MARKETING: THEY EARNED IT

The vast majority of the wealthiest baby boomers earned their own wealth. According to a recent survey by U.S. Trust of the richest 1% of Americans born between 1946 and 1964, 48% earned their wealth from corporate jobs. Some 36% cited a professional practice and 31% said they got it from owning a business.

Some other survey results:

*Only 11% cited an inheritance as their primary source of wealth.

*Two-thirds of those who are wealthy described their family background during their childhood as poor, lower middle class, or middle class.

*Affluent baby boomers typical work 52-hour weeks and take four weeks vacation.

*95% attended college; some 88% graduated.

*The vast majority of baby boomers (87%) said their willingness to work hard was the most important factor in their financial success.

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