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o you know anyone with a net worth of more than $10 million? Or even $1 million? If you don’t, it’s probably because the way they think is so different from how you feel. The rich think differently from the poor and middle class. This is because the rich have a completely different set of mental filters that guide the decisions they make every day. Let’s take a closer look at some of these filters to see how the rich think differently from the poor.
Building a Wealth Mindset: The Ultimate Guide
Rich people think of risk differently.
Rich people tend to be risk-takers by nature, while poor people tend to be risk-averse. Rich people are willing to take risks because they have money to lose. Poor people fear losing their job or going bankrupt if they take a chance.
When you’re rich, it’s not that big of a deal if you lose 1% of your portfolio. However, losing 1% can set you back for months if you’re poor. This difference in mindset can lead to different behaviors. For example, rich people are more likely to put money into risky investments like stocks and real estate, while poor people are more likely to invest in safer assets like CDs and savings accounts.
So how can you use this understanding of rich vs. poor risk management to your advantage? First, it’s essential to recognize that not all risk is the same. For example, taking a risk when you’re poor might mean getting a second job to save money or spending less on things that aren’t as important. But when you’re rich, taking a risk might mean picking an expensive vacation destination which could cost you more in the long run by eating into your savings.
Rich people think of time differently.
Rich people think of time as their most valuable asset. If you’re looking to become rich, you need to start thinking of time as money. Rich people don’t believe in wasting time. When poor and middle-class people are asked what to do with an extra hour a week, they’d probably sleep or watch TV. This is because they’re living paycheck to paycheck and don’t have the time to do anything else. Most wealthy people would invest their extra time to make more money. They’d spend additional time networking, investing in their skill set, or growing their business. The more time you can spend growing your income, the faster you’ll become prosperous.
Rich people think about growth differently.
Rich people don’t believe in maintaining their current income. They think that their income should be growing. This is because rich people understand that the more money they make, the more freedom they have. The less money you make, the more time you’re required to work to make a living. Rich people know they don’t just work for a paycheck; they work to fund their dreams. It costs money to be rich. It costs money to own a business. If you want to be rich, you need to think about growing your income. This isn’t something you do on the side; it’s something you do every day. Increasing your income is about changing your thinking about work. It’s about thinking like a business owner, not like an employee.
Rich people think of networking differently.
Rich people think differently about networking than poor people do. For example, rich people know that networking doesn’t have to be a stressful and uncomfortable experience. Instead, rich people view networking as an opportunity to learn new skills and connect with other successful individuals. On the other hand, poor people view networking as a necessary evil to endure getting ahead in life. This difference in mindset can significantly impact how successful both groups are.
You can network without feeling stressed out and anxious when you’re rich. You know it’s okay to take your time when getting involved in a new social situation instead of rushing into things to get them over with as quickly as possible. You can relax and enjoy yourself when you’re networking because you know that it’s not a big deal. On the other hand, when you’re poor, you feel you have to impress everyone or else they’ll think less of you. You feel you must put on a show, or no one will want to talk to you. These feelings make it more difficult for poor people to get ahead in life than rich people do.
Rich people think about money differently.
Most people look for an excellent job and hope for a good raise. Rich people look for a good business and hope for a good profit. They know the best way to make money is to own a profitable business. The fastest way to get there is to start a business that can quickly scale. Once again, network marketing is the easiest way to start a business that can quickly rise. Network marketing companies with proven marketing systems are excellent candidates. Poor people think money comes from a paycheck. Rich people know that money comes from profits.
Rich people have different beliefs about work and life.
Rich people have different beliefs about work and life from poor people. Rich people believe they should focus on their careers, while poor people are likelier to say they need to focus on their families. Rich people also believe that they should be able to control their own time and that they should be able to work when they want to work. Poor people believe that they should be able to work when the family needs them to work.
Another difference is how rich people view money and how poor people view money. Poor people see money as a means of survival, while rich people see money as an investment or a way of showing status.
Finally, poor people generally don’t take vacations, or vacations do not cost them much money, whereas rich people take lots of holidays and leave.
Rich people know that money is not the only thing that matters.
Poor people have in common with the rich because they both need money to survive. But that’s where the similarities end. Poor people let the quest for money rule their lives. They make decisions based on how much money they think those decisions will make or save. They gauge friendships and relationships based on what they can get out of them. They let money dictate their self-worth. Money is just one factor in a rich person’s life. If it’s not there, rich people can still get by. If it’s there, they’ll take advantage of it and use it to their advantage. Wealthy people understand that having “enough” money to live comfortably is possible. Beyond that, money takes a backseat to other more important things, like family, friends, and hobbies.
Rich people are committed to constant self-improvement.
Rich people know that their wealth – both financial and personal – is built on their ability to improve themselves continually. They realize that no matter how smart or capable they are, they can always get better and improve as individuals. They also recognize that not everyone has the same access or opportunities that they do. Rich people know that they have a responsibility to help those less fortunate. They understand that they have options others don’t have, and they know they can use those opportunities to improve their communities and the world. Wealthy people understand that their ability to earn a higher income is often directly related to their willingness to learn new things and expand their knowledge base. They know that the opportunity to make more money is always present, but it requires some action. Rich people also realize that things aren’t learnable, but that’s okay. Finally, they understand that no one is perfect and that striving for perfection is often counterproductive and unhealthy.
Rich people know it’s okay to say “no” and continually fight no’s into yes’s.
Poor people say yes to everything, even if their initial instinct is no. They take on too much and don’t know how to say no. This is both a blessing and a curse. It’s a blessing because people love helping each other, and it can be a curse because they don’t know when to stop. Rich people know that saying no is okay. They know that saying no to certain things can lead to other, better opportunities. They understand that every no rules to a yes, even if it’s not the yes they expected. Rich people also understand that saying no isn’t about being ungrateful or disrespectful. They say no to things because they want to say no. They don’t feel they have to do everything just because someone asks them to do it. They fight no into yes by setting boundaries, knowing their value, and taking time to prioritize things in their lives.
Wealthy people understand the power of compound growth.
Compound growth happens when money earns interest, which then makes interest. It’s one of the most significant ways to get wealthy. Poor people tend to spend their money as soon as they call it. They don’t save or invest and don’t let it grow over time. Wealthy people understand that money grows larger when left alone and given time to work. They also have a long-term outlook on life. They know it takes years to get to where they want to be financial. They don’t expect immediate results from their efforts and don’t give up if things don’t go as planned. Rich people know that compound growth doesn’t happen overnight, but it does happen. They slowly but surely accumulate wealth over time due to consistently saving and investing money.
Wealthy people understand how debt works (and how it doesn’t).
Poor people continuously take on more and more debt. They don’t understand that debt is a powerful force that can quickly put them in a financial stranglehold. Rich people understand that debt is dangerous. They know that debt can help them acquire things they need or want, but it can also be harmful. Debt can destroy a person’s financial well-being if they don’t know how to manage it correctly. Rich people understand that debt has an interest. They know that they must pay interest every time they take on debt. One of the most significant ways lenders make money off people who take on debt is interest. That interest is like a ticking time bomb. It works against you and continually grows more significant over time. Debt is the enemy of wealth. It’s the root cause of most financial problems in the world.
Rich people know that investing is not just for the rich.
Poor people are scared to invest money because they think only rich people can do it. They believe that only rich people have the money to invest in the first place or that they will lose it all if they invest their money. Rich people know that investing is a great way to make money. They understand that investing isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme. It’s a method of wealth creation that takes time. They also understand that investing money doesn’t mean that you have to become a stockbroker. Anyone can invest if they put their money in safe, low-risk places.
Final Thoughts on How Do the Rich Think Differently from the Poor?
The rich think differently from the poor because they know what it takes to be rich. They also think differently from the average person because they’ve attained a higher consciousness about how money works and doesn’t work. High-worth individuals realize that being rich is not a destination but an ongoing journey. They know that accumulating wealth is a life-long learning process, not just a one-time event or experience. To become wealthy, you need to think and act like one. As cliché as it sounds, attitude is everything regarding wealth. How you view money dramatically affects your chances of becoming wealthy or remaining poor.
Do you want to learn more about “How Do the Rich Think Differently from the Poor?” Check out Building a Wealth Mindset: The Ultimate Guide.

James is the editor-in-chief at wealthmindsetschool.com. James is a workaholic and an entrepreneur who has been in the tech industry for over ten years. He has worked with Microsoft, owns multiple websites, and now owns a mattress shop. Furthermore, when he has time left over, he will be in his woodworking shop building furniture as a side hustle. James has a B.S. in Business Management Information Systems and a Master’s in Business Administration from Liberty University. He is currently pursuing a Master’s in Executive Leadership, and once he completes that, he will pursue his Ph.D. in Business Administration – Entrepreneurship. James also seeks investment opportunities, putting his money to work instead of himself. James is an active believer that wealth begins with developing a wealth mindset. He now teaches, instructs, and helps others achieve that goal.