The Janitor Who Outsmarted the Millionaire
Many people dream about money, but not many people have written a Money Dream. At Human Better EDU we believe that Money should enhance your life, not define it. We believe in a holistic, accessible approach to managing money that emphasizes long-term well-being over wealth accumulation.
This is why when Gaby met Anna Bruno, co-founder of Acceleration Circle, she was excited to discover that much of our thinking and curriculum aligned. Enjoy this story Anna shares for our July blog - demonstrating just how much one’s relationship with money can shape their outcomes.
Let’s play a game.
Picture two people. Guess who ends up rich.
Person A: Works as a janitor. Drives an old truck. Shops at Goodwill. Sweeps floors for a living.
Person B: Wall Street executive. Mansion in Greenwich, Connecticut. Eleven bathrooms. Designer suits. Private parties with lobster and jazz quartets.
Easy, right? Well, you’ll have to read the whole article to find out.
This is a true story. And it flips everything you think you know about money and being rich upside down.
Meet Ronald Read: The Underdog You’d Ignore in a Grocery Store
Ronald Read looked like your typical old guy who’s been fixing cars since the invention of the wheel. Wore the same flannel shirts for decades. Drove a truck that sounded like it was coughing up a lung. Worked as a gas station attendant, then as a janitor.
He never made big money.
And he definitely didn’t look rich.
So when Ronald died at age 92, the entire town’s jaw hit the floor.
He had over $8 million in the bank.
No reality show. No lucky inheritance. No tech startup.
He just saved.
He invested.
He waited.
He won.
Now Meet Richard Fuscone: Mr. Rich-on-the-Outside
Richard was that guy.
The guy who shows up to career day in a Ferrari.
The one everyone assumes has “made it.”
He was a big-time Wall Street exec.
Lived in a mansion the size of a school gym.
Eleven bathrooms. Two elevators.
Pools inside and out.
Probably had gold toothbrushes.
He threw wild parties. Flew first class. Had everything.
Except, well... a grip on reality.
He borrowed like the money would never run out.
Spent like every day was Black Friday.
Built a life that looked bulletproof until the economy hit back.
And when the 2008 crash came? Boom.
Gone.
The mansion? Gone.
The money? Poof.
The status? Evaporated.
Bankrupt.
What Can I Do Today?
Start Small, but Start Today – Even saving $1 a day adds up. Put loose change or allowance money into a jar or digital savings app just to get into the habit.
Know Where Your Money Goes – Track every dollar for one week. Was it spent on a want or a need? Awareness is the first step to better decisions.
Be a Copycat (in a good way) – Find a financial role model. Ask a parent, sibling, or teacher how they save money and try one of their strategies.
Anna Bruno
Business Consultant | Financial
Strategist | Global Speaker | Columnist
| Holistic Money Coach
Anna Bruno recently won the Global Woman Impact Leadership Award in the Best Woman in Finance 2025 category. She also holds a Retirement Planning Specialist certification from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and a Holistic Financial Planning Coach certification from Teachers College at Columbia University. She is a seasoned Business Consultant, Financial Strategist, and Accredited Holistic Money Mindset Coach with over 25 years of experience guiding individuals, families, and entrepreneurs toward financial confidence and business growth. Anna is the co-founder of Acceleration Circle Inc., an EdTech platform helping founders and small business owners scale with confidence.
Ready to Design Your Dream Relationship with Money?
If you’re ready to get your finances in order, starting with your money priorities, coaching might be your next best step. We help individuals get connected with what’s important, start small, and choose wisely. Let’s talk.