Personal essays

If I were rich

Barcelona

I am a new writer at ILLUMINATION, I thought this would be my first post. This looks like something fun to write. Who doesn’t like to daydream about what we’re going to do if we were rich?

First, many thanks to Timothy Key for featuring my article on his new writer's post. Not only that I feel flattered by the mention, but the story is also how I came into this “If I was rich” writing challenge by Kevin Buddaeus.

First, the amount

How much money you have that you will be considered as rich? I took a look at what other people wrote in their story, and the consensus looked like it’s 1 million US dollars.

Just like this story by Livia Dabs.

Where I live, you would do super well with only a tenth of US$ 1 million. But hey, we’re playing pretend here. So I will gladly take the 1 million bucks (imaginary) offer.

Bitcoin

If I were granted those $1 million, I would buy more Bitcoin. Right now, it's valued around $9,695.59 per coin. I would buy a few BTC— 5 or 6 of it.

I don’t need a lot thus there will be plenty of money left.

Why Bitcoin? I would buy it out of personal sentiment. As a keepsake, you can say. Bitcoin was the first investment instrument I have. I bought it when I was still a student some years ago. I was studying to become a software engineer and that’s how I got introduced to the blockchain technology.

I bought them using a little bit of money I earn from working part-time in college. Hence this is why Bitcoin is more than a cryptocurrency for me. It’s a symbol, a digital token for me as someone who’s always been amazed by technology. And now I want a bit more.

Perhaps I can inherit it to my grandchildren someday. It’s going to be a reminder that their grandma is kind of cool. I also hope by then it worth $1 million per BTC.

I wrote a piece about Bitcoin if you’d like to read.

But enough about Bitcoin for now.

If I were rich, one place, one city, one person, instantly come to my mind.

Barcelona

I imagine it’s summer now in Barcelona.

Summer in Barcelona always fascinates me. I saw it on YouTube videos, I saw it on photos people shared on Instagram. I would see a clear blue sky without a single speck of clouds.

The sky is very blue. Azure. The most beautiful color and our favorite.

The weather is warm, around 22 to 24 degrees Celcius. The wind is calm. In photos, the city usually is bustling with tourists.

I imagine these days it’s a lot quieter there.

The beautiful buildings are still there. The breeze and the waves are still the same at the Mediterranean sea.

Umbrellas at Barcelona beach, unoccupied. The gothic square, with its dusty buildings and the most enthralling morning rays. Miles and miles of pedestrian and stone brick alleyways I could explore.

Barcelona is beautiful regardless of what’s happening in the world right now. I would love to visit.

If I were rich, I would buy a ticket to Barcelona. I wouldn’t care if airlines were charging me an outrageous amount. I would even support this pandemic price so airlines can still survive. I have money so I would not worry.

I would not care if the Spanish government requires me to quarantine. Two weeks or one month, it doesn’t matter. I have a lot of time (and again, money).

I think it was just that. A ticket, and the cost to stay there. Let’s not go into the details because it’s boring, the technicalities.

I’d like to explore the city on foot. Closed shops. Cafes at half capacity. There would be laughter from a group of people that haven’t meet in weeks. Children playing outside, excited after being freed from the stay-at-home orders. Everyone is wearing a mask.

Noise from construction would be more apparent because fewer cars are on the road.

I would visit the beach. Strolling at its promenade from one end to another. When I’m tired I would sit on a bench. If anyone isn’t around I would take off my mask. I hope no police would see. I’d like to feel the sea breeze on my face.

Once I arrived in Barcelona I’d send a message to someone that I will wait every day at a specific time on a particular park bench at Barcelona Beach. He perhaps couldn’t come on day 1, or day 7, or day 30. But I would wait, until that $1 million runs out.

What else?

If I were rich, would I want things? As for the moment, I don’t have any material things in mind. I don’t have an appetite for shopping. I’m not a big fan of shopping really, regardless of my financial situation.

I adopt a minimalist lifestyle. So it’s about having the things that matters and avoid excessiveness (partly because I am lazy to clean, so few possessions means less clutter and cleaning). As for now, I am grateful because I have enough already. I got everything I need.

Well, maybe a new laptop with the latest specs, with nice keyboard so I could write comfortably.

Perhaps I would tip more to the delivery people who’ve been bringing me my food order every day. I often wonder if I gave enough and would feel bad about it.

I strive for financial freedom, rather than just being rich. So If I were blessed with $1 million, I’d like to further invest it, if I’m not spending it on a meaningful experience like the Barcelona one above.

From an investment standpoint though, that $1 million could run out quickly. I’m thinking of rental property. Stocks. Government bonds. Perhaps gold. One day I’d like to angel invest. I like funding dreams and innovations.

But as for the moment, Barcelona is what I want more than anything. Give me $1 million and I would not hesitate to spend it all on a visit to this beautiful city.