Anonymous wrote:Wow, it is surprising how many people here know nothing about wealth. Most of the people I know who are wealthy worked for themselves years ago (before it was trendy and meant nothing - as it is now). They had nothing for health coverage because that was the way it was. If they did get sick, it came out of pocket. Nd far less others were about schadenfreude.

They should call this board the Schadenfreude board. There are so many trying to find fault with others, its ridiculous. God forbid the next guy have more than you. Maybe they actually worked for it. If you believe in luck, you'll NEVER be wealthy!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This describes a certain type of wealthy person - the self-made entrepreneur type. Not all rich are like this. Many were born into money and do nothing very extraordinary with their lives.

Also, where is it written that following one's passion correlates with wealth? My passion is being a psychologist and helping people. I love what I do, but I'm certainly not in it for money.

But, if you wrote a pop-psych book, that helps people, then you'd be on the road....that's the difference.

Anonymous wrote:If your "means" is $700k a year, it is easy to live below it ans still have a nice lifestyle. If your "means" is $70k, it is not as easy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Count me in as another born poor now rich. Don't know why so many DCUMers love to assume we inherited or married into wealth or were just darn lucky.

+1

But you ARE lucky, you just don't know it.

Have you every been hospitalized? For like, weeks and weeks? Had to go through months of physical therapy? Now, what if this happened when you had a crappy insurance policy or since you were in your early 20's (before Obamacare) you could afford insurance? Or what if your parent or family member had to rely on you for support for circumstances beyond their control? (Assistance for a mental health issue, help with medical bills, rent, etc.)

You ARE lucky in that your parents have not burdened you with their lack of planning. You ARE lucky in that you and your spouse are healthy or have adequate insurance coverage. You ARE lucky that you didn't get in a car accident and suffer serious nerve damage that renders you constantly in pain and unable to work.

Please stop living with your head in the sand. Luck has a LOT to do with it.

Anonymous wrote:This describes a certain type of wealthy person - the self-made entrepreneur type. Not all rich are like this. Many were born into money and do nothing very extraordinary with their lives.

Also, where is it written that following one's passion correlates with wealth? My passion is being a psychologist and helping people. I love what I do, but I'm certainly not in it for money.

Anonymous wrote:

Count me in as another born poor now rich. Don't know why so many DCUMers love to assume we inherited or married into wealth or were just darn lucky.

+1

Anonymous wrote:Don't you know PP, morals and a code of ethics keep the average people average. A self imposed glass ceiling.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. The middle class believe elections are determined by voters and ideas. The rich know they are determined by money, and that the more money you have, the more you can influence politics (so you can amass more).

2. The middle class believe you go to jail if you embezzle, cheat, or defraud people. The rich know that, if you're "too big to fail" you can do these things and be given more money.

3. The middle class think working hard is the key to success. The rich know nepotism and connections are the key to success.

This list has such a selection bias. My husband is a bankruptcy attorney, and for every famous gambler like Trump who's "lost millions and gained billions," there are hundreds of people who have internalized these "lessons" and who have taken on too much risk, have ruined their families, and who have to be bailed out by taxpayers. Most of the "lucky" people who take big risks and become wealthy have personal networks of wealthy and influential people who help them recover from downfalls and who provide opportunities middle class people will never receive.

Claiming wealthy people are wealthy because they are qualitatively better than the middle class is a pleasant fiction that the wealthy have every reason to propagate -- after all, if the middle class buy that story, the wealthy are "winners" who are to be admired, rather than people who have learned to game the system to enrich themselves at the expense of others.

You have a middle class mentality.