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\n\t\tOpinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.\t<\/p>\n
Becoming a millionaire may seem like an unobtainable dream, but in reality, it\u2019s a lot more common than you think.<\/p>\n
The right mentality can help you on the road to wealth. Here are 24 signs you\u2019re destined to bring in the big bucks.<\/p>\n
Related: This Conversation Hack Made Me a Millionaire \u2014 Here\u2019s How It Works<\/b><\/p>\n <\/h2>\n
You started making money at a young age<\/h2>\n
One of the most common traits that the wealthy have in common is that they began earning money at a young age<\/a>. For example, a 12-year-old Mark Cuban sold trash bags door-to-door, Warren Buffett sold packets of gum to his neighbors when he was just six years old and Richard Branson bred and sold parakeets as pets at the age of 11.<\/p>\n If you had this entrepreneurial spirit as a child, then that\u2019s a solid indicator that you\u2019ve always been on the lookout for ways to make money.<\/p>\n Were you that student who wasn\u2019t satisfied with a B in class? Many millionaires have the mindset to shoot big. They\u2019re not satisfied with making just $1 million \u2014 they want to make $10 million.<\/p>\n It may not be fair, but according to research conducted by Daniel Hamermesh<\/a>, an economics professor at the University of Texas in Austin, \u201cAttractive people are likely to earn an average of 3 percent to 4 percent more than a person with below-average looks.\u201d That may not sound like a fortune, but it could add up to \u201c$230,000 more over a lifetime for the typical good-looking person.\u201d Hamermesh found that attractive people may be better able to charm interviewers and land more sales.<\/p>\n Related: 10 Ways to Become a Millionaire in Your 20s<\/b><\/p>\n \u201cAre you the kind of person who sees an opportunity and then takes action to take advantage of it? If so, congratulations, because it\u2019s that kind of action-oriented mind-set that can propel you to financial freedom,\u201d writes Todd Campbell<\/a>, author of Your Guide to Better Stock Picks<\/i>, in a piece for The Motley Fool<\/i>.<\/p>\n \u201cFor example, it\u2019s been proven time and time again that long-term investing can produce significantly more wealth than short term trading, yet many Americans fail to make the most of their best long-term investment vehicle: their workplace retirement plan,\u201d Campbell continues. \u201cDo you contribute to your workplace retirement plan? If so, do you contribute 10 percent of your income? More? Less? Considering that someone who contributes 10 percent of their $40,000 in income to a 401(k) plan at a 6 percent return has $311,572 more after 35 years than one who contributes 3 percent, under-utilizing retirement plans is a surefire way to derail you on your way to millionaire status.\u201d<\/p>\n Millionaires don\u2019t wait for the perfect time to invest or launch their business. Many of them realize that there\u2019s no better time than the present to start making money. Sitting back and waiting is one of the best ways to squash your dreams. Bottom line: Start working towards your goals right now.<\/p>\n It\u2019s no secret that the wealthy tend to be frugal with their money. While they excel at saving and spending wisely, they also know that one of the best ways to make more money is to invest some of what they earn.<\/p>\n You never know when an opportunity is going to present itself, and if you immediately shut down the thought of investing in said opportunity, then you could be losing out on making a fortune. That doesn\u2019t mean every idea is a winner \u2014 it\u2019s important to think critically and ask the right questions before making significant moves. That\u2019s why the wealthy tend to keep an open mind when it comes to new ideas.<\/p>\n \u201cMoving from the 20th to 80th percentile of the high-school popularity distribution yields a 10 percent wage premium nearly 40 years later,\u201d suggests research<\/a> by Gabriela Conti (University of Chicago), Gerrit Mueller (Institute of Employment Research), Andrea Gaeotti (University of Essex) and Stephen Pudney (University of Essex). In other words, if you had a significant number of friends in high school, then you may have a better chance of earning more money in your adult life.<\/p>\n Another common trait that millionaires have in common is that they\u2019re usually able to live below their means. Instead of flaunting their wealth, many drive practical cars, live in modest homes and don\u2019t spend their hard-earned cash on luxury items. (For example, my wife and I try and budget at least 50 percent of everything we make into our savings account, which we can put towards investments. These make us a lot more money in the long-term.)<\/p>\n Related: How to Become a Millionaire by Age 30<\/b><\/p>\n \u201cDeferring gratification is one of the most important steps to becoming a millionaire,\u201d writes<\/a> Jason Hall, a writer and editor for The Motley Fool. <\/i>\u201cThe reality is building wealth generally takes a lot of time. Even Warren Buffett, one of the richest people alive and arguably the best investor ever, created more than 80 percent of his vast wealth after he turned 50.\u201d<\/p>\n Related: You Deserve to Be a Millionaire. Follow These 12 Tips to Get There.<\/b><\/p>\n It\u2019s no secret that the people you associate with can affect how successful you\u2019ll be. Think about it: If you\u2019re spending the majority of your time with people who are negative or don\u2019t have the drive to succeed, then do you think that they\u2019re going to influence you to be more motivated and optimistic?<\/p>\n In other words: If you want to be wealthy, start hanging out with millionaires. This won\u2019t just keep you motivated \u2014 you also may be able to find a someone who is willing to become your mentor and show you the ropes. If you don\u2019t personally know any millionaires, don\u2019t be afraid to reach out to them<\/a> on social media or through an email to start building a rapport.<\/p>\n Talking about the \u201cgood old days\u201d may work for politicans, but it\u2019s not going to fly for millionaires. These are people who have gotten over failure, rejection and fear, and they\u2019re most concerned with putting their energy into their futures.<\/p>\n The wealthy spend time thinking about their long-term goals and needs. \u201cYou don\u2019t make a million by accident,\u201d writes Peter Voogd, founder of The Game Changers Academy, who made his first million before turning 26. \u201cIf it\u2019s not a goal, you sure as hell won\u2019t hit it.\u201d<\/p>\n It may seem unrelated, but according to a 2006 study<\/a> out of Ohio State University, divorce could reduce a person\u2019s wealth by about 77 percent compared to that of a single person. Being married, on the other hand, may be correlated with almost double the comparative wealth (93 percent).<\/p>\n \u201cDivorce causes a decrease in wealth that is larger than just splitting a couple\u2019s assets in half,\u201d said Jay Zagorsky, author of the study and a research scientist at Ohio State University\u2019s Center for Human Resource Research. \u201cIf you really want to increase your wealth, get married and stay married.\u201d<\/p>\n Gary Varynerchuk once said, \u201cI suck at 99 percent of stuff, but I go all out on that 1 percent I\u2019m good at.\u201d<\/p>\n That\u2019s not to say that you shouldn\u2019t learn something new or work on some of your weaker skills; instead, it means that millionaires are able to capitalize on their greatest strengths and then surround themselves with people who can enhance their weaknesses.<\/p>\n People with the capacity to make millions don\u2019t often whine, complain or point fingers when it comes to blame. Instead, they accept challenges and look for ways to conquer them.<\/p>\n \u201cRich people believe, \u2018I create my life,’\u201d writes<\/a> T. Harv Eker in his book, Secrets of the Millionaire Mindset. <\/i>\u201cPoor people believe, \u2018Life happens to me.’\u201d<\/p>\n Did you know that men who are self-reported drinkers earn 21 percent more than those who abstain from drinking, while women who drink earn 8 percent more than non-drinking females? The reason may be tied to the idea that drinking could enhance social capital, according to research published in 2006<\/a>.<\/p>\n However, the wealthy seem to avoid smoking, according to research published in 2004<\/a>. Eventually, those packs of cigarettes add up: Nonsmokers\u2019 net worth tends to be about 50 percent higher than that of light smokers and more than twice that of people who smoke heavily.<\/p>\n Worrying about what others think of you can hold you back, so it\u2019s important to build a thicker skin. Mental toughness can lead to success, since the quality can assist in handling pressure and overcoming challenges.<\/p>\nYou\u2019re an overachiever<\/h2>\n
You\u2019re attractive<\/h2>\n
You have an action-oriented mindset<\/h2>\n
You possess a sense of urgency<\/h2>\n
You\u2019re focused more on earning than saving<\/h2>\n
You keep an open mind<\/h2>\n
You were Mr. or Mrs. Popular in high school<\/h2>\n
You\u2019re able to live below your means<\/h2>\n
You can defer gratification<\/h2>\n
You have a mentor<\/h2>\n
You\u2019re not stuck in the past<\/h2>\n
You\u2019re a goal-setter<\/h2>\n
You aren\u2019t divorced<\/h2>\n
You know how to maximize your strengths<\/h2>\n
You\u2019re optimistic<\/h2>\n
You may have a drink, but you don\u2019t smoke<\/h2>\n
You have thick skin<\/h2>\n
You keep up with current events<\/h2>\n