3 Key Signs You Shouldn’t Be Taking Money Advice From Billionaires
Written by
Lydia Kibet
Edited by
Rebekah Evans
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Billionaire money advice might seem like a shortcut to success. After all, who wouldn’t want to learn from someone they’ve always admired? However, when it comes to money advice, billionaire wisdom often falls short for the average person. Here are five key reasons you shouldn’t be taking money advice from billionaires.
They Operate From a Different Financial Universe
Billionaires don’t live in the same financial universe as the rest of us. Their financial decisions happen in millions or billions of dollars, often backed by an elite team of professionals. What works for them won’t work for someone trying to balance groceries, a mortgage and credit card debt.
So, when a billionaire says “take big risks” or “let your money work for you,” that advice comes from a place of insulation. If they lose a fortune, they can always recover. For the average person, even a small financial misstep can take a toll on your finances.
“Billionaire money advice should be taken lightly because they are in a completely different financial universe. It’s easy for a billionaire to say, ‘take risks.’ But an average person losing thousands because they took a risk is a whole different story,” said Taylor Kovar, founder and CEO at 11 Financial.
Keep in mind your risk tolerance is different. Billionaires often assume you’re starting from a place of financial abundance, when in reality, many people are just trying to stay afloat.
Their Advice Often Ignores Emotional and Psychological Side of Money
Money is more than just numbers. It’s deeply personal and emotional. Fear, shame and past trauma all shape how people interact with their finances. Billionaire money advice usually skips that entirely. This is because they aren’t making decisions from a place of scarcity.
“Most of us aren’t looking to build empires. We are often simply trying to build peace of mind, maybe take care of family or retire without fear,” said Melissa Cox, Certified Financial Planner at Future Focused Wealth. “Good financial advice meets you where you are, at your own pace.”
The best money advice is personal. That’s why you should consider working with a financial advisor who will tailor everything based on where you are with your finances and where you want to be.
Most People Need Simplicity, Not Complexity
Billionaire money advice often involves high risks that only make sense if you’re a fellow billionaire or managing millions. Most people want simple systems that can help them stay consistent and build wealth over time. Things like paying off high-interest debt, building an emergency fund, investing consistently and tracking spending.
“I tell people pretty often that they probably don’t need a complex financial strategy. Simply get a good handle on your budget. You can’t manage what you can’t measure. Then create a plan that fits your goals and risk tolerance,” Kovar added.
Instead of trying to copy billionaires advice, you’re better off creating a simple plan that matches your financial goals.
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Sources
- Taylor Kovar, 11 Financial.
- Melissa Cox, Future Focused Wealth.
