I do not have an extra million in a bank I can use whenever I want. I know some millionaires do not have any money in the bank, and have to work to make a living.

I was not always a “millionaire” and I lived the same as I do now — but I had much more time to spend with friends and family. I miss that. I actually went 10 years without a vacation away from work for even a day. My parents are getting older without me. I used to see them 3 times a week … now I’m lucky to see them once a month … and they live in the same city.

Usually, a good job allows you to keep your car, your home, and ability to enjoy life. Even if you are very rich, kids can always take out a loan for college and pay it back once they have a job. Mine is .. because if he didn’t .. he wouldn’t understand the value of money (and doesn’t yet). So I wouldn’t worry about that part too much. (And they have so much more initiative to try to get that scholarship, too!)

I think freedom really is the freedom to do what you enjoy in life, and to follow the goals you set for yourself to be successful — the definition of success being that you are happy and proud of what you do and you are appreciated and loved. In my mind, the only way you can be successful is to reach out and help others.

I have turned down many opportunities for money because I knew the money itself would not make me happy; it would, in fact, make me very uncomfortable with myself and I’d rather not have it at all. So I just did what I thought was right in the process of building a business. I actually think that is why I became even more successful — word gets out.

I grew up in a home I consider very rich and I have wonderful memories of a wonderful childhood — I don’t know of any other friends with such an amazing childhood. Although we were very poor, we were richer than any other family I knew. I still remember the one gift I would get at Christmas and how much I loved it! My kids.. they expected whatever they wanted.

I keep those memories and those lessons with me today and they slip out sometimes.

I have often seen that kids with rich parents just don’t realize the value of the money their parents must spend on them. I also have often believed that, had we been poor, my children may have appreciated things much more as they grew.

My million? It came to me accidentally from doing something I enjoyed and doing it well and with purpose. And if I didn’t review the paperwork now and then, I wouldn’t even know I had it because how much I have or don’t have doesn’t matter to me. I’m just happy I am able to help others who in turn are able to help their employees.

We used to live paycheck to paycheck; we even counted on the tax refund each year to pay debt. But we had a happy life and took vacations each year even if we had to camp – and I miss camping!

Health? I’m in much worse health than I have been in before; but that happens to everyone. Money doesn’t seem to help there at all. If I could give up the money to have the health, I would.

The best part about it? I can help others who need help. That feels good.

The only other difference to me is simply that I can spend a ridiculous amount of money on something (like a backyard fountain) I would never have bought before (and feel guilty about it, too) .. and not have to plan and save when I need something. That’s it.

Although there is definitely something to be said for having to plan and save … it allowed us as a family to appreciate everything we bought and every vacation we took.

I still go to flea markets and sales. I still know the value of a dollar. I often spend the money I have on others.

I do not do anything else differently than when our family only had one rather good job — except I am able to be more generous with others and buy things I don’t really need — and take vacations in hotel rooms instead of campgrounds.

This is definitely not to say that having money is not a good goal … I think most want to live comfortably for the reasons you cited.

It’s just that I believe those who are truly successful and happy often get there by doing things they love that help others while behaving in an ethical manner … allowing God to guide their life’s decisions … without ever thinking about the actual end result.

Judy (had to reply!)

Only by finding the purpose of your life will you be able to find yourself valuable in your life.

Money? the more the better. But some people think becoming a millionaire is their purpose in life. Wrong!