You'd think hitting the $3 million mark would make someone feel rich. But according to new data, even that kind of money isn't doing the trick for most.
According to a report from Edelman Financial Engines, only about 33% of people with between $500,000 and $3 million said yes, they feel wealthy. Most said no. In fact, only 12% of Americans overall said they feel like they've made it.
The study surveyed more than 3,000 adults over age 30, including 1,500 higher-net-worth individuals. While respondents generally agreed that $1 million is the magic number to be "wealthy," nearly a third said you'd need $2 million or more to get there.
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So what's going on here? How can someone with $1 million—or even $10 million—not feel wealthy?
A few things:
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In the Edelman report, 49% of Americans said they carry a credit card balance, and 40% owe over $10,000. Nearly half blamed credit card debt as the biggest barrier to building wealth.
Even among millionaires, many are more focused on maintaining their lifestyle than popping champagne. Wealth, for many, has shifted from a dollar figure to something more emotional: security, peace of mind, and freedom from financial stress.
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