Why elevate your social standing and improve your financial position matter?

Photo credit: Hawes & Curtis

Still, the question remains: why make the effort?

Here’s why:

First, by making the effort to learn, improve, be disciplined, and accomplish, you will increase your access to resources. These ‘resources’ include money and material things but are not limited to them. You can move closer to those with influence and, in doing so, increase your influence as well. Many animals do this. It’s not just a human thing. They form alliances, share intelligence, cooperate, and secure food, shelter, and mates in the process. They also find their place in the natural hierarchy of their group. They belong, and they have a measure of protection.

Second, you will have access to opportunities. You can improve your social skills, present yourself as reliable, qualified, and competent, and be considered for chances to, again, be more, do more, and have more.  Sometimes you will have a very clear picture of the opportunities you are working towards. Sometimes, an unexpected opportunity will present itself because you have worked hard and prepared. You never know.

Third, when you have worked hard, prepared, and taken advantage of opportunities, you will be blessed with options. Options can be defined as the ability to willingly choose between alternative possibilities. You may decide you want to not work at a job if you have enough money. You may decide you want to start your own business. Or live in another country. Often, options present themselves when you have put yourself in a certain position: as a college graduate, as someone who is financially independent, as someone who has the time and awareness to think and to ponder.

So that’s what I’m giving you: the information, tools, strategies, and perspective to model your priorities, dress, and behavior on those often found in America’s Upper Class, often referred to as Old Money culture.  It’s worked for me and for a lot of people, even though most people don’t talk about it, much less write about it.

Nevertheless, I can’t instill motivation. I can only provide direction. It’s up to each person to embrace it, or leave it on the shelf.

Choose wisely.

Contributor

Byron Tully (right)

Grandson of a newspaper publisher and son of an oil industry executive, Byron Tully is an author who also writes for the entertainment industry. His nonfiction debut, "The Old Money Book," was published in April of 2013 to excellent reviews and enjoys consistently strong sales worldwide. His other works include "The Old Money Guide To Marriage", "Old Money, New Woman: How To Manage Your Money and Your Life", and "Old Money Style - The Gentleman's Edition".

Byron regularly contributes to its blog, www.theoldmoneybook.com, which has been visited by over 1 million readers since 2014.

In February of 2020, "Old Money Style - The Gentleman's Edition" was published by Acorn Street Press. This fourth book in the Old Money series reveals the fundamentals of dressing well in a classic and timeless style. In November of 2020, Byron published a 2nd Edition of "The Old Money Book", which expands on his original classic. This 2nd Edition includes vital information and insights for readers as they navigate a very different, post-pandemic world.

Byron speaks frequently about the culture and values of Old Money. He has been interviewed by KABC New York's Financial Quarterback Show, The Huffington Post, and The Simple Dollar, among others.

He lives in Paris and is happily married to an Old Money Gal from Boston.