I don't know about you but I think it would be pretty swell to be a millionaire. Life would be awfully easy. Many average Joes are also interested in the prospect of a massive fortune. Some people are more interested in power, fame, or some other similar goal. However, I do not think the average person has actually thought about the real cost of achieving wealth, power, or fame.

Opportunity Cost

Opportunity cost is a fairly well known concept in the world of economics.  It means that the time, money, or resources used to do one thing cannot be used to do another thing, and are a cost.  So, if you build ten widgets out of steel and brawn and you would have been able to build 20 gadgets with that steel and brawn, than your opportunity cost is 20 gadgets.  Whenever a person does anything he or she will have an opportunity cost.  I guarantee you that most millionaires gave something up in order to gain that wealth.  The most common and easily identifiable cost is a family.  Most people that I have seen that are rich or famous have spent their first 30 - 40 years single, or at the very least with no children.  Famous and powerful people definitely give up their privacy and seriously compromise their safety.  With any of these scenarios it is hard to trust people, does this guy want to be my friend to be my friend or because of money or influence etc.

Live the Lifestyle

Can you live the life of the rich and famous before they were rich and famous?   I seriously doubt it.  I am sure you have heard the story of the musician or actor that had to live in their car and eat at soup kitchens for two years to make their big break, or the of millionaire that dropped out of college and started his own business.  You must take gigantic risks in your life to reach these amazing goals.  Most people are unwilling to live in such an insecure manner for any length of time and risk so much.  Let's face it even if you go to extreme measures you have a big chance of failing.  You could spend ten years fighting to obtain your goals only to fail and be left with nothing or spend ten years working at the factory building your career enjoying you life.

The Proverbial Reverse Suplex

There are always people that will have it all, and they are just lucky.  Some men can have wealth, fame, and power while retaining most of the facets of normal life that most people enjoy. What is the difference between you and them?  They are liars.  You can never have it all, you can pretend to have it all, you can have a lot, but you can't have it all.  It takes something to get something.  If you want to be a millionaire; then sell your house and cars, live in a studio apartment, eat at the soup kitchen every day, and invest all your money in the stock market.  You will probably be a millionaire in 10 -15 years.

Do you really want what you really want ?