pocket. After a few years of grinding—and by "grinding," am I being too negative? Perhaps "struggling" is the better word—I eventually launched several businesses. My approach to Nila’s fear of failure was quite simple: I arrived in England with four dollars; if I head back home with five, I’ve turned a profit.

That’s why you should never let the fear of failing hold you back; it's really just a masterclass in experience—one necessary step on the ladder toward success.