Why You're Not Rich and Why You Won't Be
I just want to say that this article is going to be pure truth. There will be no sugar coating. Also, most of this information is well known and obvious, but everyone needs a slap (reminder) by reality every once in a while. So, if you are like most people, you want money... and a lot of it. You don't want to just barely make it by; having your bank account go down to a couple bucks just so you can have a roof over your head. You want a surplus of money. You want to live the lavish style of Jordan Belfort (Wolf on Wall Street). A giant mansion, a yacht, a private helicopter, a hot wife, and power so NO ONE CAN TELL YOU WHAT TO DO. Most people want this, however the reality is that MOST PEOPLE DON'T ACHIEVE THIS. Here's a couple of reasons why.
1. The Key to Being Rich is Innovation
When Tai Lopez tells you that "college is pointless," there are a couple of truths to that. YOU DO NOT NEED TO GO TO COLLEGE TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL. College is a great path if you learn something worth while, like something in the STEM fields. Even if you do go to college and get a high paying job, you won't become rich (Disclaimer: I'll expand more at the end, 100,000$ a year from a STEM degree is rich to me and is awesome. I'm not bashing it, but that amount won't be enough for a private jet and mansions). The inventors and innovators of the world become rich. Look at the creator of Facebook, the founder of McDonalds, the creators of Uber, Instagram, Snapchat, the owners of Ubisoft. Most of what I listed were programs that someone with a bright idea and some programming skills could create. Think of a service, a program, or a product that people would want to buy or invest in. Easier said than done, but the true money makers of the world are innovators.
2. You Weren't Born Into a Rich Family
A sad reality of the world is that if you weren't born into a family with a lot of money, you most likely won't become rich.
On this graph of U.S. Holdings of Family Wealth 1989 to 2013, the TOP 10% of families held 76% of wealth in 2013, while the bottom 50% held 1%. Look, I believe in the capitalist system. The people that became rich deserve it, but the reality is that most people won't get to have the mansion. I'll expand upon this on the next point, but without any money to have it will be tougher to invest and create. If all of us could have a "small loan of a million dollars," what would we do with it?
3. You Haven't Started Investing
Okay, innovation is definitely the best way to get rich. However, another effective way to earn money is to invest in it. If you want to be rich, you need to think rich. Look at most millionaires, "On average, millionaires invest 20% of their household income each year. Their wealth isn't measured by the amount they make each year, but by how they've saved and invested over time." (Ramit Sethi "I Will Teach You To Be Rich"). However, this stems from my last point of not being born into a rich family. Most people don't have enough money to be able to invest.
4. You Think That It Is Luck
This is not sugar coating, this is reality. The truth is, you have every right to be rich if you're willing to make the sacrifice for it. The rich people didn't get their by laying in fetal position sucking on their thumbs (unless they were one of the spoiled kids born into rich families). They took risks, they've fallen and clawed their way back up. If you got the balls, you can become rich. Think Big. Think Hard. Invest. And try to get your hands on some gold or bitcoin. Cheers.