The Five Most Ridiculous Myths About The Rich

It's time to separate fact from fiction when it comes to rich people.

While rich people only represent a small portion of society, there's no shortage of talk about them. You hear about what the rich are like in the news, on blogs, in movies and so on.

There's only one problem with these tidbits and facts: Many are completely wrong. Taken at face value, these myths give you an inaccurate idea of what it takes to be wealthy.

Let's take a look at some common myths about people with a lot of money. And set the record straight.

1. They lead humble lifestyles.

I've lost track of how many times I've read that Warren Buffett still lives in the house he bought in 1958 for $31,500. That's true, but it's a five-bedroom house, so it's not like he's living in a shack. This supposedly frugal billionaire also has his own private jet.

What about Jeff Bezos? He kept driving his Honda Accord for years after getting rich. He's also a member of the private jet club.

The idea that rich people don't spend much doesn't mesh with reality. While they save a large portion of their income, they also spend money on passions and things that make their lives easier.

2. They're all big earners.

A common refrain when talking about the wealthy is "I'd be rich too if I was making $90000000." People say this as if more income would magically change their financial habits.

Earning a lot of money certainly doesn't hurt. But it's not the key to getting rich. In Hogan's Everyday Millionaires survey, he found that 62% of millionaires had an annual household income of under $100,000.

The key isn't how much you earn. It's how much you save. Millionaires have a high personal savings rate, often exceeding 50% of their income.

3. They make money quickly through high-rise ventures.

Rich people don't just save a large portion of their earnings. They also know how to make that money grow. They don't place risky bets in hopes of getting a huge return. They play the long game. They realize that the only two things they need are a high savings rate and time.

4. They get rich off other people's hard work.

There's a popular joke I've seen on Facebook. An employee compliments his boss's luxury car. The boss replies, "If you work hard, I'll be able to buy another one next year!"

It may be a joke, but many believe that's how the world works. Supposedly, the people at the top rake in the big bucks while working-class employees do the heavy lifting.

Research tells a different tale. In his "Rich Habits" study, Thomas C. Corley found that 86% of wealthy people with full-time jobs worked at least 50 hours per week. They're willing to work hard so they can make more money. And they often sacrifice work-life balance to increase their earning potential.

5. They hit the inheritance lottery.

This one's the go-to criticism people use to denigrate rich people's achievements. "Sure, they're rich, but only because of their family."

But multiple studies have shown that most wealthy people get rich on their own.

In The Millionaire Next Door, Dr. Tom Stanley found that 80% of millionaires are the first generation in their family to be rich. Chris Hogan, author of Everyday Millionaires, found similar results: Only 21% of the millionaires he surveyed received an inheritance.

MORALS

All you need is to consistently save a portion of your income and be smart about how you invest it.

ALWAYS FOLLOW YOUR HEART.

 As a child, Monty Roberts was the son of a horse trainer and moved from stable to stable, from ranch to ranch, training horses. The boy’s schooling was constantly interrupted. One day, when he was a senior, his teacher asked him to write about what he wanted to be when he grew up. He did not hesitate and wrote a seven page paper about his aim to be an owner of a horse ranch. It was a detailed paper with the location of buildings, stables and even a house plan. Two days later he received his paper back with an F on the front page.

After class he asked his teacher why he received such a low score.

The teacher told him, “This dream is unrealistic for a boy like you, who has no money, no resources and who comes from an itinerant family. There is no possibility that you will reach this goal."

Then the teacher offered him the opportunity to rewrite the paper with a more realistic attitude.

The boy went home and asked his father how he should respond.

His father told him, “This is a very important decision, so you must come to your own conclusion."

After several days, the boy brought the same paper to his teacher. No changes were made.

He told his teacher, “Keep the F and I will keep my dream."

Monty Roberts went on to own a 4000 square foot house in the middle of 200 acre horse ranch. He framed the paper he wrote and hung it over his fireplace.

MORALS

Always remember to follow your heart and never listen to those who do not believe in your ability to achieve your dreams.

The Weight of the Glass

Once upon a time a psychology professor walked around on a stage while teaching stress management principles to an auditorium filled with students. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they’d be asked the typical “glass half empty or glass half full” question. Instead, with a smile on her face, the professor asked, “How heavy is this glass of water I’m holding?”

Students shouted out answers ranging from eight ounces to a couple pounds.

She replied, “From my perspective, the absolute weight of this glass doesn’t matter. It all depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute or two, it’s fairly light. If I hold it for an hour straight, its weight might make my arm ache a little. If I hold it for a day straight, my arm will likely cramp up and feel completely numb and paralyzed, forcing me to drop the glass to the floor. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn’t change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it feels to me.”

As the class shook their heads in agreement, she continued, “Your stresses and worries in life are very much like this glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and you begin to ache a little. Think about them all day long, and you will feel completely numb and paralyzed – incapable of doing anything else until you drop them.”

The moral: It’s important to remember to let go of your stresses and worries. No matter what happens during the day, as early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don’t carry them through the night and into the next day with you. If you still feel the weight of yesterday’s stress, it’s a strong sign that it’s time to put the glass down.

Pass or Fail Story

 Once a teacher told her students that she hadn't failed anyone in the class. A cheer went around the class. Then she told them again that she hadn't passed anyone either. And she told them that it is you, students had done it. Yes, it is true. We are the ones, who are making ourselves, pass or fail in life. No one else.

A Christmas Story-A True Story of a Holiday Miracle

A Christmas Story -- A True Story of a Holiday Miracle

A John Harricharan Adventure. It could be yours, too!

Long, long ago, in a small, tropical village in a country far, far away, a little boy lived with his parents in a two room house. He could not have been more than four or five years old and his entire experience of life was limited to the fishing and farming village, his neighbors and friends.

It wasn't that the little boy was unhappy. Given his situation, he was a rather cheerful, optimistic lad, but times were hard for his parents. The village was recovering from the recent floods that had wiped out his parents livelihood. And the Christmas holidays were just around the corner.

Now in this little village of long ago, people of various religions lived and worked together in harmony. Everyone enjoyed each other's religious holidays and everyone looked forward to the celebrations where Christians, Hindus, Muslims and others would gather. The parents would provide gifts for the children and little boys and little girls would squeal with delight as they played with their simple toys.

It wasn't an expensive gift by today's standards, but in that village of long ago, as Christmas approached, any gift would be considered expensive. Yes, you and I would probably smile when we realize that all the little boy wanted was a balloon -- just a simple little blue balloon.

You see, the little boy had seen pictures of brightly colored balloons and had even seen balloons that belonged to children of more affluent families. But he had never had his own balloon and so he longed for one. In the village, balloons were only sold in one shop and that shop was far from the little boy's home.

And the cost of a balloon? Just one penny! You would think that a penny was hardly anything, but in those days, literally every penny had to be used very carefully. When the little boy's parents had to choose between food and a balloon, the choice was naturally food.

The little boy was very sad. For weeks he had been thinking of the lovely, blue balloon he would get for Christmas. After another day or so, his mother, like all good mothers, determined to find her little boy a penny to get his blue balloon. Again, like most mothers, she sacrificed her own needs to get her son his wish.

Imagine how happy the little boy was! Clutching the penny tightly in his small hand, he set off for the store. He did not care that he would have to walk for more than a mile in the blazing hot, tropical sun to get his balloon. He moved as fast as his little legs would carry him -- sometimes half-running and then walking quickly. Now he would have his blue balloon.

But fate played a trick on the little boy. There was no blue balloon at the store -- only one balloon was left. And it was a drab green one, a color he didn't really like. He probably thought that a green balloon was better than no balloon at all, so he bought and paid for it. But things were to get much worse very quickly.

As he was returning home, he decided to inflate the balloon by blowing air into it. Suddenly, there was a loud sound and the balloon burst into pieces. At first, the boy couldn't believe it. He just stopped and stared at the rubbery shards in his hand. After all the trouble to get this one balloon and then, just like in life, in a split second it was gone.

He continued walking home and although he was a brave  little chap, tears streamed down his cheeks. After all, he was just four or five years old. His parents would not be able to spare another penny to buy a replacement balloon. And even if they were able to, there were no balloons left in the store. By now, his tiny feet were tired from all the walking so he sat down on a little rock at the side of the road.

That's when he saw the stranger. He wasn't quite sure why he hadn't seen the man sooner. He must have been too absorbed in his own problems to notice anything. Rarely were there strangers who came through the village. The man smiled a kindly smile and inquired of the little boy why he had tears in his eyes.

The little boy explained his plight. With a knowing wink, the man reached into a bag he was carrying on his shoulder and pulled out a small box. "I have a gift for you," he said as he handed the box to the little boy.

"Go ahead. Open it," he continued. Imagine the surprise of the little boy as he peered into the box and saw three, uninflated, beautiful blue balloons, each one with a picture of a star on it. He turned to say "thank you" to the stranger, but there was nobody there. The man was gone.

Perhaps it was an angel, thought the little boy. Or maybe the stranger just disappeared into thin air. But that would be magic, reasoned the little fellow. You see, there is magic in the heart and soul of every little boy and every little girl on Earth. They know it, but they forget the magic as they grow older.

Years have come and years have gone, but that was one of the happiest Christmas I ever spent. Every once in a while, or perhaps, even more often than once in a while, if I choose to sit quietly and revisit that scene of yesteryear, I could still see the kindness in the stranger's eyes and the beautiful stars on the blue balloons.

It was a great lesson that I learned that day. Sometimes when life takes something away from you, it is only because it wants to bring you something much better. Life took my little balloon because it wanted me to have three beautiful, bigger and better balloons.

We may not understand why things happen the way they do, but this I know: If we trust the process and we keep on keeping on, the dark valleys of life will eventually lead into beautiful fields of light and splendor. You are cared for and protected by a Force that transcends time and space -- a Force that has existed forever and that loves you unconditionally.

Last, but not least, I must tell you this before I go! If you want to help a little boy or a little girl get a toy this holiday season, I will give you a link where you can make a contribution to "Toys for Tots". Each year, my dear friend, Rick Beneteau, runs a campaign to raise funds to provide some needy children with a few precious gifts.

Rick has been doing this year after year, and in some ways, he reminds me of the stranger who walked through the little village and brought me the three beautiful, blue balloons. A contribution of any amount would be welcomed. It could be as small as a dollar or as large as you want to make it.

And it's easy to contribute through Paypal (I just made my contribution). No matter how bad things may be with us, we can always decide to help someone by giving even a small amount. For it is in giving that we are able to receive blessings beyond our fondest dreams. Here is the link for "Toys for Tots":

(InternetToyDrive.org)

I wish all of you a wonderful holiday season. It doesn't matter which holidays you celebrate or not celebrate, we are all in one great celebration, the celebration of life.

May this season and the coming new year be filled with peace, joy, prosperity and all good things for you.

Always,

John

Suspect Ultimate Chicken Story (Mind Blowing Climax)

 A farmer rears twenty-five young hens and one old cock. As he feels that the old cock could no longer handle his job efficiently, the farmer bought one young cock from the market. 

 

Old cock to Young cock : "Welcome to join me, we will work together towards productivity. 

 

Young cock : What you mean? As far as I know, you are old and should be retired. 

 

Old cock : Young boy, there are twenty-five hens here, can't I help you with some? 

 

Young cock : No! Not even one, all of them will be mine. 

 

Old cock : In this case, I shall challenge you to a competition and if I win you shall allow me to have one hen and if I lose you will have all. 

 

Young cock : O.K. What kind of competition? 

 

Old cock: 50 meter run. From here to that tree. But due to my age, I hope you allow me to start off the first 10 meters. 

 

Young cock : No problem ! We will compete tomorrow morning. Confidently, the following morning, the Young cock allows the Old cock to start off and when the Old cock crosses the 10 meters mark the Young cock chases him with all his might. 

 

Soon enough, he was behind the Old cock back in a matter of seconds. 

 

Suddenly, Bang! ...... before he could overtake the old cock, he was shot dead by the farmer, who cursed, "Hell ! This is the fifth GAY chicken I've bought this week !"

Bad Day at the Office?

 Hello

If you don't laugh out loud after you read this you are in a coma! 

 

This is even funnier when you realize it's real! Next time you have a bad day at work, think of this guy. 

 

Rob is a commercial saturation diver for Global Divers in Louisiana. He performs underwater repairs on offshore drilling rigs. Below is an E-mail he sent to his sister. She then sent it to radio station 103.2 on FM dial in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, who was sponsoring a worst job experience contest. 

 

Needless to say, she won. 

 

Hi Sue, just another note from your bottom-dwelling brother. Last week I had a bad day at the office. I know you've been feeling down lately at work, so I thought I would share my dilemma with you to make you realize it's not so bad after all. 

 

Before I can tell you what happened to me, I first must bore you with a few technicalities of my job. As you know, my office lies at the bottom of the sea. I wear a suit to the office. It's a wet suit. This time of year the water is quite cool, so what we do to keep warm is this: we have a diesel-powered industrial water heater. 

 

This $20,000 piece of equipment sucks the water out of the sea. It heats it to a delightful temperature. It then pumps it down to the diver through a garden hose, which is taped to the air hose. Now this sounds like a darn good plan, and I've used it several times with no complaints. 

 

What I do, when I get to the bottom and start working, is take the hose and stuff it down the back of my wet suit. This floods my whole suit with warm water. It's like working in a Jacuzzi. 

 

Everything was going well, until all of a sudden, my butt started to itch. So, of course, I scratched it. This only made things worse. Within a few seconds, my butt started to burn. 

 

I pulled the hose out from my back, but the damage was done. In agony, I realized what had happened. The hot water machine had sucked up a jellyfish and pumped it into my suit. 

 

Now, since I don't have any hair on my back, the jellyfish couldn't stick to it. However, the crack of my butt was not as fortunate. When I scratched what I thought was an itch, I was actually grinding the jellyfish into the crack of my butt. 

 

I informed the dive supervisor of my dilemma over the communicator. His instructions were unclear due to the fact that he, along with five other divers, were all laughing hysterically. 

 

Needless to say, I aborted the dive. I was instructed to make three agonizing in-water decompression stops totaling thirty-five minutes before I could reach the surface to begin my chamber dry decompression. 

 

When I arrived at the surface, I was wearing nothing but my brass helmet. As I climbed out of the water, the medic, with tears of laughter running down his face, handed me a tube of cream and told me to rub it on my butt as soon as I got in the chamber.

 

The cream put the fire out, but I couldn't poop for two days because my butt was swollen shut. So, next time you're having a bad day at work, think about how much worse it would be if you had a jellyfish shoved up your butt. 

 

Now repeat to yourself, "I love my job, I love my job, I love my job." Now whenever you have a bad day, ask yourself: Is this a jellyfish bad day? 

 

May you NEVER have a jellyfish bad day!!!!! 

 

Here is the link to learn how to change your day and your life for good: 

 

PS. I sent this to my sister who just learned how to scuba dive and she laughed her butt off. It feels good to make someone's day. Laughter is the key to a long life. Give the gift of life to others.