Millionaires Next Door 2026 edition

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fullback44
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In reply to flown-the-coop • 4:50p, 9/15/26
AG
flown-the-coop said:
TexasAggie_97 said:
torrid said:
Million dollars ain't rich.

Not anymore. I would argue 10 million dollars is the new benchmark for being "rich".

$10 million?

I would say $3 million to $5 million qualifies you. North of $12 million puts you in the VHNW category by many standards and where estate planning and alternate investments start to matter and be available.

I'm not sure $12 million is "rich" any more … people w 12 million just like to live a little bit fancy life, they don't have to be extravagant.. my buddy has $15 million… he acts like he's broke
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infinity ag
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In reply to fullback44 • 4:52p, 9/15/26
fullback44 said:
flown-the-coop said:
TexasAggie_97 said:
torrid said:
Million dollars ain't rich.

Not anymore. I would argue 10 million dollars is the new benchmark for being "rich".

$10 million?

I would say $3 million to $5 million qualifies you. North of $12 million puts you in the VHNW category by many standards and where estate planning and alternate investments start to matter and be available.

I'm not sure $12 million is "rich" any more … people w 12 million just like to live a little bit fancy life, they don't have to be extravagant.. my buddy has $15 million… he acts like he's broke


I am in the neighborhood but I act broke as well. Means nothing. It is just that the fear of being broke no longer keeps you awake at night, and the allure of fancy brand names, fancy cars, big ass houses no longer seem attractive. A stage of Zen.
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techno-ag
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In reply to fullback44 • 4:53p, 9/15/26
AG
fullback44 said:
flown-the-coop said:
TexasAggie_97 said:
torrid said:
Million dollars ain't rich.

Not anymore. I would argue 10 million dollars is the new benchmark for being "rich".

$10 million?

I would say $3 million to $5 million qualifies you. North of $12 million puts you in the VHNW category by many standards and where estate planning and alternate investments start to matter and be available.

I'm not sure $12 million is "rich" any more … people w 12 million just like to live a little bit fancy life, they don't have to be extravagant.. my buddy has $15 million… he acts like he's broke
The way to keep money is not to spend it.
The left cannot kill the Spirit of Charlie Kirk.
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flown-the-coop
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In reply to fullback44 • 4:53p, 9/15/26
AG
fullback44 said:
flown-the-coop said:
TexasAggie_97 said:
torrid said:
Million dollars ain't rich.

Not anymore. I would argue 10 million dollars is the new benchmark for being "rich".

$10 million?

I would say $3 million to $5 million qualifies you. North of $12 million puts you in the VHNW category by many standards and where estate planning and alternate investments start to matter and be available.

I'm not sure $12 million is "rich" any more … people w 12 million just like to live a little bit fancy life, they don't have to be extravagant.. my buddy has $15 million… he acts like he's broke

That's how he has $15 million.

BTW - there is negligible difference in standard of living between $12 million and $15 million. Getting towards $30 million and people cease flying on commercial airlines and public interactions are scripted and limited.
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flown-the-coop
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In reply to infinity ag • 4:55p, 9/15/26
AG
infinity ag said:
fullback44 said:
flown-the-coop said:
TexasAggie_97 said:
torrid said:
Million dollars ain't rich.

Not anymore. I would argue 10 million dollars is the new benchmark for being "rich".

$10 million?

I would say $3 million to $5 million qualifies you. North of $12 million puts you in the VHNW category by many standards and where estate planning and alternate investments start to matter and be available.

I'm not sure $12 million is "rich" any more … people w 12 million just like to live a little bit fancy life, they don't have to be extravagant.. my buddy has $15 million… he acts like he's broke


I am in the neighborhood but I act broke as well. Means nothing. It is just that the fear of being broke no longer keeps you awake at night, and the allure of fancy brand names, fancy cars, big ass houses no longer seem attractive. A stage of Zen.

Just a year ago were you not cancelling the purchase of your wifes mercedes because of the markets after tariffs?

If you fear being broke after the first few million then you need counseling or some SSRIs.
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torrid
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5:05p, 9/15/26
AG
The first $10 million is the hardest.
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GeorgiAg
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5:05p, 9/15/26
AG
I have enough to retire now and maintain my current standard of living. I'd be so bored, I'd probably drink myself to death, so I'm not going to do that.

If I had $20 million, and I could travel in luxury around the globe non-stop, that may be a different story. I know people who did that (a live aboard cruise ship with apartments - The World) and they said the general consensus is you get tired of that after about 3-5 years. https://aboardtheworld.com/ (2 br/2ba place is minimum $5 million plus yearly dues, airfare, side trips, etc. - you'd need about $12 - $20 M to be able to do that comfortably and not just blow through principal.)
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Ragoo
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In reply to torrid • 5:45p, 9/15/26
AG
torrid said:
Million dollars ain't rich.
even at a 10,000 monthly burn rate that is over 8 years of existence without any of those dollars growing or yourself earning an incremental dollar. A million can still go a long way.
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slaughtr
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In reply to torrid • 5:46p, 9/15/26
AG
torrid said:
B-1 83 said:
torrid said:
Million dollars ain't rich.

Damn sure ain't lol poor, either. Especially if that's retirement investments for a still working person.

Not an immodest sum, and certainly a good benchmark for a mid-career person. But would someone be able to retire at age 45 with $1 million in their 401k, even post-tax, and still maintain a middle-class lifestyle? I think it would be a lean retirement even at age 65.

The majority of people who retire today with $1 million in a 401k will end retirement (die) with as much or more than they started. Tax deferred compounding is a wonderful thing.
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flown-the-coop
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In reply to slaughtr • 6:03p, 9/15/26
AG
slaughtr said:
torrid said:
B-1 83 said:
torrid said:
Million dollars ain't rich.

Damn sure ain't lol poor, either. Especially if that's retirement investments for a still working person.

Not an immodest sum, and certainly a good benchmark for a mid-career person. But would someone be able to retire at age 45 with $1 million in their 401k, even post-tax, and still maintain a middle-class lifestyle? I think it would be a lean retirement even at age 65.

The majority of people who retire today with $1 million in a 401k will end retirement (die) with as much or more than they started. Tax deferred compounding is a wonderful thing.

My mother lived 25 years after my dad passed on that sort of math. It indeed is a wonderful thing if you live within reasonable means. She could have enjoyed it much more in hindsight, but her grandkids will get a nice stipend to start their own stashes.
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Texas12&0
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In reply to GeorgiAg • 6:32p, 9/15/26
GeorgiAg said:
$1 million in 1985 = $3 million now. or

Based on historical Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, $1,000,000 today would have had a purchasing power of approximately $321,200 in 1985

1985 I was 27 years old. $300,000 in DEBT with 12% and 14% loans with my business. I worked 70 to 100+ hours every freaking week. Didn't take a vacation until 10 years later in 1995. That was, also, the year my net worth went over a million (work hours average ~70). 10 years after that over 8 million (work hours average ~50).
7 years after that I sold my business and retired at 54.

In the 80's, I was told by many that I was crazy for working those long hours. Had many say that they weren't going to work more than 40 hours per week.

i tell this story, short and concise, because it's out there $$$$, if you want it. You're in competition with others. Look at them. I knew I wasn't going to get outworked. My work ethic was developed by my grandfather and uncle on a dirt poor farm south of Donna, Texas.

If you are moaning on this thread about the lack of opportunity and building wealth in America today it is because you've accepted mediocrity in yourself. You're an average worker and that's okay.
White Privilege - The ability to suffer whatever life throws at you without blaming another ethnic group.
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techno-ag
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In reply to Texas12&0 • 6:35p, 9/15/26
AG
You paid off a million dollars in debt in today's money.
The left cannot kill the Spirit of Charlie Kirk.
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The Sun
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7:22p, 9/15/26
I'm sitting on 2.6m in retirement savings with another 800k-1.1m from my pension depending on if I retire in 4-6 years (55-57).

I can't wait because I fell broke as heck. Part of that is from maxxing my 401k and my wife is not currently working.
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In reply to GeorgiAg • 7:52p, 9/15/26
GeorgiAg said:
$1 million in 1985 = $3 million now. or

Based on historical Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, $1,000,000 today would have had a purchasing power of approximately $321,200 in 1985



That's an increase of 2.81% PER YEAR!

The S&P 500 mean return per year over that same time was 12%!!!

Weekly wage increases over that same time period was 3.2% per year!

Wages beat inflation!!!!! The SP killed it!!!!



Why are you frowning?!?!?!


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In reply to GeorgiAg • 7:58p, 9/15/26
GeorgiAg said:
$1 million in 1985 = $3 million now. or

Based on historical Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, $1,000,000 today would have had a purchasing power of approximately $321,200 in 1985


let me put it another way...

had you invested $321,200 in 1985 in the sp 500 index, you'd have $31 million today!!!!
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torrid
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8:01p, 9/15/26
AG
In my retirement planning, I have to keep reminding myself that the returns of the last few years are very atypical and not consistent.
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SunrayAg
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In reply to Kenneth_2003 • 8:03p, 9/15/26
AG
Kenneth_2003 said:
moreagthanyou said:
There are millionaires than ever because a dollar means less than it ever has.

Tell me you missed the point without telling me you missed the point.

Hint...
People that are doing well, and there are PLENTY of them, aren't flashing it. The ones crying that the system is rigged, crying they can't afford X or Y, with an overwhelming sense of entitlement while driving the newest luxury car, going out to eat regularly, and yes ordering Starbucks on the latest iPhone are indeed being left financially behind. They're being left behind by the quiet ones putting in the work.


Tell me you missed the point without telling me you missed the point. He is saying a million dollars is worth about 200k now. Being a millionaire means you are slightly less broke than if you weren't. It has nothing to do with your car or your coffee or your phone. It has to do with the value (or lack there of) of the dollar.
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In reply to torrid • 8:06p, 9/15/26
torrid said:
In my retirement planning, I have to keep reminding myself that the returns of the last few years are very atypical and not consistent.



That's why Buffet moved so much cash to the sidelines these past few years.

Per his model, the market is extremely overvalued, outside 2 sigma. OTOH, he's lost a lot of wealth the last few years.

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Texas12&0
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In reply to SunrayAg • 8:41p, 9/15/26
SunrayAg said:
Kenneth_2003 said:
moreagthanyou said:
There are millionaires than ever because a dollar means less than it ever has.

Tell me you missed the point without telling me you missed the point.

Hint...
People that are doing well, and there are PLENTY of them, aren't flashing it. The ones crying that the system is rigged, crying they can't afford X or Y, with an overwhelming sense of entitlement while driving the newest luxury car, going out to eat regularly, and yes ordering Starbucks on the latest iPhone are indeed being left financially behind. They're being left behind by the quiet ones putting in the work.


Tell me you missed the point without telling me you missed the point. He is saying a million dollars is worth about 200k now. Being a millionaire means you are slightly less broke than if you weren't. It has nothing to do with your car or your coffee or your phone. It has to do with the value (or lack there of) of the dollar.

In my lifetime, inflation and interest rates were never higher than when I left TAMU in 1980….thanks to Jimmy Carter. Dollars were shrinking fast.
White Privilege - The ability to suffer whatever life throws at you without blaming another ethnic group.
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Proposition Joe
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In reply to fullback44 • 9:10p, 9/15/26
fullback44 said:
flown-the-coop said:
TexasAggie_97 said:
torrid said:
Million dollars ain't rich.

Not anymore. I would argue 10 million dollars is the new benchmark for being "rich".

$10 million?

I would say $3 million to $5 million qualifies you. North of $12 million puts you in the VHNW category by many standards and where estate planning and alternate investments start to matter and be available.

I'm not sure $12 million is "rich" any more … people w 12 million just like to live a little bit fancy life, they don't have to be extravagant.. my buddy has $15 million… he acts like he's broke





$12M-$15M is still rich, it's just that the richness shows up in comfort level - you can quit your job, you can eat out regularly, you can vacation where you want, you can absorb most any major financial hit.

But you're still not rich enough to fly private every flight.
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MemphisAg1
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In reply to Proposition Joe • 9:12p, 9/15/26
AG
Proposition Joe said:
But you're still not rich enough to fly private every flight.

That's my definition of rich. When you can get on your own plane and go anywhere in the world anytime you want. That is rare air.
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infinity ag
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In reply to torrid • 9:16p, 9/15/26
torrid said:
In my retirement planning, I have to keep reminding myself that the returns of the last few years are very atypical and not consistent.


That is what people always say. But then the market stays "atypical" and the same people regret it. I have seen this play out over and over again. No one knows how the market behaves and there is no typical way it does.

Just put it in and enjoy it.
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flown-the-coop
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In reply to MemphisAg1 • 9:22p, 9/15/26
AG
MemphisAg1 said:
Proposition Joe said:
But you're still not rich enough to fly private every flight.

That's my definition of rich. When you can get on your own plane and go anywhere in the world anytime you want. That is rare air.

Careful, you will find yourself owning poodles, 5 homes, and learning how much things like tapestries cost.

I think there are diminishing returns past a point well shy of that $30 to $50 million UHNW numbers that get you into your own private jet categories (btw - I've seen guys well shy of that have their own plane even small jets, but that's not what I consider "flying private").
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flown-the-coop
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In reply to infinity ag • 9:23p, 9/15/26
AG
infinity ag said:
torrid said:
In my retirement planning, I have to keep reminding myself that the returns of the last few years are very atypical and not consistent.


That is what people always say. But then the market stays "atypical" and the same people regret it. I have seen this play out over and over again. No one knows how the market behaves and there is no typical way it does.

Just put it in and enjoy it.

Phrasin
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Trajan88
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9:43p, 9/15/26
AG
For the last ~40 years ... I wish that my and my employers contribution to SS were put in a 50-50 s&p 500 index and intermediate bond fund w/ yearly rebalancing ... it would have resulted in a giant monthly SS check in a few more years (instead of about $2,900/mo).
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lb3
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In reply to CS78 • 9:47p, 9/15/26
AG
CS78 said:
Never been a better time in history to do well, for those that want it. The tools are at everyone's fingertips and the barricades are the lowest they've ever been.
Literally millions of ways to do well.

I saw a guy around 30-35 at the game Saturday in a conference call with real time bettors who were paying him $100 per game to get tipped off to pick sixes, fumbles, missed field goals, etc. He was basically selling a low latency game feed giving his customers a ~7 second advantage over those watching the broadcast and ~2-3 second advantage over low latency official statistics feeds.

He could cover 3 games per weekend and in his best month brought in over $30k.
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fullback44
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In reply to Proposition Joe • 10:01p, 9/15/26
AG
Proposition Joe said:
fullback44 said:
flown-the-coop said:
TexasAggie_97 said:
torrid said:
Million dollars ain't rich.

Not anymore. I would argue 10 million dollars is the new benchmark for being "rich".

$10 million?

I would say $3 million to $5 million qualifies you. North of $12 million puts you in the VHNW category by many standards and where estate planning and alternate investments start to matter and be available.

I'm not sure $12 million is "rich" any more … people w 12 million just like to live a little bit fancy life, they don't have to be extravagant.. my buddy has $15 million… he acts like he's broke





$12M-$15M is still rich, it's just that the richness shows up in comfort level - you can quit your job, you can eat out regularly, you can vacation where you want, you can absorb most any major financial hit.

But you're still not rich enough to fly private every flight.

Bingo … you can also make $750 k a year at 5% return, a modest investment with not much risk at all. If you live off the 750k you have a lot of money to spend and enjoy each year. Thats the model
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Principal Uncertainty
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In reply to lb3 • 10:24p, 9/15/26
lb3 said:
CS78 said:
Never been a better time in history to do well, for those that want it. The tools are at everyone's fingertips and the barricades are the lowest they've ever been.
Literally millions of ways to do well.

I saw a guy around 30-35 at the game Saturday in a conference call with real time bettors who were paying him $100 per game to get tipped off to pick sixes, fumbles, missed field goals, etc. He was basically selling a low latency game feed giving his customers a ~7 second advantage over those watching the broadcast and ~2-3 second advantage over low latency official statistics feeds.

He could cover 3 games per weekend and in his best month brought in over $30k.


Did that sting any?
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Infection_Ag11
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In reply to techno-ag • 10:29p, 9/15/26
AG
Having a million dollar net worth doesn't make you "rich" in any meaningful or traditional sense in 2026, especially since most of them are only millionaires due to the equity they have in their primary residence.

I wouldn't call anyone with less than $5 million in easily liquidated assets rich.
No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
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Principal Uncertainty
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In reply to An L of an Ag • 10:31p, 9/15/26
An L of an Ag said:
techno-ag said:
About 8 percent of Americans are millionaires.

Of course, that includes everyone on TexAgs.


So, about every 12th person you pass in America is a millionaire. How many dozens of people do you pass every day? If you work in any sort of decent career path, every 4th person you interact with is a millionaire. They're everywhere.
I was head-nodding in agreement too vigorously, and my monocle fell into my glass of Rothschild 1945.
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In reply to Thunderstruck xx • 10:45p, 9/15/26
AG
Thunderstruck xx said:
As someone with a net worth of a little north of $1 million, I certainly don't feel rich. This is mostly retirement money, and everything I have to pay for right now is getting more expensive.


Yep, I'm a "millionaire" but most of that is wrapped up in retirement accounts, HSA, the equity in my home and my kids' college accounts. You certainly don't feel rich in 2026 by having over a million net worth.
No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
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P.H. Dexippus
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In reply to Over_ed • 10:46p, 9/15/26
AG
Over_ed said:

The dems will kill Roths. Plan (and vote) accordingly.

I don't doubt that they are coming for your retirement wealth, but they'll continue to take it by printing money. I doubt they do it by ending post-tax retirement contributions.

Paying taxes upfront to a politician is like heroin to a junkie…instant gratification. What they really hate is deferred taxes. Expect to continue to see traditional IRA programs and the like means tested and otherwise phased out.
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techno-ag
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In reply to Infection_Ag11 • 10:46p, 9/15/26
AG
Infection_Ag11 said:
Having a million dollar net worth doesn't make you "rich" in any meaningful or traditional sense in 2026, especially since most of them are only millionaires due to the equity they have in their primary residence.

I wouldn't call anyone with less than $5 million in easily liquidated assets rich.

It's still top 8 %. That means 92 % of all Americans aren't that wealthy.
The left cannot kill the Spirit of Charlie Kirk.
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BigRobSA
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In reply to Infection_Ag11 • 10:50p, 9/15/26
Infection_Ag11 said:
Having a million dollar net worth doesn't make you "rich" in any meaningful or traditional sense in 2026, especially since most of them are only millionaires due to the equity they have in their primary residence.

I wouldn't call anyone with less than $5 million in easily liquidated assets rich.

Of course not, we on TA would call them "brokies".
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Infection_Ag11
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In reply to techno-ag • 10:52p, 9/15/26
AG
techno-ag said:
Infection_Ag11 said:
Having a million dollar net worth doesn't make you "rich" in any meaningful or traditional sense in 2026, especially since most of them are only millionaires due to the equity they have in their primary residence.

I wouldn't call anyone with less than $5 million in easily liquidated assets rich.

It's still top 8 %. That means 92 % of all Americans aren't that wealthy.


Sure, it's nothing to sneeze at. I'm just saying that even being a liquid millionaire (which is what the average financially illiterate American thinks of when they think "millionaire") doesn't make you rich let alone a net worth millionaire. And the number of liquid millionaires in America is only around 6 million I believe.
No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
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