I Spent The Weekend in A Mansion By The Lake: Here’s What I Learned
2024 just started and once again it happened: my friend, the son of a software millionaire, reached out to me.
He asked me: “Hey, what up? Long time no hear.” Funny, how he says that, after he’s the one too busy to write. “I was wondering if you’re up to meeting. Next week, I need to start working again, but until Sunday, I’m free. If you want, I can come over to Munich or you come over here to Lake Constance to our mansion.”
Of course, I chose the mansion.
Only three days later, I found myself sitting on a regional train (to save me the cost of an extra train ticket) to Lake Constance. It was a stark contrast: sitting in an overcrowded regional train to get to spend the weekend in a million-euro mansion by the lake.
Only a mere four hours later and after having immersed myself into the new capitalist-critic novel of a German author, I arrived at my destination.
I was pondering about what I read and what I was supposed to witness when the call of my friend cut my line of thought. I answered: “Hey, what’s up?”. “Where you at?” he asked me. I responded: “I’m on the train, about to arrive at the train station.” He laughed shortly. I was confused and looked outside, realizing that I’d already arrived.
He said: “Yeah, I’m in the parking lot, where are you?” I grabbed my things, stuffed them into my weekender, and told him: “Oh well, the train has arrived. I’ll meet you outside.” I hung up, rushed out of the train, took a couple of steps towards his car, and saw the train and my thoughts leaving.
This marked the start of a great weekend, of long walks, hitting the sauna (and ice bath), late-night cooking, a bit too much alcohol, and catching up with someone, who has all the money, but still has the same struggles.
It was awesome escaping the big city of Munich, spending time by the water, and catching up with an old friend. But with all that luxury, I wouldn’t find in my day-to-day life, I also realized certain things.
Here’s what I learned after spending the weekend in a mansion by the lake.
A premium for privacy
Millionaires value privacy and are willing to pay a premium for it.
Recently, I read a X post by Dickie Bush saying he always pays for business class because then he’s in a different mindset. After spending time in the mansion by the lake, I understand what he’s saying.
It’s just different, not being surrounded by so many people and so much noise. It frees up capacity. Capacity for creativity, for insights, and for business opportunities.
That’s what wealthy people value.
It seems like many average people can get this way cheaper. They can hop in a car, drive to a forest, and go for a walk there, right?
Yes, but it’s not the same. Being able to afford this, on a day-to-day basis, is something else.
It shifts the way you think. You don’t have the rush to do something. You don’t get influenced by all the Beamers and Benzos driving around because there are none.
I always believed I was made for living in the city. But lately, and right after spending a weekend in a mansion by the lake, I understand why wealthy people pay for privacy (and close nature).
Privacy and solitude are always worth a premium.
Sustainability is a joke to wealthy people
Most wealthy people don’t care about the environment.
It sounds harsh, but it’s true. If you can afford a boat and get the chance to buy one, you do it. And suddenly, you aren’t driving your car to the next deli anymore. You’re driving your boat. (Yes, that’s what his father does, when he’s around.)
Sustainability was never an option.
While average people like you and me think about how to save a drop of water here, a gallon of petrol there, eat less meat, consume less dairy, or even ditch their cars, rich people do something on top of all that.
They’ll let their meat, veggies, and fruits fly in. Why? Because they can.
They’ll buy themselves a Ferrari AND a Grenadier to drive fast AND across every underground. Why? Because they can.
They’ll let their old toys stand around, not caring about selling them. Why? Because they can.
Why did we ever think they cared about sustainability?
It’s a different world. Although ironically enough, they still seek a connection to nature, they don’t care about protecting it.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m no saint, flying a lot.
I’m in no position to judge them. And I don’t. But I can describe what I’ve seen. It’s a different level.
To the wealthy, sustainability is nothing more than a buzzword (with some earning potential.)
Quality over labels
It’s true what Tim Denning has said many times before.
Wealthy people don’t really care about fancy labels. They care about quality. Not only because they appreciate good quality, but because it frees up their mental capacity.
They want to worry as little as possible.
It’s like a spiral: The more money you have, the better quality products and services you can get, the less you need to worry, the less mental bandwidth you need to waste, the better your decisions become, and the richer you get.
It’s interesting to see this principle in action.
Because these people don’t care about Versace, Gucci, or Armani. They care about durability and ease of use.
I’ve never seen my friend, his sister, or his parents in fancy designer clothing. Not. A. Single. Time.
But this didn’t mean it was cheap what they wore. It’s high-quality.
This taught me something remarkable: You don’t need to earn more, you have to spend less. Not only money, but mental bandwidth.
That’s why everybody has a system and wants you to buy it.
Overchoice is destructive. It eats up your mental bandwidth. It destroys your possibility to think big. That’s why systems are so important.
And in a way, that’s a message full of hope.
Why?
Because it means everybody can achieve big.
But there’s an IF.
Everybody can achieve big IF they’re able to let their brains breathe for a moment.
Reduce your choices. To invest as little mental bandwidth as possible on everyday tasks. And spend it big on creative tasks, entrepreneurial projects, or becoming better.
Being close to water grounds you
Remember, when I first wrote about paying a premium for privacy?
Being close to water is a nuance of that. It’s like another add-on you can buy when you have the money.
I was speechless, standing at the kitchen island, holding a warm cup of well-smelling espresso, and looking at the lake in front of me. It was mesmerizing. I fell in love with the little waves, every gust of wind caused.
My friend didn’t bat an eye.
He’s just used to it, being able to go there, almost whenever he wants. But I felt the proximity to water. It calmed me.
No wonder, water has the potential to improve your mental health. More and more studies suggest regular exposure to water affects our minds, and bodies positively. And after spending a weekend close to the water, I know why.
If you can, surround yourself with large bodies of water. And every now and then, take a look.
Spending a weekend in a mansion by the lake with a millionaire’s son taught me important lessons about life:
- wealthy people pay a premium for privacy
- sustainability is a joke to them
- buy high-quality, instead of fancy labels to ensure you free up mental bandwidth
- surround yourself with water to feel calmer
Thanks for reading.
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