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July 03, 2008

Does the Middle-Class Millionaire hold the key to the presidential election?

 

 

Not only do the rich donate money to political campaigns, more than 99% of them say they go to the polls.  According to a recent survey we conducted in March of 338 “Middle-Class Millionaires,” (households with self-made net worths of between $1 million and $10 million dollars, they also told us that they plan to discuss their presidential choice with others.

 

Here’s what we found:

 

Affluent are Very Likely to Vote and Fund Candidacies:

 

99.7% of the middle class millionaires surveyed for the piece say they voted in the last presidential election.  They will also put their money where their mouth is, with a full three-quarters likely to donate up to the legal limit to a political campaign.

 

The Middle-Class Millionaire Intends to Use their Influence to Determine the Outcome of the Election

 

Almost all (98.7%) of Middle-Class Millionaires report they are “talking to people about their choice for President.”  Nearly the same amount (98.4%) “expect to be very involved in convincing people to vote for their choice for president.”

 

Both the middle-class and the Middle-Class Millionaire views the Middle-Class Millionaire’s ‘connectedness’ to their community as one of the key drivers to their success. Our research suggests that Middle-Class Millionaire fully intend to use their credibility to help influence the outcome of the 2008 Presidential election.

 

As for what sways their decision when pulling the lever? Here are the results:

More than 85% say the candidate's position and solutions on the economy will affect their vote.

         More than 80% will consider the candidate's position on their personal tax situation

         56% will consider how the candidate stands on the war in Iraq and Afghanistan

         Nearly 48 % consider the stance on terrorism to be key.

 

Middle-Class Values Still Important

While money remains top priority, these middle class millionaires remain concerned about many of the things as their middle class counterparts, including:

 

         More than 47% will consider how much a candidate will support social programs.

         45.4% want to be sure their civil liberties are protected

         More than 36% are concerned about the environment

             

Not only do they vote, donate and prosthelytize about their favorite candidate, our 2006 study indicated that they are more willing to cross party lines than the rest of the middle-class. In other words, whether or not they are Democrat or Republican, they think independently of their party. As such, their vote is “winnable,” while they look for the candidate whose platform, values and character most appeals to them. In my opinion, the Middle-Class Millionaire, with nearly 9 million households and a stunningly high voting rate, is a lynchpin to winning the presidential election.

June 17, 2008

Middle-Class Millionaire Author Events Calendar

October 2008

  • October 25: "Top of the Table" event / Million Dollar Round Table
    • TOPIC: "The Middle-Class Millionaire"
    • VENUE: Austin, TX
    • PRIVATE EVENT: Conference Attendees
  • October 29:  Pittsburgh Financial Planning Symposium, Pittsburgh, PA
    • TOPIC: "The Demographics of the Luxury Market Customer"
    • VENUE: Pittsburgh, PA
    • PRIVATE EVENT: Conference Attendees

September 2008

 September 16: Union League Club of Chicago

  • TOPIC: "The Changing Face of American Wealth"
  • VENUE: Union League Club of Chicago
  • PRIVATE EVENT: Sponsored by Merrill Lynch

July 2008

  • July 8: Commonwealth Club, San Francisco
    • TOPIC: "The Changing Face of American Wealth"
    • VENUE: Commonwealth Club
    • PUBLIC EVENT: Commonwealth Club members, guests, the public

  • July 10:  Luxury Marketing Council - San Francisco, CA 
    • TOPIC: "Wealth Boom:  The Rise of the Middle-Class Millionaire" 
    • VENUE: tbd
    • PRIVATE EVENT: LMC members & guest

  • July 14: Brown Bag Lunch Event With Author Jack Mitchell - Stamford, CT 
    • TOPIC: "Hug Your People" / "The Middle-Class Millionaire" 
    • VENUE: Barnes & Noble, Stamford Town Center
    • OPEN EVENT: public welcome

June 2008

  • June 4: Curian Capital, Denver, CO
    • TOPIC: "The Demographics of the Luxury Customer"
    • VENUE: Corporate Offices
    • PRIVATE EVENT: Company Executives
  • June 19: Luxury Interactive 2008 Annual Conference, New York, NY
    • TOPIC: "The Demographics of the Luxury Customer"
    • VENUE: Metropolitan Pavilion, NYC
    • PRIVATE EVENT: Conference Attendees
  • June 19: Curian Capital, off-site, Catskills, NY 
    • TOPIC: "Wealth Boom:  The Rise of the Middle-Class Millionaire" 
    • VENUE: Mohawk Mountain House
    • PRIVATE EVENT: Corporate Executives

May 2008

  • May 5: Society for Innovative Medical Practice Design, Annual Conference, Las Vegas, NV
    • TOPIC: "Marketing to the Middle-Class Millionaire"
    • VENUE: The Venetian, Las Vegas
    • PRIVATE EVENT: Conference Attendees
  • May 7:  Lincoln Financial
    • TOPIC:  Wealth Boom:  The Middle-Class Millionaire's Impact on the Advisor Landscape
    • VENUE:  Corporate Offices, Birmingham, AL
    • PRIVATE EVENT:  Seminar Attendees
  • May 21:  TD Ameritrade Spring Regional Conference
    • TOPIC: "Marketing to the Middle-Class Millionaire"
    • VENUE: Hyatt Regency Newport Beach
    • PRIVATE EVENT: conference attendees & guests
  • May 22:  Borders Mission Viejo
    • TOPIC:  The Middle-Class Millionaire & Ladera Ranch
    • VENUE:  Borders Mission Viejo
    • PUBLIC EVENT:  public welcome
  • May 27:  Luxury Marketing Council, Dallas, TX
    • TOPIC: "Marketing to the Middle-Class Millionaire"
    • VENUE: tbd
    • PRIVATE EVENT: LMC members & guests
  • May 29:  Luxury Marketing Council, New York, NY
    • TOPIC: "The Changing Nature of the Luxury Market Customer"
    • VENUE: LMC offices
    • PRIVATE EVENT: LMC members & guests
  • May 29:  New York Society for Security Analysts, New York, NY
    • TOPIC: "Millionaire Intelligence"
    • VENUE: NYSSA Headquarters
    • PRIVATE EVENT: NYSSA members & guests

April 2008

  • April 28:  Luxury Marketing Council, Tampa, FL
    • TOPIC: "The Changing Nature of the Luxury Customer"
    • VENUE: Studio @ 620
    • PRIVATE EVENT: LMC members & guests
  • April 29:  Luxury Marketing Council, Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, FL
    • TOPIC: "The Changing Nature of the Luxury Customer"
    • VENUE: Steinway Piano Hall
    • PRIVATE EVENT: LMC members & guests

March 2008

  • March 13: Barnes & Noble Booksellers - Del Mar, San Diego CA
    • TOPIC:  "The Middle-Class Millionaire"
    • PUBLIC EVENT:  6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
  • March 17: The Luxury Marketing Council, Los Angeles, CA
    • TOPIC:  "The Changing Nature of the Luxury Market Customer"
    • PRIVATE EVENT: Luxury Marketing Council members & guests
  • March 18: The Luxury Marketing Council, Orange County, CA
    • TOPIC: "The Changing Nature of the Luxury Market Customer"
    • PRIVATE EVENT: Luxury Market Council members & guests
  • March 19:  Ladera Ranch, Orange County, CA
    • TOPIC:  "The Changing Nature of the Luxury Market Customer"
    • HOST: LARCS
    • PUBLIC EVENT: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
  • March 26: The Luxury Marketing Council, Boston, MA
    • TOPIC: "The Changing Nature of the Luxury Market Customer"
    • HOST:Boston Magazine
    • PRIVATE EVENT: Luxury Marketing Council members & guests

February 2008

  • February 27: The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
    • TOPIC:"The Role of the Middle-Class Millionaire
    • HOST: The Wharton Luxury Club
    • PRIVATE EVENT: Wharton School students and alum

Recent reviews, mentions and praise for "The Middle-Class Millionaire"

Here's a selection of recent mentions of The Middle-Class Millionaire:

JUNE 2008

THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY / July/August 2008:
"Inconspicuous Consumption"

Aside from a penchant for fancy cars, these millionaires devote their luxury dollars mostly to goods and services outsiders can’t see: concierge health care, home renovations, all sorts of personal coaches, and expensive family vacations. They focus less on impressing strangers and more on family- and self-improvement.hey work long hours, take little time off, and persevere in the face of setbacks. 

To view article, go to The Atlantic Monthly

MAY 2008

US NEWS & WORLD REPORT/ May 2, 2008:
"Who Are The Middle-Class Millionaires?"

They work long hours, take little time off, and persevere in the face of setbacks. 

To view article, go to US News & World Report

APRIL 2008

MEN'S HEALTH / April 2008:
How to Live Rich    

"From drop-dead gorgeous diamonds to souped-up sports cars, sneak a peek at the spending habits of the "middle-class millionaire."

To view article, go to Men's Health

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL / April 3, 2008:
Robert Frank's Wealth Report    

"When you ask the wealthy how to get wealthy, they’ll often say “Do what you love and the money will follow.”...It sounds good. But it may be bad advice for anyone really trying to become a millionaire."

To view blog entry, go to The Wealth Report

FINANCIAL ADVISOR MAGAZINE/ April  2008:
Jump on the Bandwagon      

" What Is A Middle-class millionaire? A middle-class millionaire is someone with a net worth between $1 million and $10 million that firmly identifies with their middle-class upbringing and values, and does not perceive him or herself to be rich. Instead, they see themselves as, you guessed it, middle-class."

To view article, go to Financial Advisor Magazine

MARCH 2008

THE AMERICAN / March 31, 2008:
Review:  Meet The Middle-Class Millionaires      

"When people think of the “rich,” they might imagine billionaire plutocrats presiding over yacht fleets. Reality shows have made these folks appear remarkably prevalent. Lost in our obsession with the extremely rich, though, is another trend: over the past two decades, the ranks of the somewhat rich have also exploded."

For complete article go to The American

FIVE CENT NICKEL.COM / March 26, 2008:
Interview:  The Middle-Class Millionaire - Your Questions Answered      

"Lewis graciously offered to field questions from readers, and a good number of them took him up on his offer.  What follows is a series of burning questions (and answers!) about Middle-Class Millionaires (MCMs)"

For complete interview go to Five Cent Nickel

NEWSDAY / March 16, 2008:
Review:  The Middle-Class Millionaire      

"We're talking about Americans who worked hard and overcame adversity ranging from dot-com flameouts to political persecution to amass a net worth of $1 million to $10 million, as Russ Alan Prince and Lewis Schiff show. A burst housing bubble is unlikely to keep this lot down."

For complete article go to Newsday

BARRON'S / March 10, 2008:
Are You Rich?  How Much of a Nest Egg Do You Need to Join the True Elite?    

"While $1 million was once a sign that you had arrived, plenty of people with up to $10 million nowadays don't think of themselves as rich. Many actually consider themselves "middle class," according to survey work by the authors of a new book, The Middle-Class Millionaire..."

For complete article go to Barron's

THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE / March 8, 2008:
Review:  "The Middle-Class Millionaire"   

"Most nonfiction books consist of slightly incremental new takes on the same old reality. Occasionally, though, a book emerges that establishes a new reality. That strikes me as the case with "The Middle-Class Millionaire."

For complete article, go to:The San Francisco Chronicle

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL / March 5, 2008:
Business Bookshelf:  Just Don't Call Them Rich 

"The key to riches in America, according to Russ Alan Prince and Lewis Schiff, is not thinking like a millionaire but thinking like...a member of the middle class.  There is something both pleasing and plausible about such a thesis: Although Americans, on average, get wealthier from year to year, they seem to feel uncomfortable with the word "rich" -- except, of course, when it is used as a pejorative."

For complete article, go to The Wall Street Journal

DOW JONES MARKETWATCH / March 5, 2008:
Sophisticated Investor:  The "middle-class millionaire" 

"Those with a net worth of between $1 million and $10 million -- that they have earned rather than inherited -- are being dubbed "middle-class millionaires," a group that has grown on the heels of the economic boom over the past couple decades."

For complete article go to MarketWatch or Fox Business News

ADWEEK / March 3, 2008:
Millionaires, But Middle-Class

"To glimpse the future of mass-market consumer products and services, take a closer look at the affluent market. A growing number of households headed by the "working wealthy" act as tastemakers for the rest of the middle class. If they like something, not only do these early sales help brands gauge future demand, but middle-class affluents act as advocates, telling family, friends and colleagues about these innovative ideas."

For complete article, go to Adweek

BUSINESSWEEK / March 3, 2008:
Are You Overpaying for Where You Live?

"As the economy stumbles, even residents of affluent suburbs are feeling pinched by basic costs that never bothered them before."

For complete article, go to BusinessWeek

"REUTERS / THE BOSTON GLOBE / March 3, 2008:
Book Review:  Traits & Habits of Low-Key Millionaires

"While these middle-class millionaires live in regular neighborhoods and send their kids to public schools, they behave very differently from their less-wealthy neighbors. Middle-class millionaires exhibit four qualities that "have a lot to do with why they are so successful and influential," Lewis Schiff, who wrote the book with Russ Alan Prince, said."

For complete article, go to The Boston Globe

FEBRUARY 2008

REUTERS / THE GUARDIAN (UK) / February 28, 2008:
Business Books:  In America, Millions Make You Middle-Class

"For most people around the world, earning a million dollars makes you rich. In America, it just makes you middle class."

For complete article, go to The Guardian

BLOOMBERG / February 26, 2008:
Middle-Class Millionaires Never Quit, Network, Copy Machiavelli

"If you think the timing is rotten for a book called "The Middle-Class Millionaire,'' you may lack the drive to become one. We're talking about Americans who worked hard and overcame adversity ranging from dot-com flameouts to political persecution to amass a net worth of $1 million to $10 million, as Russ Alan Prince and Lewis Schiff show. A burst housing bubble is unlikely to keep this lot down. "

For complete article, go to Bloomberg.com

FAST COMPANY.COM / February 26, 2008:
Steve Case's New Gig

"In this excerpt from the book The Middle-Class Millionaire, authors Russ Alan Prince and Lewis Schiff discuss the AOL founder's new role as majority owner and Chairman of Exclusive Resorts."

For complete article, go to FastCompany.com

FORBES ON YAHOO / February 26, 2008:
The Working Rich Are Nervous

"Housing has imploded, the market's a yo-yo, recession's in the air. And the "working rich" are learning to do without. So says Russ Alan Prince, president of a private wealth-research firm and author of the book The Middle-Class Millionaire. What does that mean?

"They have certain middle-class values," says Prince. "They will continue giving to charity and to send their kids to get the best education, because those are important components to them. They will still buy the high-end luxury car, but not the sports car."

For complete article, go to Yahoo.com

NEWSWEEK / February 25, 2008:
Quick Read

"Of course, not all Americans are slipping down the economic food chain. Consultants Prince and Schiff draw on their own research to identify the attitudes and, more important, the habits of an emerging class of people who have earned their way out of the middle class. While this group's existence is hardly a secret, particularly to residents of upscale suburbs, the author's research into what makes them tick—valuing money over happiness, for one thing—is impressively thorough."

For complete article, go to Newsweek

NEW YORK SUN / February 22, 2008:

"While a certain segment of America is struggling under enormous debt, another, the "working rich," is emerging as a powerful demographic with both spending power and social influence. Russ Alan Prince and Lewis Schiff examine the growing number of Americans who have earned their millions through hard work and entrepreneurial efforts, and who are using their money to effect social change in line with their middle-class values."

For complete article, go to The New York Sun

INSURANCE NEWSCAST / February 21, 2008:
Insurance Newscast Headlines

"A new class of wealthy exists in America -- THE MIDDLE-CLASS MILLIONAIRE -- and they are doing more than just accumulating wealth.  Collectively, this group is influencing, advocating, and reshaping the social, cultural and commercial landscape of our world."

For complete article, go to Insurance Newscast

FORBES / February 18, 2008:

"When the middle-class millionaire wants to wow her, he buys a diamond. Only the millionaire buys the rarest stone, one no one else will have.  On his travels, the millionaire goes where no one can find him--to an exclusive island resort featuring $185,000 fractional memberships in luxury vacation homes. And at home, he relaxes not before the plasma TV but in his $150,000 yoga room where he receives massages while gazing at a Japanese-inspired garden outside."

For complete article, go to How to Live Rich

For the slide show, go to In Pictures: Spending Habits of The Middle-Class Millionaire

INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE / February 18, 2008:

"They have taken stock of those winning traits, put them together and defined them as "millionaire intelligence."

For complete article, go to The International Herald Tribune

NEW YORK TIMES / February 15, 2008:
Books of the Times

“[The Middle-Class Millionaire] offers tremendous opportunities to those who know how to accommodate him. The book abounds in examples of new services created… There are doctors who offer concierge-type medicine; there are life coaches who counsel busy movers and shakers about their priorities…a ‘360-degree circle of support’”.

For complete article, go to The New York Times.

THE LUXURY INSTITUTE WEALTH REPORT / February 15, 2008:

“For some luxury firms looking to attract the right demographic to influence others to buy their goods or services, it may be wise to eschew celebrity spokespersons and instead focus on the "working wealthy."

For complete article, go to The Luxury Institute's Wealth Report

FORBES / February 13, 2008:

"Housing has imploded, the market's a yo-yo, recession's in the air. And the "working rich" are learning to do without. So says Russ Alan Prince, president of a private wealth-research firm and author of the book The Middle-Class Millionaire. What does that mean?"

Check out a slide show on "The Nine Traits of the Middle-Class Millionaire."

For complete article, go to The Working Rich Are Nervous

PRIVATE ASSET MANAGEMENT / "QUOTE OF THE WEEK"
"This group ends up being like taste-testers for the rest of the middle-class."
-Lewis Schiff, discussing the emergence of the $1-10 million group of mass affluent which is setting the tone for the middle class.

For complete article, go to Private Asset Management

1TO1 MEDIA / THE 1TO1 BLOG
"A million dollars may not be what it used to be, but a growing base of people with a self-made million bucks or so is making its influence felt as never before.  That’s the thesis of The Middle-Class Millionaire: The Rise of the New Rich and How They Are Changing America (Currency/Doubleday) by Russ Alan Prince and Lewis Schiff, out Feb. 26.

For complete review, go to Feeling Like a Million Bucks

US NEWS & WORLD REPORT
"The rich are like the rest of us, only more...boring?  This study of some 3,600 American millionaires shows that the working rich put in long hours, like to network, and prefer to spend money on life coaches and their kids' education, not yachts and caviar." 

View the article in the "Bookshelf:  Business Books for the Executive's Nightstand" section in the February 18th issue of US News & World Report.

NOVEMBER 2007

PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY
"Prince and Schiff present intriguing statistical nuggets from their survey of 586 “middle-class millionaire” households.  The book offers something for those who yearn to join the middle-class millionaires or move up among their ranks, especially entrepreneurs with business plans for this population, who are heavily profiled in these pages."

For complete review, go to Barnes and Noble's website, BN.Com

KIRKUS REVIEW
"There are currently some 8.4 million American households with a net worth between one and ten million dollars. They are, largely, the self-made, working rich, drawn from the middle class and expressing many middle-class values and concerns, with their own particular emphases. They make and spend big money in ways that have a powerful impact on the goods and services offered. This population segment exhibits specific traits that savvy businessfolk can tap into, they suggest."

For complete review, go to Kirkus Reviews (subscription required)

JIM CRAMER, Host of CNBCs Mad Money
The Middle-Class Millionaire opened my eyes to a new force driving the American economy. Russ Prince and Lewis Schiff show us exactly what you need to look for to make the most of this enormous opportunity, whether you are just getting started on the path to being a millionaire or there already!”

CONSUELO MACK, Anchor & Managing Editor, Consuelo Mack WealthTrack
“Prince and Schiff have identified a new breed of millionaire who is transforming the American lifestyle. Read how to join this elite club and follow them to the American dream."

TOM BRADLEY, President, TD AMERITRADE Institutional.
"Russ Prince’s and Lewis Schiff's insightful book can help you understand and capitalize on significant business opportunities within the emerging affluent middle class."

GRANT SKEENS, President, KeyBank Recreation & Luxury Yacht Lending 
"A must read for anyone seeking to understand the emerging affluent market. The authors' extensive research identifies key characteristics of today's 'working rich' and provides insights as to how to successfully reach this lucrative segment."

OCTOBER 2007

Reuters Life!
More U.S. Millionaires are middle-class
Sitting on a million but still middle-class? New research has found that more and more Americans worth at least $1 million want luxury goods such as yachts but otherwise lead family-focused, work-oriented lives.

For complete story, go to Reuters.com

June 01, 2008

Parsing the language of influence and affluence

I recently read an article in The New York Times about an up-and-coming media mogul’s who claims to have coined the word “affluencer” which means: someone who tries to influence the affluent. In her role as the chief of NBC’s Bravo network, Lauren Zalaznick creates programming that will influence affluent people. In particular, her network’s target demographic of 18 to 49 urbanites.

As readers of this blog know, I call myself an “affluentialist.” While I don’t claim to have created the word “affluential” (here’s the source http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/affluential), I have to admit, I like the word “affluencer.” It rolls off the tongue more easily than “affluentialist.” So, I’m kicking myself for not having thought of that word myself.

However, it also brings up an interesting distinction and one that will help Ms. Zalaznick and I distinguish our different roles. So, Webster and Roget, if you’re listening, here’s my proposition for the distinction between “affluencer” and “affluential.”

As Ms. Zalaznick points out, an “affluencer” tries to influence affluent people. In this regard, she’s trying to guide the interests and opinions of the affluent who are watching TV.

“Affluentials,” on the other hand, are affluent people who influence others, both the affluent and the non-affluent, around them.

So the key distinction is that an affluencer becomes an affluencer because she or he sets out to influence affluent people. Whether or not he or she is affluent is besides the point. This group includes media professionals, political consultants, brand managers and the like. Whereas an affluential is, first affluent, and second, in part because of the credibility affluence confers on someone in our plutonomous economy, is able to influence others.

How does that sound? Will all you William Safires out there critique these definitions for me?

One final point: as an “affluentialist,” I study the influence of affluence, or the effect the affluentials have on people around them. Therefore, as far as professional distinctons go, Ms. Zalaznick wants to influence while I want to understand what the effect of influence is on the affected population.

Ouch. I’ve got a headache.

May 10, 2008

Luxury Spending Will Survive Recession

A few weeks back, I posted a blog installment on the future prospects of luxury spending in times of economic uncertainty or recession. Our survey of Middle-Class Millionaire households drew a distinction between “luxury discretionary spending” like jewelry, watches, and other cultural ephemera, and “values-based spending” that reflects the middle-class perspective of the working wealthy, such as charitable giving.

In a recent survey, we looked at that distinction more closely. It shows that the self-made wealthy will continue to spend on travel and their homes, and will pause, but not cancel, other luxury spending.


The Affluent Will Travel, Spend on Luxuries

Between March 4 and March 7, Russ Prince and I surveyed a random sample of 338 Middle-Class Millionaires throughout the nation and here's a summary of what we found.

More than 77% of those surveyed believe that recession is imminent and more than 93% do not believe the government will provide an adequate bail out.
Despite the downturn, the Middle Class Millionaire won't be putting a permanent hold on luxury spending.  In fact:

* Nearly 48% of those surveyed says they will take a vacation, one that exceeds $10,000, in 2008;

* While more than 38% will curtail their spending until the economy improves, the rest will continue to shell out for things like home renovations, luxury cars, and second homes;

* A full 66% say they will increase their luxury spending when the economy recovers.

There's clearly significant luxury spending continuing even among the Middle-Class Millionaire on those items that help them achieve the values they hold most dear: home life, education and family time. As for the current state of the economy, the Middle-Class Millionaire is pressing the 'pause' button, not the 'stop' button. Their demand for luxury goods will become pent up and they expect to make up for lost time when the economy turns around. For luxury brands, their best bet is to exercise a strategy that keeps them on top of their client's mind during this downturn so they are the high net worth's first stop when that pent-up demand is ready to blow.

April 24, 2008

77% of Middle Class Millionaires Say Recession is Here

NOW is the Right Time To Ask Successful People for Advice on Dealing With Economic Uncertainty

According to our recent survey, just over 77 % of America's MIDDLE CLASS MILLIONAIRES, those with a net worth between $1 million and $10 million dollars that they have earned, rather than inherited, say that a recession is imminent.  Further, an overwhelming number of them, 93%, do not believe the government will offer relief or a significant bail out plan.

Between February 11 and 16, Russ Prince and I conducted a new study about how Middle-Class Millionaires feel about the current economic climate. We surveyed a random sample of 206 household decision-makers with a net worth between $1 million and $10 million, all self-made. We learned that that, in the face of expected economic adversity, Middle-Class Millionaires are increasing their reliance on the very behaviors that differentiate them from the middle-class (based on past survey responses).  Seventy-nine percent told us they will leverage their personal and professional networks more than ever in order to persevere in the face of economic adversity. Further, seventy six percent told us they will be even more aggressive in their financial dealings (76%), negotiating harder than ever with vendors, customers, employees and business partners.  Together these characteristics, along with working harder than their middle class counterparts, make up the core of what we call Millionaire Intelligence, as described in our book, The Middle-Class Millionaire (www.middle-class-millionaire.com).   

Interestingly, Middle Class Millionaires don't intend to work more hours in this  economic downturn because they are already “maxed out.” According to earlier studies, conducted in 2006, the Middle-Class Millionaire works 70 hours per week, compared to 41 hours by the rest of the middle-class. Instead, Middle-Class Millionaires plan to make their work time more effective by increasing their use of external resources, such as executive coaches.  57% of those surveyed said they would increase the amount of time they spent with a coach to maximize their effectiveness at work.  Of the 55% percent who currently don't use a coach, 68% intend to hire one in order to work through tough times that are likely ahead.

We are at a moment in time when we should turn to this group of successful individuals for advice.  We should be asking how they would respond in a recession because they have been successful in overcoming difficulty to create their own wealth.

Questions for you:

Do you want to cut back and wait until the bad times pass? Or do you sense this is a time of opportunity, a chance to take advantage of fear in the marketplace?