Thomas Stanley, “Drive Rich or Be Rich”
One of the more interesting (although not surprising) things I’ve learned as I’ve dug more and more into financial discipline over the last few years, is how rich people actually live vs. how they are perceived. And since I would one day like to have wealth, I try and mirror my behavior to those who have been successful.
Most millionaires don’t drive brand-new luxury vehicles (most don’t even lease) (seriously, leases SUCK). Most don’t have art collections or fancy yachts. Most didn’t inherit their money, as about 80% of all millionaires are first-time wealthy. The profession that is 10x more likely to be a millionaire than the average American? Auctioneer.
The vast majority of American millionaires got rich by working hard, saving, spending wisely, and living within their means. THAT is the kind of behavior we should be rewarding and lifting up as an example today, not punishing and demonizing those who have succeeded.
