Millions poor, millions rich: Liquidity is the difference

A Milliare It sounds like an oxymoron, but it definitely is. About 6% of US households are millionaires, but most of them don’t feel rich.
A Milliare Is someone worth more than $1 million but can’t access most of their wealth. In other words, their Net worth is very liquid. A layoff, market year, or job loss can quickly put us at risk.
In contrast, a Millionaire rich It also costs more than $1 million but it can easily affect their economy. They are liquid and resilient to financial shocks. Not only are they rich financially, they are rich mentally. The thought of financial ruin rarely crosses their minds.
A key liquidity bapply of milliares
The main suspect after the absence basic stay. Having a beautiful home is wonderful, especially when you come to work from home or retire. You just have to take care at home a lot.
If you want to feel comfortable, aim to keep your best stay below 30% of your fair value. If you want feel richsave below 20%. That way, at least 80% of your Net Atty can be in liquid or liquid assets.
In fact, in reality, saving 70%-80% is difficult, and also unnecessary. Funds often invest in real estate, private equity, venture capital, corporate debt, and other intangibles. Decamillionaires also tend to have significant equity in a private business as well, another category of Illiquid assets.
That’s why the least is the least 20% of your Net worth in liquid assets– Stocks like ties – very important. You’ll sleep better knowing you’ll never sell your catch at fire sale prices and always have dry powder to buy the dip when the market panics.
Recommended amount and due date before buying a home
Below is a handy home buying chart I put together based on income and Net Fastic Little. Ideally, you should have both income and IT recommended net worth associated with your target home price. If not, you need at least one of the following combinations before proceeding:
- Earnings + minimum qualifying amount, or
- Recommended net price + earnings
Besides, you may feel financially crippled.
My experience with liquidity after 26+ years of wealth building
My recommendations come from real experience, building wealth outside of 1999 in financial management today.
With every home purchase since 2003, I’ve tracked how each one made me feel. My Last Home Purchase in 2023 was another test of my 20%-30% Rule. It was a lump sum amounting to 23% of my fair value.
For now I closed, I felt uneasy – a rich house and I hope that nothing bad will happen to our finances in the next year. It was such a bad feeling that I couldn’t wait to finish.
I even wrote about living with paycheck after paycheck, which ruffled some feathers. But I was just being honest with how I felt. From that uncomfortable position, I decided to increase the liquidity by negotiating several financings for the development of online businesses and taking on a consulting role for Fintech seed companies. Too bad I could only stay for four months.
The experience confirmed my belief: feeling rich and secure, Keep your home equity at no more than 20% of your net worth. Even though I survived the anxiety, I don’t want to feel that way again.
Thanks to the bull market and continued savings, my home now represents about 19% of my net worth, and I feel great. What added to that feeling was selling my first primary residence in early 2025, after renting it for a year. Converting illiquid property equity into public stocks, bonds, and an open-ended business Fund that offers quarterly signals feels amazing.
As bullish as I am on single-family homes with views on the west side of San Francisco, the peace of mind that comes with all the liquidity sticks.
Liquidity per million
According to the latest data from the US Census Bureau, the distribution of millions varies.
Of ~ ~12 million with $1M-$2M net total, aggressive 39% of wealth is tied up in houses. No wonder so many of these “poor accidents” say they don’t feel rich or feel like they’re just working. Due to inflation, a millionaire today needs more than $3 million to match the purchasing power of 1990s millionaires.
Currently, because ~ ~3.5 million households worth just over $5m, only 23% it is in their residence. About 33% comes from retirement accounts, 24% from liquid assets, 14% from business interests, and the rest from mixed assets. Even better.

Based on the financial samurai survey, $5 million is the idea The ideal retirement amount is $10 million to the nearest second. When you feel rich enough, you are willing to take action, often leaving a menial job to pursue something more fulfilling.
I am happy to see that the number of 23% of houses among these “rich millionaires” aligns with my guideline of 20%. I hope that homes worth more than $ 10 million, houses as part of the fair value will fall even lower – possibly less than 20%.
I wrote before how to feel how to reach the billions – $1m, $5m, $10m, and $20M +. And I’ll admit it: If you have $10m more than $10m and your home is building 20%, you’ll know hear You are rich, even in expensive cities like San Francisco or New York.
For example, let’s say you own a home with a $2 million loan, but you had $4 million in a tax-deductible account, $1 million out of $2.5 million in an IRA. There is no doubt in my mind you will feel rich.
Neing Builds Foundation Wealth, everything else enriches you
Census Bureau data underscores one fact: Homes are the foundation of building wealth.
Due to the constant volatility, population growth, inflation, inflation, austerity, forced savings, and government incentives, including your residence is a smart hedge against money. You may not be building wealth at a rapid pace, but after ten years of home ownership, you will likely see the same gains in equity.
The combination of paying off your loan and enjoying long-term appreciation is a great strength. Of course, it will take more time than others to buy your home. However, in the long run, you want to find neutral housing.
Short-term rentals are fine, but not long-term (7+ years)
Some renters say they will save and invest the difference, “but few actually do. Ten years of discipline is hard. In a way, you are the owner of the mortgage that protects you, forcing you to save and build wealth automatically.
If everyone had the right discipline, we would all be in high financial shape with pack-pack abs. However, more than 60% of Americans are overweight despite being aware of the health risks.
I help manage one of my brand’s investors for free. He is 50 years old and has been renting in New York City for over 30 years. Sadly, he is now under pressure to move because his income does not end with the city’s tax return.
I feel an unpleasant financial pressure on him and it really smells. If only he had bought the property 10 or 20 years ago, his life would be much easier today.
The cycle repeats when the houses become small enough percentages
If you are your first principal owner, you have gained exposure to “neutral” real estate, and you can aggressively invest in other asset classes. Your base is set. From there other asset classes will help increase your wealth. Over time, as these other investments grow, your home equity will naturally be a smaller percentage of your total net worth.
It is surprising that your home falls below 10% of your fair valuedon’t feel it it is very weak. At that time, you may be earning more than you can spend from both passive and active income.
So don’t be afraid to improve your lifestyle. Buy the right home for up to 20% of your fair value, maybe even 30% more if you wish. Enjoy the fruits of your discipline, and work that scale back to feel another great sense of accomplishment.
Real estate builds your foundation, but making money builds your freedom. A rich millionaire is not just agree wealth, can use it where it matters most.
So, readers, are you a rich billionaire or a poor millionaire? How much is your fair value tied up in intangible assets or investments? And in your view, what is the right level of feeling authentic to feel rich and comfortable?
Suggestions for building more wealth
If you’re interested in investing in real estate without taking out a mortgage, consider looking into getting out Fundful. The platform manages more than $3 billion in capital, with a focus on its residential and commercial properties in the Sunbelt. With interest rates gradually decreasing and new construction limited from 2022, I expect upward pressure on future jobs, an environment that would support strong earnings.
I have invested over $500,000 in fundrise funds, and have been a long-term sponsor of Financial samurai Since our investment philosophies are aligned.
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