Do the "Amount of Reading" and "Attitudes Toward Money" in Childhood Determine Future Annual Income? Science Reveals the Secrets to Increasing Your Income

Why Do Some People Earn So Much? The “Two Surprising Things They Have in Common” That Create Income Disparities

“I want to increase my income” or “I want tips on how to raise my children to become successful adults who can support themselves in the future”

Have you ever thought about that?

The difference between people with high annual incomes and those without isn’t simply a matter of “educational background” or “the company they work for.”
Recent research in behavioral science and financial psychology has revealed that “the reading environment during childhood” and “unconscious attitudes toward money (money scripts)” have a significant impact on future annual income.

In this article, we’ll use scientific research data from around the world to provide an easy-to-understand explanation of the impact of reading habits on annual income and the psychological framework known as “money scripts,” which influences annual income.
We hope you’ll find this information useful as you plan your own career advancement or consider educational approaches for your children.

The Scientific Impact of Childhood Reading Habits on Future Annual Income

While it’s commonly believed that “people who read books seem smart,” there is actually clear research data on the “correlation between the amount of reading and annual income.”

① [Research Data] Does simply reading “10 or more books at home” during childhood increase annual income by 21%?

A study conducted by a research team led by the University of Padua in Italy tracked and analyzed the relationship between a person’s childhood home environment and their annual income as an adult.

The results showed that people who “read at least 10 books at home in addition to their school textbooks when they were children” had an average annual income as adults that was 21 percent higher than that of people who did not read any books at all.

It is believed that not only the knowledge gained through reading, but also the following skills—which are cultivated from an early age—lead to future business success and high incomes.

• Strong reading comprehension and communication skills (the ability to accurately understand complex business documents and the intentions of others)
• Concentration and logical thinking skills (the ability to organize problems and derive solutions)
• A rich vocabulary and strong communication skills (the ability to convey one’s thoughts accurately and negotiate effectively)

② Scientists and innovators who produce groundbreaking results are “avid readers.”

Furthermore, another study focusing on scientists and innovators who have achieved great things has revealed some interesting commonalities.

It turns out that the top-tier professionals who achieved the greatest success were “avid readers” who didn’t limit themselves to their own fields of expertise but devoured a wide variety of literature and books indiscriminately.
They frequented libraries and read not only scientific papers but also a broad range of works in the liberal arts—such as art, history, and philosophy—that might at first glance seem unrelated to business.

By combining knowledge from seemingly unrelated fields, you can hone your ability to generate “new ideas (innovation),” which in turn allows you to achieve high market value and a high annual income.

[Checkpoint] Questions to Assess a Person’s Potential

When assessing the potential of business partners, job candidates, or acquaintances, asking questions like, “How many books did you have at home when you were a child?” or “What kinds of books did you like?” can serve as an interesting indicator.

What Is the “Money Script” That Determines Your Future Annual Income?

Another important factor that determines annual income is the concept of “Money Scripts,” proposed by Dr. Brad Klontz, a leading expert in financial psychology.

Money Scripts = “Beliefs About Money” Instilled Unconsciously

The term “money script” literally means “a script about money.” Based on
childhood experiences and what our parents taught us, we form strong, unconscious values (beliefs) about what money is.
These money scripts then control every decision we make in life as adults—from career choices to investment decisions and spending habits.

According to Dr. Kronz’s research, money scripts can be classified into four main patterns. Which type do you fall into?

The Four Money Script Patterns and Their Relationship to Annual Income

Money Script Types	Key Concepts and Features	Impact on Annual Income and Trends
1. Money Worship	“If you have money, you can be free.” “Happiness can be bought with money.”	The trend that tends to result in the highest annual income
2. Financial Vigilance	“You should save money rather than spend it,” “Be prepared for any unexpected problems.”	They have a high savings rate, but they’re not good at taking risks and trying new things.
3. Money Status	“A person’s worth = annual income and possessions”; “Poor people don’t try hard enough”	There is a risk of overspending to keep up appearances
4. Money Avoidance	“Money is dirty.” “Rich people are bad people.”	A tendency for annual income to be the lowest

We’ll explain each type in detail.

① [The Worship of Money] The Mindset of the Wealthiest 2.5% by Annual Income

According to a survey conducted by Dr. Kronz in the United States targeting the top 2.5 percent of earners, it was found that many of them share a strong “worship of money” mindset.

The more people sincerely believe that “having money expands your options in life” and “earning more brings happiness to both yourself and your family,” the more eagerly they pursue business opportunities, promotions, and starting their own businesses—and as a result, their annual income continues to rise steadily.

② [Money Taboos] A Dangerous Mindset That Can Lead to a Lower Annual Income

On the other hand, the group that tended to have the lowest annual income was the one characterized by a “taboo against money” (a mindset that avoids discussing money).

If you unconsciously hold beliefs such as “Talking about money is vulgar,” “Rich people are cheating,” or “Living frugally is a virtue,” you will unwittingly reject or block “opportunities to earn money” and “receiving appropriate compensation.” As
a result, you run the risk of your annual income remaining at the lowest level.

③ [Financial Caution] The type who is good at saving and protecting their money but can’t seem to take that first step

People with a cautious attitude toward money—who believe that “money should be saved to prepare for unexpected problems”—are able to protect their assets prudently by avoiding wasteful spending.
However, because they are overly afraid of risk, they tend to hesitate when it comes to “challenges aimed at generating significant future returns,” such as changing jobs, investing in themselves, or investing their money.

④ [Financial Status] A type that needs to be careful about spending just to keep up appearances

This is the type of person who believes that “one’s worth is determined by annual income and luxury goods.” Although they have strong ambitions to
get ahead, they tend to spend excessively just to impress others, which can make it difficult for them to build wealth.

Practical Approaches to Increasing Your Annual Income

Based on scientific data and insights from psychology, we’ve compiled a set of strategies for increasing your annual income that you can start implementing today.

1. Update Your Reading Habits (Practice Extensive Reading and Reading Nonfiction)

• Try reading one or two books a month that fall “outside” your area of expertise—not just business
  books, but also books on history, psychology, art, science, and other genres that may seem unrelated at first glance.
• For families with children, simply placing a bookshelf
  in the living room to create an “environment where books are visible” and arranging picture books and novels in easily accessible spots can broaden a child’s future options.

2. Rewrite Your Money Script (Your Values Regarding Money)

• Let
  go of negative feelings about money. Try to reframe your perspective in a positive way—think of money as “a tool that gives you more options” and “earning money as proof that you’ve provided value.”
• To gain
  insight into others’ attitudes toward money, try asking people around you questions like, “What motivates you to work hard?” or “What do you think is the greatest value money can provide?” This will help you understand the thought processes of your business partners and family members.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

Q1. If I start reading as an adult, will it help increase my annual income?

A. It is quite effective.

Reading as an adult is directly linked to acquiring skills with immediate results and updating your knowledge.
In particular, studying the liberal arts—subjects outside your area of expertise—can significantly improve your decision-making skills in business and your ability to generate original ideas.

Q2. If you strengthen your “worship of money,” can anyone become rich?

A. I can’t say that’s necessarily the case.

A strong attachment to money can serve as motivation to earn it, but when taken to extremes, it carries the risk of causing problems in relationships and leading to failure due to the pursuit of short-term gains.
It is important to maintain a balanced perspective, recognizing that “money is not an end in itself, but a means to enrich one’s life.”

Summary: Create the Right Reading Environment and Money Mindset to Build a “Profitable Life”

The amount of reading we do as children and the money scripts that form unconsciously.
Although these two may seem unrelated at first glance, they are both “crucial foundations that determine our future choices and behavior patterns.”

• Reading more than 10 books as a child boosts future annual income by about 21%
• Your unconscious attitudes toward money (money scripts) determine the upper limit of your annual income.
• People with a “worship of money” (who value money) tend to have higher annual incomes.

It’s never too late—just because you’re an adult doesn’t mean you can’t start. By making a conscious effort to read more starting
today and cultivating a “positive attitude toward money” within yourself, your career and annual income should begin to change significantly.

Why not start investing in your future by picking up a book that catches your eye?