7 Things the Super Rich Buy To Let Everyone Know They’re Wealthy
By Caitlyn Moorhead,
23 days ago
The ultra-wealthy don’t just live in the land of luxury, they take out real estate ads for it. What’s the point of having a ton of money unless you can spend it, or better yet, show it? With endless resources at their disposal, and platinum credit cards burning a hole in the pocket of their Bottega pants, the rich often invest in extravagant purchases that send a clear signal of their financial prowess.
If you have ever wondered whether or not someone has a substantial bit more than pocket change to their name, pay attention to their purchases or property. Some will be obvious signs of money, others will be more subtle. Here are just a few things rich people buy to signal their status.
Designer Jewelry
Sometimes the diamond is so big you can almost see where the Titanic hit it; other times it’s the quiet luxury of a known designer’s custom piece. Either way, expensive jewelry often speaks louder than bank accounts.
It doesn’t always have to be a statement piece, for often knowing something is valuable is half the appeal. The weight of gold, even just linked around your neck, lets everyone know you’re willing to invest in your look.
Everyone has time for a nice watch, but if you are wearing a Rolex Daytona or Patek Perpetual, then you are letting everyone know you’re in a different zone. Simply put, if you are willing to spend anywhere between $30,000 to $4.6 million for a wristwatch, then you probably aren’t living paycheck to paycheck.
You know you’ve arrived when you do so in a private jet. For billionaires and multi-millionaires, a jet is more than just a mode of transportation — it’s a mobile office, a vacation home in the sky, and a symbol of their general dominance over time, space and money.
The ability to bypass commercial flights entirely and dictate their own schedule shows their supreme control over both their time and lifestyle.
Megayachts
It’s not a yacht, it’s a superyacht, everyone. The super-rich opt for these floating mansions that can measure up to 400 feet long and cost hundreds of millions of dollars. These yachts come equipped with everything one could ever want, such as pools, helipads, movie theaters, spas and even submarines.
An Entire Island
If having a mansion in the most exclusive part of the city isn’t enough, the super-wealthy take things a step further by purchasing private islands. Owning an island isn’t just about luxury — it’s about privacy, exclusivity and control over an entire ecosystem.
Billionaires like Richard Branson and Larry Ellison are known for their island retreats, where they build luxurious homes, resorts and even entire self-sustaining infrastructures. For the ultra-rich, having a sanctuary far from the public eye is the ultimate demonstration of power and independence.
The art world has long been a playground for the wealthy, but today’s billionaires have taken it to new heights. High-profile art collectors routinely spend tens of millions of dollars on rare pieces, including works by Picasso, Monet or Basquiat. Owning such masterpieces not only highlights cultural sophistication, but also acts as an investment vehicle that appreciates over time while it hangs casually over their mantelpiece.
Beyond paintings, some incredibly wealthy individuals flaunt their wealth through rare collectibles like vintage cars, historical manuscripts or unique artifacts. These purchases elevate their personal status and place them in a global circle of elite collectors.
Big Real Estate in Prime Locations
Owning property in the world’s most coveted locations — think penthouses in New York City, mansions in Beverly Hills or villas on the French Riviera — is a surefire way to flaunt one’s wealth. These properties often come with sky-high price tags, but that’s part of the appeal because it instantly lets anyone who knows the housing market know just how much money they have.
The bottom line here is that the bottom line for rich people is much further than for others, and wealth is often about more than just money in the bank. Big purchases and even bigger spending power not only provide comfort and luxury, but also communicate success and elite status in a way that is hard to miss.
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