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If you’re anywhere between the ages of 23 and 35, you’re inundated with the stereotype that we’re all victims of our surroundings. Just slaves to the companies we work for, chained to our desks, constantly expected to respond to work emails late at night when you should be scrolling Instagram instead.
But it turns out that there’s a whole new slew of people out there called “Affluent Millennials” that put that stereotype to shame. KOB describes them as the following:
Were you born between 1981 and 1997, and do you live in a household with investable assets of more than $100,000? If so, you are one of the 15.5 million US residents considered an Affluent Millennial.
You’re probably thinking, “Investable assets of more than $100,000?” And yeah, I get it. Most of us consider “treating ourselves” to be buying a bottle of wine with two digits in front of the decimal instead of one. The survey done by the Boston College Center of Wealth and Philanthropy went on to describe the intricacies of being an “affluent millennial,” and I kind of want to punch all these people directly in the face.
It went as follows.
Independent and Optimistic. Affluent Millennials understand the value of financial advisors, as 87% of respondents considered them important and 37% consider them a “must-have.”
Financial advisors? I mean, I’m not exactly struggling financially, but I can pretty much tell you exactly how an honest conversation with my financial advisor would go — “Hey Will, stop eating out for every meal and stop blowing $100+ on material possessions that second your paycheck hits your bank account every other Friday.” It’s a simple strategy, really.
Loyal Yet Willing to Shop. Once Affluent Millennials choose their brands, they remain loyal to those brands. A whopping 94% of Affluent Millennials are either very loyal or somewhat loyal to their chosen financial institutions, with 47% identifying as “very loyal.”
I think most people our age are “loyal” to their financial institutions because they’re pretty much prisoners to their debt. Like I can’t just roll into Chase and tell them I’m taking my money and running. They’d laugh in my face and say, “Yeah, okay, buddy. Why don’t you pay off that credit card in full first and then we’ll talk.”
Ambitious. Affluent Millennials think big. They are three times more likely to strive to establish a charitable foundation and three times more likely to intend to start their own business. Again, control is important.
Charitable donations? Uh, duh. The cute checkout girl at the grocery store asked if I wanted to donate a dollar to a cause that I knew nothing about the other day. I wasn’t about to decline and act like I couldn’t afford to drop a dollar on somethin’ so I obviously obliged. So yeah, I guess you could call me charitable as hell.
More Debt and More Savings. Affluent Millennials are not afraid of debt. While half of Affluent GenXers have at least one loan aside from a mortgage, two-thirds of Affluent Millennials do. However, Affluent Millennials also save more out of their paychecks. More than one-third of them put over 50% of their paycheck into savings.
Wait, one-third of these motherfuckers save over 50% of their paychecks? Not to sound like the uppity asshole that guilts you for leaving at 4:50 on a Friday, but… must be nice, guys. These people aren’t just affluent, they’re a mixture of ballerness and responsibility. Big ups.
Social Media Emphasis. If you have no social media presence, you simply cannot do business with the average Affluent Millennial. 90% of respondents said that social networks are important for financial content and advice, and 39% consider them as must-haves. Affluent Millennials look for social networks for financial advice, opinions, and product reviews.
I follow WSJ on Twitter and have several financial apps on my iPhone purely so people looking over my shoulder think, “Damn, this dude closes deals.” But I guess if complaining to United Airlines about their shitty flight attendants counts as offering my opinions on social media, then yeah, I’m an affluent millennial.
Purpose and Image. Affluent Millennials are attracted to companies that not only make money but also have visions and values that match their own. They seek to validate those opinions through social media networks, both personal and professional.
I mean, if by “visions and values” you mean I go to lululemon because that’s where hot rich people shop, then again, I’d consider myself to be an affluent millennial. But those people are probably shopping there because they work out and can afford their clothes, whereas I’m just trying to be comfortable when I’m hungover.
To each their own, I guess. .
[via KOB]
Image via Shutterstock
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Will
Will (Twitter / Instagram) is the host of The Sunday Scaries Podcast.
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I used to to an Affluent Millennial, but then I moved out of my parents house. PGP
My dog has no debt and lives rent free….does this make her an affluent millennial?
I laughed extensively at this.
Does “investable assets of more than $100,000” mean I make that much money pre-tax in two years? If not, I think I’m screwed here.
Eh, net investable assets basically means all the stuff you have besides your home and car. So your income, savings, investments minus that stuff and any consumer debt (loans/credit cards) you have. Either way, that’s impressive to have in your 20’s.
And this is based on household. So if your girlfriend is ballin’, you’re affluent as hell.
Only if your girlfriend lives with you. Is moving in with your significant other to gain affluent status a PGPM?
Moving in with your girlfriend to attain affluent status. PGPM.
Moving in with your girlfriend to be able to afford rent. PGP.
I thought I was doing okay in this “investable assets” department until you brought up loans. That tipped the scales pretty fast.
By income, I mean what you save/invest from your income not how much money we make pre/post tax.
And here I was thinking that being an “affluent millennial” meant having at least one comma in your bank account.
Learning I’m “affluent” while still wondering why I’m poor. #PGP
Are these millennials affluent because they live with their parents and pay $0 in rent?
For some clarification, a financial advisor would usually help with investment management, insurance, loans, and charitable giving. There’s not any money to be made in budgeting.
Also, this list sounds like my friends who went and got masters in different forms and engineer and work at Apple and the like.
If you don’t have the responsibility of a family but make 6 figures your discretionary spending and savings are both kinda absurd. Bunch of dicks… Haha
At least girl from TGDAG isnt in this category
I’m an affluent millenial in the sense that I’m a connoisseur for poor people things like boxed macaroni and using someone else’s Netflix account.
I swear I’ll get my finances in order… after this next weekend. Or maybe after St. Patty’s day