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“Money Talks, Wealth Whispers”: 30 People Are Sharing Small Things That Scream “I’m Rich”
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.
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#1
Ohh I can definitely answer this one! I used to do remodeling/carpentry in very wealthy town here in New Jersey. Depending on the job/task at hand I’d spend anywhere from 6 months to a year inside multimillion dollar homes, 8am-6pm, I’d pretty much be a witness to a lot of rich folks entire days. Not to mention I also was able to interact with these folks.
Here are things I noticed beside their beautiful homes & cars that hinted to me they are very well off:
Extremely intellectual conversations.
During my lunch breaks I’d always chat with clients & man when I tell you these people could dive DEEP into almost ANY subject. Especially the more finance/money/economic related topics. These people were all well versed and decently knowledgeable in many areas.
They never raise an eyebrow to any price.
I had one client be quoted $16,000 USD for an exquisite living room rug (including its installation), & with no hesitation he had the check written out within minutes. To this day that experience still numbs my mind.
They dressed like normal people.
I never caught any of these people wearing clothes covered in LV logos, or Gucci signs. If they werent dressed down in a suit for work, they wore solid color t shirts w/ khakis or jeans and running shoes. Though I did have one client who would often wear blazers over his t-shirts.
They traveled… A LOT.
Had one job where the client was traveling the world. Literally. His maid would allow me and the crew access to the home during the day and we would lock up on our way out. We kept contact and communicated job updates through facetime & pictures. Had another client where him and his wife literally would leave the country every week to give me and the guys “space to work”. Talk about F-U money.
Their kids, if they had any, were very well mannered and well spoken.
I’m talking as young as 6 years old. These kids would consistently greet me and the crew properly & be able to hold good conversations. And express no shyness or timid behavior, very well spoken kids. Sometimes it would be so odd to me that an 8 year old would be able to talk to us like a 30 year old.
They have a lot of books.
Every home I worked in there was a library somewhere within it.
I could list so many more but these are just some! If you made it this far thanks for reading!
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#2
They spend money if it saves them time. Time is more valuable than money
#3
I’ve heard it said, a wealthy person doesn’t need everyone in the room to know he is wealthy.
Karri Berkowitz 2 years ago
One of the wealthiest ppl I ever met (has his own island level) always looks like a bum when not going to meetings. Like cut off shorts, flip flops and T-shirts. It's hilarious
#4
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.
Delta Dawn 2 years ago
As someone who grew up poor, I consider it my right to keep things that may be useful some day. It’s not clutter, it’s a form of thriftiness.
#5
My former boss used to say "either you have money, or you talk about it"
Stacey Rae 2 years ago
Trying to shame people into not talking about money to keep the status quo?
#6
They will never complain about the cost of something, but will nitpick the quality of work to death
TCW Sam Vimes 2 years ago
As everyone should. There is a saying in my country that goes like this: if you buy cheap, you buy twice. So even when I wasn't as well off as today I would rather save money to buy one well made thing instead of lots of cheap c**p
#7
When you ask them if they’re wealthy or not they always just say “I’m comfortable”
#8
Wealth is the money you haven't spent. When you spend money, the only thing it actually tells anyone is that you're that much less wealthy. An outside observer doesn't know if you spent that money on credit or with cash, just that you have that much less wealth.
Real wealth is having the freedom and ability to take the time to find what brings you joy. The number that provides that freedom is going to be different for everyone. The mindset of those who have made it to that point is unmistakable.
#9
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.
Jayne Kyra 2 years ago
The only thing I want on my chest is a sleepy kitty as we relax. Or a funny slogan/picture. I won´t be a walking advertisement for a brand raking in millions.
#10
They have good, healthy food — always. Healthy, quality food costs a LOT of money
#11
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
Jayne Kyra 2 years ago
Acne meds and free dental care (Slovakia). Though the hoops I had to jump through for the meds would have made me an Olympic athlete.
#12
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.
#13
Shoes. Really good shoes.
Jayne Kyra 2 years ago
Shoes are the one thing people should invest into. Buy second-hand/cheap shirts, trousers, whatever, but you either stand or sit all day in those shoes. Granted, even what used to be good quality brands are no longer the same (Looking at you, Gabor!).
#14
It can often be the least obvious person in the room. Years ago I was in a small town near a larger agricultural city. The whole area is either wheat or wine grapes. I was in a tiny little brewery having a beer and there was 6 customers in the room including myself.
I was wearing a suit and tie, 2 young men about thirty are wearing what I’d call very nice business casual, a mid aged couple who drove up in a new Lexus and a older guy wearing muddy rubber boots, Carhart jacket and looked like any other of hundreds of farm hands one would see in the area taverns.
The man who owned the brewery was a client of mine came by, nodded at the old guy in the Carharts and said he was one of the richest men in the area but still worked along side his guys when was around. He left in a mid 90’s Ford pickup that didn’t have a straight panel on it, his usual daily driver.
In the area I’m from, that is a common story.
Jayne Kyra 2 years ago
This reminds me of a man I met over 10 years ago in Olomouc. I was sitting in a restaurant/bar near the dorms with an acquaintance and her friend. Dogs were always welcome in that place. A rugged-looking man with two big dogs walks in and sits at an empty table (the place was empty except for us at the time) and just orders a beer and some daily soup. He was really nice and the dogs were well-behaved. The acquaintance and her friend started whining about the dogs so much that after a while I just got up and asked to join the man to talk about his dogs. They loved ear scritches! The acquaintance and her friend left, meanwhile I stayed and chatted. Some other people came in, knew the man, and only hours later I found out that he is a millionaire who takes care of dogs from bad situations, trains them, then adopts them for a small fee to new families. I saw him a couple more times after that, and each time he had a new dog with his own to socialize them. <3
#15
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.
#16
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.
#17
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.
Jayne Kyra 2 years ago
The word "slovenly" always makes me think of Slovakia. In our language, it is "Slovensko". And I admit it does make sense.
#18
Not talking about it.
Rachael Coleman-Dean 2 years ago
I don't bring up money unless someone else is struggling and wants advice or they ask how I found something they like and they want to know how much I paid. A lot of people have no idea how to spend or save, and that's literally survival 101 right now.
#19
Not even asking to look at luxury items or asking the price, just wanting to buy.
My God Sister was friends with a princess, one day they went shopping while the princess was on the downlow and she had to buy presents for her friends. They went to a luxury store where she just pointed out the stuff she wanted and the staff looked at her and laughed, she tried to buy again and they told her she "may want to look in her price range" as soon as they found out who she was they basically all shat themselves
(no idk who she is, I remember I was told the name but I can't remember her for the life of me and this was years ago)
#20
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
Laura Ketteridge 2 years ago
This has nothing to do with wealth, but rather being ostentatious. The two are not the same.
#21
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.
#22
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.
Robert T 2 years ago
You'd be surprised what some of them have tucked away in their garages. They might drive round in an old car, though they are usually pretty well looked after, but they frequently have classic cars that come out occasionally. I've met a few who look like they haven't two halfpennys to rub together, and at some point in the conversation it becomes apparant that they have several more rather valuable classics at home.
#23
The clothes they wear, doesn't matter if it's designer or thrift shop, everything fits them well and is clean. They can afford tailors, dry-cleaners, and stylists, and always look put-together.
The Scout 2 years ago
In classical menswear, vintage suits or jackets are in high demand, but if you can, you alter them to fit. I would not describe myself as even remotely wealthy, but I found a really nice Harris Tweed jacket at a thriftshop once that became my favourite winter jacket after a few alterations. About 10$ for the jacket, about 30$ for the alterations, at least 60 years old, but it was totally worth it.
#24
Quality of the food they eat or rather the amount of different types of food they have tried without seeing like a foodie
Mohammad Ammar 2 years ago
This is actually a factor that distinguishes every social class. Not just rich and wealthy. It's actually quite interesting.
#25
Their shoes. Rich people may have designer shoes, but true wealthy people have shined, clean shoes.
The Scout 2 years ago
If shoes are dented and overly polished down, that paradoxically often is a sure sign of high quality. Usually the first part fo a shoe to give in is the sole, so if the exterior looks "used, but cared for", that means that someone took the time and money to re-sole them, which means they already lasted longer than most cheap ones. A quality pair of goodyear welted oxfords can easily last thirty years if you regularly care for them.
#26
Never buying furniture. You either inherit old and expensive pieces, or you hire a decorator to do it all for you.
#27
An expensive watch that isn’t a Rolex. Rolexes are how rich people, or not even rich but 'had-a-good-year' show off wealth to poor people. A truly wealthy person will have a Patek or AP Royal Oak or a Mueller, and not necessarily even a flashy one
#28
Casually saying stuff like it’s not the amount you earn, it’s how minimise the amount you spend. Whilst spending above 500 quid (GBP) on drinks for everyone on a night out from work.
#29
I semi-regularly get taken to fancy restaurants as a perk of my job. Just from my observations:
Wearing fancy clothes, getting 'dressed up' = not rich, has been taken somewhere expensive for work and/or can afford to be there for a special occasion (i.e. Me).
Wearing understated but very well-cut clothes, groomed hair and makeup = Rich. Nothing to prove, this is their everyday lifestyle.
Wearing shorts and flip flops, a t shirt and a bucket hat = Truely wealthy. They can wear whatever the the fuck they want, money talks!
I was in a London high end hotel restaurant a few weeks ago and several customers seemed to fit these patterns.
The Scout 2 years ago
But was the thread title says: money talks - but wealth whispers. Up from a certain level, people will be much more restrained again. Shorts or bucket hat would be out of place in more upscale places and such be considered vulgar. More likle y they will adopt a kind of "standard outfit" that will stand out as more relaxed but not so much that it will create a nuisance. Think Steve Job's turtleneck, Bill Gates' sweater/shirt tieless combi (ok, he DOES wear suits sometimes) or Mark Zuckerbergs simple unicolor tees.
#30
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
What do you think ?
sturmwesen 2 years ago
This list is b******t. There are super rich people eating fast food because they like it or buying expensive cars because they want to. Wealth is not a personality trait.
GirlFriday 2 years ago
I work with a few billionaires and more than ten millionaires. These are the things that I have noticed: 1. They do not talk about their personal wealth. 2. Their clothes fit so well. 3. They sometimes have unreasonable expectations for those of us that are not wealthy (like suggesting a restaurant for a meeting that would cost over $300 per person, and then being surprised that no one on the team eats there on a regular basis).
ADHORTATOR 2 years ago (edited)
I am working at a family owned business with over 35.000 employees, the wife of the CEO was a very kind and simple lady, but she didn' t understand that I could not just take a plane from Germany to Boston to see the latest music show...
Load More Replies... Tuna Fish 2 years ago
I was born and raised simple/poor/very smart. For the former reason I have mostly always worked for very rich people. I have learned two things about these people. First, there is a HUGE difference between self made money people and inherited money people. I've always worked for the self made type and would not want to do what it takes to be that rich for anyone. 24/7 working. Giving your entire life to the almighty dollar. Never being able to trust the love/concern of others because you never know who is truly earnest in their love/concern and who is just trying to get at your wealth or get in your will. No matter how much you have it is never enough until it's so much that it can never be taken away and by that point it becomes inheritable wealth which brings along it's own set of issues/problems.
sturmwesen 2 years ago
This list is b******t. There are super rich people eating fast food because they like it or buying expensive cars because they want to. Wealth is not a personality trait.
GirlFriday 2 years ago
I work with a few billionaires and more than ten millionaires. These are the things that I have noticed: 1. They do not talk about their personal wealth. 2. Their clothes fit so well. 3. They sometimes have unreasonable expectations for those of us that are not wealthy (like suggesting a restaurant for a meeting that would cost over $300 per person, and then being surprised that no one on the team eats there on a regular basis).
ADHORTATOR 2 years ago (edited)
I am working at a family owned business with over 35.000 employees, the wife of the CEO was a very kind and simple lady, but she didn' t understand that I could not just take a plane from Germany to Boston to see the latest music show...
Load More Replies... Tuna Fish 2 years ago
I was born and raised simple/poor/very smart. For the former reason I have mostly always worked for very rich people. I have learned two things about these people. First, there is a HUGE difference between self made money people and inherited money people. I've always worked for the self made type and would not want to do what it takes to be that rich for anyone. 24/7 working. Giving your entire life to the almighty dollar. Never being able to trust the love/concern of others because you never know who is truly earnest in their love/concern and who is just trying to get at your wealth or get in your will. No matter how much you have it is never enough until it's so much that it can never be taken away and by that point it becomes inheritable wealth which brings along it's own set of issues/problems.
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