"I want to be independently wealthy without trying"

Pile of gold coins with a feather left behind by Scrooge McDuck

Dear Vice Column,

I've been spiraling since Kim Kardashian told the world, “I have the best advice for women in business. Get your f—ing ass up and work. It seems like nobody wants to work these days.”

For years I've admired the Kardashians for being so rich yet effortlessly obnoxious. I've daydreamed about having even a fraction of their wealth, but their constant hustle and shameless need for publicity goes against my core.

While I'd love to slide down piles of gold coins like Scrooge McDuck, I don't have a self-promoting bone in my body. Because of this, I've been feeling stuck in my job and haven't advanced as much as I probably should have by this point to get said gold. I'm tired of the endless grind and just want to be independently wealthy without trying. Why can't Kim indulge my desire to get rich without working?

Why?

- Feeling called out

Dear Feeling Called Out,

Kim Kardashian has no idea who you are, so you probably shouldn't base your self worth on her buzzworthy declaration. I, however, empathize with your desire to get rich or die not trying. Who wouldn't want to stop working unfulfilling jobs?

Based on your reluctant admiration of the Kardashians and the 90s cartoon reference, it seems like you understand the difference between absurd decadence and your current situation — but you didn't elaborate on how far off you are from being independently wealthy or what type of lifestyle you're aiming for.

Without much to go off besides hints of your passive nature, perhaps your best bet is to put your money to work so you don't have to. You could start building your wealth by investing any extra income and taking advantage of compounding interest. Depending on where you're at, a combination of income and growth investments to subside on until you're able to tap into retirement accounts, if any, might work out for you.

And if you're uncomfortable promoting yourself, perhaps you could work on generating other passive income streams and promote your work without having to focus on yourself. Some type of hustle may be necessary unless you strike it rich somehow.

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