Thomas J. Stanley : Millionaire Next Door Author; Researcher; Expert

The current political environment is filled with statements containing half truths, exaggerations, and down right lies.  In light of this it may be  worthwhile to go back and reflect upon the number one factor that underlies success according to my survey of America's most economically productive people: integrity.  According to Webster's, integrity implies an incorruptible soundness of moral character, especially as displayed in fulfilling trusts.  Interestingly it uses the following example: "elect men of integrity." As I stated in The Millionaire Mind, Most economically successful people don't believe that integrity, or lack of it, can be averaged into one overall grade point...

From studying the affluent market for over 30 years I have learned how individuals who seem quite ordinary become the millionaires next door. This research has focused primarily on those who are very productive in transforming their incomes into wealth. In turn,  I have tried to highlight the lifestyles, habits and background of this population through my seven books and this website. As a continuation of this quest, Dr. Sarah Fallaw and I recently conducted a reader survey to find out what questions you might have for the millionaire next door. Many of you indicated that you would like to understand...

Ranger X. Rich was profiled in an earlier blog. I met him "as we hiked out of the large parking lot adjacent to the wilderness area."  He was in the process of ticketing those who had not paid to park in the lot [under the honor system].   He believes in the "rich first system" when distributing tickets.  He seeks out prestige makes of motor vehicles to ticket first because he thinks that rich people don't pay taxes, they don't pay to park. And Ranger Rich believes that rich people drive prestige makes of cars.  But, as I pointed out in the blog and in Stop Acting...

Leon G. Cooperman is a member of the Forbes 400, a self made billionaire and philanthropist.  He is also the CEO of a successful Wall Street investment firm.  As such, he could be a poster child for the 99 percenters who claim that Mr. Cooperman and his ilk are "too successful."  But these people do not appreciate the contributions to our economy and our society of such successful business owners.  Mr. Cooperman  recently wrote an open letter to President Obama in which he admonished the President for stimulating the concept of socioeconomic divide.  . . . I can justifiably hold you accountable for ....

Will our economy improve?  I believe it will; it has been improving for about the last two years.  I know this because I have a special crystal ball that reveals the future!  Actually, part of the crystal ball is in print form:  the weekly editions of Automotive News.  I am particularly interested in the production and sales figures for manufacturers of motor vehicles.  Fundamental to the health of our economy is the health and well-being of our automobile industry.  According to Automotive News, in 2007 approximately 16.2 million light vehicles [cars, SUVs, minivans, pick-up trucks] were sold in the United States.  But in...