Quick, what do these two people have in common?
"I don't own big hats, but I have a lot of cattle"—The Millionaire Next Door
The Millionaire Next Door
Authors of the book The Millionaire Next Door interviewed lots of millionaires. They hoped to find out what a "typical" millionaire was like.
The authors use the expression "big hat no cattle." This describes people who act the way they think millionaires act, but don't do what real millionaires do to become millionaires.
The book reveals that most millionaires don't own expensive clothes. They don't have jewelry, and other showy stuff.
In fact, one young Texas millionaire said, "[My] business does not look pretty. I don't play the part...When my British partners first met me they thought I was one of the truck drivers.
"They looked all over my office. Looked at everyone but me...I don't own big hats, but I have a lot of cattle," he said.
CloseMrs. Johnson, who lives down the street in the tiny little brick house. She bakes yummy chocolate chip cookies and wears a plain dress everyday.
Kyle, who sits next to you in school. He snaps his gum and is president of the school science club.
If you said “nothing,” you are wrong!
Believe it or not, old Mrs. Johnson and Kyle have one important thing in common: one plans to be a millionaire—and the other already is!
They're every where!
Did you hear the story of Whitlowe Green?
Whitlowe Green
In 2002, an 88-year-old retired teacher named Whitlowe Green died.
Everyone thought Green was very poor because he bought used clothes. His pay as a teacher wasn't much.
So his family was surprise to discover after he died that Green had given $2.1 million to the college he attended.
People who had known Green for years were shocked! But his secret was simple: He saved his money over many years. He bought only what he needed.
He was a millionaire, and no one knew it!
CloseA lot of people think that only sports stars and Hollywood celebrities can be millionaires.
But millionaires are probably living right in your neighborhood and you don't even know it.
They might not be driving fancy cars or appearing in movies or on TV, but there are plenty of ordinary people who are worth a lot of money.
If you think that only adults can become millionaires, don't tell that to Amanda, an 11-year-old from Minnesota...
