Byron Tully: The Secret Life of Old Money: What Wealthy Families Know That They Don't Talk About

Find me on Substack!

This is a summer classic — a re-release of an enhanced audio episode that originally aired in 2023, now among the most listened-to Talking Billions episodes of all time. If you missed it, this is your moment. If you've heard it before, welcome back.

Over the years, I've had the pleasure of spending time with Byron Tully beyond this microphone — in person at a Parisian café, and on Zoom — and he joined the show a second time as well. His writing continues to find new readers around the world, and for good reason.

Byron Tully is the author of The Old Money Book — with over 700 five-star reviews on Amazon — a grandson of a newspaper publisher, son of an oil industry executive, and a Paris-based writer who has spent a decade translating the time-tested values of America's wealth-preserving upper class into an accessible, practical guide for anyone willing to embrace them. https://theoldmoneybook.com/

3:00 — Byron shares his upbringing outside Houston, TX: comfortable, only child, grandfather in newspapers, father in oil. Grandfather's early advice: "You're gonna have to learn how to manage your behavior."

5:30 — Byron meets his wife from Boston; gets "neck deep" in old money culture — three-plus generations of wealth, manners, education, and core values.

8:00 — The 2008 financial crisis revelation: L.A. friends who "looked rich" — Beamers, McMansions — lost everything. Boston friends? Unaffected. Flash vs. substance. His wife tells him to stop complaining and write the book.

12:00 — Key insight: you don't need money to adopt old money values. The irony — follow the values and you'll start accumulating money because you stop chasing the next product. "The real awakening is to see money as an option-generating... freedom to choose."

18:00 — On conspicuous consumption: old money views extravagance as "the fear of poverty." The question to ask — who are you dressing for? "Maybe nobody. Maybe I'll just dress discreetly and appropriately."

24:00 — Sudden wealth and inheritance: Byron's personal experience with four inheritances. His advice: blow 1% first to purge the urge to consume, then ask how this windfall can change your life with purpose.

34:00 — Old money values unpacked: health, education, politeness, modesty, financial independence, work ethic. "You can't borrow money and say I'll pay you back with time. You just can't."

40:00 — Delayed gratification and long-term thinking: Amazon Prime erodes patience; the most precious things in life take time and "cannot be taken away from you."

47:00 — Honoring inherited wealth: Byron reflects on his father working past 10pm. "It's the love that my parents had for me." Why can't he waste it?

52:00 — On time: "Tomorrow is a promissory note, and yesterday's a canceled check." Social media is the enemy of time. Walking through Paris, looking at your phone — "What are you doing?"

57:00 — Definition of success: being of service. Parents giving The Old Money Book to the groomsmen. "That's success to me."

Podcast Program – Disclosure Statement

Blue Infinitas Capital, LLC is a registered investment adviser and the opinions expressed by the Firm’s employees and podcast guests on this show are their own and do not reflect the opinions of Blue Infinitas Capital, LLC. All statements and opinions expressed are based upon information considered reliable although it should not be relied upon as such. Any statements or opinions are subject to change without notice.

Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed.