Secret of the Millionaire Mind: Wealth File #13 Rich People Focus on Their Net Worth

This is a chapter-by-chapter summary of a book by T. Harv Eker’s Secret of the Millionaire Mind: Mastering the Inner Game of Wealth (2005) series. One chapter, one article. Read this summary, buy the book. Enjoy!

Wealth File #13:

Rich People Focus on Their Net Worth.

Poor People* Focus on Their Working Income.

“The true measure of wealth is net worth, not working income,” said Harv Eker, “Always has been, always will be. Net worth is the financial value of everything you own. This may sound a well-off or only for the rich - but it’s valid.” Eker explains that there are four net worth factors: #1 Income; #2 Savings; #3 Investments; and #4 Simplification.

#1 Income. Income comes in two forms: Working Income and Passive Income. You all know what the working income is, you go to work and you earn money for your work (or time, as discussed in previous posts earlier). You’ve probably also heard of passive income. This is money you earn without actively working (We’ll discuss that in more detail in Wealth File #15). Working and passive income together make your income (for most people it’s just working income).

#2 Savings. You can earn massive amounts of money, but when you spend it all, you have zero savings. Many people have a financial blueprint that is wired for spending (I’m guilty). These people spend everything they have no matter how much they earn. That’s what Eker called the Parkinson’s Law: Expenses will always rise in direct proportion of income. “That’s why income alone will never create wealth.” That certainly makes sense. We need to make savings.

#3 Investments. Because of savings, we can make investments, another piece of the net worth puzzle. Rich people take time and energy to learn about investing and investments. Poor people* think investing is only for the rich people, so they never learn about it and stay broke.

#4 Simplification. The fourth net worth factor is simplification. This is about saving money by leading a ‘cheaper’ lifestyle. By decreasing your cost of living, you increase your savings and the amount of funds available for investing.

For more details about each factors of net worth, please refer to the book. In short, Eker explains that “rich people understand that buildings a high net worth is an equation that contains all four elements: Income, savings, investments and simplification.” We can raise our income either through promotions and/or by increasing our value. We all also can save more money. Follow the 50:30:20 Rule, spending 50% on needs, 30% on wants, and allocating 20% to savings (find out other Rules from the internet. Choose what’s suitable for you). We too can learn about investments and spend less money on our lifestyle. As Eker said, “To increase your wealth, you either have to earn more or live on less.”

[*I need to note that the Harv Eker makes it clear in this book that he does not mean to degrade poor people. He does not think that rich people are better than poor or middle-class people. They’re just richer.]

I Have A Millionaire Mind!