> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.btfl.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Jeff's hierarchy of greed
- URL: https://www.btfl.org/jeffs-hierarchy-of-greed/
- Published: 2026-09-03T18:57:36.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-03T18:57:36.000Z
- Author: Jeff Swearingen

Stand down, [Abraham Maslow](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham%5FMaslow?ref=btfl.org). This one is for the post-exit founders.

TLDR: there's a peak of greed mountain and you'll never reach it. Thank god.

Money is a game, a construct and an infinite quest. If you're reading this, you've got enough of it, but it doesn't feel that way. Gordon Gecko said "Greed is good" but he's full of shit and so are you if you think you're ever going to reach some satisfying financial plateau. 

Money got you into this mess, but it (by itself) isn't going to get you out.

I humbly present Jeff's hierarchy of greed- a simple guide to where you are and when to say "enough."

Level 1 - base. How lucky are those on the planet who have reliable sources of food, steady shelter and access to community and entertainment. An average American today lives better (in many regards) than the richest kings and tycoons in history. Yes, Rockefeller had mansions, but he didn't have Netflix or penicillin or air travel or air conditioning. You lucky dog.

Level 2 - discretionary budget. These are the things that are nice, but you don't need them to live a full life. Think brand name clothing, a sunroof, extra avocado on your sandwich, staying at a nice hotel, premium economy flights or first class. 

Level 3 - this is probably you. There is a wide gulf between top and bottom of this zone and if you're in it, you've already won. Feel free to stop here. This is the level where you have extra cars, extra houses, a regrettable boat purchase, extra golf club memberships. You might have some staff or an assistant. You can provide cool experiences for your friends, donate real money to charity and basically do whatever you want, within reason.

Level 4 - you feel like you want this, but you don't. This is the zone of large yachts, Ferrari collections, buildings named after you. Maybe you own a sports team and contribute enough to political causes to have your picture taken with "important" people. This is multi-billionaire terrain. I don't live here, have a weird pull to be here, although I'm fairly certain it's easy to be miserable here. Go for it if you want to, but travel at your own risk.

Level 5 - rocket company money. This space is reserved for a small handful of people you can name. I'm glad they exist, respect them, am cheering them on, but they are basically a different species from you and me and the poor schlubs stuck on Level 4\.