I don’t think we talk enough about money. It’s kind of a sensitive topic- it’s not nice to talk about how much we spend, how much we earn. We’re more than our bank balance, surely!

That said, there’s no escaping it in this day and age. Being a hunter-gatherer isn’t really an option any more. The marketplace is a very real element of the modern human condition.

I think it’s important to worry enough about money such that it doesn’t hold us hostage. My personal goal (for now) is to be financially independent, enough so that money doesn’t trouble me or limit me from living my dreams and fulfilling my potential. Money is merely a tool that’s meant to serve us, as a convenient substitute to bartering goods and services, nothing more. I think often, we forget the value of good ol’ bartering- that we mistake the map for the territory, and forget that what people want is wealth, not money- and we can create wealth for ourselves and each other, without actually having much (or any) money at all.

When I was a kid I used to save quite religiously. I think I saved up to a few hundred dollars in a bank account that my parents opened for me. I’m not sure what happened to that money- I think it’s still there, in a bank account that I’ve forgotten about, which I think my mum is taking care of. I’m personally choosing not to ask my parents about it, to operate under the assumption that I’m not getting a single cent out of them ever again. It’s simply a more fulfilling and antifragile way to live.

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2023jan4

this is a text-dump post for assorted notes and writings I’ve had about money

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a thing that reduced a lot of my anxiety and confusion for me around money – and the funny thing was that I forgot this at some point and had to rediscover and re-realize it – I don’t accept clients unless I believe I can give them more value than I ask them to pay me $ for

I currently charge $300 for a personal positioning consult, but if after 5-10 mins of texting back and forth I don’t think I can create $1000+ of value for you, I won’t take your money. This is a pact I have with myself, because my work is sacred to me

“why do you charge $300 when you think you’re producing $1000?”

I always leave $ on the table. it’s great marketing &builds trust. it drives my wife crazy but it’s part of how I demonstrate deep confidence in what I do. and I believe it’s why opportunities keep coming my way.

If you’re not excited to work with me, I don’t want your money.

My perspective on this is informed quite a bit by David Ogilvy, who in my opinion had a kingly attitude re: being picky about clients. If you make it a point to only work with excellent clients, there’s this additional magical aura that emerges around you.

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whenever I can make more money or make more friends I choose friends

friendship is wealth and you can’t tax friendship

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“give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it and I’ll sell ads and merch to make money to buy consumer products for myself” – lots of people