15 Money Secrets the Average Person Doesn’t Know (But Should)

Jamaal BennerFebruary 5, 20254 Mins read52

Money talks—but most people aren’t fluent in the language of wealth. While financial literacy isn’t taught in schools (and let’s be real, it should be), the wealthy operate with a different set of rules. They don’t just work for money; they make money work for them.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything “right” but still struggling to get ahead, it’s probably because you don’t know these wealth-building secrets that the rich live by. Let’s change that.

1. The Wealthy Borrow to Get Rich, The Poor Borrow to Survive

There’s good debt, and then there’s bad debt. Wealthy people take out loans to buy assets—things that appreciate, like real estate, stocks, or businesses. The average person, though? They take out loans for things that lose value—cars, credit card splurges, and personal loans just to “get by.”

Moral of the story? Debt isn’t the enemy—bad debt is.

2. Your Bank Is Making More Off Your Savings Than You Are

That 0.01% interest rate on your savings account? It’s a joke. Meanwhile, banks loan out your money at 5-25% interest—on mortgages, credit cards, and business loans.

If you really want to grow your money, park it in a high-yield savings account, CDs, or investments instead of letting the bank profit off you.

The Best High-Interest Rate Savings Accounts

3. A High Salary Alone Won’t Make You Rich

A six-figure income is great, but without investments and wealth-building strategies, it’s just a higher paycheck to paycheck. The real key to financial freedom? Multiple streams of income.

Think: real estate, dividend stocks, side hustles, and passive income opportunities. Because if your only source of money is your 9-to-5, you’re one layoff away from financial disaster.

4. Credit Is More Valuable Than Cash

Your credit score is one of the biggest financial cheat codes. It determines whether you qualify for low-interest loans, rental properties, even some jobs. Rich people don’t just use their own cash—they leverage good credit to borrow at low rates and invest for higher returns.

Bad credit? It’ll cost you thousands in interest and missed opportunities.

5. Most People Overpay on Taxes Without Realizing It

Here’s a hard truth: The tax system is designed to benefit business owners and investors, not employees.

Wealthy people don’t just “pay taxes” like everyone else—they use tax laws, write-offs, and deductions to keep more of their money. Meanwhile, the average person overpays and hopes for a refund (which is really just an interest-free loan you gave the government).

6. Compound Interest Can Either Build or Destroy Your Wealth

It’s the secret sauce behind both investing and debt. Invest early, and your money grows exponentially over time. Ignore your high-interest credit card debt? It compounds against you just as fast.

Either way, compound interest is working—it’s just a matter of whether it’s working for you or against you.

7. Millionaires Don’t Look Like Millionaires

Contrary to Instagram’s highlight reel, most millionaires don’t drive Bentleys or flex designer labels. The majority live in modest homes, drive practical cars, and prioritize investing over showing off.

If you’re spending money to look rich instead of actually getting rich, you might want to rethink the game plan.

8. Inflation is the Silent Wealth Killer

Leaving your money in a regular savings account? It’s actually losing value because of inflation.

If inflation is at 3-5% and your money isn’t growing at the same rate (or higher), you’re slowly but surely getting poorer. This is why investing is non-negotiable.

9. Life Insurance Can Be a Secret Investment Tool

Wealthy families don’t just use life insurance for emergencies—they use it as a wealth-building tool. Whole life insurance policies can build cash value over time, letting you borrow against them instead of taking out high-interest loans.

10. You Don’t Have to Be Rich to Own Property

Many people assume real estate is out of reach, but FHA loans require as little as 3.5% down. House hacking—buying a multi-family home and renting out a unit—can also help you live for free while someone else covers your mortgage.

11. It’s Not About How Much You Make—It’s About How Much You Keep

A person making $60K with no debt and solid investments can be better off than someone making $250K but drowning in car notes, mortgages, and credit card debt.

If your expenses are eating up your income, you’re just working to survive—not to build wealth.

12. Hidden Fees Are Eating Your Wealth

Most people don’t realize their 401(k) plans, mutual funds, and brokerage accounts are full of hidden fees that quietly eat away at their profits.

Always check your expense ratios, management fees, and withdrawal penalties—because a small percentage difference over decades can cost you hundreds of thousands.

13. Your Network = Your Net Worth

You’ve heard it before, but here’s why it matters: Most wealth-building opportunities don’t come from job listings—they come from relationships.

Being in the right rooms, knowing the right people, and having the right conversations can open doors that no college degree ever will.

14. Recessions Are When the Rich Go Shopping

When the economy crashes, most people panic and sell their assets. Wealthy people? They buy stocks, real estate, and businesses at a discount.

If you can train yourself to see recessions as financial “sales” instead of a crisis, you’ll be in a much stronger position long-term.

15. Retirement Isn’t an Age—It’s a Financial Status

You don’t have to wait until 65 to retire. Financial independence happens when your passive income covers your expenses.

This is the whole idea behind the FIRE movement (Financial Independence, Retire Early)—it’s not about age, it’s about having enough income from investments to stop working on someone else’s schedule.

The financial system is designed to keep the average person working forever. But once you learn the secrets that the wealthy use daily, you can start moving differently.