The Acquirers Podcast Nick Maggiulli @dollarsanddata on the new economic classes in the US and The Wealth Ladder | S07 E25
8 snips
Jul 31, 2025 
Nick Maggiulli, COO at Ritholtz Wealth Management and author of 'Just Keep Buying', dives into the evolving landscape of economic classes in the U.S. He introduces the wealth ladder, categorizing net worth into six distinct levels and discussing the impact of inflation on wealth perception. The conversation explores wealth dynamics, generational wealth preservation, and the philosophical implications of financial success. Maggiulli also touches on high-stakes risk-taking in business and the influence of family structures on financial health.
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The Six-Level Wealth Ladder
- Nick Maggiulli's wealth ladder divides US households into six net worth levels, from less than $10k to over $100m.
- Each level corresponds to different economic classes and requires tailored wealth-building strategies.
Wealth Distribution in the US
- 20% of US households have less than $10k net worth (lower class), and only 2% have over $10m (upper class).
- Personal wealth must be interpreted location-agnostic to understand true economic status, beyond superficial cost differences.
Crucial Support at Lowest Level
- Those under $10k net worth often face severe financial setbacks from bad luck, like a job loss due to an unaffordable car repair.
- Building a support network and emergency funds is crucial at this level to avoid spiraling into debt.
