Monday, May 2nd, 2011 by dwayne

Interesting Survey conducted by the U.S. Trust……………………..

WHAT DO THE WEALTHY THINK ABOUT THEIR WEALTH? The U.S. Trust recently published a report based on a January-February 2011 nationwide survey of 457 high net worth adults with $3 million or more in investable assets. Here are a few of the interesting insights from the survey:

  • The main ways the respondents accumulated their wealth were (respondents could choose more than one):

o   77% on their own through earned income

o   59% through investments

o   35% through employer equity/stock options

o   28% through real estate transactions

o   27% through inheritance

  • The main factors that contributed to accumulating their wealth were (respondents could choose more than one):

o   84% cited focus and hard work

o   50% cited intelligence

o   45% cited personal values

o   35% cited luck

o   30% cited passion about their work

o   14% cited an overwhelming desire not to be poor

  • Accumulating wealth did not come without cost as 47% said there were some sacrifices. Here are the main sacrifices in order:

o   Haven’t taken enough time off

o   Too busy to spend time with family

o   Self-worth became defined by wealth

o   Mishandled personal relationships

o   Missed important milestones of family and friends

o   Physical health suffered

What do you think?