'Made, not born': Dave Ramsey says 79% of US millionaires didn't get an inheritance from their parents or family members — here's how they really made the big money (2024)

Want to know what it takes to be a millionaire? Well, Ramsey Solutions went straight to the source and surveyed 10,000 of them. And some of the findings were surprising. Like: eight out of 10 invest in their company’s 401(k) plan.

Don’t miss

• Rich young Americans have lost confidence in the stock market — and are betting on these 3 assets instead. Get in now for strong long-term tailwinds

  See Also

  $200,000 a year is how much an hour?Is 200k a Year Good? [What the Data Says]America's Top 1% Is Different in Each State: From a $370k to $950K Income - SmartReads by SmartAssetHow Many People Make Over 100k Per Year? - Zippia

• Here's how much money the average middle-class American household makes — how do you stack up?

• 36% of millionaires say it’ll ‘take a miracle’ to retire amid rising costs and a shaky market — answer these 3 quick questions to find the best shock-proof assets

But wait. Aren’t millionaires supposed to live off Mumsy’s trust fund and coddle the family cash pile in their Martha’s Vineyard seaside homes? Not exactly — in fact, not even close. Dave Ramsey, personal finance expert and founder of Ramsey Solutions, says this myth of primarily inherited riches is “flat wrong.”

When Ramsey’s National Study of Millionaires asked where the riches came from, they found that a whopping 79% didn’t receive any inheritance from parents or other family members. Not one cent. Unpaid bills perhaps (though the study didn’t ask). But coffers of jewels and blue chip stocks? Nope.

So how did they achieve millionaire status? And more importantly, what can you do to replicate their success?

Choose the right career

The Ramsey study found that five careers produced the most millionaires: engineers, accountants, management, attorneys and teachers.

While these professions strongly correlate millionaire status to a higher education, that didn’t necessarily mean having to attend a swank school. In fact, only 8% of those in the study attended “prestigious private schools,” with 62% attending state schools.

And one crucial detail to note: Millionaire status doesn’t equal a sky-high salary.

“Only 31% averaged $100,000 a year over the course of their career,” the study found, “and one-third never made six figures in any single working year of their career.”

Just look at the story of former custodian Ronald Read for a perfect example.

On top of that, the millionaires in the Ramsey survey didn’t necessarily hold senior leadership roles: Only 15% belonged to that category. By contrast, more than nine in 10 (93%) said they got wealthy because they “worked hard.”

Read more: 'Hold onto your money': Jeff Bezos says you might want to rethink buying a 'new automobile, refrigerator, or whatever' — here are 3 better recession-proof buys

Where hard work meets smart finance

Great job performance goes into financial hyperdrive when teamed with savvy preparation for retirement. In fact, the study found eight in 10 invested in their company’s 401(k) plan. These plans not only offer tax breaks as you build up savings but also feature, in many workplaces, an employer match that may run as high as 6% of your paycheck.

Careful spending is also crucial as 94% of respondents revealed that they “live on less than they make,” while about three-quarters “never carried a credit card balance in their lives.”

That insight surely pleased Ramsey and his staff, who advocate strongly against carrying debt.

The key is to create a budget and stick to it. These millionaires spend less than $200 each month on restaurants, and 93% use coupons while shopping. (Something even billionaire Warren Buffett is known to do.

(Consider, though, whether there’s a higher value way to spend your time. You might do much better putting in an extra hour of work than spending that time clipping $10 in coupons.)

Waking up to the American Dream

If Ramsey’s survey highlights any salient fact, it’s this: A negative attitude, inaction and bad spending habits may present the biggest roadblocks to attaining the millionaire status.

To put it differently: You have to believe it. You have to take action. You have to guard yourself against frivolous spending and embrace smart saving. This is the stuff the American Dream is made of, and what turns it into a million-dollar reality.

What to read next

• You could be the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods and CVS (and collect fat grocery store-anchored income on a quarterly basis)

• Americans are paying nearly 40% more on home insurance compared to 12 years ago — here's how to spend less on peace of mind

• Earn extra cash for your weekend with these quick money hacks

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.