The Story of Unhappy Billionaires | The Minimalists Ep. 419

The Minimalists speak with Rey Flemings, “concierge to the 1%,” about the problem with luxury goods, finding happiness in what we already have, and why people care too much about the size of their homes. Watch all 2 hours of episode 419 on The Minimalists Private Podcast: / theminimalists
Discussed in this episode:
Intro (00:00)
How do I find happiness in what I already have? (01:50)
Why do we obsess over the square footage of our homes? (29:38)
Can luxury goods and high fashion be a form of artistic expression? (42:43)
FREE MINIMALIST RULEBOOK: minimalists.com/rulebook
SHOW NOTES: minimalists.com/podcast
FOLLOW THE MINIMALISTS:
Instagram: / theminimalists
TikTok: / theminimalists
Twitter: / theminimalists
Facebook: / theminimalists
Threads: threads.net/@theminimalists
KZread: / theminimalists
Podcast: applepodcasts.com/theminimalists
Blog: theminimalists.com
#TheMinimalists #Luxury #Wealth

Пікірлер: 76

  • @TheMinimalists
    @TheMinimalists7 ай бұрын

    How many unhappy rich people have you met?

  • @888ssss

    @888ssss

    7 ай бұрын

    not as many as the poor unhappy people ive met.

  • @iopsych2993

    @iopsych2993

    7 ай бұрын

    After listening to this incredible, clarifying podcast, I feel the question is inaccurate. How many unhappy people have you met? Money isn't where anyone finds happiness. That's not to say money isn't important ( just try borrowing some). Things like happiness, empathy etc are like muscle,s, and need to be exercised daily.

  • @dreylane

    @dreylane

    7 ай бұрын

    The every day Millionaires whom Ive known who don't flash their cash seem to be far more satisfied with their lives than the Extravagant.

  • @jzen1455

    @jzen1455

    7 ай бұрын

    @@dreylane I agree. The extravagant ones have hyperly-inflated ever-increasing costs that sometimes leaves them broke or constantly needing to work more and more to sustain their lifestyle. They are filling some sort of unquenchable void with material things that leaves them stuck on the hedonic treadmill that keeps moving faster.

  • @annsalty5615

    @annsalty5615

    7 ай бұрын

    I can not count how many "rich" people I have met. They do not display those labels on their foreheads. But I have known many people with lots of expensive stuff who probably, a subset of them at least, would like me to think they are rich. And most of them also want to come across as being happy, but doubt they are down deep. Who am I to judge?

  • @Jordan-4-Him-NM
    @Jordan-4-Him-NM7 ай бұрын

    'People around us are influencers-' about 36 years ago my husband and I were raising our baby daughter and we had church friends who also had a small child. They came to our house for a short visit after church and were pretty much appalled that we, my husband and I, were having pinto beans and fried potatoes for our dinner. They wanted to know where the meat was. Well, we are meat eaters, but that particular day it was not on the menu. We shared with them that this was one of our favorites and did not need meat with it. True, we didn't have much in the way of finances or things, yet we were where God needed us to be, and we were grateful for what we had. We are now both 71 yo and still enjoy pinto beans and fried potatoes. At times, it is very hard to relate our contentment to others who are not there yet. You do you and we'll do us! If you like the 'ugly' picture, then keep it- it's yours and you should not feel the need to conform to the likes and desires of others.

  • @Pipping-Hot

    @Pipping-Hot

    7 ай бұрын

    You like what you like no matter the cost.

  • @jessjenkins5474

    @jessjenkins5474

    7 ай бұрын

    I love your story. Some nights I enjoy cornflakes for dinner lol I like what I like.

  • @amymarie1298

    @amymarie1298

    6 ай бұрын

    I'm the same type of eater. And I get similar responses from people. Often I just can't sit and eat a full meal so I eat a little here and there and just when I feel hungry and whatever it is I feel a craving. you aren't weird it's normal. being told you have to have a 3 or 4 dish meal every night with meat in order to be "normal" never made any sense to me.

  • @mnisi_sindile
    @mnisi_sindile6 ай бұрын

    The book of Ecclesiastes has pearls of wisdom for life and it's simplicity do what you can with what you have and enjoy it while it lasts

  • @elp3035

    @elp3035

    3 ай бұрын

    The most real world based book in the Bible

  • @carlo6912
    @carlo69127 ай бұрын

    Josh nailed it when he explains how at the root of every purchase is insecurity.

  • @kencarey3477
    @kencarey34776 ай бұрын

    Selling all of my possessions and my House and moving in to a minivan, cured my depression, loneliness and outlook on life. I ve traveled the US and Mexico, met wonderful people and gotten healthier. I haven't pay to sleep at night for 5 years

  • @hhg0505

    @hhg0505

    3 ай бұрын

    Hi Ken how's the cost of maintenance when compared to renting house?

  • @minnax8939
    @minnax89397 ай бұрын

    The urge to buy but still feel unsatisfied is because of the deep void in one’s self. We are born with it, some are aware of it, some not. But there is a void which becomes intolerable when you face it. Then you want to fill it - fill it with money, luxurious stuff, or only stuff if not rich enough, food, alcohol, drugs, partying, one night stands, travel, etc, etc. They do not fill the void. It is always there, yet becomes unimportant when one is content with his/her deeds in their short life on this planet.

  • @Candypack1

    @Candypack1

    7 ай бұрын

    That void is real. The only thing that can fill it is a relationship with God and our Savior

  • @888ssss
    @888ssss7 ай бұрын

    billionaires use money to get attention. when this no longer works they get depressed. they didnt want the money. they wanted the attention.

  • @svndile
    @svndile7 ай бұрын

    Where's the Rory timestamp?

  • @kale7209

    @kale7209

    7 ай бұрын

    ^

  • @LosPasosdeElena
    @LosPasosdeElena7 ай бұрын

    I love your podcast. I practice my English with you and I learn about minimalism. Kiss from Spain

  • @MrStrutus
    @MrStrutus7 ай бұрын

    Just sold my nice truck and bought a Corolla. Didn’t know what it meant to spend less than 20 bucks at the gas pump

  • @user-yn1ke3wr4k
    @user-yn1ke3wr4k7 ай бұрын

    “A lover of silver will never be satisfied with silver, nor a lover of wealth with income. This too is futility.” -- Ecclesiastes 5:10 ❤

  • @marykimberlyhayes
    @marykimberlyhayes7 ай бұрын

    Never heard of Rey Flemings, obviously I don't move in those circles. I actually attempt to move in zero circles. Back to Rey.... he comes across as an extremely grounded individual, oozing with common sense and obviously a great deal of business sense thus his success. His knowledge has evolved to wisdom. Rey emotes qualities hopefully that others will absorb being in his presence. well done!

  • @user-yn1ke3wr4k

    @user-yn1ke3wr4k

    7 ай бұрын

    I really enjoyed what Rey had to offer, but could have done without the bad language. There are a sufficient number of adjectives in the English language to express oneself, so he could have made his point without that.

  • @yergomquir5882
    @yergomquir58827 ай бұрын

    35:17 Excellent TK’s Remark on the importance of being able to identify Which questions should be answered but also HOW POWERFUL can be letting the questions “DO THEIR JOB” without being answered right away.

  • @RedNailsRedDress
    @RedNailsRedDress7 ай бұрын

    Honestly thank you so much for this video ❤ I wish I could be around like minded individuals, but I can't so I have this to listen to ❤ This video is like everything my family and friends need to hear but they are too sensitive so I forever have to be quiet and it's killing me 😂

  • @ourplanetwecare1713
    @ourplanetwecare17135 ай бұрын

    This is very worthy watching and wish to be a minimalist in days to come.

  • @mg79277
    @mg792777 ай бұрын

    Fake famous. I didn’t become famous but two things that happened to me when I realized how people feed into the bs It was about 35 years ago I was very young walked in to a boutique and was being followed by a snooty employee making sure I didn’t steal. She annoyed me and when I turned around with my Louis Vuitton handed down to me Her eyes went straight to that purse and then said oh I love your purse. Let me know if you need any help turned around and walked away. It floored me I drove an old Hyundai when i bought a used Audi (Never buy a used Audi ) People treated me differently I used to work for a second lender that would give out loans to people who’s credit was high risk and the banks turned away The woman walked in dripping in gold jewellery the latest expensive duds and driving a Mercedes It floors me

  • @SRLevine7
    @SRLevine77 ай бұрын

    This was a really exceptional episode that totally blew my mind...I shared this episode with other people

  • @midlife_minimalist
    @midlife_minimalist7 ай бұрын

    As with the Everest comparison, this is true for any goal that you focus a lot of energy on. I call it the “now what” moment. Like with long distance triathlon we call it the post Ironman blues.

  • @HananBenNafa
    @HananBenNafa7 ай бұрын

    I really liked Rey's speaking style and wisdom! A great episode, thank you guys 😍

  • @BrokeMillionaire1
    @BrokeMillionaire17 ай бұрын

    Looking forward to listening to the rest of this one.

  • @jr-mynext50years41
    @jr-mynext50years417 ай бұрын

    I’m a Toyota person but the newest Cadillac commercial has awesome music and when I hear it I want a Cadillac lol I need a hobby

  • @soulshine3898
    @soulshine38987 ай бұрын

    Diana is experiencing something unique to people who have completed the decluttering process and have an ideal in mind of what life should be now that she's DONE. It's a sort of perfectionism that happens. She is now searching for the "perfect" version of every item she decided to keep and that will make the process really feel "done." The problem is the feeling that once you're done, you shouldn't ever have to shop again as you've perfected your life now. It's an unrealistic ideal. Minimalism has become a trend. It is now another societal pressure you put upon yourself, because you have seen other people do it. You've seen the extreme minimalists who have no TV and sleep on a rug. You've bought into the idea that there is only one perfect result. I'm not a psychologist, but I play one online 😁. But as someone who has felt this as well, I think there is a deeper reason Diana feels the need to "perfect" her life. I hope she can find the strength to live her authentic life and not care how others are living. We can learn a lot by example, but we all have our own unique likes, dislikes, dreams, values and visions of happiness. It's not a cookie cutter world. Stop trying to conform to society trends; because in the blink of an eye, the next one comes along that you are not living up to - yet! It will never stop. ( In case you are wondering. Yes I am a minimalist. I started this journey over 20 years ago. I didn't read a book or hear a story. It was just something that felt right in my heart. Never heard the word minimalism until about 5 years ago. It has been interesting to me to see the growth of this lifestyle over the years. I also find it disheartening to see so many jumping on the bandwagon because it's a trend and they feel they should conform to it. It's not for everyone.)

  • @mariaelena3016
    @mariaelena30166 ай бұрын

    Thank you guys!

  • @a.m.b.erlight
    @a.m.b.erlight7 ай бұрын

    joshua your hair is anything but minimal…and i love it 😄👍💁

  • @mschlund1
    @mschlund17 ай бұрын

    Having a profound life changing event mkes it incredibly easy to realize stuff is crap entrapment, and life sucking . After the death of my 20 yr old only child, i became desperate to escape yhe feeling of being trapped, by stuff i couldnt physically move by myself, being all alone, with no one to help with anyone....i had to escape all that bound me. If it wouldnt fit in my minivan, it wasnt going with me, now all i have is what matters...photos of my son, scrapbooks of memories of his 20 years, bare necessities, sold the condo i raised him in, and hit the road.......i broke the binds of societies ideas....i am free to be who i am at my core. I will have a tiny 200 sq ft home . And freedom to travel...

  • @mrjonesartistry
    @mrjonesartistry7 ай бұрын

    21:40 I love what is said

  • @oakley-raineshepherd6657
    @oakley-raineshepherd66577 ай бұрын

    Very insightful. Thank you

  • @sarahlockridge7879
    @sarahlockridge78794 ай бұрын

    I must say this has been one of my favorites in a very very long time. Thanks for this podcast!

  • @yasmeenbowie6638
    @yasmeenbowie66387 ай бұрын

    Great episode!

  • @lb1798
    @lb17985 ай бұрын

    18:26 WONDERFUL QUESTION!!!

  • @sandysmom100
    @sandysmom1007 ай бұрын

    When you think you have so much money . But when you don’t spend it wisely , it goes down the drain !

  • @corychecketts
    @corychecketts7 ай бұрын

    The only billionaire who seems legitimately happy is Peter Jackson. That guy continues to do what he loves and he creates opportunities for so many people.

  • @jonglee3194
    @jonglee31947 ай бұрын

    yes

  • @srk--I
    @srk--I7 ай бұрын

    Fan of Denzel Washington

  • @angelicaduarte5617
    @angelicaduarte56177 ай бұрын

    All the questions can not be answers by the human knowledges but God knowleedges from the transcendental world.

  • @KayKay0314
    @KayKay03147 ай бұрын

    If there is a billionaire that is bored with their money, I'd be happy to receive a donation of $250k towards my early retirement. I would definitely appreciate it and it's all I need to make it official. I would have enough money to last me for the next 30 years, if not for the remainder of my life. Getting laid off from my job just 2 years before I had enough money was a gut punch. Ageism is really a problem for me now.

  • @min_oaka2617

    @min_oaka2617

    6 ай бұрын

    @KayKay0314. Me too. Please, Billionaire. Drop me a message. I accept monetary donations. Can you afford to donate 1 million $ so I can retire early?

  • @lindasacca
    @lindasacca7 ай бұрын

    I think everyone is missing one crucial point with Diane spending time replacing things in her now “minimalized” home. She mentions she has a baby and has a wonderful life- but I would guess something is missing. I was in her position 20 years ago when I realized that leaving my career was weighing heavy on me. Perhaps she left a career and needs to put some of her time back into it? Maybe part time? When you have your mind engaged in something else these things are no longer important- been there done that

  • @user-yn1ke3wr4k

    @user-yn1ke3wr4k

    7 ай бұрын

    Her question might be better asked to a shrink. These guys aren’t here to analyze her, just responding to the fact that she’s never satisfied. They expounded on it quite well I thought. It seems that even billionaires suffer from that, never being content, always searching for something better. It’s sad really, not counting the blessings we have. Actually, they’re probably just bored.

  • @OkieDokie-ft5pm
    @OkieDokie-ft5pm7 ай бұрын

    The Self-Improvement Olympics peer pressure nonsense has been getting out of hand for decades now. As some 50 year old dude, I still REFUSE to play the Societal Narcissism game that they want me or others to. (Narcs only pick unfair fights when a virtual WOUNDED WARRIOR like me goes down, because ALL NARCISSISTS ARE COWARDS like that!)

  • @shirleyburnham2782
    @shirleyburnham27827 ай бұрын

    🙂

  • @lillysmith424
    @lillysmith4246 ай бұрын

    Think about it, that’s why all the rich people are going to the moon, they’ve climbed Mount Everest of money and they r like “ okay what now” lol

  • @spiritualsupermarket3357
    @spiritualsupermarket33577 ай бұрын

    old saying is true: "God gave everything to a man except the "enough" "

  • @actuallyweldon
    @actuallyweldon7 ай бұрын

    to the HOSTS: LET YOUR GUEST SPEAK AND if you are speaking more than them, you’ve made a mistake😊

  • @beverlymelton5701
    @beverlymelton57017 ай бұрын

    Give your money away You have so much it will all be back tomorrow. Change the plight of the poor

  • @Pipping-Hot

    @Pipping-Hot

    7 ай бұрын

    You can't always change the plight of the poor with money. Many are "Poor" for a reason.

  • @paddymurphy-oconnor8255

    @paddymurphy-oconnor8255

    7 ай бұрын

    Some are poor because the rich screwed them. I know a guy who inherited great wealth made off the weaknesses of men: drink and gambling.

  • @natashyas4149
    @natashyas41497 ай бұрын

    Success = more. Such an ugly lie

  • @Tony_Seed
    @Tony_Seed7 ай бұрын

    This is why you need religion.

  • @paddymurphy-oconnor8255

    @paddymurphy-oconnor8255

    7 ай бұрын

    Yes it looks that way.

  • @yakncast7530

    @yakncast7530

    7 ай бұрын

    Some say god gave us reason not religion.

  • @donwarner6925
    @donwarner69257 ай бұрын

    Quite the double sided narrative. You need less in your life to be happy but please pay us so you can listen to the full episode because advertisers suck. Interesting model as I’m sure it works. How many more mini religions do we need that require monetary compensation to be associated with at a full level?

  • @soulshine3898
    @soulshine38987 ай бұрын

    You completely missed the point of Diana's question. Again. Same old answers again. Nothing ever new here.

  • @user-yn1ke3wr4k

    @user-yn1ke3wr4k

    7 ай бұрын

    If you listen carefully to the whole thing, they actually explain quite well in detail. The answer is, money can never buy happiness, and redefine what happiness really is. Apparently, Diana is still trying to buy happiness and just isn’t satisfied. At least that’s what I got out of it.😊

  • @soulshine3898

    @soulshine3898

    7 ай бұрын

    Nope. Not about money at all. Because this is a "question driven" show, they try to find a question related to the guest, but they missed an opportunity to dig deeper than the same superficial answer here.

  • @user-yn1ke3wr4k

    @user-yn1ke3wr4k

    7 ай бұрын

    Well, I respectfully disagree. I think you probably won’t get too much support on your comment, but we’ll see…..

  • @user-yn1ke3wr4k

    @user-yn1ke3wr4k

    7 ай бұрын

    I rewatched the show, and perhaps not so much about purchasing, rather that having the illusion that there’s always something better out there, and never being satisfied. Always searching, never any satisfaction with the life one has. Again, I thought they explained quite well. They are not here to be anyone’s personal psychologist, so they will never have a tailor-made answer for any caller. Again, I mean no disrespect, just surprise at your comment.

  • @lb1798
    @lb17985 ай бұрын

    36:08 #ThatIsIncredible😮😳🫨🫨🫨🥺 That's the definition of envy...you want others to NOT have something...even if YOU dont want it.