Distinctions between Millionaires and the Middle Class

[Ron Burgundy]

Millionaires know how to trick middle class people into paying $29.95 for books, videos, and seminars that contain nothing but common sense and optimism.

[octaveshift]

In my experience (reasonable sample size), the extremely wealthy are incredibly unhappy souls.

The middle class seems downright gleeful by comparison.

[Henry17]

My experience has been pretty much the opposite. Again fairly reasonable sample size of about 800-1000.

[octaveshift]

[ QUOTE ]
My experience has been pretty much the opposite. Again fairly reasonable sample size of about 800-1000.

[/ QUOTE ]

By extremely wealthy, I am talking net worths of 100 million+.

[Henry17]

My sample was of 10M+ with an average in the 20s. only know 2 individuals worth 100M+ so I guess I'm not qualified to comment. Both of them are quite happy though.

[prohornblower]

[ QUOTE ]
8.9% of Americans are millionaires.


[/ QUOTE ]

There is no way this number is right. But I do agree, a million ain't much anymore. In fact there was a show on the other day that said 5M is the new 1M. So what we used to call in, say, the '80's "millionaires", we should now only refer to people with at least 5 million as "millionaires". That doesn't make sense but whatever.

I agree with all the points in the OP. I'd also say Middle Class puts value on things like cheap plastic possesions, while millionaires value things like ownership of increasing assets and peace of mind.

Millionaires are long-term idea people, middle class is..."HEY LOOK AT THAT COOL GADGET IN RADIO SHACK! I have $50 left from my paycheck, I'm gonna get it!"

[Henry17]

Define long-term?

I have never understood trying to get rich by 50. By then you are too old to really enjoy it.

[mtgordon]

[ QUOTE ]
My sample was of 10M+ with an average in the 20s. only know 2 individuals worth 100M+ so I guess I'm not qualified to comment. Both of them are quite happy though.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sweet, a pissing contest. I call BS in general though. There is no way you know that many people well enough to determine if they are actually happy or not. On average everyone probably knows around 20 people that they actually interact with enough on a regular basis to even guess if they are truly happy or not. Just because you've been in the same room or been introduced to someone at an event does not qualify you to determine if they are happy or not. Everyone tries to look happy when they are in public.

[Henry17]

By happy I mean appear happy. Obviously I have no idea if they are just putting on an act and they go home and are miserable.

For example most of my neighbours are in the $10M+ category and they all seem very happy. They have people over, they are always cheerful in the elevator, I run into them in social settings and they seem to be having a good time. If they were unhappy they'd be more removed.