Here are the 7 top habits of ‘quietly wealthy’ Americans — how many do you follow?
- - - Here are the 7 top habits of ‘quietly wealthy’ Americans — how many do you follow?
Vishesh RaisinghaniJuly 13, 2025 at 5:30 AM
Older-aged couple standing by a sliding glass door with confident wide smiles.
The millionaire next door simply doesn’t make headlines. He or she has probably built their fortune in a mundane and boring way and lives an equally understated lifestyle.
These are the “stealthy wealthy” and their habits hold powerful lessons for anyone serious about financial freedom. Here are the top seven habits you could replicate to boost your financial position or peace of mind.
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1. Avoiding status symbols
The cardinal rule of the stealthy wealthy is to conceal your fortune (or at least not flaunt it) so that you can enjoy it in complete privacy. That means no flashy toys or glamorous status symbols that call your wealth to attention. A quietly rich person isn’t likely to buy a Gucci belt or Birkin handbag. In fact, it’s the middle class consumers, presumably trying to signal their affluence, who account for more than half of all global luxury brand sales, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Put simply, you don’t need to prove your wealth to anyone if you already have plenty of it. Avoid the status symbols and shop based on value and durability instead.
2. Driving modest cars
Contrary to the stereotype, millionaires and multimillionaires are not all driving around in Aston Martins or Bugattis. In fact, Dave Ramsey’s survey of millionaires across America found that the top three most popular brands were Toyota, Honda, and Ford.
Picking a practical and relatively inexpensive car is perhaps the best way to retain your fortune rather than burning it off through a sports car’s tailpipe.
3. Maximizing tax efficiency
Making decisions in the most tax-efficient way is how most wealthy people retain their fortune and continue to expand it. Although your tax situation might be very different from someone with a seven- or eight-figure net worth, that doesn’t mean you can afford to neglect tax planning.
Take a page out of the stealthy wealthy playbook and hire the best accountants and tax planners to help you minimize your liabilities.
Read more: You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how
4. Tracking and directing every dollar
A survey by Northwestern Mutual found that a whopping 84% of wealthy individuals had a financial plan, compared to just 52% for the general public. In other words, rich people are simply more intentional with their saving and spending.
Adopting this proactive approach means telling your money what to do instead of helplessly reacting to the amount of money left in your account after you’re done spending. Start with a budget and update it frequently as you make progress on your financial journey.
5. Focusing on privacy
Stealth wealth is rooted in a deep respect for privacy. By keeping your finances discreet, you not only protect yourself from fraud and financial crimes, but also improve your chances of securing better deals and avoiding tension in personal relationships because “you can afford it.”
6. Avoiding the hype cycle
The stealthy wealthy, according to the Wall Street Journal, were most likely to make their fortunes in relatively overlooked and mundane niches of the economy. Think cup holder manufacturers, commercial carpet cleaning or industrial appliance maintenance.
Put simply, most successful entrepreneurs and investors are not chasing the latest hype cycle and are instead focused on lucrative, always-on industries with sparse competition. If you’re trying to build wealth too, stop trying to build a billion-dollar AI tech startup and focus on something more practical and mundane.
7. Multiple streams of cash flow
A single source of income, perhaps from your full-time job, is rarely sufficient to build wealth — especially these days. To reach the top you need a diversified pool of multiple income sources. Consider a side gig to boost your income and invest in passive income opportunities such as real estate or dividend stocks to get your financial goals faster.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Source: AOL Money
