2 Ways Billionaires Budget Differently Than You — and What You Can Learn
Written by
Cindy Lamothe
Edited by
Cory Dudak
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Ever wonder how billionaires manage their money? Spoiler: it’s not with coupon books or by skipping lattes. While most of us are focused on trimming expenses, the ultra-wealthy approach budgeting from a totally different angle — one that prioritizes growth, strategy and long-term vision.
“While most people stress about saving $5 on coffee, billionaires are looking at ways to turn $1 million into $10 million,” said Andrew Lokenauth, money expert and owner of BeFluentInFinance.com.
“A billionaire client at a previous bank I worked at spends exactly $0 time tracking small expenses,” he noted. “Instead, he’s laser-focused on major wealth-building moves. And that’s the first big difference I see — they’re playing an entirely different game.”
According to NPR, the U.S. has the most billionaires with 902, followed by China and Hong Kong at 516. But you don’t need a private jet to borrow a few of their best habits. Here’s what billionaires do differently with their budgets — and how you can apply those lessons to your own financial life.
Focus Long-Term Wealth and Protection as Top Priorities
According to Kevin Shahnazari, founder and CEO of FinlyWealth, they focus on a long-term strategy with wealth accumulation and protection as their top priorities instead of covering immediate costs.
Unlike most folks who focus on covering day-to-day expenses first, billionaires tend to think way ahead. Their budgets are all about growing their wealth over time. They pour money into things that gain value — like real estate, stocks and businesses — and aren’t shy about hiring professionals to help them make the most of their money.
See the Big Picture
One big thing that sets billionaire budgets apart? They zoom out and see the big picture. Instead of stressing over monthly bills, they focus on growing their wealth through smart moves like diversifying their investments and taking advantage of tax-friendly strategies.
The takeaway for the rest of us? Budgeting isn’t just about cutting costs — it’s also about making intentional choices that support your long-term goals. That could mean putting money into things with higher returns, like the stock market or real estate, or even investing in yourself to boost your earning potential.
Billionaires also lean on a whole team of money experts like financial planners, accountants and advisors to help them make solid decisions. While most of us don’t have a squad on speed dial, working with a trusted advisor can be a great way to get tailored advice and plan smarter.
The bottom line: When you adopt a long-term mindset and think like a wealth-builder, your money starts working for you — not the other way around.
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Sources
- Andrew Lokenauth, BeFluentInFinance.
- NPR, “More billionaires than ever ranked in Forbes’ annual list. Here are the top 10“
- Kevin Shahnazari, FinlyWealth
