Money Fix: Secrets on how the rich think

What separates the rich from everybody else? Besides their millions, plenty.

Much comes down to habits, beliefs and values. Here's a look at some of their secrets.

Attitudes determine altitude: "The middle class looks at money in terms of fear and scarcity; the rich see money from a consciousness of freedom, possibility, abundance and opportunity," says Steve Siebold, author of "How Rich People Think." They see tough times as the best times to acquire wealth. When there are more problems, more solutions are needed. "They come up with the solutions and get paid for it," says Siebold.

Cool, oh so cool: "The rich don't panic or get emotional when investing," says Bradford Pine, a wealth adviser with The Bradford Pine Wealth Group in Garden City. They "look for consistent returns, rather than taking on too much risk."

Wealthy folks take the long view. They are consistent and persistent with their investing. "It's not all about how your investments perform today or tomorrow but over the next 10, 15, 20 years," says Josh Alpert, CEO of Wealth Trac Financial Group in Southfield, Michigan. The rich invest at the bottom of the market, not the top. "Rather than follow the crowd, they invest when the market is low."

Seize the day: Many people are so focused on clipping coupons and living frugally that they miss major opportunities, says Siebold. "Even in the midst of a cash-flow crisis, the rich reject the nickel and dime theory of the masses and focus their mental energy where it belongs -- on the big money!"