Quote from Cache Landing:
Not true unless you are only talking about the ultra wealthy, as in multi-billionaires (top 1-2,000 ppl in the world). As monetary wealth is all relative, I would classify anyone in the top 1% net worth as truly rich.
The common misconception amongst the fake rich and upper middle class is that once they become truly rich they will just pay cash for everything. They won't need insurance because they will just self-insure... etc... etc.
In reality, the top 1% individuals generally carry dramatically higher debt loads than the middle class. They almost never self-insure either. It was precisely the use of this leverage that got them to where they are now.
Let's say you have a 1:100 shot at landing in the top 1%. If your attitude is to pay cash whenever possible, you chances are now more like 1:10,000,000.
Truly rich people learned that lesson a long time ago. Leverage (use of OPM) made them rich, and only more leverage will get them richer.