1 in 3 Americans think they have a way to strike it rich

Our online poll finds one in three Americans has an idea they think could one day make them wealthy.

From writing the next big novel to a hot stock tip or never-before-seen product, our survey saw 33% say they feel they have a tantalizing idea they think could make waves in the market.

And if that doesn’t come to fruition, there’s always hope–one in five of those polled (19%) have a feeling in their bones that they’ll one day win big on the lottery or Powerball.

Mature woman with funky glasses and a faux fur coat, smiling and making the peace sign with her left hand

Our survey in partnership with Wealth of Geeks saw many (17%) of those with a wealth-generating idea say they have an idea that involves inheritance or using family money.

Men were significantly more likely to feel confident that their idea was going to make them wealthy one day (39% vs. 26% of women).

Forty percent of those currently holding onto a wealth-driving idea want to start a business or service, while 27% have a stock tip they feel has the potential to bring them fortune.

Does “Shark Tank” await?

A quarter (26%) of those with a big idea think they’ve thought of a game-changing product that’s not been done before.
From energy-creating mushrooms to a new type of burger or fresh ideas using AI to blow away the competition, many Americans are quietly working away on their big hope for later-day success.
A new type of ceiling fan, ideas for a new social media platform or plans to launch an irresistible food truck were also among the broad concepts Americans said they were hatching plans for.

Many are also putting hope in their creative endeavors by working on the next great American novel or developing the music they one day hope to share with the world.

But while many harbor an optimism that their finances could take a turn for the better, not all of us have faith that fortune will come our way.

Just 10% of those polled describe themselves as ‘very lucky’ when it comes to money. 21% said ‘somewhat lucky.’
Forty-three percent felt their financial luck didn’t go either way.
Sadly 26% felt unlucky with money (12% very unlucky).

That might be why 39% say they’ll need some sort of luck or financial windfall in order to be comfortable later in life and 10% are relying on inheritance to feel the same way.

Survey methodology
This random double-opt-in survey of 2,000 Americans was commissioned between June 21 and June 24, 2024. It was conducted by market research company Talker Research, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).