Forrester Research Corp. says that affluent North American consumers — those with investable assets of at least US$1 million — continue to feel optimistic about technology and remain financially secure, despite seeing their assets dwindle over the past year.

In a new report Forrester reveals the results of a survey of affluent North Americans to assess their attitudes and behaviors since September 11. It finds that on average, the affluent are male, almost 60 years old, highly educated, and married. They are primarily retirees, business owners, and executives.

In both the United States and Canada, nearly nine in 10 affluent consumers are self-made. They point to the return on personal investments as the top source of their wealth, followed by steady saving over time. Nearly two-thirds of the affluent see financial security as the main benefit to being wealthy.

Almost 70% of millionaires watched their assets shrink in the past year. On average, they lost 13% of their portfolios. “But the affluent’s sense of financial security endures. While eight in 10 still feel financially secure, that security doesn’t come without sacrifices. The affluent intend to curtail luxury purchases across the board in 2002.”

The data is based on a survey Forrester conducted by mail with 2,548 US and Canadian households with assets of $1 million or more (not including the value of their primary home, but including employer-sponsored retirement accounts).