i don't really get that.
i mean, i am sure you were happy before you got your E55 and SL55, but i would think getting a E55 and SL55 made you somewhat happier(even thou maybe just for a day), cuz its nice cars and you prolly love them.

and leave the material stuff aside, more $$$ provides more security for your family and loves ones. jsut for an example, right now if my loved once is ill, i will rely on the best spcialist in my medical insurance network. if i have 100 mil more, i will fly in the best docs from all over the world to have a conference, and i am sure my loved one will be in better hands and have a better chance.
how does that not make one happy?? to know that you are providing family the absolute best you can.

i understand this is not an issue of black or white, right or wrong, everyone has a different definition on happiness and gets satisfied at different levels. just tossing in my 2 cents.

I notice you live in Calabasas, what schools are you considering? I just got into USC so I'll be starting classes there next year. Personally I agree with everyone above and Ive been having the same dilemma for a while, too. You need to consider the paths you have to take. Right now you have hundreds of options to choose from and you will soon face millions of decisions that will direct you to your ultimate level of success. Now understand that to almost every situation like this one there is the practical journey and the romantic one. The practical one is the safe route - become a doctor, work your *** off, do the work, make money. The romantic, however, is a little different: pick something you love, follow your passion, exhaust your resources....and see where life takes you. Ive spent the past few years trying to find a medium between these two extremes and I believe I have done so. USC has a TREMENDOUS entrepreneurship program which will allow me to do what I want while still offering a significant potential for fiscal success. They also have a great film school which is a huge passion of mine that I will be able to explore while studying there. My philosophy is that if you are happy at any given moment then everything is ok. Now this does not go to say that you should just forget planning for the future, but don't kill yourself to chase a dream that you dont even know will be the same once you get there. In all honesty, I say follow your heart. You obviously have a good head on your shoulders and some solid parents behind you which will prevent you from making too many wrong decisions. I'm in the same situation as you, bro, so I can relate. Study hard, work hard and in the end, play hard. As long as you're happy, its all good

I'm a hitman.

What are your rates?

As other have said, its not about being a med or doc, its about doing what you love. As long as your trying hard, it'll get you somewhere.

LOL yeah right. The jobs sucks! Funny, i thought i would do what i love and at the end of the day it is still a hard job lots of hours with many headaches.

Hey EleanorOwner! you seem to be quiet successful yourself... i mean you have an Eleanor and live in Beverly Hills.. If you don't mind me asking what do you do? And to answer your question i'm planning to go to UC Davis because of their joint pre-med program with UC San Francisco and go to graduate school at UCSF. good plan? Yeah, and from reading all these advices from all the successful people, i plan to become a Doctor, but work on a business on the side.

If you really truly do something that you love and that you are passionate about, the money and everything else will come into place. That to me is success. Waking up in the morning and going to do something you like. It maybe considered work but to you it's time well spent, after all it is something you love to do. If you put your heart and mind to something, you will go that extra mile for "your customers" and that in return will bring back customers and better the "business". Just my 2 cents...

The key is, one has to choose to be happy. NOTHING makes a person happy until the person chooses to be happy. That's the bottom line.

Don't mean to be religious... but this is the formula I always use...

Effort + Luck = $$$
Effort + Luck + Pray + Charity = $$$$$ + Happiness

So... the harder I work the more $$$ I will get but no increase in my happiness (more stressful even).

The harder I work and the harder I pray and the more I give to charity (either $$$ or time or both)... somehow even more $$$ I'll get

I myself am a banker.... the funny thing, I didn't even think of becoming a banker... it was somehow the only job I could get out of school and I now like it a lot. I'm sure a lot of people in this forum makes more money... but I am not sure a lot of people are happier than I am.

So yes... choose what you like (don't expect to know right away - I was in Mechanical Engineering for my undergrad and was in Econ & OR for my grad), be passionate, donate a lot and don't just look for money (more look for a career growth).... you'll be amazed at how fast the money will come to you.