A Million Seconds Is 12 Days. A Billion Seconds Is 31 Years. Let That Sink In.

You Think You Understand a Billion Dollars.

But Have You Reflected on the Difference?

Most people think they understand large numbers, but the scale of a billion is hard to grasp, and that misunderstanding affects how we view money, wealth, and financial decisions.

A million seconds ago? That was last week. 

A billion seconds ago? That was 1993. VHS was king, Seinfeld was dominating primetime, Mulder and Scully were chasing UFOs, and Bill Murray was stuck in a time loop... Groundhog Day, anyone?

If I gave you $1 per second, you’d burn through $1 million in less than two weeks. A billion dollars? You’d still be spending 31 years later into 2056. Long enough to raise a kid, send them to college, and watch them start their own family.

That’s the difference between a million and a billion. And once you truly feel that scale, money starts to look very different.

Why Big Numbers Break Our Brain

Your brain isn’t built for this.

$10 vs. $100? That’s a big difference. $100 million vs. $1 billion? That just feels like “rich” vs. “richer.”

That’s because your brain compresses big numbers instead of seeing them in proper scale. This is why millionaires and billionaires often get lumped together, when in reality, they don’t even live in the same financial universe.

And while most of us know we aren’t billionaires, this same mental trick seeps into everyday decisions. We misjudge risk, underestimate long term compounding, and dismiss small costs that quietly erode wealth over time.

The Reverse Problem: Small Percentages Feel Like Nothing

While big numbers blur together, small ones get ignored.

• A 0.5% fee doesn’t feel like much.But over 30 years, that could mean hundreds of thousands lost from your portfolio.

• A 0.5% improvement in returns (maybe through better tax efficiency or smarter asset allocation) could mean retiring years earlier.

  
  

• A 0.5% change in spending or savings might be all it takes to move from uncertainty to financial clarity.

  
  

Tiny percentages don’t feel meaningful, but they add up. And unlike market returns, they’re often within your control.

The Real Question: How Much Do You Actually Need?

Many people fixate on net worth or account value.

But the better question is: what will it take to fund the life you actually want?

• If you’re 40 with $750,000 invested, a 7% return could grow that to $3 million by age 65. But could small adjustments today (higher savings, smarter tax planning, lower fees) increase your flexibility even more?

• If you’re 50 with $1.5 million, you might be on track to hit $4.3 million by 67. But does that timeline match your goals? What if a strategic change lets you take more time back in your 50s?

• If you’re 60 with $3 million, you might assume working longer is necessary. But the real question is whether you’re already closer to financial independence than you think. A more flexible withdrawal strategy or better income planning could change everything.

  
  

Some people overestimate what they need. Others underestimate the risk of running out. The goal isn’t just to build wealth. It’s to turn that wealth into options.

A plan helps you do that.

The Difference Between Wealth and Wisdom

What’s the difference between a millionaire and a billionaire? About a billion dollars.

But what’s the difference between having wealth and actually using it well?

That comes down to having a plan.

Wealth alone doesn’t create freedom. Knowing how to use it does.

About the Author

Carson McLean, CFP®, is the founder of Altruist Wealth Management, a flat-fee, fee-only advisory firm dedicated to helping high-net-worth individuals and families turn their wealth into a tool for financial freedom. With over 15 years of industry experience, Carson specializes in tax-efficient investing, retirement planning, and behavioral finance. Helping clients make smarter decisions about money that align with their real goals.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as personalized financial, tax, or investment advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, all investments carry risk, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Any strategies or insights discussed may not be suitable for your specific situation. If you’d like to discuss how this applies to your financial plan, feel free to reach out.