Secrets of the "Invisible Rich"

If you ever wondered whether you could spot the invisible rich, the answer is that it would be very challenging. That’s because the invisible rich are just that—invisible. They are the people you see every day mowing their lawns, standing in line behind you at the grocery store, and riding up the elevator with you at work. They are the people who live modestly and without pretense. These are people who live well within their means despite that big number in their bank account.

While there are several key secrets of the invisible rich and the millionaires next door, below are a few of the most common secrets that we can all incorporate into our own lives to grow wealthy.

Secrets of the Millionaires Next Door

They don’t spend beyond their means

The invisible rich do not stretch financially. They only buy what they can afford and don’t try to keep up with Joneses.

If you want to live like the millionaires next door, the first step is getting a firm handle on your budget and spending. Tracking your expenses for a month can help you determine where your money is go so you can learn to live within your means.

They never stop learning

The invisible rich realize that an investment in their own education is the best investment that they can make. After all, knowledge is power—and greater knowledge can also lead to a bigger paycheck down the road. The invisible rich hop on every opportunity possible to continually learn.

If your financial education is lacking, consider ways you can improve it. Reading personal finance books, taking online classes or webinars and browsing personal-finance websites can all help expand your financial know-how.

They look at lifetime earning potential when choosing their career

The invisible rich seek out professions that will provide the most financial security and stability.

You can do the same by evaluating your career choices. Consider long-term earning potential can help you pinpoint a career that both suits your experience and interests, while also delivering financial security.

They save and invest early

The invisible rich understand the value of putting their money to work. Whether through retirement plans such as 401(k)s, IRAs, 529 plans for college or any other kind of savings plan, the invisible rich understand the concept of compounding and how money can grow over time.

Compounding interest, meaning the interest you earn on your interest, can be key to growing wealth. If you have yet to begin making contributions to a workplace retirement plan or IRA, it's important to consider where that fits into your budget.

They have good insurance coverage

The invisible rich believe that the cost of insurance is worth it in order to protect what they own and their loved ones. Whether it be house insurance or life insurance, the invisible rich place great importance on protecting themselves and their family from unforeseen circumstances.

If you haven't checked your insurance coverage lately, consider taking time to audit your policies. Consider whether your current coverage is sufficient or whether you need to increase your policy amounts. It's also helpful to revisit your insurance at least once a year to make sure your policy still fits, especially if you experience life changes, such as a marriage or birth of a child.

They’re wise with unexpected cash windfalls

Don’t expect the invisible rich to go out and buy a new yacht with a large inheritance that was just received. Even if the invisible rich hit mega millions, you can expect this group of people to act responsibly with their newfound funds.

Receiving a windfall, whether it's an inheritance, tax refund or a stimulus check, can all help you jumpstart your efforts to grow wealth. If you receive a financial windfall, consider taking a temporary time out to think over the options before you start spending. The goal should be putting that extra money to work in the most useful way possible.

They hold onto their houses and cars

The invisible rich don’t need the latest and greatest car model, nor do they need to live in a house with a mortgage that they will have to pay for a lifetime. Instead, the invisible rich look for cars with moderate loan payments and homes priced at a number that won’t leave them house poor.

When seeking to build wealth, consider what appreciating assets you already have and what else you may want to acquire over time. And if you need to borrow via a mortgage or car loan, review the terms to make sure you're able to pay the loan off in a reasonable amount of time to minimize interest charges.

They avoid debt

The invisible rich believe in paying off their debt. They don’t let the balances on their credit card accumulate and prefer to pay bills off as they come in. 

If you struggle with making debt payments, consider ways you can reduce your debt or at least make it less expensive. Refinancing student loans, for example, can make your payments more affordable. Transferring credit card balances to a new card with a 0% APR could help you pay it off faster.

Building wealth and becoming a millionaire isn't out of reach if you have the right plan in place. If you want to join the ranks of the "invisible rich," now would be a great time to put as many of these secrets to work as you can.