Haha. I hope Joe doesnt find out about your networth (exceeds $10M?) while only at 36. Else he might go into depression. If not depression, he might become delusional and start thinking his $1M is $10M too!


I will list the possible morals of the story of Joe here:

1. When you achieved your target, say for Joe's case, it was $1M after 10 yrs of work, enjoy the moment and perhaps even treat yourself and parents (Joe still stay with his parents) to a good holiday. In fact, set many goals along your life's journey and savour and enjoy every target met - before you lose that winning feeling each time.

2. Dont rest on your laurels, after achieving a target, set the next higher target to be achieved - simply because there are higher targets to be achieved.

3. There is a big world out there, when comparing, dont just compare within your cohort (and feel smug), compare beyond your cohort, close friends and company.

4. It is very hard for a single person to beat / match the networth of a working couple (even with children). For a working couple, it is not 1 + 1 = 2. It is 1 + 1 > 2. If a single person can save 50% of his salary, a working couple can save one spouse's full salary plus half of the other spouse's salary. When the working couple reach their 50s (as in Mark's case), they could be saving their whole salary - each and every year. I can testify to this.

5. Instead of feeling dejected or defeated, try and learn from others how they achieved their networth.