I Grew Up Rich: 6 Money Lessons I Learned After I Lost It All

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An oft-cited statistic states that 70% of wealthy families lose their riches by the second generation, and 90% lose them by the third.

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Why? Because the first generation earns it, the second generation spends it and the third finds itself back at square one.

It turns out that earning money and shepherding money long term require two different skill sets. All too often, no one in any of those three generations learns how to protect and grow wealth long term.

“I grew up in a wealthy family where my grandfather was the chairman of the largest textile processing mill in our city,” explained Muhammad Ali, sales director at George Digital. “Our business, established in the 1950s, was a significant player in the industry from 1970 to 2001 … However, our fortunes drastically changed, and by 2012, my father’s income dwindled to just $300 a month.

“In 2013, amidst our financial crisis, I developed an interest in programming. Unfortunately, we couldn’t afford a laptop, and we had to live with my grandparents, along with my father’s brothers and their families. This challenging period taught me several invaluable lessons about money and resilience.

“Eventually, I was the first person among my grandfather’s children and grandchildren to get a chance to study in the U.S.

“Here are some key money lessons I learned after losing it all.”

Diversify Your Income Streams

“Our family focused solely on the textile business, and when it failed, we had no backup.

“In 2015, I came across Russell Brunson’s book ‘DotCom Secrets,’ which sparked my interest in an online business. By September 2016, Adam C. Miller introduced me to the world of digital marketing. Despite the lack of resources and guidance, I persevered, slowly learning about digital PR … I also delved into local SEO (search engine optimization) and e-commerce business models.

“After our family’s textile business shut down, there was no one to restart the hosiery textile business. However, years later, I decided to reignite this passion to continue my family legacy and started Molani Enterprises, a textile sourcing and trading company. Alongside my ventures in PR and e-commerce, reviving the textile business was a way to honor my family’s history and rebuild our presence in the industry.”

Maintain a Financial Cushion

Everyone needs an emergency fund. Whether you keep two months’ or two years’ worth of living expenses in it depends on how stable your income and expenses are, but you need that cash cushion to carry you through the inevitable nasty surprises that life throws at you.

“Always keep cash savings to cover basic living expenses and emergencies. This reserve should not be touched for business investments. This lesson was crucial for me, as I witnessed bad financial decisions during our business downfall, where more money was sunk into a failing enterprise.”

Seize Opportunities

They say that when an opportunity knocks at your door, it does so dressed up like work.

“Whether it’s a business or job opportunity, don’t let it slip by. Even if the pay is not great initially, it can provide stability and a stepping stone for future success. This principle helped me when I ventured into digital marketing without immediate financial returns.”

Invest In Real Estate

Real estate comes with huge advantages, from ongoing cash flow to appreciation, tax advantages to a hedge against inflation.

“Property is a stable and valuable asset. Buying property ensures a secure future for oneself and one’s children. It provides a safety net that can be invaluable in tough times.”

Prioritize Health

Would you swap places with a bed-bound quadriplegic billionaire?

Some things are more valuable than money, and your health is one of them.

“Financial stress can take a toll on mental and physical health. It’s vital to prioritize personal and family health over business or job pressures. I’ve seen people make drastic decisions under financial strain, which only exacerbates their problems.”

Plan For Your Children’s Future

“If financially able, buy homes for your children. This ensures they have a place to live when they become adults and reduces their future financial burdens.”

Even more importantly, teach them about personal finance, budgeting and investing. Bring in an outside expert to teach them — and yourself — the skills you need to create generational wealth.

Final Thoughts

“Comparison is poisonous,” observed Karl Tippins, editor in chief at the publication InterestRate.co.uk.

“If you are constantly comparing what you have to what others have, you will be driven to take action in an attempt to either match or surpass their level. The problem is that this competition only exists in your head. Being born rich is such luck already; it gives you a good head start in life.

“However, if you are unhappy and cannot accept that there is and always will be someone who [has] better than what you have, you are setting yourself up for failure to maintain the wealth you were born with because you will do everything to feel superior, and this will ultimately cause you to lose everything, all because you are constantly comparing things when you shouldn’t.”

Stop comparing yourself to the 1%. Start designing an intentional life around work you love, on your own terms.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I Grew Up Rich: 6 Money Lessons I Learned After I Lost It All