Things I’ve Learned in My Travels: Why More People Are Wealthier Than You Think
Episode 7: The secret to wealth revealed through everyday interactions
How an unassuming couple taught me about stealth wealth
When browsing travel sites like Expedia, Booking.com, or hotel websites, I often notice that even during peak season, with high rates, rooms are marked as ‘Only 2 left’ or even ‘Fully Booked.’ It makes me wonder: how are so many people affording this?
This pattern indicates that more people have significant wealth or access to large credit lines.
But, really, how exactly can they afford these kinds of vacations?
What are they doing that allows them such high spending power?
Life is different on my end, as some of you can relate. We stick to hostels, budget hotels, and cruises and plan trips in advance to save money.
What if there was a way to change that, wouldn’t you?
The Philosophy Behind Stealth Wealth
The 1-percenters have increased to the 5-percenters.
The Cambridge Dictionary defines stealth as “movement that is quiet and careful in order not to be seen or heard.”
Combine that with wealth, and you get the concept of stealth wealth, where someone has significant financial stability and doesn’t show it. They blend in like an unassuming octopus, moving among ordinary people, with their tentacles in everything to build wealth in a camouflage style.
If you peer through the looking glass of their modest lifestyle, you’ll see the wealth they’ve quietly accumulated over the years. Notice how often they take trips and the types of vacations they have.
My Unexpected Encounter with Hidden Wealth:
Recently, while moonlighting as a server/bartender at an event, I met this sweet elderly couple.
I saw them devour the buffet line, which made the service team share amused glances.
When I served them drinks, the wife joked that she was glad they came out tonight since all they had left in the fridge was a potato. My heart sank, but we all chuckled at the lighthearted joke.
A few weeks later, I was walking with a friend when I started admiring this beautiful colonial mansion on the hill.
My friend knew the owners, and it was the same elderly couple I had served. She laughed while I recounted why I thought they had a cute cottage versus this magnificent architecture. I was stunned for the entire walk that they were wealthy and told me about that sad lone potato.
Why Stealth Wealth Matters in Today’s World
That interaction lives rent-free in my head. It’s a powerful reminder that stealth wealth is all about maintaining privacy around one’s economic status. If she mentioned that potato in the context of her mansion, the entire perception would have shifted. It wasn’t deceitful either; it was a mindful choice to reveal only what was necessary in that moment.
Today, most of us could do well with this mindfulness.
The urge to display wealth often leads to more negative outcomes than positive ones. Publicly sharing details about investments, income, net worth, and real estate can draw unwanted attention, scrutiny, envy or even bodily harm.
The practice of stealth wealth sidesteps these pitfalls, allowing people to live freely without the burden of external judgments or expectations.
Think about someone you’ve seen wearing understated clothing — no flashy logos, just simple, well-made garments. At first glance, they might seem ordinary, but upon closer inspection, you notice their clothing is from an exclusive, high-quality brand, often unknown to the masses.
That’s the essence of stealth wealth: it’s not loud or attention-grabbing, but it’s there, woven into the fabric of their everyday life.
Compare this to someone dressed in head-to-toe designer labels, flaunting the latest luxury items adorned with recognizable logos. Their appearance exudes wealth and status, attracting immediate attention and making a bold statement about what they possess. While the flashy person openly displays their wealth, almost seeking validation, the one practicing stealth wealth blends in.
Those who practice stealth wealth prioritize a life of substance over the show by avoiding flashy cars, expensive jewellery, or over-the-top lifestyles.
They’re not seeking approval from others; rather, they prioritize their sense of security and fulfilment.
In this sense, stealth wealth is more than just a financial strategy — it’s a lifestyle choice that reflects long-term stability and a deep-seated confidence that doesn’t require validation from others.
How To Identify Stealth Wealth and Learn From It
Stealth wealth manifests in several subtle ways, and here are a few examples that make it easier to recognize:
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