Stop Acting Rich

Thomas J. Stanley is the bestselling author—with over four million copies in print—of The Millionaire Mind and The Millionaire Next Door. The recognized authority on the lifestyles and behaviors of the affluent, Dr. Stanley is frequently quoted in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Forbes, Fortune, Time, Money magazine, U.S. News & World Report, Reader's Digest, and USA Today. He has appeared numerous times on the Today show, 20/20, and The Oprah Winfrey Show.Visit Dr. Stanley at www.thomasjstanley.com.

"Now Millionaire co-author Thomas Stanley is back with a dose of financial tough love for high-spending wannabes in Stop Acting Rich … and Start Living Like a Real Millionaire." (Better Investing Magazine, January 3, 2010) "This is all fascinating stuff and Stanley presents it in a very readable style. Stanley has written two other best-sellers on millionaires. It seems he's done it again." (The Star-Ledger, January 3, 2010)"…not only is this a book that everyone should buy, it's a book that every parent who loves his or her kids should buy for them—and bribe them to read it." (WalletPop, October 7, 2009)"Contains some surprising data that makes for a convincing argument supporting a simple lifestyle as a path to security." (Associated Press)"After reading through Stanley’s engaging anecdotes about how the other America actually lives, you may come to feel that perhaps you don’t need to impress the other guy so much. This in itself is no small thing. Your wallet will thank you. And you may end up happier." (Smartmoney.com)"Thomas Stanley has written a fascinating book that is based on years of research into how the truly wealthy live. Stanley’s main contention is that those with millions aren’t among the nation’s hyper consumers. Rather it’s the "aspirationals," those seeking recognition as members of the moneyed set, who are loose with a buck. It’s a hypothesis offered often, but the difference is Stanley’s research. He has packed his book with oodles of statistics — and not just the usual numbers. For example, 75 percent of millionaires pay $19.79 or less for a bottle of wine. When it comes to a dinner, 75 percent pay $24.53 or less and 95 percent keep the tab to less than $40. This is all fascinating stuff and Stanley presents it in a very readable style. Stanley has written two other best-sellers on millionaires. It seems he’s done it again." (The Star-Ledger)"If you’ve read the 1996 best-seller The Millionaire Next Door, you already know it’s hard to identify the truly affluent based on appearance. . . Now Millionaire co-author. . .Stanely is back with a dose of financial tough love for high-spending wannabes. . . offers surprising insight. If your goal is long-lasting wealth and not just the appearance of affluence, start reading ASAP." (BetterInvesting magazine)“Stanley is right in advising people to have a re-look at their spendthrift ways and to avoid getting trapped by symbolism. “If you spend in anticipation of becoming rich, you are unlikely to become truly wealthy,” he quips.”(Personal Finance Magazine Moneylife)"Stanley's research does a great job of proving there's a big difference between income and net worth. Many pretenders have become very good at generating income and enjoying a high standard of living. But take this Stanley gem to the bank: ‘Those who are among the least productive in transforming their incomes into wealth are in the higher-status occupations.’ Don't be a great pretender, pretending you're doing well when you only look the part. Read this book and find out how to emulate real-deal millionaires." (The Washington Post, Michelle Singletary)

• List of Tables ixPreface xiChapter 1 The Difference between Being Rich and Acting Rich 1Chapter 2 Everything You Think about Rich Is Wrong 33Chapter 3 Do the Shoes Make the Man? 59Chapter 4 Brother, Do You Have the Time? 83Chapter 5 Keeping Up with Your Spirits 115Chapter 6 The Grapes of Wrath 145Chapter 7 The Road to Happiness 171Chapter 8 Getting Out of the Poorhouse 209Chapter 9 All that Glitters Is Not the Millionaire’s Goal 235Appendix A The Nationwide Search for Millionaires 245Appendix B The Millionaire Profile 247Notes 251Acknowledgments 257About the Author 259Index 261