The 7 habits of wealthy people

Hope the week is going well and you’ve found a quiet moment to catch up. Money advice is everywhere, but watching what people actually do with theirs is usually the better lesson. Three stories below put that to the test.

On the money today:

Let's get into it.

Ramsey Solutions surveyed more than 10,000 millionaires and found the habits behind the fortunes are far more ordinary than most people assume. Nearly all say they live on less than they make, 8 in 10 invested in their company’s 401(k) and the most popular car among them is a Toyota. Check out our must read for the 7 habits worth putting to work.

How old were you when you started saving for retirement, and what do you wish you’d done differently? Hit reply and tell us. Your story may be featured in a future issue.

Congress sent Trump a bill that renames the ages you can start claiming Social Security, because the old names never said what each one costs you. Age 62 is the most popular choice, and it permanently cuts your check by up to 30%. If you haven't claimed yet, or you're helping a parent or spouse decide, the label on that choice is about to get a lot more honest.

Why it matters: Social Security replaces only about 40% of pre-retirement income on average, and the trust fund is still projected to deplete as early as 2032, so your claiming age is only part of the plan.

Before an online order reaches your porch, it usually stops at a nearby warehouse. Lightstone DIRECT lets accredited investors invest in these properties deal by deal, with Lightstone putting at least 20% of its own equity into every offering.

New Deal: Arlington Industrial

Arlington Industrial, is a six-building logistics park between Dallas and Fort Worth, 97% leased to 25 tenants as of August 2026. Lightstone estimates it’s buying about 45% below today’s build cost, with rents about 14% below market.

On The Real Food Show, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told viewers to skip the ribeye and buy low-cost cuts to eat well for less. Then he was asked which steak he eats most, and his answer got people talking. Whatever Washington puts on the menu, how much of your grocery money stays in your pocket comes down to a few moves anyone can make.

Why it matters: Grocery prices are up roughly 30% since early 2020, and for households on a fixed income that gap has widened every year Washington argued about it. What happens at your grocery store is the one variable you actually control.

The millionaire next door doesn't drive a Ferrari or chase hot stocks. Dave Ramsey's survey of actual millionaires found their three most popular car brands were Toyota, Honda and Ford. What the stealthy wealthy have figured out about tax efficiency, privacy, multiple income streams and avoiding the hype cycle tends to be boring, consistent and completely replicable. Which is exactly why most people overlook it.

Why it matters: A Northwestern Mutual survey found 76% of wealthy individuals consider themselves disciplined financial planners, compared to just 49% of the general public. That gap doesn't close on its own.

The correct answer is D) How the stock market is doing. In the 2017 HBO documentary “Becoming Warren Buffett,” he said he picks the amount each morning: $2.61 for two sausage patties, $2.95 for a sausage, egg and cheese biscuit, or $3.17 for a bacon, egg and cheese biscuit. On a down-market day he skips the $3.17. A billionaire tracking a $3 breakfast is the same habit as No. 3 on today’s list: knowing where every dollar goes.