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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Graig Graziosi

US millionaires are at a record high, but their buying power is half what it was 30 years ago

  • The traditional perception of a millionaire as someone with limitless wealth no longer holds true in the US, despite a record number of individuals reaching this status.
  • There are now 23,931,000 millionaires in the US, an increase attributed to inflation, rising home values, and greater participation in the stock market.
  • Financial experts indicate that a million dollars today provides financial security but is not a 'golden ticket' to extreme luxury, with its buying power significantly diminished compared to 30 years ago.
  • Wealth distribution remains highly skewed, as the richest 10 percent of Americans control two-thirds of the nation's household wealth, while the bottom 50 percent hold only 3 percent.
  • Many modern millionaires achieve their status through disciplined financial habits, such as living below their means, investing in stocks and property, and valuing financial responsibility over lavish spending.

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