We wanna be rich

A recent Adweek Media/Harris Poll finds that most Americans would rather be richer than thinner, smarter or younger.

The survey of 2,163 adults found that 43% preferred richer, with 21% going for thinner, 14% said smarter and 12% would rather be younger. One in ten (9%) said they would not want to choose any of the given options. While all of the options are generally considered positive changes that one could make, different groups of Americans say they would choose different traits.

“It’s interesting to note that the largest percentages of Americans’ desires represent changes that are more or less achievable, through smart choices, hard work and dedication,” noted a statement. “On the other hand, the Americans who want to be younger should just keep dreaming.”

SURVEY FINDINGS
• Although just 14% of both men and women say they would choose to be smarter, that’s the only characteristic they agree on. More men say that they would choose to be richer (46%, compared to 41% of women), while 29% of women say that they would most want to be thinner, compared to just 14% of men who say the same.

• And while women may have the stereotype of lying about their age, 16% of men say they would most want to be younger, compared to just 8% of women who say the same.

• Predictably, older Americans are more likely to want to be younger — 19% of those aged 55 and older say this, compared to 14% of those aged 45-54, 12% of those 35-44, and just 4% of those who are 18-34 years old.

• Half of Americans aged 18-34 (50%) and 35-44 (53%) say they would most want to be richer, compared to 41% of those aged 45-54, and just one-third (34%) of adults aged 55 and older, who say the same.

Adults with children in the household also think of their purse-strings, as almost half (48%) of adults with children in the home say they would want to be richer, compared to two in five (41%) adults who do not have children at home.