What the Rich Know About Money but 90% of Americans Don’t

Have you ever wondered whether the wealthy might understand something about money that most people don’t? They probably do. There are many of us who have worked diligently and saved wisely to build up our money. In the same way, many of the world’s wealthiest people earned their position by putting in considerable time and effort. Acquiring wealth is only one half of the equation; the other is maintaining and increasing it. Every person, regardless of income level, aspires to achieve this goal.

While the rich enjoy access to many resources that the rest of us don’t, some of them have also developed wise practices that help them protect and grow their wealth. Anyone who wishes to improve their financial security can embrace these practices. Here are some things that wealthy people know about money that 90% of Americans do not, and how you can put them to use.

Stop Relying on Credit Card Debt

The vast majority of the rich are able to pay for all of their purchases in cash. Yet, even the most well-off people often use their credit cards. After all, credit cards have some unique benefits over other payment options, such as earning rewards, greater security, and building and maintaining credit.

Here’s how the rich do it differently: they avoid accumulating debt from using their credit card by paying their entire balance on time. In his best-selling book, “Rich Habits: The Daily Habits of Successful People,” Tom Corley studied how poor and rich people used credit cards. He discovered that while only 5% of the wealthy had a balance on their credit cards, 90% of the poor did. The rich can also avoid spending on late payment fines by paying on time.

Avoid Overspending

There’s a popular misconception that one of the perks of wealth is the ability to spend as much money as you want without having to worry about how much it will cost you. The truth is quite different! Because they keep a close eye on the money coming and going out, the rich are able to amass an enormous fortune.

When it comes to spending, wealthy people aren’t impulsive or careless. They use their money wisely and in accordance with their values. They loathe the idea of wasting anything. In his book “The Millionaire Next Door,” Thomas J. Stanley says that wealthy people regularly compare prices, repair instead of buying new, and purchase products “out of season” to get the greatest deal. And, they keep a close eye on their expenses or employ a bookkeeper to do so. This is a must-have habit if you’re ever unsure about where your cash is going.

Consistently Saving and Planning

Saving money is an excellent way to protect your assets and grow your available cash flow. The ultimate goal would be to save 15% to 20% of your monthly income, but even 1% is preferable to none at all. Automated bank transfers to savings accounts, life insurance payments and retirement plan premiums are common ways to save money.

Since accumulating wealth requires a surplus of income over expenses, setting money aside early can improve your financial situation. Make saving money a priority and, if possible, automate the process so that it takes place without any effort on your part.

You’ll also need a separate fund for emergencies to take care of any unanticipated expenses. Your emergency fund should have enough money to cover six to twelve months’ worth of costs. Make sure to replenish your stash if you ever need to use it.

Investing Is the True Secret To Wealth

Hard work doesn’t automatically result in success, which is a sad fact of capitalism. If exchanging time for money is your only source of income, your earning capacity is limited by the number of hours you can work each week.

However, the rich understand that the real way to succeed in capitalism is through passive income. Investments in stocks, real estate, or backing a business concept that provides a potential profit increase with your earning power beyond the number of hours in a week.

The Bottomline

The wealthy understand the importance of meticulous financial management to maintain their fortune. Instead of squandering their money on extravagant purchases, the rich focus on making their money work for them.

In this article, we’ve shared some ways that rich people understand, spend, and use their money that we can apply to our own lives. If you want to learn more about managing and growing your finances, subscribe to Wealtheo+ today.