People Don’t Want To Miss Out On Getting Rich
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I was watching an episode of Leverage the other day regarding a Ponzi scheme and there was scene where a line was quite thought-provoking. Nate (Timothy Hutton) tells his team that people invest in these scams because of the so-called “guaranteed” higher-than-average returns. He says that people do not fear that they will lose their money, but that they fear they will miss out on the opportunity to strike it rich.
What he said is indeed very true. When people buy that lottery ticket, purchase that stock, invest in a fund, participate in MLM or order those “Secrets to Millions” informational kits from TV, their primary focus is placed on the potential profits that those things can bring.
We’ve all heard of how there is a higher possibility of being killed by a number of things while making that 5 minute trip to buy that lotto ticket. We’ve all seen those ads about how buying this or that stock is a guaranteed to increase in share price and find that it takes a dive the moment you buy it. And, we’ve seen the many programs out there that portray people raking in $20,000 in 1 week from following “their simple steps” and end up with different results when you buy it for yourself.
Think A Little
Taking a few seconds to stop and wonder might help save yourself some grief when your hard earned money disappears. While walking by a store and I see the jackpot of $200 million, putting $5 for chance to have it doesn’t seem like such a nonsensical thing to do until I find that I’ve put in about $100 per month for that chance to get rich. Then again, not buying a ticket means I have no chance at hitting the lotto. Just make sure that it doesn’t get out of hand.
When dealing with the stock market, nothing is guaranteed. A promised annual ROI of 20% from an investment fund is bogus. Let past performances with research and analysis prove to you that there is something worth investing in.
The validity of methods of making thousands per week can easily shot down by asking myself one question:
If these discs can show me how to make up to $100,000 a week without doing anything, why are you selling me this idea when you can make millions yourself (and if you were a smart businessman, you should keep this to yourself)? And for only $19.99?
If I knew the secret to being rich in one year’s time, I certainly wouldn’t reveal it to anyone (though I don’t mind sharing the wealth).
Who isn’t looking for the fastest route to millions?
These dreams of a luxurious care-free lifestyle overshadow the conscious mind telling them that it is too good to be true. A glimpse of hope is all that is needed to become trapped in a continuous cycle that keeps them paying for the possibility that they make a lot of money.
Photo credit: Lisa Brewster
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mike said:
depressing, but nice & bitter reminder!
August 24th, 2009 at 1:44 pm -
Ashley said:
This is so true! I once went on a job interview for a company (that has grown to be rather large) that is obviously working under a business model similar to a ponzi scheme. When addressing my concerns with the interviewer I was told to only focus on the potential to make lots of money in only a short amount of time.
I walked away from the job offer, but it saddened me that many people were completely comfortable working there while ignoring the long-term issues they may be causing for themselves. Most times the quick and easy route to being a millionaire also has a quick and easy route to homelessness.
August 24th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
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