In June 2008, two concerns are dominant in the minds of affluent business owners: the upcoming Presidential Election(21.7%) and the Economy (19.6%).  While elections are foremost in business owners’ minds, the general theme of economic apprehension is further supported by their marked concern about Gas and Oil Prices (13%) and Cost of Living/Inflation (11%).

Of much less concern to business owners are Cash Flow and Available Funds, Market Conditions, and Taxes and Business concerns, all which scored less than 3% in interest with business owners,

Both concerns for wealthy business owners, Gas and Oil Prices and the Presidential Election, are heavily played out in the news. That is not to say that they are not important issues, but perhaps some of the overwhelming media coverage has seeped into the concerns of the affluent.

Despite the fact that “oil prices fell more than $10 over the previous two days on growing concerns that inflation and other economic concerns could reduce demand for crude” per Yahoo! Finance, there is still cause for concern. Falling crude prices, though positive in the short run, is not necessarily a good thing if it's a reflection of slowing global demand.

Unfortunately, countering July 16ths Wall Street rally, China reported its slowest GDP since 2005As fast as things swing one way, they can swing the other and looking at the bigger picture of Cost of Living/Inflation as a concern may be the wealthy’s next focus as the election and gas prices start to actively affect more than just prices at the pump and the nightly news cycle.

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