Getting Rich Isn't Easy. Nor is it good for the planet.
Being rich can be fun, but it usually means you'll be spending lots of money. You'll be buying stuff you don't really need. And all that stuff puts a heavy load on the planet's carrying capacity. That "stuff" means mining and manufacturing in far-off lands where environmental protection is limited or non-existent. It means polluted streams and underpaid workers. It means burning large amounts of gasoline to transport it to you.
The question for you then becomes: can you be rich and continue to lead a low-key life? If your answer is yes, then your wealth can do a lot of good.
Start by Getting Balanced
Do you have credit card debt? Are you more than 30 days behind on a payment? Is your monthly income lower than your monthly expenses? If you answered Yes to any of these questions, then your path is more difficult, but not impossible.
I won't bother reinventing the wheel. Dave Ramsey has published several books on developing personal financial security. Get The Total Money Makeover and the TMM workbook and do what he tells you to do.
Are You Sure You Want to Be Rich?
Your Money or Your Life helps you take a big-picture look at your life and our society. Working to get rich often means you're missing out on life itself.
You're Already Balanced and Definitely Want Wealth
Really? You have zero debt, you own your home free and clear, and you have 12 month's of income in savings? And you still want more? Here are some excellent resources.
In Natural Capitalism, three top strategists show how leading-edge companies are practicing "a new type of industrialism" that is more efficient and profitable while saving the environment and creating jobs.
In The Ecology of Commerce, Paul Hawken proposes rational, achievable goals for creating the next economy.
You'll want to start a business, or invest in businesses in these two key categories:
Cradle to Cradle Manufacturing. Remember, we are in the early stages of an incredible golden age. Much of the wealth will be found in the companies that figure out how to make "stuff" in such a way that nothing is wasted. All by-products are ingredients for another product or food for micro-organisms. William McDonough is pointing the way with actions as well as words.
Alternative Energy. Yes, solar/wind/water/tidal/geothermal energy sources will one day replace more than 90% of power created by coal and oil. And it's going to happen sooner than you think. Clean Tech provides an excellent overview of the opportunities available, and those likely to come in the near future. Green to Gold focuses on the things you can do, right now, to take your company green and boost the bottom line at the same time. Green Investing has good information for both beginning investors and more experienced investors.