The Middle-Class Millionaire: The Rise of the New Rich and How They Are Changing America

A compelling look at a new class of the affluent - the middle-class millionaires – whose attitudes and values are influencing and reshaping American life

In this groundbreaking book, Russ Alan Prince and Lewis Schiff examine the far-reaching impact of the middle class millionaires–people who enjoy a net worth ranging from one million to ten million dollars and have earned rather than inherited their wealth. Comprising 8.4 million households and growing in number, the attitudes and behaviors of these working rich are exerting a powerful influence over our society. So who are these people? They believe in the benefits of hard work. They believe in investing in themselves, and in self improvement. They are more likely to focus on drawing financial gain from their work, and less inclined to be discouraged by failure. And they don’t spend money on the extravagances indulged in by the very rich; instead, they wield their affluence according to middle-class values and ideals. From home security systems to health care, technology to travel, their spending choices are affecting us all – from the products we buy, to the communities in which we live, to the aspirations and values of the broader middle class and American population as a whole.

In the bestselling tradition of Bobos in Paradise and The Millionaire Next Door, THE MIDDLE-CLASS MILLIONAIRE is a captivating narrative – part sociology, and part aspirational journey into the lives, attitudes, and values of the middle-class millionaires. Based on extensive surveys and research into more than 3,600 middle-class millionaire households around the country, this book will reshape our understanding of what it takes to be successful – and how all of us can achieve similar success.

RUSS ALAN PRINCE is president of the market research and consulting firm Prince & Associates, Inc. (russalanprince.com) and a founder of Private Wealth magazine. He is a columnist for Elite Traveler and the author or coauthor of more than forty professional development books. He lives in Redding, Connecticut.

LEWIS SCHIFF leads a team of private wealth experts specializing in the needs of high-net-worth clients for Advanced Planning Group (advancedplanning.org). He is a regular contributor to TheStreet.com, a columnist for Investment Advisor magazine and the author of The Armchair Millionaire (2001). Schiff lives in New York City.