[brytlea]

I would love to see stats on how many people in the US are rich because they inherited the money. I'm sure that info is out there somewhere, but I'm not sure how to google it.

Most people I know who are well off have worked hard, and didn't make alot of the stupid choices made by many of those I know who still live paycheck to paycheck. This is not an across the board, hard and fast rule, but it's common enough that we warn people against stupid choices (drugs, alcohol, unwed pregnancies, etc). Of course, our government tends to subsidize those behaviors.

susie

[Pukin Dog]

Anyone living paycheck to paycheck in America made STUPID decisions. That does not mean that they want to admit it.

[Pukin Dog]

Just to follow up,

I have never met anyone who could not trim their living expenses by 20%. Most people living paycheck to paycheck could deny themselves something long enough to put 20% of their former expenses in the bank for a year or two.

Many in America have lost the ability to save money. My current girlfriend was spending $25 dollars a day on lunch and latte's. When I pointed out to her that she would have a down payment for a home in 3 years just on that money, she gave them up.

[ladyjane]

If you look at peoplee who won large lottery jackpots you'll find an answer. People who had nothing when they won don't have much 5 or 10 years later. Many winners tend to blow through their winnings quickly.

[Mr. Buzzcut]

I would love to see stats on how many people in the US are rich because they inherited the money. I'm sure that info is out there somewhere, but I'm not sure how to google it.

I'd wager that most of those are liberals or Country Club Republicans.

[SQUID]

Hey Susie:
Actually I would love to see those stats also. I am simply highlighting how much I dislike blanket statements.

I've known some very wealthy people who make very stupid decisions. Taking money from clients, taking from special interests to perform certain tasks, stealing from pension funds, fraudulent insurance claims, defaulting on contractual obligations, you name it.

You see, money doesn't make anybody smarter, better or more honorable. Some rich people have gotten rich by screwing many others. Trump will tell you that himself.
I'm not trying to be negative, I simply don't agree with blanket statements.