<p><pre><code>   If you want to get rich, your best bet on a risk-adjusted 
   basis is to join a profitable and growing public company. 
   Google for short. Make $200-500k all-in a year, work hard 
   and move up a level every 3-5 years, sell options as they 
   vest (in case you joined Enron), and retire at 60, rich. 
   This plan works every time.
</code></pre>
I don&#x27;t think this is great advise. Not everyone is able to join a company like Google due to either luck or their capabilities. I also find being rich around 60 years pointless, since you&#x27;ve wasted too much of your life working for &quot;the man&quot; at that point.<p>I think a better approach would be the following:<p>1. Become freelancer.<p>2. Do what you love and do it well. If you&#x27;re passionate enough about your job you should be able to increase your rate over time.<p>3. In western european countries: aim for at least 100.000 EUR a year.<p>4. Live cheap and save up. Invest the cash you don&#x27;t need at any moment in real estate (house) and index funds.<p>5. Travel around the world and find a nice cheap country you could enjoy your life in.<p>6. Emigrate once you have enough money to live comfortably in your country of choice.<p>---<p>That&#x27;s my plan at least. Currently I&#x27;m on a &#x27;holiday&#x27; (2 months) in Thailand. I figured the following:<p>- In Thailand one can live (bare minimum) for around 500 EUR a month (some Russians in my co-working space live from that amount).<p>- Property can be bought for around 50.000 EUR in Pattaya. Not really huge, but decent with shared gym and swimming pool in apartment complex.<p>- 100.000 EUR invested in indexfunds should net me on average around 6% a year after taxes, i.e. 6000 EUR a year or 500 EUR a month (7% historic average minus ~1% tax).<p>- With no monthly rent to pay, I&#x27;m should be able to live a bit more comfortably compared to my Russian co-workers here :)<p>- I could fully focus on personal software project and hopefully that will add to my income over time.<p>---<p>I won&#x27;t be financially rich, but I would have financial independence and could do what a love in a country with nice weather, good food and nice people - it&#x27;s another form of wealth.