1. Decide What “Rich” Means to You

Marcus Aurelius pointed out a paradox: we love ourselves most, yet often let other people’s opinions define our choices. Modern financial coach Ramit Sethi uses a similar idea in what he calls “The Rich Life”—a personal vision of a good life that goes far beyond money.

For one person, that might mean weekly deliveries of fresh flowers because they bring joy every time they walk into their home. For another, it could mean never having to tackle certain chores or avoiding places they dislike. The key is that each person defines their own version of abundance, rather than letting advertising or social comparison do it for them.

The Stoics would agree: a meaningful life is not a one-size-fits-all product. It’s a reflection of what you value—not what others parade as success.

2. Learn the Art of “Enough”

Seneca defined poverty as wanting more than you have. This “more” isn’t always money—it can be status, possessions, or experiences. The problem is that the target keeps moving: today’s dream purchase becomes tomorrow’s baseline, and the mind starts chasing the next upgrade.

This endless cycle, sometimes called the “hedonic treadmill,” is exhausting. The Stoics urged stepping off before it wears you down.

Author Joseph Heller once captured this perfectly when asked how he felt knowing a billionaire host had earned more in a single day than his most famous novel ever had. His reply: “I have something he will never have—the knowledge that I’ve got enough.”

To the Stoics, that knowledge was the real treasure.

3. See Wealth as a State of Mind

Material prosperity, left unchecked, can stir constant restlessness. But when you decide that your current resources, relationships, and life situation are sufficient, you move from a mindset of scarcity to one of abundance.

The Stoics would say that this mental shift is the foundation of true wealth. You stop being owned by your possessions, status symbols, or comparisons—and start owning your life.