How To Become A Multi-Millionaire.

I’d like to share some advice … plus one interesting solution.

This article of mine was initially inspired by the innumerable headings that I kept seeing on the Medium platform (from a variety of authors), who seemed to be fixated about earning money. Here are just a few samples (slightly modified to ensure author-anonymity):

‘Do this and make a pile of money … every month’ ‘Get $300 for every story you write’ ‘Rules for making $750 as a new write’ ‘2 side-hustles that’ll earn you $100 per hour’ ‘Not earning enough? Here’s how to earn big every month’ ‘I write for only a few hours a day but I make tons of money’

And there have been so many more!

Some were indeed quite helpful; many were hopeless hopes; most were a waste of time, and some headings were simply click-bait attractions to get you reading something else … and that’s deplorable.

But last month, in my email inbox I got one of those ‘please pass on this story to your friends’ emails. One of those that seeks to get a funny story or a political point or a piece of advice-for-life multiplied and circulated. It was from a friend who does this regularly. Normally I don’t pass them on … one quick read and then I press ‘delete’. You probably get them too from time-to-time.

However, I couldn’t resist the temptation to pass this one on … to you … especially as I’d already decided to tell you about the many money-making declarations that some Medium writers seem to be besotted with (as above).

So, here’s that story. I don’t know the original author. If any reader can identify him/her then do let me know because I’m a bit of a stickler for giving attributions:

A Feel-Good Story (and maybe a leg-up for your earning habits):

Every morning, the CEO of a large bank in Manhattan walks to the corner for a shoeshine. He sits in an armchair, examines the Wall Street Journal and the shoe shiner buffs his shoes to a mirror shine. One morning the shoe shiner asked the CEO: “What do you think about the situation in the stock market?” The man answered arrogantly, “Why are you so interested in that topic?” The shoe guy replied: “I have millions in your bank, and I’m considering investing some of the money into the capital market.” “What’s your name?” asked the executive. “John H. Smith,” was the reply. When the CEO arrived at the bank he asked the Manager of the Customer Department: “Do we have a client named John H. Smith?” “We certainly do,” answered the Customer Service Manager. “He is a high-net-worth customer with 12.6 million dollars in his account.” The executive made a quick return to the shoe shiner corner, and said to the man: “Mr. Smith, I would like to invite you next Monday to be the guest of honour at the board meeting of my bank so that you can tell us the story of your life. I am sure we could learn something from your life’s experience.”

At the board meeting, the CEO introduced him to the board members. “We all know Mr. Smith, from the corner shoeshine stand, but Mr. Smith is also an esteemed customer. I invited him here to tell us the story of his life. I am sure we can all learn from him.” Mr. Smith began his story… “I came to this country fifty years ago as a young immigrant from Europe with an unpronounceable name. I got off the ship without a penny. The first thing I did was change my name to Smith.

I was hungry and exhausted and I started wandering around looking for a job, but to no avail. Fortunately, I found a coin on the sidewalk. I bought an apple. I had two options, eat the apple and quench my hunger, or start a business. I chose option 2 and sold the apple for 25 cents, buying two apples more apples with the money. I also sold them and thus continued in business.

When I started to accumulate a few dollars, I was able to buy a set of brushes and shoe polish and started polishing shoes. I never spend a penny on entertainment or clothing, I just bought bread and some cheese to survive. I saved penny by penny and after a while, I bought a new set of shoe brushes and polishes in different shades and expanded my clientele. I lived like a monk and saved penny by penny. After a while, I was able to buy an armchair so my clients could sit comfortably while I shined their shoes, and that brought me more clients. I did not spend a penny on the joys of life. I kept saving every cent.

A few years ago, when the previous shoe shiner on the corner decided to retire, I had already saved enough money to buy his shoeshine location at this great place and my shoe-shine earnings just grew and grew, giving me a comfortable life.

Finally, 6 months ago, my sister, who was a prostitute in Chicago, passed away and left me 12.6 million dollars.”

Bet you didn’t expect that ending! But I do hope that you enjoyed the story … and perhaps picked up a few tips along the way. Fred. Read more; enjoy the reads, and who knows … you might learn a lot too!

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“How to become a Multi-Multimillionaire” written by Fred: writer on Medium * * * * * © Fred Ogden 2022 * * * * *

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