Huh?
Being wealthy and being rich are not the same thing. A surgeon and his family could be rich, yet he has to go to work every day for his family to maintain their expensive lifestyle. He cannot simply decide, “I’m going to stop working tomorrow.” A wealthy person can decide to stop working without drastically changing her lifestyle, which is why I’d rather be wealthy.

A wealthy person’s money grows independently. She’s investing for tomorrow. She doesn’t work for money; her money works for her. Unless a surgeon or anyone else decides to invest money and generate other financial support systems that grow independently, he will never be wealthy, no matter how enormous or minuscule his paycheck may be.

The question you need to decide now is whether you’d be rich or wealthy. Yes, you can be both, but which is your ultimate goal? Do you want to be working for paycheck money, or do you want money to be working and growing for you while you’re vacationing in Rome?

What do you do?

If your goal were to become rich, you’d be heading to medical school. If you want to be wealthy, though, we think you can become whatever you want. The key is to strive for financial freedom – you know, work if you want, do what you want.

Most people are not good at accumulating wealth. Excluding home equity, the median American household has a net worth of less than $15,000. Fancy clothes and elaborate meals don’t bring wealth; these things only make you look well-to-do.

If you seek wealth, we’ve put together a few success tips:

1. Spend less than you earn– live below your means

2. Direct your time and money toward directions that can grow your wealth (ie: don’t let that $$ sit in the bank)

3. Take a few risks, watch the market, and look for new opportunities

4. believe that high social status is less important than building wealth. High social status cannot make you financially independent.