12 Low-Key Signals Someone Is More Affluent Than They First Appear

Woman wearing Aviator Sunglass

In a world partly driven by status and greed, many people love showing off possessions and boasting of riches.

However, some prefer to keep a low-key profile regarding their fortunes. How affluent is someone really? Watch out for these signs that often imply someone is much richer than they say. 

1. Simple Homes

house-craftsman-ss
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

People who have elegant homes with an air of simplicity may have more money than others realize. Such individuals often prefer high-quality minimalism over clutter and lower-priced décor. Not everyone who is wealthy owns a mansion on acres of land.

2. Costly Hobbies

golf, caddy
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Although some people may not brag about their hobbies, casual mentions of pricey pastimes, like golf and micro lighting, can be a good indication of wealth. Mentioning activities that aren’t generally accessible where they live is often further evidence of them having cash to splash. Think, for example, a Floridian who loves skiing or a Kansas native who spends their free time surfing. 

3. Vacations

shutterstock 1680655138 scaled e1678457151280 - 12 Low-Key Signals Someone Is More Affluent Than They First Appear
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

While wealthier people might not flaunt their vacation habits, frequent breaks often equal more money. The type of vacation is a sign, too; spotting pictures of yachting trips, overseas safaris, and high-end resorts usually shows that someone has plenty of disposable wealth.  

4. Limited Luggage

shutterstock 1912380802 scaled e1688161718386 - 12 Low-Key Signals Someone Is More Affluent Than They First Appear
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Flying sans luggage might not just be a sign of a light packer but a sign of someone having a fully equipped holiday home elsewhere, complete with all necessary clothing and personal items. It can suggest that they plan to buy a new wardrobe upon reaching their destination. 

5. No-Brand Clothes

clothing ss - 12 Low-Key Signals Someone Is More Affluent Than They First Appear
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

While many people love flashing designer labels, those who are more subtle about their finances often opt for stylish clothes without the showy tags. A well-dressed individual with classy but simple no-brand apparel may have more money than they’re letting on. 

6. Fitted Clothes

suit ss - 12 Low-Key Signals Someone Is More Affluent Than They First Appear
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Keeping with clothing, someone who always wears perfectly fitting clothes likely has the means to adjust off-the-peg garments or custom-made items. Tailoring doesn’t come cheaply! 

7. Regular Cars

car ss - 12 Low-Key Signals Someone Is More Affluent Than They First Appear
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Rich people who want to disguise their wealth often drive reliable, well-maintained vehicles that easily blend in with others. They’ll often eschew expensive cars for more middle-of-the-road options.   

8. Home Chores

cleaning dust ss - 12 Low-Key Signals Someone Is More Affluent Than They First Appear
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

A subtle sign of being relatively well off is how much time someone devotes to household chores. While some people do their cleaning, laundry, gardening, and other domestic duties themselves, others pay for various services to make day-to-day life more convenient.   

9. Nice Teeth

man close up
Image Credit: Shutterstock

With high costs for dental treatments, a perfect smile can come at a price. People who can quietly take care of cosmetic matters might have more money than those around them realize. 

10. Quality Food

bags ss - 12 Low-Key Signals Someone Is More Affluent Than They First Appear
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Wealthy people often eat significantly better than those who struggle to make ends meet. This isn’t just in terms of food security or the amount of food, or characterized by regular meals in luxurious restaurants, but about the quality of food enjoyed. Buying various fresh produce, organic goods, and good cuts of meat may indicate that someone is in a good financial position. 

11. Low Profile

social media ss - 12 Low-Key Signals Someone Is More Affluent Than They First Appear
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Very often, people accustomed to money don’t want to advertise their riches to the rest of the world. Having very little online activity, sharing few life details, and seeming a bit mysterious overall may be a mark of generational wealth.   

12. Etiquette

thank you ss - 12 Low-Key Signals Someone Is More Affluent Than They First Appear
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

While good manners aren’t a sign of wealth, old-school etiquette traditions often are. For example, handwritten invitations and thank you notes, subtle tipping practices, and table behaviors can be small clues about a person’s upbringing and finances.

17 DEAD-END CAREERS THAT WILL DISAPPEAR IN THE NEXT DECADE

shutterstock 306822839 scaled e1696729600543 - 12 Low-Key Signals Someone Is More Affluent Than They First Appear
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Experts suggest AI will replace 30% of jobs by 2030. But some are more vulnerable than others. Here are 17 jobs that may not last a decade.

17 DEAD-END CAREERS THAT WILL DISAPPEAR IN THE NEXT DECADE

17 BEST PARTS ABOUT GETTING OLDER – THAT NOBODY TALKS ABOUT

older man portrait
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Everyone has something to say about what gets harder as you get older. But there are a lot of positives, too. Here are the 17 best things that come with age.

17 BEST PARTS ABOUT GETTING OLDER – THAT NOBODY TALKS ABOUT

14 HIGH-PAYING JOBS THAT EMPLOYERS CAN’T FILL

paid to drive ss - 12 Low-Key Signals Someone Is More Affluent Than They First Appear
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Certain high-paying professions are high-paying for a reason – people avoid them like the plague. But why is that? Here are 14 jobs that pay well, but nobody wants to actually do.

14 HIGH-PAYING JOBS THAT NOBODY WANTS TO DO

10 U.S. CITIES ON THE BRINK OF BANKRUPTCY

Chicago Illinois
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

A recent study ranked 75 U.S. cities by their fiscal health, and a surprising number got a failing grade. Here are 10 cities teetering on the edge of bankruptcy.

10 CITIES ON THE BRINK OF BANKRUPTCY

17 RETIREMENT MISTAKES YOU SHOULD AVOID AT ALL COSTS

retirement mistakes
Image Credit: Shutterstock

What are some of the biggest retirement mistakes that people are making? We polled financial experts, and the results are surprising. Spoiler alert: many of them have nothing to do with finances.

17 RETIREMENT MISTAKES TO AVOID AT ALL COSTS

Leave a Comment