Article created by: Denis Tymulis
There are plenty of stories about the lavish spending of the rich and famous. Athletes, movie stars, and business moguls love to flash their designer clothes, sports cars, and yachts. But some of them, often the most successful, live incredibly basic lives, just like the rest of us do. Just not out of necessity. They have the cash to bathe in splendor and excess; they just choose not to.
There's a recent discussion on Reddit, that started with a question from a now-deleted user that asked: "They say 'Money talks but wealth whispers,' what are the subtle signs of wealth?" and people who have identified them in real life are illustrating the differences between those who desperately want others to know they have money and those who are content with how well off they truly are.
They spend money if it saves them time. Time is more valuable than money
I’ve heard it said, a wealthy person doesn’t need everyone in the room to know he is wealthy.
Not hoarding or keeping things. Once you know you have money to replace things, it’s much easier to let go of them. Minimalist decor aesthetics are very rooted in this idea.
My former boss used to say "either you have money, or you talk about it"
They will never complain about the cost of something, but will nitpick the quality of work to death
When you ask them if they’re wealthy or not they always just say “I’m comfortable”
Rich people (and wannabe rich) buy T Shirts with big bold letters of designer brands to broadcast they spent $500 for their shirt.
Wealthy people might buy the same brand shirt as the rich guy but it has no logos.
They have good, healthy food — always. Healthy, quality food costs a LOT of money
Their skin. If you see someone with amazing skin and teeth chances are they can afford to take care of it. Atleast thats one subtle sign in the Philippines
I’m on the Bogleheads forum, which is the best place anyone trying to find investing success should be on. Almost everyone over there is worth $5 mil or more yet drives a 12 year old used car because they know that frugality and avoiding debt and living beneath one’s means while always investing in index funds is the way to wealth.
Shoes. Really good shoes.
They don't brag about their money. Mostly because there are loads of people who are gold diggers and will expect them to pay for their stuff. Knew a millionaire who was sick and tired of being invited out to lunch but he was expected to pay the bill, long story short he lost a lot of friends when he refused.
If you find yourself constantly asking "where's <insert name of friend or family member>", and the answer is always something like:
In Barbados
They went to Key West for the weekend
I think they went to see the grand canyon
Probably skiing in Colorado again
Yeah...they didnt say a word but you know they got money.
I live in a neighborhood where you can play “millionaire or homeless.” If you see someone on the streets that looks slovenly, even if they are stinky-drunk and on a bender, it’s a coin toss if they are a millionaire or homeless.
The tell-tale sign is the teeth. Always the teeth.
I played this game the other day at the park with my wife. I guessed that the haggard old lady was a millionaire based on the teeth. I almost had doubt here. She had sun damaged skin, stained and worn joggers and dirty distressed sneakers. My wife pointed out that the shoes are some fashionable brand I’ve never heard of and sell for over $1,000. They come distressed and dirty.
In a church setting, the person will use an envelope and discreetly place it in the dish. Other people will make a show of openly their wallets
I live in a city full of wealthy landowners, and let me tell, you, you'll never see the rich folks flaunt their wealth, they always wear the simplest clothes, and wear only a watch ( a simple necklace if they're women), but the moment you meet them, you know they're rich without them having to show it to you.
I live in an area in the U.K. where everyone is wealthy. Landowners, financiers etc. Let me tell you, the richer they are the more busted their car is, they get it fixed but won’t buy a new one. Usually hoarders of some capacity, clothes are just kinda shabby and they have all the time in the world to pursue what actually interests them and that’s normally something niche that costs a bit to maintain the hobby. The more busted they look the richer they are usually.
Quality of the food they eat or rather the amount of different types of food they have tried without seeing like a foodie
Their shoes. Rich people may have designer shoes, but true wealthy people have shined, clean shoes.
Never buying furniture. You either inherit old and expensive pieces, or you hire a decorator to do it all for you.
They have a Steinway concert grand piano in their spacious living room that is perfectly maintained and tuned, even though no one in the house plays it. It sits discreetly and subtly in a corner of the room, like just another piece of furniture to fill the vast space
