Are you punching way above the average American financially? 5 ways you might be richer than you think

Core Insights - Approximately 40% of Americans have no retirement savings, highlighting a significant gap in financial preparedness [1] - The average American household's net worth was reported at $1.17 million in 2024, indicating a disparity between average and high-performing financial groups [5] - The median 401(k) balance for Americans was $38,176 in 2024, while many believe they need $1.26 million for a comfortable retirement [7] Debt Management - About 90% of American adults carry some form of debt, with mortgages often viewed as "good debt" due to equity building [4] - Two primary methods for debt repayment are the snowball method, which focuses on smaller debts, and the avalanche method, which targets high-interest debts first [2] Savings and Investment Strategies - The personal savings rate was just 4% as of September, indicating challenges in saving for many Americans [12] - Saving more than $10,000 annually or a double-digit percentage of income places individuals ahead of the average [13] - Wealthfront offers a Cash Account with a base variable APY of 3.25%, which can be boosted to 3.90% for new users [14] Real Estate Investment - Mogul provides fractional ownership in blue-chip rental properties, allowing investors to earn rental income without the burdens of traditional property management [10] - Investments in Mogul typically range from $15,000 to $40,000 per property, with offerings often selling out quickly [11] Financial Advisory Services - Only one-third of U.S. adults have hired a financial advisor, but this number rises to 69% among millionaires [19] - Range offers a flat-fee structure for advisory services, eliminating AUM fees, which can be beneficial for wealth preservation [21] - Vanguard provides a hybrid advisory system that combines professional advice with automated portfolio management [23]