The Psychology of “Old Money”: 5 Behaviors That Say Culture and Elegance

You’ve told us you want us to dive much deeper into the actual psychology behind “old money”, as we like to call it… Now of course when we say “old money”, we don’t mean the coins you found wedged in your sofa cushions. We’re talking about venturing into the rarefied world of the the Rockefellers, the Rothschilds, and the Astors. These are families whose wealth has been passed down the generations, creating a culture with its unique psychology. ------------------------ Old Money vs. New Money Behavior: 3 Signs That Tell EVERYTHING: ------------------------ 3 Reasons Why OLD MONEY Families AVOID “Celebrities“: ------------------------ TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Introduction 1:31 Behavior #1: Legacy and Long-term Thinking 4:38 Behavior #2: Importance of Etiquette and Good Manners 7:22 Behavior #3: Discreet Success 10:20 Behavior #4: Emphasis on “Giving Back” / Philanthropy 12:17 Behavior #5: Valuing Education & Intellectual Pursuits ------------------------ First off, let’s talk about legacy and long-term thinking. For the “old money” clan, wealth isn’t a fleeting concept, a one-off viral song on TikTok, or a VIP ticket to Coachella. Instead, it’s a family heirloom, a treasured relic to be passed down with care, generation after generation. Their mindset for long-term planning and wealth management is vigorous and precise. Their strategies are never short-sighted. Instead, they’re designed with a long-view telescope, always peering into the horizon. They don’t ask, “What will make me rich?” They ponder, “What will keep my family secure for centuries?” It’s all about protecting and growing the nest egg, ensuring the comfort of generations yet to come. Next on the agenda is the elegance of etiquette and the magnificence of manners. There’s something about “old money” that exudes a level of decorum that’s hard to overlook. They’ve got the good grace to hold their tongue when angry, the right words at the tip of their tongue when they’re called upon, and the good sense to use them at the right moment. It’s not just about knowing which fork to use at a gala dinner, it’s about showing respect and dignity in every interaction. Rolling into the third principle, we’ve got “Discreet Success”. Now, this is an intriguing one. In this social media frenzied era where every iota of success, be it a new car, a vacation, or a pricey pair of shoes, is plastered online for all to see, “old money” offers a palpable difference. They are the keepers of a very different philosophy: understated wealth and quiet success. They often downplay their riches, and their successes are seldom the fodder for flashy headlines. You won’t catch them flaunting a new jet or a diamond-studded necklace on Instagram. No, they prefer to live their lives away from the glaring public eye. Next in line, we have a behavior that’s both noble and noteworthy — the old money’s sense of ‘giving back’ or philanthropy. They may be tight-lipped about their wealth, but when it comes to charitable deeds, they’re as open-handed as they come. Of course, we’d be lying to you if we said that the tax write-offs or photo-ops don’t help push the needle on this one, but always remember many “old money” family members are discreet and do not even mention to others that they give back. Last but certainly not least, we delve into the realm of education and intellectual pursuits. If there’s anything “old money” values as much as their wealth, it’s their knowledge. They consider education not as a mere stepping stone to a job, but a lifelong pursuit, an essential part of their personal and character development. For these families, it’s not just about securing degrees from Ivy League schools. It’s about being well-read, well-informed, wellversed in the arts and sciences, politics and culture, history and philosophy.