美国人正对致富感到悲观

最近一项调查显示，美国人正对他们致富的机会感到日益悲观。
A recent survey shows that Americans are getting more pessimistic about their chances of getting rich.
　　
这项研究是Bankrate.com委托普林斯顿国际调查研究机构(Princeton Survey Research Associates International)进行的。研究发现，70%的受访者表示当前要在美国致富变得更加困难。只有9%的人持相反观点。　　
The survey, conducted for Bankrate.com by Princeton Survey Research Associates International, found that 70% of respondents say it is harder to get rich in America today than it used to be. Only 9% said it has gotten easier.
　　
在1999年的一项类似调查中，有38%的人认为致富变得更加艰难，有超过四分之一的人认为致富难度降低。
In a similar poll taken in 1999, 38% said getting rich had gotten harder. More than a quarter said it had gotten easier.
　　
全球金融危机和衰退是导致美国人看法改变的最可能原因，因为房市和股市崩溃以及高失业率已经导致美国民众的财富大幅缩水。
The global financial crisis and recession are most likely to blame for the change, since Americans have had their wealth decimated by the real-estate and stock-market crashes, along with high unemployment.
　　
但最有意思的是多数美国人认为他们能够致富的方式。（约有三分之一的美国人认为“富裕”就是“拥有足够的财富，不需要再为钱发愁”，另有26%的人认为“富裕”就是“有足够多的钱，不再需要工作“。）
But what is most interesting is the manner by which most Americans think they will get wealthy. (About a third of Americans defined 'wealthy' as 'having just enough money not to worry,' while another 26% defined it as 'having enough money that you don't need to work.')
　　
有20%的人说，现在最有可能的致富途径就是“开创自己的业务”，这一人群占据了最高的比例。其次是选择高收入工作或职业（比例为19%），紧随其后的是“足够走运，通过遗产继承或中彩票”（比例为15%）。还有持相同比例的人认为是“简单生活，努力存钱”。
The largest number, 20%, said 'starting your own business' is the most likely way to get rich today. Choosing a high-paying job or career comes in second (19%). Coming a close third (15%) was 'getting lucky through an inheritance or winning the lottery.' That tied with 'live frugally and save money.'
　　
换句话说，美国人认为你通过省钱致富的概率和中彩票发家差不多。
In other words, Americans think you are just as likely to get rich by winning the lottery as you are by saving.
　　
考虑到当前的收入和通货膨胀状况，或许美国人只是变得现实了。可能他们正在变得愚蠢，因为美国人本质上是不喜欢省钱的。不管怎样，这项调查显示出，美国人不再指望通过《隔壁的百万富翁》(Millionaire Next Door)书中的方式致富了。
Perhaps they are just being realistic, given today's income and inflation landscape. Perhaps they are being foolish, since Americans by nature don't like to save. Either way, the survey suggests that Americans no longer expect to get rich the 'Millionaire Next Door' way.
　　
读者们，你们认为美国人当前最有可能致富的途径是什么？
What do you think is the most likely way for someone to get rich in America today?