Home / Business Focus
Sun, May 22, 2005 - Page 12 News List

Americans cling to alluring myth of 'getting rich'

Many in the US think they'll get rich some day. Most won't, and there may be more to be gained by dropping the idea altogether

By M.P. Dunleavey  /  NY TIMES NEWS SERVICE , NEW YORK

Sadly, I know the havoc that results when you think outside your wallet.

My credit cards could tell you all about it. So here's one solution: forget rich. It would free up so much time and energy if "get rich" got crossed off everyone's to-do list. Trying to live a sane, productive financial life is hard enough. (I could use some of that energy to shore up financial essentials, like the pale, quivering mess that is my IRA.)

I'm sure most people would rather hear their odds of getting rich are great. I'd love to believe it myself. But accepting that you aren't going to be snuggling into the lap of luxury any time soon can be a blessing.

Smart people may finish rich, but they probably won't. How about a book called: "Smart People Finish Just Fine, Thanks." It's not sexy and it may never be a best seller, but downshifting from a focus on wealth could do more to enhance your bottom line than you ever dreamed.

This story has been viewed 7337 times.
TOP top