These home listings- What kind of job do these people have to be this rich?

[blackangst1]

You Americans all believe your own crock. The American Dream. If you work hard, you too can become rich. Don't be jealous, don't be envious. If you want what others have, go work for it. They all have worked hard for it, and so should you. If you don't succeed then it is your own fault. Only you are too blame.

What job do these people have ? What makes you think a job has anything to do with wealth ?

Reality is, the biggest factor in your life, by far, whether you will be successful and rich is: are your parents rich ?

I would imagine that most of those expensive houses are owned by rich people from rich families. Whose parents were rich. Whose grandparents were rich. With wealth you can accumulate more wealth. Your current economic model is completely targeted towards rich people accumulating more wealth. There is no way in your system where wealth spreads out again. It only gets clustered. It might not have been obvious in the previous century. But the last decade people have started to notice. Money flows up. Never trickles down. In the end you will be back to the same situation as we had a few centuries ago in Europe: a feudal system, with a rich aristocracy, and very poor masses. In theory a poor person can be elevated into aristocracy, but that'll be an exception. Only the children of the aristocrats will enter aristocracy.

You now even elected a President who is a shining example of this new system of aristocracy. Rich because his daddy was rich. He's a major screw-up, has no morals. Probably not very smart. But even then, he ended up richer than he started.

There is no American Dream.

Youre way off base. Fact is, only 30% of the Forbes 400 comes from family wealth. The remaining 70% are self made.

 

[Gryz]

Youre way off base. Fact is, only 30% of the Forbes 400 comes from family wealth. The remaining 70% are self made.

That article only does statistics on the 400 richest people in the US. Ultra rich. Of course many of them are self-made. You can inherit a lot of wealth from your parents. But to be in the top 400 out of 300 million, you need to do a little extra.

Now let's find those statistics, but over the richest 1%. That's the richest 3 million Americans. I bet you that more than 30% of those are not completely self-made.

And then, what does self-made exactly mean ? Bill Gates started Microsoft, from scratch, right ? In his parent's garage. Well, Gates's dad loaned him a substanial amount of money. Something my dad would not been able to do (or wanted to do). And his mother helped him getting a deal with IBM. (Thanks Mom !). I guarantee you, those 2 factors have more weight in his success than anything else. Without the loan he would not have been able to get started. And without the deal with IBM (which was nuts, and almost killed IBM), there would have been no Microsoft.

For normal people, working hard will get you a "nice house" and a "nice car". But working hard will not make you rich. Unless you are very very lucky.

 

[blackangst1]

That article only does statistics on the 400 richest people in the US. Ultra rich. Of course many of them are self-made. You can inherit a lot of wealth from your parents. But to be in the top 400 out of 300 million, you need to do a little extra.

Now let's find those statistics, but over the richest 1%. That's the richest 3 million Americans. I bet you that more than 30% of those are not completely self-made.

And then, what does self-made exactly mean ? Bill Gates started Microsoft, from scratch, right ? In his parent's garage. Well, Gates's dad loaned him a substanial amount of money. Something my dad would not been able to do (or wanted to do). And his mother helped him getting a deal with IBM. (Thanks Mom !). I guarantee you, those 2 factors have more weight in his success than anything else. Without the loan he would not have been able to get started. And without the deal with IBM (which was nuts, and almost killed IBM), there would have been no Microsoft.

For normal people, working hard will get you a "nice house" and a "nice car". But working hard will not make you rich. Unless you are very very lucky.

Get on it then. Find those statistics.

 

[Mai72]

Wow

So many people here have such limiting mindsets. Thank God Ford, Edison and The Wright Brothers never succumbed to the negativity. We wouldn't have the car, electricity and the airplane. Edison failed over 1,000 times when he worked on the light bulb.

I never said getting rich was easy, but it's still possible in America. On my mom's side many of her relatives were entrepreneurs. They did quite well. Just because you don't know wealthy entrepreneurs it doesn't mean they don't exist. I live in a resort town. Many people here are very wealthy and many own small and large businesses. Show me one country that still produces as many millionaires as America. You can't. China maybe?

Just read a story of an Irish guy. Immigrated from Ireland and started work as a janitor. in 10 years he became the biggest realtor in New York. A self made millionaire. That is just one guy.

 

[Mai72]

That article only does statistics on the 400 richest people in the US. Ultra rich. Of course many of them are self-made. You can inherit a lot of wealth from your parents. But to be in the top 400 out of 300 million, you need to do a little extra.

Now let's find those statistics, but over the richest 1%. That's the richest 3 million Americans. I bet you that more than 30% of those are not completely self-made.

And then, what does self-made exactly mean ? Bill Gates started Microsoft, from scratch, right ? In his parent's garage. Well, Gates's dad loaned him a substanial amount of money. Something my dad would not been able to do (or wanted to do). And his mother helped him getting a deal with IBM. (Thanks Mom !). I guarantee you, those 2 factors have more weight in his success than anything else. Without the loan he would not have been able to get started. And without the deal with IBM (which was nuts, and almost killed IBM), there would have been no Microsoft.

For normal people, working hard will get you a "nice house" and a "nice car". But working hard will not make you rich. Unless you are very very lucky.

Don't get it twisted.

Many rich kids are also soft. Many become dependent on money from their parents. They do nothing but become leaches. Many don't work. They drink, do drugs and do stupid shit. Gates could had did the same. But he didn't. You have to give him credit.

Luck is part of the reason why people become successful. I'll agree to that statement. But, you have to put yourself in the position to get lucky. In the meantime you could focus on reading. Starting a business. IMO, reading is overlooked. Many successful entrepreneurs are also avid readers. They also have mentors. It all translates into being prepared to take advantage of opportunities when they arise.

 

[ponyo]

Wow

So many people here have such limiting mindsets. Thank God Ford, Edison and The Wright Brothers never succumbed to the negativity. We wouldn't have the car, electricity and the airplane. Edison failed over 1,000 times when he worked on the light bulb.

I never said getting rich was easy, but it's still possible in America. On my mom's side many of her relatives were entrepreneurs. They did quite well. Just because you don't know wealthy entrepreneurs it doesn't mean they don't exist. I live in a resort town. Many people here are very wealthy and many own small and large businesses. Show me one country that still produces as many millionaires as America. You can't. China maybe?

Just read a story of an Irish guy. Immigrated from Ireland and started work as a janitor. in 10 years he became the biggest realtor in New York. A self made millionaire. That is just one guy.

Don't get it twisted.

Many rich kids are also soft. Many become dependent on money from their parents. They do nothing but become leaches. Many don't work. They drink, do drugs and do stupid shit. Gates could had did the same. But he didn't. You have to give him credit.

Luck is part of the reason why people become successful. I'll agree to that statement. But, you have to put yourself in the position to get lucky. In the meantime you could focus on reading. Starting a business. IMO, reading is overlooked. Many successful entrepreneurs are also avid readers. They also have mentors. It all translates into being prepared to take advantage of opportunities when they arise.

I'm going to let you on a secret which everyone already knows but you seem clueless about. All the motivational gurus and self-made rich real estate and business guys you follow on Youtube and books are all crooks. They all made money by ripping off people and doing shady deals. But they're not alone. We have a president who became rich because of his parents and grandparents and ripping off people. Now his family and friends are making a killing giving sweetheart deals and stealing federal government money. You have no idea on how the real world works and how real business deals get done. You have zero experience with business deals other than lies your gurus on Youtube have told you.

You know Martin Shkreli? He has more in common with all the rich people than they want to admit. His ego was his downfall but how he became rich is pretty much how many of the rich became rich. They lied and cheated their way to their wealth. If you're honest, you don't have what it takes.

 

[NoTine42]

the worst thing about a big mansion is that you have to have somebody come in and clean it.

somebody, who you're not related to, just hanging out in your house going through your stuff and cleaning up your messes.

that would make me super uncomfortable.

The property taxes would make me more uncomfortable.

 

[Gryz]

Show me one country that still produces as many millionaires as America. You can't. China maybe?

Is that your definition of a nice, successful and fair country ? How many millionaires it produces ?

Show me one country, in the top 100 of richest countries in the world, where 10% of the population lives in a trailer.

 

[brianmanahan]

Show me one country, in the top 100 of richest countries in the world, where 10% of the population lives in a trailer.

what's wrong with a mobile home? they're not bad at all if you keep them maintained, just like a house.

my family lived in one for 5 years to save money, and my great-aunt and uncle have lived in one for 30+ years. he could definitely afford a house but enjoys the little community he is in.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Those pictures look airbrushed or photoshopped...

Those are all of Trump's Russian friends that live in Miami.

 

[Slew Foot]

Hard work and smarts will make you a good employee with a Lexus and a McMansion. Being able to stab people in the back and schmooze over politicians for juicy contracts will make you CEO with a private plane and your own island.

 

[zinfamous]

looks like some rapper's house.

Stripper poles and the stripper room are not included in pics.

 

[Exterous]

That article only does statistics on the 400 richest people in the US. Ultra rich. Of course many of them are self-made. You can inherit a lot of wealth from your parents. But to be in the top 400 out of 300 million, you need to do a little extra.

Now let's find those statistics, but over the richest 1%. That's the richest 3 million Americans. I bet you that more than 30% of those are not completely self-made.

Wealth is much tougher to measure than income but the studies on it tend to show that the majority of people with a net worth >$1M are self made, starting with The Millionaire Next Door and its updates and up through the recent Rich Habits Study
http://www.businessinsider.com/it-t...lionaire-at-least-32-years-to-get-rich-2015-3

Only 2/5 of the top 1% receive any inheritance at all, compared to 1/5 of everyone else

A higher proportion of 1 percenters (two in five) than 99 percenters (one in five) has inherited money, according to the Federal Reserve survey.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/15/b...ore-nuanced-portrait-of-the-rich.html?mcubz=3

 

[skull]

Is that your definition of a nice, successful and fair country ? How many millionaires it produces ?

Show me one country, in the top 100 of richest countries in the world, where 10% of the population lives in a trailer.

Ha your cute thinking living in a trailer is bad. You should get out of Europe more and see how the 3rd world lives. Even funnier they say Americans are soft and unworldly. Don't worry we are soft, double wides are part of the good life.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Mayweather?

and 1.5-2 million can get a nice house around so cal but it's definitely nothing super lux.

https://www.redfin.com/CA/Santa-Ana/3449-S-Sheffield-Rd-92704/home/5926816

 

[dainthomas]

Real estate developers, CEOs, business owners of various types, some drug lords.

Don't forget ATOT poster.

 

[Gryz]

what's wrong with a mobile home?

Have fun with your hurricanes and tornados.
I'm sure living in a trailer can be OK if you live in Texas. Not so sure it'll be fun if you live in Minnesota or North Dakota. In a modern country, society makes sure there are enough affordable houses for people to rent. Although I must admit that in my country our government has almost stopped building new houses for rent. And the existing ones become ridiculously expensive. Stop setting bad examples for us to follow !

Ha your cute thinking living in a trailer is bad. You should get out of Europe more and see how the 3rd world lives.

That is why I wrote: in the top-100 richest countries. Of course 3rd world countries are not comparable to the US or any European country. I'm sure you can survive living your whole life in a trailer. But IMHO it would be nice if a country can help its less fortunate citizens. That's an idea that is slowly going away in many European countries. But Americans seem to be the only ones who are really proud to say they don't care if their neighbors freeze to death in winter. FYGM. It's the American way !

 

[skull]

Have fun with your hurricanes and tornados.
I'm sure living in a trailer can be OK if you live in Texas. Not so sure it'll be fun if you live in Minnesota or North Dakota. In a modern country, society makes sure there are enough affordable houses for people to rent. Although I must admit that in my country our government has almost stopped building new houses for rent. And the existing ones become ridiculously expensive. Stop setting bad examples for us to follow !


That is why I wrote: in the top-100 richest countries. Of course 3rd world countries are not comparable to the US or any European country. I'm sure you can survive living your whole life in a trailer. But IMHO it would be nice if a country can help its less fortunate citizens. That's an idea that is slowly going away in many European countries. But Americans seem to be the only ones who are really proud to say they don't care if their neighbors freeze to death in winter. FYGM. It's the American way !

You missed the point some where I think. There is nothing wrong with living in a trailer, one of my best friends growing up grew up in a trailer. They weren't poor had plenty of room, whats your problem with trailers again? You think they freeze? Maybe when the heat isn't working they do but thats goes for any house.

 

[urvile]

Don't get it twisted.

Many rich kids are also soft. Many become dependent on money from their parents. They do nothing but become leaches. Many don't work. They drink, do drugs and do stupid shit. Gates could had did the same. But he didn't. You have to give him credit.

Luck is part of the reason why people become successful. I'll agree to that statement. But, you have to put yourself in the position to get lucky. In the meantime you could focus on reading. Starting a business. IMO, reading is overlooked. Many successful entrepreneurs are also avid readers. They also have mentors. It all translates into being prepared to take advantage of opportunities when they arise.

True. I have anecdotal evidence of this. I know a guy who is nearly 40 and he has never really had a job. His parents bought him a house etc. and he has no work ethic at all. I have known him since high school and he is one of my best buddies but he is a lazy prick. I have also worked for entrepreneurs who owned start ups. One was in oil and gas the other in the leisure industry the former got all of his major contracts due to his contacts within a major resources company. Where he used be a project manager. The other guy was formerly the CEO of a major state government tourism body. So yeah. He had contacts too.

They started those business because they had spent years building up contacts and expertise and saw an opportunity and it takes some balls to do that. It's still a big gamble. This is purely anecdotal of course.

Also I wouldn't expect a very bright nerd like gates to be shooting up heroin but you never know.

Just to add for all of the insane success stories there are a million more that failed. Most start ups come and go with most people never even knowing they existed.

 

[evident]

You sound bitter that your that your in a country with less opportunity than America.

While that may true, you shouldn't dismiss the point he makes.

 

[Insomniator]

Some sad, poor, jealous people in this thread.

 

[FelixDeCat]

I have the nicest cardboard box under the bridge. It was last appraised at over .99 cents. I was thinking of moving out though - too many vagrants around here.

 

[Tweak155]

There are millions of wealthy people in America, and they cone from all walks of life. I once was told by a wealthy man who said "most Americans are conditioned to think small. That most think living in a million dollar home is a big deal. It's not" Then he went on to say that America is amazing, etc...

This video get straight to the point. Many people become successful entrepreneurs in America. It's why capitalism is so amazing. Anyone can become successful if they're willing to put the time in. What's truly remarkable is many entrepreneurs don't have advanced degrees. Hell, many are college drop outs. Only in America.

https://youtu.be/3LOMkHA34ng

Thanks for this link, good personal improvement / motivational material can be hard to find, even though a lot of it exist.

 

[Cappuccino]

Real estate developers, CEOs, business owners of various types, some drug lords.

let me add peanut farmers to your list.

 

[Crono]

let me add peanut farmers to your list.