4 Things Rich People Do That Poor People Don’t (And Why You’re Stuck in the Hamster Wheel)
Hey, it's Brent here again! Today, we’re going to talk about four things that the wealthy do that the average American doesn't—and why this keeps so many people stuck in the hamster wheel of living paycheck to paycheck. The contrast between the habits of the rich and the behaviors of the average American is huge, and understanding these differences can be the key to breaking free from financial slavery and starting your journey toward true financial freedom.
1. Delaying Gratification vs. Instant Gratification
What the Wealthy Do: The wealthy understand the power of delayed gratification. They don’t live for the moment, buying the latest gadgets, fancy cars, or eating out constantly. Instead, they focus on building assets and growing their wealth. For them, money is a tool to create more wealth, not a means to buy things that lose value. The rich prioritize saving and investing for their future, and they understand the long-term benefits of that mindset. They are actively practicing long term thinking which frames every decision they make in simple terms; Is this moving me closer to my vision or further away?
What the Average American Does: Meanwhile, 78% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, largely driven by instant gratification. Instead of saving and investing, many spend their money on liabilities: expensive cars, the latest fashion, or dining out. People often feel pressure to keep up with the Joneses, spending money they don't have on things they don't need, to impress people they don’t even like, all while ignoring the fact that money spent on liabilities is money that doesn’t work for them. It’s a short-term mindset that keeps them stuck in the hamster wheel of debt.
2. Seeing Money as a Tool vs. Seeing Money as an Asset to Spend
What the Wealthy Do: The wealthiest people view money as a tool—something to leverage for future growth. They don’t think of money in terms of just accumulating it; they use it to generate more wealth. The wealthy don’t leave their money sitting idle in savings accounts earning next to nothing; instead, they invest it in real estate, businesses, themselves or even using it to finance their own personal banking system through the Infinite Banking Concept (IBC).
What the Average American Does: The average American often sees money as something to spend, not something to leverage. They get a paycheck, and the immediate instinct is to spend it on their day-to-day expenses, bills, or indulgences. Savings and investments often come second—if at all. In fact, many people aren’t even saving enough to cover unexpected expenses. This kind of behavior leads to a cycle of living paycheck to paycheck, with no long-term wealth accumulation. Instead of multiplying their money, they spend it on things that don’t create long-term value.
3. Creating Generational Wealth vs. Accruing Debt
What the Wealthy Do: Wealthy families understand the importance of building wealth that lasts for generations. They focus on creating assets and using their resources to build financial systems that their children and grandchildren can benefit from. One of the ways they do this is by using the Infinite Banking Concept to create a stable and predictable wealth-building structure that is passed down. The goal isn’t just to live comfortably today, but to secure the financial future of their kids, grandkids, and so on.
What the Average American Does: The average American, on the other hand, is often caught up in a cycle of debt. Student loan debt alone exceeds $1.3 trillion in the U.S., and credit card debt adds up to $1.1 trillion with an average interest rate of 23.5%. With debt levels this high, many Americans find themselves struggling to make ends meet and relying on credit to cover basic living expenses. This constant accumulation of debt prevents them from building long-term wealth and leaves them stuck in the cycle of living paycheck to paycheck, with no financial plan for the future.
4. Controlling Their Financial System vs. Relying on External Systems
What the Wealthy Do: The rich understand that in order to control their financial future, they need to take control of their money. This is why they use strategies like Infinite Banking. By using specially engineered whole life insurance policies, the wealthy have access to liquidity, guaranteed growth, tax free growth and the ability to borrow against their money to fund investments or expenses—without relying on third-party lenders. In short, they create their own financial systems and don’t rely on banks, Wall Street, or government policies that could put their wealth at risk.
What the Average American Does: The average American relies heavily on traditional financial systems, like banks, retirement accounts, and credit cards. This reliance leaves them vulnerable to inflation, rising interest rates, and the fluctuating stock market. With savings accounts offering less than 1% interest and 401(k)s subject to market volatility, many Americans are unknowingly handing their financial power over to these systems without realizing it. As inflation continues to erode the value of their money and the government continues to add to the national debt, these systems become less reliable—and more costly—for the average person. By giving up financial control, assuming the risk the average American is a financial slave keeping our broken financial system humming along.
The Bottom Line: Break the Cycle and Take Control
The habits and behaviors of the wealthy set them apart from the average person. While most Americans are stuck in the cycle of instant gratification, accruing debt, and relying on external systems, the wealthy take a long-term view, treat money as a tool, and build wealth that lasts for generations.
If you’re ready to break free from the hamster wheel, start thinking like the wealthy. Use strategies like Infinite Banking to take control of your money, create a legacy, and make your money work for you. It's time to shift your mindset, focus on long-term wealth, and start building a future you can be proud of.
If you’re interested in learning more about how Infinite Banking can help you take control of your financial future, reach out to us today. The knowledge is free, the system is legal, and it is accessible to every person looking for a better financial path forward. Let’s work together to break free from the traditional financial systems that are holding you back. Reach out to our money mentors today for a conversation.
