Is It Better to Be Rich or Wealthy

Is It Better to Be Rich or Wealthy

Rebecca Lake   Thu, August 24, 2023

Being rich and being wealthy are often seen as being the same thing. After all, people who are rich or wealthy tend to have more assets and greater financial freedom than the typical person. In reality, there are some major differences that define what it means to be rich vs. wealthy. If your financial goals include rising to the ranks of the rich or growing wealth, it’s important to know how they compare.

A financial advisor can help you create a financial plan for your wealth management needs and goals.

Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to 3 fiduciary financial advisors in your area in 5 minutes. Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests.

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What Does It Mean to Be Rich?

Income is often used as a standard when measuring what it means to be a rich person. So what income is considered rich?

If you’re looking at the top 1% of earners, then you’d need an annual income of $540,009 to be rich, according to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The Economic Policy Institute (EPI) defines the top 1% as people who earn $819,324 or more per year.

What about the top 5% or the top 20%? If you think of the top 5% as being rich, then you’d need to make $335,891 per year according to the EPI. If you’d like to crack the top 20%, you’d need to earn $130,545 per year, according to a SmartAsset analysis of income distributions in the top 100 largest U.S. cities.

It’s important to keep in mind that income alone does not necessarily determine whether you’re rich or not. Someone who makes a higher income but spends instead of saving or has significant amounts of debt, for example, may live a rich lifestyle but be broke on paper.

What Does It Mean to Be Wealthy?

Wealth is often defined in terms of net worth. Net worth is a measurement of the difference between your assets and liabilities.

Generally, a liquid net worth of $1 million would make you a high net worth (HNW) individual. To reach very high net worth status, you’d need a net worth of $5 million to $10 million. Individuals with a net worth of $30 million or more might qualify as ultra-high net worth.

Those numbers reflect how the financial industry typically views wealth. The average American views a net worth of $774,000 as enough to be financially comfortable, with a net worth of $2.2 million required to be wealthy. That’s according to Schwab’s 2022 Modern Wealth Survey.

Differences Between Rich vs. Wealthy

TO READ MORE:  https://finance.yahoo.com/news/key-differences-between-rich-wealthy-140035053.html

Scammers Posing As Amazon How To Protect Yourself

Scammers Posing As Amazon How To Protect Yourself

Maurie Backman  Wed, January 8, 2025  Moneywise

American woman lost her life savings to scammers posing as Amazon. Here’s how the scam works and how to protect yourself

When a Knoxville, Tennessee woman named Colleen saw a duplicate charge on her credit card for an Amazon purchase, she attempted to contact the merchant to resolve the issue. But instead of getting in touch with Amazon, she wound up contacting a scammer by accident.

Her mistake was innocent enough. Rather than go to Amazon's website and use their channels to connect with someone from customer service, Colleen did an internet search for a customer service phone number.

The problem? She didn't reach Amazon. Instead, she reached someone who would ultimately rob her of her life savings.

When a simple mistake has far-reaching consequences

When Colleen got on the phone with "customer service" at Amazon, the agent she spoke to led her to believe that her account was compromised. She was then transferred to a man who identified himself as Agent John Davis from the Federal Trade Commission.

He sent Colleen his fake credentials and she received what looked like an official FTC letter stating that her Social Security number was associated with fraud and her bank account could be drained at any time. Naturally, she panicked.

Colleen was instructed to withdraw $19,000 from her savings in cash. She was then told to go to a tobacco and vape shop and create an account on its Bitcoin ATM. She was sent a bar code to scan, which allowed her to deposit $15,000.

She then went to two apparel stores, as instructed, and purchased $4,000 in gift cards before giving the cards' numbers to Davis. Davis sent her a "receipt" for her $19,000 and said she'd get her money back after the FTC did its investigation. She was also told to keep the details of the situation to herself. Now, members of Colleen's church are helping her out while she works through the aftermath.

How to avoid falling victim to a scam

The sad thing about Colleen's situation is that she's the one who made the call to "Amazon," so she thought she was in the clear. But any time you need to contact a merchant, your best bet is to go to the company's site directly and get its phone number or email — don't just do a Google search.

Often, though, scammers like the ones Colleen encountered target victims by reaching out to them directly. And there’s also been an uptick in Amazon scams in particular.

TO READ MORE: https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/american-woman-lost-her-life-123000699.html  

4 Savvy Money Moves My Rich and Poor Clients Have in Common

I’m a Financial Advisor: 4 Savvy Money Moves My Rich and Poor Clients Have in Common

October 21, 2024 by  Cindy Lamothe

With their lavish vacations, enormous homes and successful careers — it can seem as if the wealthy have a playbook of rules only they can access.  But as it turns out, any of us can make the same money moves and reap the benefits.

GOBankingRates spoke with Abid Salahi, finance expert and cofounder of FinlyWealth, to discuss the savvy money strategies both his rich and poor clients have in common.

“I’ve worked with clients across various wealth levels and observed some common savvy money moves that transcend income brackets,” he said.

Read below to learn more of his experiences working with the rich.

Stick To Budgeting

“One strategy I’ve noticed among my most financially adept clients, regardless of their net worth, is their commitment to budgeting,” Salahi said. “They track their expenses meticulously and allocate their income purposefully.” 

He said this habit helps them make informed decisions about their spending and savings, allowing them to progress toward their financial goals more effectively.

“For instance, I have a client who started with modest means but has now built significant wealth. She attributes her success to the budgeting habit she developed early on,” he explained. “‘I’ve always lived below my means,'” she told me. ‘Even as my income grew, I maintained the same lifestyle and funneled the extra money into investments.’

“It’s amazing how quickly wealth can accumulate when disciplined about spending,” Salahi added.

Focus On Continuous Education

Another common trait among Salahi’s savvy clients is their focus on continuous financial education. 

“They stay informed about market trends, tax laws, and personal finance strategies,” he said. 

TO READ MORE:  https://www.gobankingrates.com/money/financial-planning/financial-advisor-savvy-money-moves-my-rich-and-poor-clients-have-in-common/?hyperlink_type=dynamic

Kickstart a Frugal 2025 With These 9 Expert Money Challenges

Kickstart a Frugal 2025 With These 9 Expert Money Challenges

Cara Danielle Brown   Sun, January 5, 2025 GOBankingRates

 If you indulged in a bit too much online shopping or partook in a few too many girls’ trips in 2024, you may be looking to start 2025 on a more financially savvy note. After all, those Steve Maddens were undoubtedly cute, but ordering 10 different styles may have been overkill.

Since it’s never a bad idea to build better financial habits, cut unnecessary expenses, and boost savings, GOBankingRates put together nine ways for you to kickstart a frugal 2025, according to some expert penny pinchers.

52 Week Challenge

Proving that a little bit adds up over time, Joy Wrenn, founder of FrugalCreativeLiving.com, suggests saving money each week for all 52 weeks of the year. Start small with $1 the first week … then add an additional $2 the second week until you finally add an additional $52 the last week of the year.

At the end of 52 weeks, you will have accumulated $1,378 which can be put towards retirement or other investments. This small, weekly contribution is a consistent way to build savings without it feeling like too much of a financial strain.

Negotiate Discounts

“Call your phone, cable, or internet providers, and every monthly or annual plan you have and ask for discounts,” said Laurie Hise, founder at Passionate Penny Pincher. Sometimes it’s as simple as just asking to put on those big boy pants. “Don’t hesitate — many companies are willing to offer better rates to retain customers.”

No-Spend Month Challenge

TO READ MORE:  https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/kickstart-frugal-2025-9-expert-160015237.html

6 Bad Pieces of Money Advice

Suze Orman: 6 Bad Pieces of Money Advice

Nicole Spector Fri, January 3, 2025  GOBankingRates

There has always been bad advice out there about what to do with our money. But now, in an increasingly digital age where many of us are glued to social media apps, inhaling particle after particle of “expert” information, we’re inundated with all sorts of financial advice. Some of it is salient and good; but some of it could be terrible for us, or, at best, not rightly sized for our needs and wants.

Suze Orman has become a multimillionaire as a personal finance guru, and is quick to call out a piece of advice about money that should be avoided. Let’s look at six bad pieces of money advice that Orman has bluntly struck down.

‘It’s Fine To Hire a Financial Advisor Who Is Not a Fiduciary’

This one may catch you by surprise, if only because you may not know this distinction exists. Not all financial advisors are fiduciary financial advisors. A fiduciary financial advisory has the qualification and commitment to act in your best interest and is overseen by complex and specific rules.

A financial advisor who does not have a fiduciary duty could act against your best interests by, for example, investing your money in a stock that they want to see succeed for their own prosperity.

“Only advisors who operate as fiduciaries are promising to always put the client’s interest first,” Orman wrote in a blog on her site in 2020. “If you are interviewing potential financial planners, ask them if they are a fiduciary and if they will put that in writing if you work with them. This should be a super easy request anyone will quickly say yes to.”

 ‘You Have To Send Your Kid to an Expensive College in Order for Them To Be Successful’

TO READ MORE:  https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/suze-orman-6-bad-pieces-130007865.html

5 Reasons Everyone Seems Richer Than You

Rachel Cruze: 5 Reasons Everyone Seems Richer Than You

Rafaela Stalbalk Klose  Wed, January 1, 2025  GOBankingRates

n today’s digital age, feeling like others are financially ahead is a common experience. Social media, advertising and the constant showcase of others’ lifestyles can create a pervasive sense of inadequacy, making it seem like everyone else is wealthier and more secure.

Understanding the factors that contribute to this perception and implementing effective financial practices — such as emphasizing net worth, setting clear goals and reducing reliance on debt — makes financial satisfaction more attainable. Rachel Cruze, personal finance expert and author, explored the reasons behind these feelings and provided strategies to regain financial confidence in a recent YouTube video.     

Remember, comparison is the thief of joy. Focusing on building a life that aligns with your personal financial goals and values is essential for creating a stable and fulfilling financial future.

The Influence of Comparison Culture

Comparison culture is more pervasive than ever, fueled by the constant scroll of social media and the influence of targeted advertising.

What once revolved around modest comparisons, Cruze said, like wearing American Eagle or Hollister, has escalated into showcasing luxury lifestyles, complete with $50,000 cars.

This relentless exposure to high-end living creates an unattainable standard for many, amplifying financial pressures and making it increasingly difficult to feel content with one’s own financial situation.

Debt as a Hidden Factor

Debt often fuels the illusion of wealth. Cruze pointed out that many people rely on credit cards, car loans, personal loans or home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) to finance trendy purchases, lavish vacations and frequent dining out.

This widespread reliance on borrowing creates a façade of financial security, masking the reality that many are grappling with mounting financial obligations. Recognizing how debt contributes to these perceptions can provide valuable perspective and reduce feelings of inadequacy when comparing financial situations.

Unseen Financial Circumstances

TO READ MORE:  https://finance.yahoo.com/news/rachel-cruze-5-reasons-everyone-140010936.html

10 Most Awesome Things You Can Do for Your Finances in 2025

I’m A Financial Advisor: 10 Most Awesome Things You Can Do for Your Finances in 2025

December 14, 2024 Written by  Cara Danielle Brown  Money / Financial Planning

Looking to make the most of your finances in the new year? Some may think taking financial risks or chasing trends is key to maximizing potential.

But, according to financial advisor at 4 Generations Wealth Management, Michael Fiammetta, the best thing one can do next year is the same thing he or she can and should be doing every year: master the basics.

Here are 10 awesome things you can do for your finances in 2025 and every subsequent year thereafter.

Maximize Retirement Contributions

Contributing as much as you can as early as you can to your 401(k) or IRA — within annual limits — “is one of the smartest moves you can make for your future self,” according to Fiammetta.

This is because nothing helps grow your retirement savings over time like compound interest. Can’t afford to contribute the maximum amount? That’s okay. Fiammetta argued that boosting contributions by a mere 1% in 2025 will impact your financial future.

Diversify Your Portfolio

If your investments are concentrated in one sector or asset class, consider diversifying stat.

“A diversified portfolio–spanning stocks, bonds, real estate, and more — reduces risk and positions you for long-term success,” said Fiammetta. This way, if one or two investments don’t perform well, others can balance out the loss.

Create an Estate Plan

No one likes to think about it. But what would happen to your money if you meet your untimely demise? In the absence of an estate plan, the state would determine who gets your assets based on unique intestacy laws that establish priority order beginning with closest living relatives.

But what if you wish to dictate particular amounts to specific individuals, or you prefer to pass assets to extended family and charitable organizations? Make sure a trust or will is put in place. Having a say in how your money is divided up ensures your preferences are honored and your legacy is carried on. It could also help loved ones avoid probate.

Review and Update Beneficiaries

TO READ MORE:  https://www.gobankingrates.com/money/financial-planning/im-a-financial-advisor-things-you-can-do-for-your-finances-in-2025/?hyperlink_type=manual

It's Time To Reset Your Finances For 2025's Knowns and Unknowns

It's Time To Reset Your Finances For 2025's Knowns and Unknowns

J.J. McCorvey  Updated Wed, January 1, 2025

2025 could bring economic changes with the potential to hit millions of people’s wallets in different ways.

A series of stock market gains have fueled retirement investments at the same time that catastrophic storm damage is causing steep repair costs and making thousands of homes virtually uninsurable. Meanwhile, the incoming Trump administration is eyeing deeper tax cuts along with a rollback of newly built guardrails around consumer finance.

While uncertainty abounds in the year ahead, “people can empower themselves the most by focusing on what they can control — those things that will be valuable regardless of what happens in the world,” said Kevin Mahoney, founder of Illumint, a Washington, D.C.-based financial planning firm.

Here are a few ways to put yourself in the best financial position for whatever the next 12 months may bring.

Hunt for high returns as interest rates fall

Interest rates are coming down, and the impact should be felt more widely in the months ahead by anyone with a savings account, mortgage, credit card or car loan. For many borrowers, that will bring a bit more relief from the nosebleed-level costs of carrying debt. But for many savers, it means less generous returns.

High-yield savings accounts are still topping out around 4.5%, beating the 2.7% annual inflation rate as of November. But as banks trim the interest payments they make to depositors, it’s important to make sure yours remain competitive, said Malik Lee, managing principal at Felton and Peel Wealth Management, an Atlanta-based firm.

“It’s one of the red flags that I’ve been warning clients of all the money market accounts,” said Lee, referring to a popular type of deposit account that limits debit transactions but is often high-yielding. “You’re sitting there thinking, ‘Hey, I’m getting 4 or 5% on this thing, because that’s where it initially was when rates were high, and now I’m getting 3%.”

While banks usually alert customers of rate changes, those notifications can lag and some account holders might not have them switched on. Earlier this year a Bankrate survey found about two-thirds Americans were earning suboptimal interest on their savings accounts.

TO READ MORE:  https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/time-reset-finances-2025-knowns-140000058.html

6 Ways To Prevent Your Property Value From Plummeting in 2025

6 Ways To Prevent Your Property Value From Plummeting in 2025

John Csiszar  Mon, December 30, 2024    GOBankingRates

Property values have had quite a run since the 2020 pandemic, more than doubling in many markets. Between that run-up, high inflation the past two years, persistently high interest rates and the long time since the last recession, some market watchers are concerned about the lofty valuations in certain housing markets. While a true housing crash seems to be unlikely, there are some areas you might want to avoid — or steps you might want to take — to help protect your investment. Here are some suggestions.

Avoid Condos in Oversaturated Markets

When you buy a condo, you don’t own the land that your property sits on. Technically, you own a fractional interest in the complex’s common areas, but your ownership rights are different than if you buy a townhouse or a stand-alone home.

 In those cases, you own the lot where your property sits, giving you additional value and freedom to do as you wish with your structure. This can make condos less valuable properties to own, particularly in oversaturated markets.

To maintain your property value if this is your ownership situation, find ways to make your condo stand out, by renovating or otherwise maintaining your property in a manner that puts it head and shoulders above any competing units.

Spruce Up Your Older Home

All other things being equal, new homebuyers will usually want fancy new homes over those that are old-fashioned. If your home has an old floor plan, old-fashioned colors and no technological upgrades, investing some money in upgrades can be a good way to keep your home current and up its value. Even somewhat mundane improvements like new windows or fresh paint can help protect your property value.

Stay Out of Areas With Constant New Builds

If you notice the constant building of new homes in your area, it can be a warning sign that your property value may decline — or at least not rocket higher. Although increasing demand is a good thing in the real estate market, when supply matches that demand — or even exceeds it — there’s no push to drive prices higher. In fact, oversupply can often be a trigger that pushes prices lower. The ideal situation is to own property in an area in which new builds are restricted or limited, either by geography or by legislative decree.

TO READ MORE:  https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/6-ways-prevent-property-value-230019632.html

Tips For A Financially Healthy 2025

Tips For A Financially Healthy 2025

Russ Wiles, Arizona Republic   Sun, December 29, 2024

The economy enters 2025 in reasonably good shape, with a low unemployment rate, modest inflation, a trend toward declining interest rates and strong corporate profit growth that has been giving the stock market a lift.

It's thus not a bad backdrop for getting a fresh start on improving your finances. Here are some trends, issues and tips to mind in coming weeks:

Choose a savings resolution, and stick to it

New Year's resolutions can provide the motivation to improve your financial situation in many ways, such as building up your retirement plan, reviewing your insurance policies or getting started (or updating) an estate plan.

However, the resolution most Americans are focusing on heading into 2025 is more basic: Sock more money into emergency savings. You can hold money in various forms from a money-market mutual fund to laddered bank certificates of deposit (those coming due in intervals such as every three months).

The idea is to have enough liquid cash to meet big unexpected expenses while earning at least a modest yield in the meantime.

In a Fidelity Investments survey, 72% of respondents said they suffered a notable financial setback this year, with nearly half having to dip into their emergency funds to pay for it. It’s thus no surprise that 79% of respondents hope to build up their cash reserves, 38% worry about unexpected expenses and 20% say another surprise could set them back in 2025. Women, more than men, said they didn’t have an emergency fund to dip into, but 80% of them resolved to build one in 2025.

Get relief from a consumer-friendly banking rule

A new rule that could help some of the most hard-pressed consumers is one that mandates lower overdraft fees at banks.

The federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in December issued a final rule that it said will cut typical overdraft fees from $35 per transaction to $5, saving an average of $225 annually for the 23 million or so households that pay such charges.

TO READ MORE:  https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/tips-financially-healthy-2025-130102443.html

7 Financial New Year’s Resolutions for Gen Z

7 Financial New Year’s Resolutions for Gen Z

Ashley Donohoe   Mon, December 30, 2024  GOBankingRates

The Fidelity Investments 2025 Financial Resolutions Study found that Gen Zers came in second behind millennials for feeling financially optimistic, making plans to reach financial goals and being willing to set resolutions. However, some in this group struggle with paying off student debt, lack sufficient savings and have a hard time managing expenses.

If you’re an adult Gen Zer, starting 2025 with some smart money goals can help improve your financial stability and prepare you for big decisions, including buying a home and starting a family.

Learn the Basics of Money

Since financial literacy is very important for achieving goals, a good 2025 resolution is learning the basics of budgeting, handling debt, saving, investing and managing risk. However, Gen Z is often prone to using social platforms like TikTok to get money advice that might not be accurate. In fact, TikTok is one of the most popular sources for Gen Z to get financial information, as reported by CNBC.

While some of this information can be helpful, Gen Zers may be better off turning to reliable sources, such as financial advisors or mentors, bank financial education portals, expert videos, and personal finance books. Universities and government agencies also often provide financial education courses and other resources.

Live On a Realistic Budget

The Fidelity study also found that Americans in all age groups struggled with inflation and everyday bills. But with many in college or early in their careers, Gen Zers can particularly struggle and rely on extra money from parents to help cover housing and other essentials.

Improving financial stability in 2025 will require making a budget that wisely allocates income and avoids splurging on luxuries that hinder financial goals. It’s then necessary to live on that budget and change financial behaviors when spending appears to get out of control.

You might find keeping this resolution easier with apps like Goodbudget and Rocket Money.

Fill Up an Emergency Fund

According to the 2024 Bank of America Better Money Habits survey, 57% of Gen Z respondents lacked a three-month emergency fund, which is commonly viewed as the minimum recommendation. Not having one not only increases financial stress but also puts Gen Zers at a bigger risk of building up credit card debt.

To prepare for unexpected expenses, consider a New Year’s resolution of setting up a high-interest savings account and contributing regularly until you’ve built up at least three months’ worth of expenses. That money should stay put until it’s needed for true emergencies — such as medical bills or big repairs — rather than unnecessary splurges.

Tackle Student Loans and Credit Cards

TO READ MORE:  https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/7-financial-resolutions-gen-z-130106706.html