Levels of Wealth
I occasionally get to hang around people with real wealth, and those on their way to real wealth. I’ve notice there is a rising scale of how wealth is experienced. As your income gains more zeros, you ascend through this scale.
Levels of Wealth
Class 1 – You no longer pay attention to the price of groceries
Class 2 – You no longer pay attention to the price of meals at a restaurant
Class 3 – You always fly business class
Class 4 – You use three or more homes.
Class 5 – You have a personal chef and other full time help
Class 6 – You bring your friends on vacation and pay for everything
Class 7 — You fly charter jets
Class 8 – You own your own jet
Class 9 – You feel everything is free
(Thanks to TF and CM for help.)
Thanks for this Kevin.
I found it inspiring, to the point of wanting to create my own version of it.
A “non-material wealth ladder” mirroring my life philosophy: freedom, integrity, creativity, slow rhythms, and connection, rather than accumulation.
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Levels of Non-Tangible Wealth
Level 1 – Freedom from Price Tags
You no longer measure choices by cost. You buy local fruits not because they’re cheap, but because they taste of the place and the people who grew them.
Level 2 – Freedom from Noise
You don’t need to check your smartphone first thing in the morning, or every half hour.
Level 3 - Freedom from Interruptions
You have put to rest people ringing your phone any time they want. You have discovered that async communication is a divine gift.
Level 4 – Freedom from Rush
Days unfold with time to think, walk, nap, cook slowly, or watch the light change. You only hurry to catch the sunset.
Level 5 – Freedom from Cars and Commutes
Everything you need is within walking or small motorbike distance. Movement becomes pleasure, not necessity.
Level 6 – Freedom to Create with Purpose
Work has become like continuous exploration, not an obligation anymore. You experiment, test, provide feedback, share insights because they all align with your values, not because the algorithm likes them or because they bring more likes and subscribers.
Level 7 – Freedom to Choose Your Tribe
You are surrounded by warm, joyful friends who share laughter, meals, and music instead of metrics and profits.
Level 8 – Freedom of Place
You live where the air is clean, the sun generous, and clothes optional. Your geography reflects your inner state.
Level 9 – Freedom of Presence
You don’t need constant novelty to feel alive. You find richness in repeating rituals: going to the Muay Thai gym, watering plants, cooking for others, listening to Quincy Jones again.
Level 10 – Freedom to Dream and Manifest
You have enough clarity, peace, and agency to imagine new worlds and the trust, courage, and playfulness to do your best to try to make them real.
*These are wealth levels measured not by what I own, but by what makes me feel more alive.
That’s a pretty big leap between not noticing restaurant prices to the 3 or more homes level. But what do I know? I feel fortunate not to care much how much it costs to eat out. But I’m a long way from multiple residences.