Reading Time: 4 Minutes
Owwww I am STUFFED.
BURP.
Excuse me for a bit boys and girls.
Belches again off-camera.
Whew, much better.
Just had a HUMONGOUS feed.
Man, I knew it was wrong to grab those Fillet-O-Fish burgers for a post-dinner snack… never again.
Shakes head. Brbrbrbrbrrrrr.
But c’mon, who DOESN’T like fast food, SO. DAMN. DELICIOUS.
Hmmm… although it does remind me of what I was reading earlier today, what was it again? Hm.
Oh yeah!
It was on Tom Corley’s Rich Habits.
Who’s Tom Corley?
Yeah exactly.
But reading through his website, apparently the guy spent 12 years conducting a study by interviewing and researching millionaires, multi-millionaires, multi-multi-millionaires and a group designated… “poor”, to try and see what’s the difference between “rich” and “poor”.
In short, it is habits, habits and habits.
Yeah but who cares about being rich or being poor – I just want to be HAPPY.
Fair, fair, and I just want to wrap my mouth around that hot, freshly made fish fillet lying between those soft, soft buns and that sauce “shudders”… ooooo lala.

Ahem, anyway – YOU may be right in saying we just want to be happy, BUT you would have to agree with me that in life, there are 12 major problems which everyone – rich or poor have to deal with:
- Health Problems
- Financial Problems
- Family Problems
- Neighbour Problems
- Home Ownership Problems
- Car Problems
- Addiction Problems
- Job Problems
- Relationship Problems
- Death/Disability Problems
- Time Management Problems
- Weather Problems
HOWEVER if you look at it closely, the rich generally just struggle with 4 of those issues.
Family, Death/Disability, Time Management and the Weather.
So er… if my math’s is correct, four divided by twelve is… carry the one… um 1/5? No wait, 2/6! So 1/3… that’s a third or if I had 100 fish burgers and ate two thirds I would have… heart and cholesterol problems.
So really, being rich can remove 2/3 of life’s problems – which is pretty handy if you ask me.
Health Problems
According to Tom’s research, 76% of the rich do some form of cardio exercise every day for about thirty minutes. Which is why they can consume so many fish burg… no, which is why they can keep a fit and healthy body, mind and spirit.
Unless you factor in cancer.
But wait! Science has shown that a poor diet of fish burgers can lead to the increase of cancer.
Which is also another aspect of Tom’s study, the rich eat significantly less fish burgers (junk food), consume less alcohol and sugar than the comparative poor did.
Financial Problems
Well er.. if you’re rich… you don’t really have a financial problem, that is why you are rich.

Family Problems
Sorry, just because you’re rich doesn’t mean you don’t have to deal with that fish burger addict son who’s posing as a wannabe personal finance and development blogger.
You can’t buy/sell family – that would be called slavery… and to my knowledge, is somewhat frowned upon today.
Neighbour Problems
If I had the money, pffft I wouldn’t put up with the likes of YOU, non-fish burger eating scum, umm… I mean, I mean neighbours I don’t like.
The rich have the luxury to pick who they want to live with, and afford to find the best places to live.
Home Problems
This point refers to when things breaks down around the house.
Actually I’ve found this to be true not just around the house but in the day-to-day as well.
If something breaks or requires maintenance – just chuck money at the problem until it works again.
Car Problems
Ditto here.
For most of us who own some form of vehicle – if it breaks down, we take it for repairs… but for dem rich folk – they can just buy a new car EACH. TIME. If they wanted to…

For us plebs, I found a cool link which can at least diagnose some of the common car problems (here).
Addiction Problems
Delicious and tantalizing fish burgers are a blight on modern society today.
No one, not even the rich, can escape this blight.
The big difference is that the rich can afford to send themselves, their spouse or their children to the best and most effective fish burger rehabilitation centers.
The rich have the financial resources to secure the best care in dealing with addiction problems.
Sigh.
Job Problems
According to Tom, 86% of the rich like or love what they do for a living.
Which means they do a better job, have no fear of being fired (they are usually the boss or the decision-maker)… which means that they do the firing.
Unlike unlucky plebs like us…
Relationship Problems
I found this point interesting.
According to the study, relationships are the currency of the wealthy.
By managing their relationships, connections and networks – they associate with like-minded individuals who share the same goals, morals and thinking.
Being rich seems to afford the luxury of picking and choosing who you want to link up with.
Death/Disability Problems
Unfortunately just because you are rich, doesn’t mean you are immortal – therein lies the fault of many a rich ‘un. Death comes for us all!

Time Management Problems
This is quite compelling and where the rich and poor differ significantly I find.
If you’re categorised as “rich” usually you have many sources of income, and hustles to manage.
Usually then you are constantly being pressed for time in managing these activities.
The study found that 91% of the rich are the decision-makers where they work, this means each decision takes time to figure out.
Contrast this with the poor… who more often than not can be spotted just munching away at your nearest fish burger store.
“Shakes head”.
Weather Problems
Um… ain’t it obvious?
~~~
I dunno about you, but I found the study to be really captivating! Think I kept on digging into more and more of the articles – they were very insightful.
How many of the habits are you doing right now?
I must make a point that ultimately yes, being rich or being poor is just a mindset and moment in time – and not the most important thing in life.
HOWEVER, you’d have to agree with me on this point, that being rich is FAR more advantageous to being poor right?
I mean, just think of how many fish burgers you’d be able to consume…
What do you think? Did you enjoy this post? Please help me out if you enjoyed this and put your email in and click on the little “subscribe” button at the top right. This way, you’ll never miss my words of awesomeness! So do the right thing, be a subscriber and get it straight to your inbox fresh out of the oven!
65 Comments
Mary Ambrose
Yes, but being rich can also bring new headaches. Being rich isn’t the goal, itsi a means to happiness.
The Frugal Samurai
I agree it does have its own headaches… but then you’d have rich people headaches!
Dalene Ekirapa
And that remains true! Being rich can make life easy as long as you acquired your wealth in a just manner; I’ve seen rich people suffering even more from depression and other health complications as much as they can afford the bills and never get to enjoy their wealth.
The Frugal Samurai
Oh yeah there’s that… end of the day life’s not without its problems – but being rich or poor ain’t worth squat being your health and happiness… that’s truth.
Dalene Ekirapa
Undoubtedly!
Joanna
There is a saying, money don’t bring happiness but it surely maintains it. When you don’t have to worry about money you can concentrate on working harder to keep a happy family and a healthy relationship.
The Frugal Samurai
You’ve got it! I guess it depends on the level of “rich” you are… I mean if you’re just financially independent (the sweet spot) then yeah, you can focus on TIME (most crucial) spent on the people and relationships that matter.
Jacob Welbourne
The car’s a Bugatti, just sayin.
The Frugal Samurai
W…what’s a Boo…Boo-ga-tee “gives embarrassed look”.
crisshex88
I found it very inspiring, just and interesting … after all, life is like this: it presents us with problems around every corner.
The Frugal Samurai
Those are some deep and wise words there, thanks for reading too!
Tara Pittman (@momknowsbest15)
I am not rich but I do great at taking care of my health. I also manage my money quite well
The Frugal Samurai
Love how you just call it like it is – thanks for reading as always 🙂
Chad
Super love your post lol Rich or poor, I love to build good habits like working out everyday. Great read, love your style of writing.
The Frugal Samurai
Thanks for reading! And boy am I glad that you spotted the KEY message… which is habits, habits and habits! Kudos on working out everyday, that is toughhhh man, tough.
Amber
Yeah, I doubt being rich would eliminate problems. There will always be issues. It would solve some of them, but there’d still be a ton around.
The Frugal Samurai
Of cos, of cos – you can never remove “problems”, but you can mitigate them… by throwing dollars… lots and lots of dollars.
Candace Hampton
I agree. There’s so much that can be fixed with money. Besides health, pretty much anything else can be handled with money. It’s crazy, but that’s how this world rolls. lol Thanks for sharing!
XO
Candace
http://www.thebeautybeau.com
The Frugal Samurai
No problem, I agree – it’s a bit sad actually that is how the world is these days… but good to see that end of the day, happiness, true happiness – is derived from our relationships with our dearly beloved.
reikamisakisan
This is really nice, but I think if people stops following the lives of what people post on Social Media, they are also eliminating some problems in their life, whether they’re very fortunate or not, as long as they are satisfy with what they have. Still a great post, nevertheless.
The Frugal Samurai
TOTALLY would agree with you – I personally think that social media is one of the worst things to happen to modern society, everything is glammed up for perfection… when the reality is lost in cyberspace, but that’s a post for another day! Thanks for reading.
Cynthia Nicoletti
I do beleive having $$$ must make things easier. It just doesn’t bring happiness, and health which to me is most important.
The Frugal Samurai
Oh yeah, health and relationships are the most important things in life, there’s consensus on that point! Thanks for reading.
Nicole Gordon Anderson
I found this pretty interesting. I really love your style of writing too. I do agree with a lot of what you are saying here too. I’ll have to pass on the fish burgers though!
The Frugal Samurai
Hahaha, that’s fine, that’s fine – dem ol fish burgers ain’t for everyone (more for me yum yum!) thank you for reading.
Jeremy Life
Being rich would bring happiness. It is true. But it is one of the options in our life. Someone said if you want to be rich, you will not be lazy. I am not sure. I don’t want to be tight in my life. Relaxing and being lazy would be a happy person.
The Frugal Samurai
Great philosophy… relaxing and being lazy would be a happy person, so kinda like ignorance is bliss right! Nice, nice love it, thank you for reading.
Sharon Lopez
Yeah, that’s the reason why we are trying to get there. This both an inspiring and challenging post. Thank you for sharing.
The Frugal Samurai
No, thank YOU for reading! Hope you get there – seems like you are well on your way!
Bindu Thomas
I think it’s true and this post really makes me inspiring. Thanks for sharing.
The Frugal Samurai
No worries, thank you for reading!
The J Teem
Yes, people who suffer from poverty struggle with many more of these issues. I don’t consider myself “rich” but we are far from poor. I think “rich” has different meanings for different people. I would say we are very comfortable.
The Frugal Samurai
That’s very wise, yes you can say “rich” in the philosophical sense – I think end of the day, as long as you live a full life without regrets, that’s “rich”, certainly more rich than digits in the bank.
Nikki from Tikkido
Interesting report. I’d love to read more about the differences between rich/poor relationships and how they affect the rest of life. It’s something I’d never considered!
The Frugal Samurai
Same here! Would love to be a fly on the wall of what goes on in the private lives of billionaires… is it all that and all!
the wayfaring redhead
Being wealthy definitely would bring an ease to some things in life however I think there are a lot of wealthy people that are missing out on some other things in life that contribute to happiness. Either way I would like to try being rich for a little while to find out LOL.
The Frugal Samurai
I know right, you never know unless you try – but I think that most “wealthy” people are just normal humans, nothing too different about them at all… end of the day, we all have the same things which make us happy or sad right! Thanks for reading.
Alexandra Cook
Being rich definitely doesn’t mean you’re going to be happy. Finding happiness is a journey all on its own.
The Frugal Samurai
Of course it is, but being rich “can” solve many of life’s problems, financially that is! But 100% agree with you, doesn’t guarantee happiness at ALL. No siree.
kumamonjeng
In this world there are so many problems and each household have their own and we won’t be able to know it. Rich or poor, have to face problems. It depends how we face it and turn the problem into a challenge and learn from it.
The Frugal Samurai
Oh yeah, every household has their own challenges for sure… you’re right – all depends on how to overcome these. Loving your travel blogging btw!
Norma
Awesome post! Everything in life has it advantages and disadvantages. It may also help to look at life through the right color glasses. If we think that others are living a better life than we are, we are always unhappy regardless of how much money we have.
The Frugal Samurai
That’s very wise indeed! Everything is all relative to everything else right? I like your attitude ALOT! Thanks for reading.
leah
creating quality habits especially with kiddos around is always number one!
The Frugal Samurai
Hahaha yeah I agree, my word – can’t begin to imagine the stress that will build up then!
Lindsey
I am a firm believer that money doesn’t bro g you happiness, family and life do.
The Frugal Samurai
I agree, it doesn’t. But it can bring options right?
Rachel
I love the bit where you highlight the 12 things both rich and not so rich people have to deal with – so true! Intersting and thought provoking post for sure.
The Frugal Samurai
No problem, thank you for reading!
Devyani Ray
Money does not buy happiness ! Very well written article
The Frugal Samurai
Thanks for saying so, and agree – it doesn’t, but it can solve problems right?
Suzanne Spiegoski (@SSpiegoski)
Money may solve a lot of life’s problems, but it still cannot buy you happiness.
The Frugal Samurai
No it definitely canNOT. But it can buy you options and choices… which isn’t the worst thing no?
Wendy Polisi
I had to giggle when it got to the family problems. Everyone has to deal with crap, rich or not.
The Frugal Samurai
Hahaha yeah, you can’t change your family – as much as you want to right!
Cindy Ingalls
The saying more money, more problems also applies. Being rich doesn’t solve everything. Having money does alleviate the worry should an emergency arise and it can allow you the ability to enjoy nicer things, but it can’t make you happy.
The Frugal Samurai
Oh yeah, that’s a very interesting perspective and one I haven’t actually considered you know? Thanks for that… it actually can create more problems, you’re right!
toastycritic
I don’t know. I think that it can be generally true but the rich just have other problems which come from being rich. Although everyone does want to have life be easier for them for sure and money and stability makes the problems we confront different and not survival ones.
The Frugal Samurai
Hmmm, you’ve also stated the same thing a lot of other people have stated… which I haven’t really considered? Guess that’s why I’m not rich! Only aspiring to be “sigh”. Although I would have to say that having money does give you choices and options no?
Ruth I
This is absolutely accurate. I agree to everyting you mentioned here. I guess you can deal with things easier when you got money
The Frugal Samurai
Thank you, most comments think otherwise but glad at least someone does!
briebrieblooms
Great read! Everyone has problems. But they are problems because we identify them as problems and even though it comes with its own problems, money can fix most challenges not everyone has the ability to handle.
The Frugal Samurai
So true! I think though, the key is how we think about these problems – whether we choose to let it affect us. Of course, money can change most things, but it can never change how we think about life, I think it’s a multipler, if you’re a positive guy, you’ll be more positive coming into wealth, but if you’re a negative nelly… you’ll just be damn miserable to be around.
jadoreledecor
Aside from fixing problems of hunger and housing, being rich offers little else in my opinion. Being happy is very much a concientious decision.
The Frugal Samurai
Yeah it’s just a mindset – BUT having a bit of spare cash around ain’t too bad is it?