Millionaires keep their money diversified across various assets, using a mix of highly liquid options like high-yield savings accounts, cash management accounts (CMAs), and money market funds for accessibility, alongside growth-focused investments such as stocks, bonds, real estate, and alternative assets (art, commodities) held in brokerage accounts, trusts, and tax-advantaged retirement accounts, often with personalized private banking services for sophisticated management and risk mitigation.
9 of The Best Banks For High Net Worth Individuals
High net worth families frequently use SMSFs and discretionary trusts to hold equities, property, and alternatives. These structures support tax-efficient investment strategies, income distribution, and access to tailored financing solutions, especially when paired with hybrid or corporate beneficiaries.
Beyond traditional investments, real estate, private equity, and hedge funds, millionaires may choose to keep some of their money in other alternative investments, such as: Commodities: Commodities, such as metals, oil, and agricultural products, are raw materials used in the production of goods.
It's not fully safe to keep $500,000 in one bank because standard government deposit insurance (like the FDIC in the U.S. or FCS in Australia) typically covers only up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution, per ownership category; the excess over $250,000 is unprotected if the bank fails, so you should spread your funds across different banks or use different ownership structures (like joint or business accounts) to ensure full coverage, or explore cash management accounts.
Yes, retiring comfortably with $500,000 is achievable. This amount can support an annual withdrawal of up to $34,000, covering a 25-year period from age 60 to 85. If your lifestyle can be maintained at $30,000 per year or about $2,500 per month, then $500,000 should be sufficient for a secure retirement.
Morgan Stanley, which has a $2.3-trillion wealth management unit, has tripled its loans to high-net-worth individuals in the last five years. Musk has also been a client of Morgan Stanley's investment bank, hiring it and Goldman Sachs Group Inc.
You can deposit up to $100 million for each account type. With this option, you may receive expanded insurance protection and still have the flexibility to access your funds when you need them. Customers who want FDIC insurance coverage on large deposits and do not require immediate access to funds.
The 70% money rule usually refers to the 70/20/10 budgeting rule, a simple guideline that splits your after-tax income into three categories: 70% for needs/living expenses, 20% for savings/investments, and 10% for debt repayment or giving. It helps you balance essential spending, building wealth, and managing debt by allocating funds for day-to-day costs (housing, food, bills), future goals (retirement, emergency fund), and debt reduction (loans, credit cards).
While exact real-time figures vary, estimates from around 2025 suggest approximately 400,000 to over 500,000 Australians held over $1 million in superannuation, with about 2.5% of the population reaching this milestone as of mid-2021, a figure that has likely grown with strong investment returns, though many more hold significant balances and millions are projected to reach this goal by retirement, especially men.
You'll earn anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars in a year on $50,000, depending on the interest rate, which varies greatly from 0.05% in a basic savings account to over 3.0% or more in high-yield savings or term deposits (CDs). For example, at 1.5% interest, you'd earn $750; at 3.5%, you'd earn $1,750; and at 5%, you'd earn $2,500, calculated by multiplying $50,000 by the annual rate.
Being considered "rich" in Australia varies, but generally, a net worth of $1 million or more in investable assets (excluding home/super) qualifies you as High-Net-Worth, while reaching the top 1% requires $7 million or more (for ages 41-64), with figures increasing significantly for the ultra-wealthy ($10M+ or $30M+), though public perception often sets a lower bar, sometimes around $1M total net worth or high income.
The safest place to put $1 million dollars would be in a combination of insured bank accounts and conservative investments, such as bonds and CDs, to ensure a balance of liquidity and stability.
The Right Bank Account for Millionaires
“Many millionaires opt for private banking services that provide personalized attention and a dedicated relationship manager. Wealth management accounts may include a suite of financial services such as investment management, estate planning and tax advisory,” she added.
Rich people don't just save money in one big pile. They give every dollar a job. They keep short-term money in high-yield savings accounts (HYSAs), where it earns the highest possible interest while staying safe and liquid. Think: emergency funds, savings for travel, insurance deductibles, upcoming big purchases.
The 7-3-2 rule is a wealth-building strategy highlighting compounding's power, suggesting it takes roughly 7 years to save your first significant amount (like a crore), then 3 years for the second, and only 2 years for the third, by increasing contributions and leveraging exponential growth as your money compounds faster. It emphasizes discipline in the initial phase, then accelerating savings as returns kick in, making later wealth accumulation quicker and more dramatic.
A $1 million withdrawal may be a bigger sum than your bank branch has on-site. So, you may be required to wait for a week or two before retrieving your newly liquid currency. The money needs to be literally shipped in for special withdrawals, and your bank may require you to provide a few days' notice.
They Put Their Money To Work
Sure, they put a certain percentage of their wealth in standard savings accounts, but they also don't shy away from investments. Risk tolerance varies, of course, but most realize the importance of taking at least some risk. A solid investment strategy is a key part of any portfolio.
Tesla bears may not have noticed it, but Tesla profits are forecast to 3x over the next five years. I won't keep you in suspense. The answer is: $8,862.79. That's how much money you'd have today if you had invested $1,000 in Tesla (TSLA +2.06%) stock five years ago -- and it's a pretty nice return, right?
The world's #1 richest man, as of early January 2026, is Elon Musk, with fortunes from Tesla, SpaceX, and other ventures placing his net worth over $700 billion, consistently leading lists from Forbes and other financial trackers. Other top contenders include Google's co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Amazon's Jeff Bezos, and Meta's Mark Zuckerberg, though Musk maintains a significant lead.
If you were born in 1964, the ASFA Super Guru website recommends a super balance of $469,000 at age 60 to allow for a comfortable lifestyle in retirement. The average super balance for Australians aged 60-64 was $402,838 for males and $318,293 for females, as at June 2021.
If you wanted to earn an average $3,000 per month, you would need to invest $1.6 million ($36,000 divided by 2.2%). While there is nothing wrong with passive investing, most investors are likely to do much better if they build their own investment portfolio.
Finding a standard bank account with a 9.5% interest rate is highly unlikely in early 2026, as typical high-yield savings rates are around 4-5% (e.g., CommBank's 4.25% bonus, Bankrate's top online rates around 4.20%), while some specialized loans (like IDFC FIRST Bank education loans) or introductory fixed deposits (like G&C Mutual Bank's rates in Australia) might offer close to or above 4-5%, but 9.5% is usually for specific, limited-term promotions, specific loan types, or in different markets, not general savings.