MARKUS FRIND, a 29-year-old Web entrepreneur, has not read the best seller “The 4-Hour Workweek” — in fact, he had not heard of it when asked last week — but his face could go on the book’s cover. He developed software for his online dating site, Plenty of Fish, that operates almost completely on autopilot, leaving Mr. Frind plenty of free time. On average, he puts in about a 10-hour workweek.

Check out the whole article here about how he got so big and how he makes his money! 

NEW YORK - A billion dollars just doesn’t go as far as it used to. For the first time, it takes more than $1 billion to earn a spot on Forbes magazine’s list of the 400 richest Americans. The minimum net worth for inclusion in this year’s rankings released Thursday was $1.3 billion, up $300 million from last year.

The new threshold meant 82 of America’s billionaires didn’t make the cut.

Collectively, the people who made the rankings released Thursday are worth $1.54 trillion, compared with $1.25 trillion last year.

The very top of the list was unchanged: Microsoft Corp. founder Bill Gates led the list for the 14th straight year, this time with a net worth estimated at $59 billion. He was followed by Warren Buffett of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. in second place with an estimated $52 billion and casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, No. 3 with an estimated worth of $28 billion.

Larry Ellison of Oracle Corp. maintained his ranking at No. 4, with an estimated net worth of $26 billion.

But the list showed some notable changes.

Joining the top 10 of the country’s richest for the first time were Google Inc. founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page, who tied for fifth place. The 34-year-old moguls’ wealth has quadrupled since 2004 to an estimated $18.5 billion this year, while their company’s stock value has surged 500 percent.

And, lower down, almost half of the 45 newcomers made their millions in hedge funds and private equity investments. The youngest member of this year’s list was 33-year-old hedge fund manager John Arnold, who joined the ranks at No. 317 and a net worth of $1.5 billion.

“Wall Street really led the charge this year,” said Matthew Miller, editor of the Forbes list. “God only knows if they’ll be on it next year. It really just depends on what the market does.”

Surging oil prices also helped some members of the list. Oil baron brothers Charles and David Koch also broke into the top 10, sharing the No. 9 spot with estimated wealth of $17 billion. Their ascension bumped the Walton family, heirs to the Wal-Mart Stores Inc. fortune, from the top 10 for the first time since 1989.

The discount retailer, struggling with a slowing economy and higher gasoline prices as well as merchandising mishaps, has seen its sales lag behind rivals like Target Corp.

Climbing 19 rungs to No. 7 was casino tycoon Kirk Kerkorian, who doubled his net worth to an estimated $18 billion. The 90-year-old investor is a majority shareholder in MGM Mirage — operator of the MGM Grand, Bellagio and other casinos — which saw record profits at several of its Las Vegas hotel-casinos.

Rounding out the top 10 was Michael Dell of computer maker Dell Inc., who was No. 8 with an estimated $17.2 billion.

The magazine confirmed the worth of an individual’s holdings in public companies by using the Aug. 31 closing stock price, and estimated the value of private companies by evaluating comparable public firms in the industry. The list also takes into account philanthropic donations

Forbes has scoured the world again to find the most expensive homes in 2007. They are spread throughout all corners of the globe, including Turkey, France, and the United Kingdom, but the majority of the top ten is dominated with American mansions. A UK home takes the number one position on the list, but six of the top ten are American.

1. $138 million Updown Court - Windlesham, Surrey - United Kingdom
The world’s most expensive home is located in Surrey, UK and is listed with Hamptons International. The recently built house is a mix of the old and the new, with the luxury and sophistication of a grand English manor combined with all the modern day technologies. Hampton’s International says “Updown Court dominates its formal setting amid 63 sprawling acres of landscaped grounds, formal gardens and woodland.” Being the world’s most expensive home means you have to make a mega-wealthy buyer’s jaw drop. The Surrey mansion should impress even the pickiest buyers, with its heated marble driveway, several ballrooms, grand entrance ways, parking for eight limousines, a cinema seating 50, helipads, and the obligatory panic room for emergencies.

 2. $135 million Hala Ranch - Aspen, Colorado - United States
The second most expensive home in the world is a 56,000 square foot ranch owned by Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz with sixteen bathrooms and fifteen bedrooms. The Aspen home is being sold by Christie’s Great Estates and has an “indoor pool, a steam room, an exercise room, a regulation-size indoor racquetball court, a tennis court, a fishing pond, cross-country ski trails, and an enormous firepit. For the equestrian, superb facilities are provided by a heated haybarn and a heated stable.”

3. $125 million Maison de L’Amitie - Palm Beach, Florida - United States
When one thinks of excess luxury and real estate, the first name that often comes to mind is Donald Trump. So it shouldn’t be a surprise to see the Donald on the list of the most expensive homes in the world. The New York billionaire brought the Florida mansion a few years ago at a bankruptcy auction for a little over $40 million. After giving the mansion a Trump makeover, the real estate entrepreneur has put a firm $125 million price tag on it.  

4. $100 million Tranquility - Lake Tahoe, Nevada - United States
The cofounder of Tommy Hilfiger, Joel Horowitz is selling his 210 acre property located on the tax free side of Lake Tahoe. Luxuries include a wine cellar that holds at least 3,500 bottles of fine wine, a giant indoor pool, and a cinema that seats nineteen. Chase International is selling the Lake Tahoe mansion.

5. $100 million - Waterfront Estate - Istanbul, Turkey
The most expensive Turkish home is situated on the beautiful Bosphorus in Istanbul. The Turkish mansion has 64 rooms that all ooze luxury and opulence. A sultan would feel at home in this Istanbul home that is being sold by Luici Real Estate Agency.

6. $99 million - Bishops Avenue - Hampstead, London
The sixth most expensive house in the world also has a Turkish connection, even though it is actually located in London. Halis Toprak is a Turkish businessman that created the Toprak Mansion which is selling for around $99 million. Toprak filled his 28,000 square foot mansion’s every room with luxury. A Turkish sultan would not look out of place in the Turkish bath that has room for twenty people. Glentree Estates is selling the house.

7. $75 million - Three Ponds - Bridgehampton, N.Y. - United States
The rich use the Hamptons in New York as their playground, so it should come as no surprise to see a $75 million Hamptons estate on the most expensive homes list. Three Ponds gives you 60 precious acres of Hamptons land and a USGA rated Rees Jones golf course that you invite your friends around to. See Corcoran real estate if you are planning a move to the Hamptons life.

8. $75 million - The Portabello Estate - Corona del Mar, California - United States
The 30,000 square foot modern masterpiece was built in 2002 and is being sold by Coldwell Banker. The ocean views, eight bedrooms, and ten bathrooms are part of the reason for the price on this home.

 9. $70 million - The Pierre Penthouse - New York, N.Y. - United States
If you are very wealthy, but don’t like mowing lawns, perhaps 3 floors of luxury overlooking Central Park is for you. Christie’s Great Estates describes the NY mansion like this; “Since its completion in 1920, The Pierre has been recognized worldwide as the ultimate address for affluent visitors to New York. Rising forty-three stories above Central Park, the building has remained a grand hotel in every sense.. where gilded finery, antique treasures, discreet white-glove service, and impeccable taste have always been de rigueur.”

10. $65 million - Cap Ferrat - Cote d’Azur, France
A French mansion takes the tenth position on the most expensive homes in the world list. One could easily get lost in the richly decorated nineteen bedrooms, twenty-one bathrooms, and ten reception rooms. Views of the ocean, Beaulieu and Monaco also add to the price of the most expensive French mansion in 2007. The good people at Knight Frank should be able to help with sales inquiries.