How many people are rich

[Alex]

For the poll, how would you complete this sentence?

I would say that if you are in the top __% of household incomes in the United States, then by the standards of living in the United States you are rich.
If in trying to answer that you'd get caught up in local cost of living differences feel free to replace "United States" with whatever smaller jurisdiction would make you comfortable, such as:

I would say that if you are in the top __% of household incomes in the San Francisco Bay Area then by the standards of living in the Bay Area you are rich.
Don't get caught up on how much money that may actually be. Rich is a relative thing, I'm curious how far from the average one must be to be perceived as rich?

[Alex]

Oh well, screwed up doing a poll. Just provide your answers as comments.

[innerSpaceman]

I think 10% is fair, for just about anywhere. Rich is a relative thing.


Now, where do I find out where I rank? Because if it turns out I'm rich, but still can't afford lunch this week - I may just shoot myself.






Wait ... I can't afford a gun. I may just jump off a building. :rolleyes:

[Ghoulish Delight]

By US standards? My gut says 15-20%.

By world standards, probably 70-75% if not higher.

[Alex]

I'll provide some data on that later but don't want to influence what people think is rich in dollar amounts.

[Ghoulish Delight]

I'd also say that my % of US people who consider themselves rich by US standards would be lower than that 15-20%.

[DreadPirateRoberts]

10%

[katiesue]

I'd go with 10% as well

[Kevy Baby]

Many people would define "rich" as anyone who makes more than they do



But to help in your scientific profile, I would agree with 10% as a general rule of thumb. It coincides with standard statistical classifications (if I am remembering my sadistics classes correctly).

[cirquelover]

I would have to say in the 15-20% range is my guess.

[innerSpaceman]

I've often been told, that even in Los Angeles - a city with a good many of the most absurdly and astonishingly rich people on the planet, there are also so many poor people, even I, with my self-described middle-class income, am really rather rich.


I don't feel that way, neither do I feel poor. Hence my self-description as middle-class. I'm sure I would be filthy rich if I were plunked down in Equador, or maybe even Idaho. But because I live on the West Side of L.A., I'm decidedly un-rich from my daily perspective.

[Moonliner]

I remember reading a survey years back that asked how much money would you need to be happy? The general response was twice their current salary no matter how low or high their salary was.

Overall rich is like porn. Hard to define exactly but you know it when you see it.

Top 10% if you have to have a number.

[flippyshark]

I can't afford to go to the theme parks I consult for, so I feel rather poor.

[innerSpaceman]

I remember reading a survey years back that asked how much money would you need to be happy? The general response was twice their current salary no matter how low or high their salary was.

Also, I think most people notice as they go through life that they believe they could never survive on the money they used to survive on when they had less means at their disposal.

Fortunately for me, my income has (thus far) proceeded only in a forward direction. I seriously don't know how I ever managed on less.

[MouseWife]

I can't afford to go to the theme parks I consult for, so I feel rather poor.


I don't have time to read this whole thread right now but this post really hits home.

I know a lot of people who very much dream of taking their kids to Disneyland. At least I can hold my memories of taking them a lot before. Now, it takes the back seat to everything else, it seems.

[Alex]

Ok, for the record, overall in the United States, you are in the top 10% of household incomes if you earn around $125,000/year.

Do you think that is rich? If you make $200,000/year then you're in the top 2.8%.

My question was prompted by a CNN.com headline that asked whether earning $250,000/year (top 1.5%) makes you rich*. Rich is extremely subjective adjective, of course, but it is hard for me to imagine a use that wouldn't extend at least that far down the scale.

Part of the issue, I think is that once you're making $250,000/year you are almost always going to be at least in contact with a group of people that makes much more than that.

This is also something I confront a lot personally. Lani and I do extremely well for ourselves. But I don't feel rich and part of that is because we don't live like we're rich. We have one low-cost car (Civic), we rent an 800 sq. ft, one bedroom apartment. We don't have a 50" TV on each wall. We don't spend $1000 a year on Disney annual passes.

But the stats put us in the top 5% of Bay Area household incomes. It's hard for me not to think of that as "rich." And I certainly couldn't object to a person with a lot less calling me that. Hell, if I gave my just my raise this year to an individual it would almost single handedly take them above the official poverty line.

I guess my thread is inspired by the feeling that $250,000 may not make you rich but it does mean that pretty much any money problems (though there will be exceptions) you have are due to your own choices. So shut up about how hard it can be to live on that much. Even all but the most expensive enclaves in the United States, a quarter million a year should leave you pretty comfortable.

* The CNN anchor mentioning the headline showed some sense by reading that then saying "Really? Are we really asking that?"

[innerSpaceman]

Whew, I'm relieved I'm not in the top 10%. I'd hate to feel how I feel now and be in the top 10%, because I'd have to be ashamed of myself.


Now I can feel financially underwater with pride. ;)

[Strangler Lewis]

Going by the United States, I'm going to say one to two percent. I think to be considered rich by fairly unremarkable American standards, you need to make enough money to be able to pay off a 1) reasonably nice home in a major metropolitan area; 2) be able to put two kids through four years of college at any school they can get into; 3) be able to take said family of four on one unskimping vacation a year and 4) actually afford to give ten percent of one's income to charities or family members. I would consider myself rich if I could do that. Since I don't especially care about gadgets, gizmos and new cars, I guess I'd be a bargain as a rich person.

[innerSpaceman]

That's not a bad assessment of richhood. In which case, I think you'd need to spend about a cool million per year, at least.

[Alex]

Really? I feel like I could do all of those things now (assuming "pay off" doesn't mean paying the full price on the house but rather servicing a mortgage on the house since you're not going to buy one every year). Especially if you're allowed to see in advance that your kids will go to college and therefore do some saving.

But then I don't consider paying for college to be a parental responsibility (and especially not one of the "regardless of cost" type) so my rich people get off even easier.

Needless to say I don't make nearly a million dollars a year. Though the fraction is much larger than I ever believed would be possible.

[Strangler Lewis]

From what I see, a year of college plus room and board seems to run between 30K to 50K and change a year. I would happily let the school or the government shoulder the burden, but I hope my kids don't have to be burdened with large loans.

That said, before making any large commitments, I think we'll be having more discussions along the lines of what the kids expect to get out of college than my parents had with me.

[MouseWife]

So, reading this, I am not rich. But, like you said, compared to others we are. We also know people who make many more $$ than we do.

I know I am not rich because I am thinking I would be better off NOT working because it will put us in another tax bracket and then we'll have to pay. Our son now no longer gives us a child tax credit. That kills me as he is still our child.

College. I guess we live in a very low income neighborhood because the person who came to advise us about college/scholarships said not to save money for school as it would only hurt us when we apply for grants, etc. It is true, they ask you what you have in your checking/saving. They do not take into consideration your cost of living. And, you have to claim your parents income until you are 23.

I think the more you make, the more you spend. If you guys {Alex} don't live over the top, that is smart. You don't sound like you are lacking in any way. What would you consider a luxury that you don't have and would like?

[Alex]

About the only thing I can think of is the time to spend the money I make. The catch for me is that I make enough money that I can afford to travel year 'round. But if I traveled year 'round I wouldn't make any money.

[Ghoulish Delight]

I'm with you there. That's a big dividing line for me, to have enough money to not HAVE to work.

Now that we're living on a single income, with a new life to feed, I'm definitely feeling like we were perhaps just above that "rich" line as DINKs. I mean, we couldn't go out and buy a new car every couple of years or anything, but we could travel fairly freely, deal with large sudden expenses without worry, and indulge in entertainment options (movies, APs, dinners, concerts, et. al.) with regularity. All while enjoying many many every day conveniences - cable with DVR, smart phones, 2 cars, 2 computers, the list goes on and on.

Add to that, we are in a position where, while going jobless is not my first choice, neither would it be disastrous. It would take a very very long unsuccessful job search to see any real "adversity", and even then the "adversity" would for a while take the form of dropping unnecessary conveniences. Lightyears from homelessness.

Being on one income, I would no longer call us "rich". Though a promotion or two, and a change in our real estate [non]fortunes have the potential to change that.

But then, I kinda have a fuzzy distinction between "rich" and "wealthy". I tend to view "rich" as simply being well off enough to not have to rely on debt for your chosen lifestyle, while "wealthy" happens when you can really spend freely. Like I said, fuzzy, but I've definitely never felt "wealthy".

[innerSpaceman]

Really? I feel like I could do all of those things now (assuming "pay off" doesn't mean paying the full price on the house but rather servicing a mortgage on the house since you're not going to buy one every year).
It reads that way, but I didn't take it that way. Although it's becoming increasingly difficult for middle-class families to pay off a mortgage, buying a home on such terms is decidedly a middle-class circumstance. It's only a rich circumstances to buy a house outright, so that's what I took SL's statement to refer to. And if it did not, that's what I refer to.

[Strangler Lewis]

I remember in the original "Father of the Bride," the groom's father had all these grand plans about building the kids a house to live in after they were married. They rejected it and said they would find their own house to buy. When asked how they would afford it, they said they would get a mortgage. The groom's mother nearly fainted with horror. Spencer Tracy leaped in to say, "Nothing wrong with a mortgage. Had one myself 'til recently."

[Kevy Baby]

I'm sure I would be filthy rich if I were plunked down in Ecuador, or maybe even Idaho. But because I live on the West Side of L.A., I'm decidedly un-rich from my daily perspective.Yes, but could you make as much in Ecuador or Idaho as you do in LA for comparable work? The trend is generally no, but it is not a linear relationship. An [insert job title] here does not make 3X the monthly mortgage payment for a median home in every city.

[MouseWife]

Alex~ Time. Oh yes, time. Never enough. And, the more you make, the more important you are and harder to get your vacation approved.

The best vacation we had was when my husband was laid off, we'd purchased my Escape and he had a severance package. We didn't realize he was going to be off work as long as he was {or else we may not have enjoyed ourselves as much, for sure} so that wasn't a concern.

We went to Yosemite, booking things just days prior. Went to Monterey, finding lodging wherever. Just enjoyed ourselves, our son. For some reason, things were just so sweet. No calls from work, no worries.

GD~Glad to hear you guys are doing well on one income. I have seen this as the way to go, maybe. Work together to build up your home, etc. Then, once the children come along, the wife/mom can stay home. You can manage to live on one income, if you play it right. I've seen where it doesn't work,but, that hasn't been too often. Priorities.

[innerSpaceman]

Yes, but could you make as much in Ecuador or Idaho as you do in LA for comparable work? The trend is generally no, but it is not a linear relationship. An [insert job title] here does not make 3X the monthly mortgage payment for a median home in every city.
That's why I wrote "plunked," meaning to imply impossibly there yet earning what I make here.

[Kevy Baby]

That's why I wrote "plunked," meaning to imply impossibly there yet earning what I make here.One of these days I will learn how to use a quote as a launching point and not sound contentious in my comments.

I was just using your comment as a starting point for mine. Sorry if it sounded otherwise.

[scaeagles]

I think such a high percentage of the upper middle class have done such a poor job of managing their lives as lower income earners that their income to debt ratio makes their income in effect much smaller. Are they still "rich" because they are in a percentage level? I don't know.

I know DINKs that have lower income than my wife and I do but have far more disposable income because they have no children. I would qualify them as rich long before I would qualify us. We have some good friend who are DINKs who just spent a week in Belize and put a down payment on some property there because they love it. We make more but could never even think of doing that.

I don't think you can define rich by level of income.....I think it has more to do with assets vs. liabilities.

[Ghoulish Delight]

On an individual level sure. But on the matter of trends and tendencies, it's not hard to look at numbers like "average debt:income ratio for household income of $250,000" and make some generalizations about the average $250K earner. It'll never apply to everyone in the category, but it can still be an interesting comparison point.

[Morrigoon]

Although it's becoming increasingly difficult for middle-class families to pay off a mortgage, buying a home on such terms is decidedly a middle-class circumstance. It's only a rich circumstances to buy a house outright, so that's what I took SL's statement to refer to. And if it did not, that's what I refer to.
You'd rarely find a rich person who thinks paying all cash for a house is a good idea.

Most wealthy folks would rather leverage that money, putting down just what they need to to make the payment pencil out. Then use the rest of the money (that this paid-off house would theoretically cost) to put down payments on rental properties, putting down just as much as they need to to make the property cash flow after accounting for maintenance and vacancy allowances.

Part of the reason for this is that in an upward-trending market, if you've put less down on a property, the amount of money by which your property increases in value represents a higher percentage in relation to what you've invested in it.

And now that I've bored you all to death, I'm going to go back to my sewing.

[Alex]

I don't think you can define rich by level of income.....I think it has more to do with assets vs. liabilities.

True. But on the other hand if you are making $250,000 a year and have yourself so in debt that you're barely getting by you may no longer be effectively rich but I also don't want to hear the whining about how it really isn't that much money and "woe is I" and all that crap.

[MouseWife]

Do people also finance homes to claim them on their taxes? In addition to giving them that more fluid cash you speak of.

{Oh, did I use those terms correctly??}

[wendybeth]

Monetarily, we are middle class, I suppose- for Spokane. We'd be lower middle class in OC. However, I feel 'rich' in what I have in my life- my family, my friends, the fact that I was born in what I consider to be probably the best country ever (yes, it's flawed, but until we get rid of that pesky human component it always will be) and in one of the most progressive eras known to humankind. (Again, not perfect, but it's slowly moving along.......) I love history, and in my studies I have learned to appreciate my time and place on this Earth. So, yeah- not so rich monetarily, but I lead a very rich life.

[innerSpaceman]

I lead a pretty rich life, but it's all based on debt.


If I die owing tens of thousands, I'll be ahead of the game, right? :D

[scaeagles]

True. But on the other hand if you are making $250,000 a year and have yourself so in debt that you're barely getting by you may no longer be effectively rich but I also don't want to hear the whining about how it really isn't that much money and "woe is I" and all that crap.

Of course. I don't have sympathy, but I don't really regard such a person as rich.

However, I think Trump has said something like he has huge influence with banks because of how much he owes them. I think if you take the amount of debt to huge extremes the pendulum swings back toward rich....or at least living like it.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

I lead a pretty rich life, but it's all based on debt.


If I die owing tens of thousands, I'll be ahead of the game, right? :DTell that to your daughter!

[Alex]

Unless she's cosigning for the debt, why would she care?

He'll just need to gift her all of his stuff over the last years of his life so that it can't be claimed as part of his estate to pay off debt.

[Alex]

Hey, reverse racism!

Was looking at income data here (http://pubdb3.census.gov/macro/032007/hhinc/new06_000.htm).

For white only households that make more than $250,000 the mean income is $438,326.

For black only households that make more than $250,000 the mean income is $557,837

This is an outrage that must be corrected! And also must ignore that white only households make up 85% of all $250k+ households while only making up 71% of the total population and black only households make up only 3% of the $250k+ households while making up 12% of the total population.

No point in this post. Just playing with numbers and outrage.

[3894]

He'll just need to gift her all of his stuff over the last years of his life so that it can't be claimed as part of his estate to pay off debt.

I hate that you used "to gift" in this sentence.

[Alex]

It's a usage of the word that is almost 500 years old. I'd have thought that enough time to get over it.

[lashbear]

I classify myself as "Rich" but I have a different definition:

1) Stoat and I can afford to go overseas every 2-3 years for an average of about 5-6 weeks at a time. That makes me feel rich.

2) I am alive after a triple bypass. That makes me feel Priceless, let alone rich.

[innerSpaceman]

Yeah, if I could just stay off work for 5 -6 weeks and not even afford to go anywhere, I'd feel astronomically rich.


I'm pretty happy about the whole Lash alive thing though.

[3894]

It's a usage of the word that is almost 500 years old. I'd have thought that enough time to get over it.

As a noun, fine. As a verb, ew.

[Alex]

As a verb, 500 years. Admittedly it is a more common usage in British English but it is a perfectly acceptable usage, even if derided by self-appointed usage Nazis as some recent form of devolution of the language.

But if it was good enough for both Louella Parsons and Henry Fielding then I'm ok with it.

As the Mirriam-Webster Dictionary of English Usage says:

Gift did not become a controversial verb until it began to appear with some regularity in American newspapers and magazines. Its adoption by Hollywood gossip columnists probably did not to help its reputation...

Most of the criticism of this verb has been from American sources. Usage panelists in particular cannot abide it...The British seem to regard it with somewhat greater tolerance...

Dictionaries, both British and American, treat it as standard. Its detractors say the usual things about the impropriety of using a noun as a verb, but that argument obviously does not stand up either against more than 400 years of historical evidence or against the many noun-verb pairs that draw absolutely not critical attention whatever. There is nothing fundamentally wrong with the verb gift.

So, long way of saying I'm sorry that you hate I used the word that way but maybe I've gifted you with a bit of knowledge as a result. And if not, then you've gifted me the opportunity to realize I'm not really sorry.

[Ghoulish Delight]

And I will gift Alex with some VAM.

[MouseWife]

Unless she's cosigning for the debt, why would she care?

He'll just need to gift her all of his stuff over the last years of his life so that it can't be claimed as part of his estate to pay off debt.

Note taken.....

I've worried that we would be leaving debt to our kids. We have a bit. Working on it.

I've also wondered whatever happened to any debt that my mother in law had prior to her death. I guess now I know it doesn't matter.

Lash~ YES!! We are all the more rich since you survived your surgery!!! I think the people on here who are able to share one anothers company are very rich, indeed.

[sleepyjeff]

I was reading a book the other day (World Trek: A family Odyssey) in which this family traveled around the world in just over a year.

The author was struck by the realization that the "poorest" people in the world also seemed to be the happiest.

Now, I don't imagine if you take someone who is used to having modern comforts and made them live without that they would be any happier....but if you start off with nothing and live only around people with nothing.....maybe you would be :)

[innerSpaceman]

I've studied this phenomena a bit ... and there's a p.h.-sort of balance to it.

People in poverty are generally not happy. Really rich people are generally not happy. Without adjusting for thousands of other imponderables, the happiest people tend be those that are pretty much just getting by.


I've seen nothing pointing to a cause and effect on the rich side. That is, are rich people unhappy because of the complications that come with lots of money, or are only miserable, miserly, greedy, coldhearted people the kind who tend to get filthy rich? Some evidence points to the former, in that lottery winners tend to become very unhappy after the first couple of years.

With poor people, the correlation is a little easier to fathom. It seems to make lots of sense that if you're constantly hungry or in a perpetual struggle to survive, happiness is not your lot in life.



Since i'm the camp of just getting by, and at a pretty satisfactory level of personal luxury and free time, I count myself almost fortunate to not be stinking rich - - I value my happiness very much. More than money.

[alphabassettgrrl]

Economic happiness is a relative thing. If the people around you have about the same level of stuff as you do, you're more likely to be happy with your situation. If the people around you seem to have more than you do, you're likely to be unhappy.

No matter what level of the socio-economic spectrum you're in, it mostly holds.

[Cynthia]

I have always felt that the rich are people I have rarely seen, they have the power to be anonymous. That said, I feel very fortunate, we are not in debt (save our mortgage) and have always lived in our means, so when we want something we have it. Of course the things we want are rather simple when viewed with a mind to the materialistic society that we live in. So rich? Don't really know what it is.

[alphabassettgrrl]

I'm with you, Cynthia, in living within our means. Looking around, my wants are really pretty small. I think most of the materialism in society is unnecessary.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

It's so funny to me that any time people discuss what being "rich" means, a bunch of people say "I have wonderful friends/family/etc and so even though I'm broke, I feel rich."

Uh, yeah, everyone says that, we all feel that way, it's a given. I myself am very happy and lucky and thankful. If the discussion is about perceptions of relative monetary wealth, to walk in and say "oh yeah, well I'm "rich" without money" is not only obvious, trite, and beside the point, but it also stops the conversation dead, the inference being "I don't care about perceptions of relative monetary wealth."

My two cents - and only because it happens every single time this sort of thing comes up.

[Kevy Baby]

I would disagree. I've known people who would not have the "rich without money" view. Sad but true. not people I spend time with.

And I do not call this view trite at all. On the contrary, I find it a very healthy and positive perspective.

And it hasn't stopped this conversation dead at all. There have been many comments which answered Alex's question directly and pointedly.

[scaeagles]

I think in America rich is anyone who has more stuff you want than you do.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

Yeah. I find far too much emphasis placed on the concept of "rich" not to say something about all of the other riches are that important to me. I don't think it's trite. I think it's important never to forget that the true joys of life come from things that aren't "things," as long as the basics are covered.

One one income, as is the case right now, we are solid middle-class. We pay our bills. We do not accrue further debt, and are able to regularly pay off the small debt that we have. We can travel on a limited basis (mostly to see family.) We have an entertainment fund, which involves making choices and not doing all of the fun things we'd like to do, but prioritizing and doing the ones we most want to do. On two incomes, we've discovered we'd probably be able to sock away nearly 100% of the second income. Our goal isn't wealth. It's what was considered basic in my parents' day and age. We'd like to buy a house. We'd like to start a family. And in that sense, we don't want to do it until we're - I guess - part of that top 10% rich. All we need is "twice the money we're making right now," can you believe it?

[Alex]

I wouldn't necessarily say trite as for those personal definitions of "rich" as so subjective as to be relatively meaningless. And completely irrelevant to the question I'd initially asked which was specifically focused on the financial perception of wealth (we can debate whether a mom making $12,000/year is rich because every day she sees the smiling face of her baby; but I think we'll all agree that no matter how socially and emotionally isolated he is, Larry Ellison is rich).

But the glass house I live in hardly allows me to throw rocks over thread derailment so I wasn't worried about it.

[Ghoulish Delight]

But the glass house I live in hardly allows me to throw rocks over thread derailment so I wasn't worried about it.You can afford to live in a glass house and you're wondering if you're considered rich? Your windex budget alone is probably higher than 20% of US salaries.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

While we all may know some highly misguided person who actually thinks money = happiness, I don't think we know anyone who would be surprised to hear the overly abused phrase "my friends and family make me a very rich person." I have to restrain myself from putting a "duh" afterward. Yes, George Bailey is the richest guy in town, we know, we know.

Regarding living on one vs. two incomes, it's something that I believe a lot more people are doing these days, due to the lack of jobs and the high cost of child care. My perspective is different because I've just met a bunch of women who decided to stay home with the children while the husband works. I'm sure the pay that the husbands get varies widely but it seems everyone says the same thing - they never thought it was possible to get by on one income and have multiple children and a mortgage, yet here they are doing it. I know it can be hard to imagine cutting a huge chunk out of entertainment expenses but it's all about priorities.

I hope this doesn't come across as contrary, I don't mean it that way. It's just that it's a common theme among those that chose to stay home with the baby.

[Stan4dSteph]

I'm not.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

I know it can be hard to imagine cutting a huge chunk out of entertainment expenses but it's all about priorities.

We don't actually spend a lot on entertainment. I am glad you guys can afford a family on one income. We really can't. We're on one income right now and we're not able to save anywhere near as much as we'd need to be spending on a child.

[innerSpaceman]

I had to give my fish up for adoption.

[katiesue]

Some of the Stay at Home Mom's that I know view it as their "job" to make the income stretch as far as possible. Bargain hunting, price comparisons, coupons etc. Any way to make the dollar go further.

I know myself there are a number of things I could cut from my budget (anyone want to buy a pony?) should I need to. But I live within my means with no debt other than a mortgage and I put some aside for savings so I don't sweat it.

As Jen said it's all about choices and what works for you, and your family if you have one.

Through my various jobs over the years I've come in direct contact with a number of very rich people. And they seem to have just as many problems as everyone else. And I don't perceive them as any more or less happy than anyone else I come in contact with.

And there are also a large number of people who are on paper quite wealthy but choose to live in a smaller home, drive older cars, bargain shop for groceries. Rich doesn't necessarily mean a huge house with lots of material possessions. I used to hate having to shop for a previous boss in Beverly Hills because some of the clerks are as snooty as you'd imagine. I'd be sent with orders to say "buy a vase, spend $1000". Now that's a 5 minute transaction for the one un-snooty person who'd actually help me. You can't tell by the way someone looks or how they drive what kind of money they'll spend in your store.

[BarTopDancer]

My life would be significantly easier if I had another 'corporate career' income in my life.

[Stan4dSteph]

I wish my 401K wasn't such a POS. I will probably be working until I die.

[alphabassettgrrl]

One definition of rich (or possibly just comfortable) is not having to think about your account balance when considering a purchase. To just be able to buy something when you want it, without having to plan for it.

Maybe.

[lashbear]

If the discussion is about perceptions of relative monetary wealth, to walk in and say "oh yeah, well I'm "rich" without money" is not only obvious, trite, and beside the point, but it also stops the conversation dead, the inference being "I don't care about perceptions of relative monetary wealth."

My two cents - and only because it happens every single time this sort of thing comes up.
Actually, I think that pointing people out as trite is more likely to stop the conversation dead (at least from the trite-ee's point of view.)

[wendybeth]

Actually, I think that pointing people out as trite is more likely to stop the conversation dead (at least from the trite-ee's point of view.)

VLBM. :)

[Capt Jack]

I will probably be working until I die.


I thought that was the general plan for most of mankind. :)

I dont consider myself 'rich' in any sense. I am however comfortable, which to me means while I surely would want 'more', said 'more' wouldnt likely be put to things to keep me alive, clothed, housed or fed. Merely extras.

As far as others, since Ive been working on payroll systems for 30 years now, Ive had to learn to not concern myself with comparative thought for incomes and the like. Ive seen so many downright obscene amounts paid to folks, that whenever Id start 'I make .00n% in a year of this guys monthly draw....)(@#&$(*@&#$ :mad: ', I'd end up dissatisfied with my lot. Pointless and self demeaning.

So....for me, the rule is now
rich schmich. I'm good to go

[MouseWife]

One thing, I did tell the Hubster no more kids unless he wanted to have to become a Wal-Mart greeter in his old age. He can't do his job forever {the building will close eventually}.

Capt. Jack, yep, that kind of is mind blowing. Rick has had access to certain payroll lists and it was mind boggling. But, you can't think about it. Knowing it doesn't do you any good.

[Gemini Cricket]

I'm rich.

I have many good friends and my family and I have achieved a sort of stasis that is not stressful on me.

I'm doing theatre (it's a love of mine but I'm also doing volunteer work for a good cause).

I work at a job where I'm helping people work through mental illnesses.

I have $20 in my bank account but I'm ok. I'm paying my bills.

I'm not rich in the love of someone I want to spent the rest of my life with but even that's okay with me right now.

[innerSpaceman]

I want whatever drugs Brad is on. ;)

[innerSpaceman]

Oh wait, maybe I've found them already. My statements would come out almost the same.

I have many good friends and my family and I have achieved a sort of stasis that is not stressful on me - because my parents are both dead.

I'm done with huge events (it's been a love of mine that I've been doing on a volunteer basis for the good cause of fun) - but I'm undoubtedly going back to smaller projects that I love just as much.

I work at a job where I'm helping people work through mental illnesses - - my own.

I have $20 in my bank account but I'm ok. I'm paying my bills ... the bills for my huge events that, despite my pretty rad income, leaves me with $20 in my bank account as a permanent feature for the coming year.

I'm not rich in the love of someone I want to spent the rest of my life with but even that's okay with me right now - - but ask me again next week, and I might feel differently.





I tells ya, Brad and I are practically twins!

[Kevy Baby]

I want whatever drugs Brad is on. ;)He is taking trite pills

[Cadaverous Pallor]

You guys are trite but awesome. :p :)

If I were a (power-mad) admin I would move these posts to a new thread titled "Happiness".

[Strangler Lewis]

I am however comfortable.

Goldberg is hit by a car crossing the street. The paramedics come, and as they prepare to load his gurney into the ambulance, one of them asks, "Mr. Goldberg, are you comfortable?"

"Eh, I make a nice living."

[Capt Jack]

this made me *snort*

VSLM!!