# Billionaires Hiding Status Choosing the Simplicity Over Luxury By Going Like Sixty | Published 2007-11-29 | Luxury Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/five-billionaires-that-choose-the-simple-life References: [forbes](http://www.forbes.com/business/2007/11/14/billionaires-walton-buffett-biz-cz_ah_1114frugalbillies_slide_7.html?thisSpeed=30000) These five billionaires prefer to keep their personal lifestyles simple. You'll recognize them from the companies they keep. Enron, [Ikea](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eureka-spiritis), [Meijer Grocery](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meijer1), and [Google](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ikea-smart-home). They buy suits off the rack, drive around in old cars or trucks, fly commercial airlines, usually coach. Warren Buffet, $57 billion, Ikea's Ingvar Kamprad, $33 billion, Frederick Meijer, $2 billion, Richard Kinder, Enron, $2.9 billion. Not-so-affluent wannabe types, on the other hand, choose to fake their status: **Implications** - With the recession coming to an end, consumers are looking for ways to integrate an aspect of luxury into their lives. Products that contain an element of prestige are appealing to those who desire exclusivity. In order to draw in a greater number of shoppers, a company could hone in on this. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.6/10 - Popularity: 67% | Activity: 2% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Luxury](https://www.trendhunter.com/luxury) > [Ultra Luxury](https://www.trendhunter.com/ultraluxury) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Simplicity Over Luxury:** The trend of choosing a simple lifestyle over luxury is gaining popularity among billionaires and could be integrated in product design and marketing. - **Affluent Wannabes:** The trend of fake status among not-so-affluent individuals could be addressed by companies offering affordable, yet exclusive products. - **Prestige Products:** The trend of consumers seeking exclusive and prestige products is on the rise and could be capitalized by businesses. ### Who This Affects Most - **Fashion Industry:** The fashion industry could offer affordable yet exclusive clothing options to address the trend of simplicity over luxury and fake status. - **Automotive Industry:** The automotive industry could focus on designing affordable cars with a touch of luxury to cater to the trend of simplicity over luxury. - **Consumer Goods Industry:** The industry for consumer goods could create products with an element of prestige to tap into the trend of consumers seeking exclusive and prestigious products. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Ultra-Luxurious Bejeweled Cards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/billionaire-card.md) - [Luxury Handbag Dupes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wirkin.md) - [Premium Kitchen Pranks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eureka-spiritis.md) - [Billionaire-Shaped Ice Pops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mschf-eat-the-rich.md) - [Satirical Popsicle Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eat-the-rich-popsicles.md) - [Luxury Block Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bottega-veneta-jenga.md) - [Retail Advertising Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ikea-hides-price.md) - [Members-Only Retail Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mile.md) - [Luxe Monochromatic Basics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/every-other-thursday.md)