There are many negative stereotypes about rich people: the general belief is that they don't deserve or deserve their wealth, that they avoid taxes, and that they are greedy. However, research shows that these are nowhere near as evil or privileged as you think: a significant percentage of them attended public schools or dropped out, and many are first-generation millionaires who didn't inherit money. So what are 10 widespread facts about rich people that aren't true?
What facts about a percentage of the world's population not true?
If you come from a rich family, you will be rich yourself.
It's true, yes children from better-off families get higher education more easily than children from lower income families. And it is true that there is a positive correlation between the possibility of getting rich and the wealth of your family.
This correlation, however, is not so simple: while the 'rich kids' have more opportunities in life, they are also more likely to lose the wealth they have inherited. According to the findings of financial advisors at Williams Group 70 percent of wealthy families lose their wealth by the second generation.
All rich people inherited their money.
According to the 2016 survey, conducted by the Peterson Institute for International Economics and based on two decades of data collected by Forbes, already in 2014 the number of self-made millionaires jumped to 70 percent of all the rich on the list. Among them are Bill Gates, Warren Buffet and Larry Ellison. This trend applies more to American billionaires, as they are more than half of European billionaires inherited her wealth.
Rich people don't have to work hard.
According to data collected by Thomas C. Corley, author of the book Rich Habits, rich people work more than poor people: 86 percent of wealthy people with full-time jobs work 50 hours or more per week, while 57 percent of poor people with full-time jobs work less than 50 hours per week. Rich people also take sick leave less often and spend less time watching TV or on the Internet.
Rich people never go bankrupt.
Not even the rich it is never guaranteed that their company will not be affected by bankruptcy. Donald Trump has proclaimed it four times. The key difference between rich and poor and assets in this case is whether they are assisted by a financial expert in the actual procedures. Rich people like 50 Cent, who declared bankruptcy in 2015 and 2017 finally recovered, usually have financial advisors who prepare a strict financial plan for them. And that's also why they quickly get back on their feet.
Rich people are selfish.
Some recent studies show that rich people who repeatedly evade taxes are more likely to break traffic laws and, in general, are also more egocentric. A Dutch study, however, shows that 'misdirected' envelopes with money or credit cards were returned more often by the rich than by the poor. The authors of the research came to the conclusion that rich people are no more selfish than poor people - they just have more money.
All rich people graduated from the best universities.
According to the research on global elites, which was conducted at Duke University, most of the rich have graduated from a university, and a high percentage of these universities belong to the famous and elite. Although an elite school education is important, some wealthy people never graduated (eg Bill Gates). A good education is important, but it is not the only factor that determines wealth.
Rich people are less charitable.
Some studies have found that poorer households donate a greater proportion of their income to charities than wealthier households, while other studies show that people with more money donate more. Obviously, several factors play a role in this. A recent study conducted at the University of British Columbia shows that a certain message of a charity campaign appeals to certain people: the rich and the poor respond to different types of advertising.
Money doesn't buy happiness.
A study conducted at the Harvard Business School in which 4 thousand millionaires participated showed that money contributes to happiness. Millionaires who have a fortune estimated at 10 million are significantly happier than those who have a fortune estimated at 1 million. It is interesting that those who acquired the money themselves are happier than those who inherited the money or married into a rich family.
To be rich is to be extravagant.
A study published by Business Insider shows that they are rich people much less extravagant than you might think. 92 percent of wealthy people surveyed have never vacationed on a yacht and 87 percent said they have never bought a new luxury car. 30 percent even said they collect coupons.
Being rich is impossible.
And finally, the most wrong belief - that it is impossible to get rich if you do not come from a rich family. There are enough millionaires who started from scratch. So don't miss your chance.
