Can you define wealth?
Jan 27th 2011, 11:16 am
#1
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Joined: Feb 2010
Location: Amongst Melbourne's tall gum trees
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Can you define wealth?
On the radio this morning, a guy on the talkback called about the flood levy. I only heard a small extract of the call that was replayed but it sounded that he was against the levy. His point was that his family would pay an extra $2,000 in tax even though they had already donated $1,000 (which is very generous I might add 
). The radio host (Jon Faine for those in Melbourne) pointed out that if they were going to pay $2,000, that meant they were on at least $200,000 per annum. The guy's answer was "yes, but we're not wealthy"
So the question I asked myself is "at what point do you consider yourself wealthy?"
To me, wealth (and I am talking about monetary wealth here, not emotional) is a combination of assets and disposable cash.
Personal example: We are a family of 4, one main income earner on $130-140k per year (although I've just started working 2 days a week so I now contribute a minute amount
), with a largish mortgage ($450,000
), some credit card debt, non-existent savings. We have no disposable cash by the end of the pay period, and we are struggling to save. I'm not complaining, just stating facts. We are working to change our spending habits, but the above is what our current situation is. I wouldn't say we are wealthy, but we are certainly not poor. We still manage to pay the bills, we can buy what we need most of the time, and sometimes what we want but not necessarily need
.
I know everybody's idea of wealth is different and I wonder whether our perceptions of wealth get distorted. If you are on over $100k a year, are you wealthy? If you are on over $200k, are you wealthy? Or does it depend on your personal circumstances, such as the size of your mortgage, your car loans, etc.
*start rant*
TBH, if somebody on $200k/year came to me and told me they are not wealthy because they are repaying a $1.5 million on the house, $100k on a Porsche Cayenne (hate that car
), and the private school fees, I'd be a bit peed off. In my opinion, they are wealthy and have just chosen to spend their money on expensive cars! Their choice, but don't come and tell me you're not wealthy!
*rant over*
So, wonderful people of BE, what is wealth? Is there a minimum amount of monetary wealth (assets and income combined) that makes you wealthy? Or is it all relative?
). The radio host (Jon Faine for those in Melbourne) pointed out that if they were going to pay $2,000, that meant they were on at least $200,000 per annum. The guy's answer was "yes, but we're not wealthy"So the question I asked myself is "at what point do you consider yourself wealthy?"
To me, wealth (and I am talking about monetary wealth here, not emotional) is a combination of assets and disposable cash.
Personal example: We are a family of 4, one main income earner on $130-140k per year (although I've just started working 2 days a week so I now contribute a minute amount
), with a largish mortgage ($450,000), some credit card debt, non-existent savings. We have no disposable cash by the end of the pay period, and we are struggling to save. I'm not complaining, just stating facts. We are working to change our spending habits, but the above is what our current situation is. I wouldn't say we are wealthy, but we are certainly not poor. We still manage to pay the bills, we can buy what we need most of the time, and sometimes what we want but not necessarily need.I know everybody's idea of wealth is different and I wonder whether our perceptions of wealth get distorted. If you are on over $100k a year, are you wealthy? If you are on over $200k, are you wealthy? Or does it depend on your personal circumstances, such as the size of your mortgage, your car loans, etc.
*start rant*
TBH, if somebody on $200k/year came to me and told me they are not wealthy because they are repaying a $1.5 million on the house, $100k on a Porsche Cayenne (hate that car
), and the private school fees, I'd be a bit peed off. In my opinion, they are wealthy and have just chosen to spend their money on expensive cars! Their choice, but don't come and tell me you're not wealthy!*rant over*
So, wonderful people of BE, what is wealth? Is there a minimum amount of monetary wealth (assets and income combined) that makes you wealthy? Or is it all relative?
Jan 27th 2011, 11:27 am
#2
Proudly Deplorable
Joined: May 2003
Location: Alloha snack bar
Posts: 24,246
Re: Can you define wealth?
On the radio this morning, a guy on the talkback called about the flood levy. I only heard a small extract of the call that was replayed but it sounded that he was against the levy. His point was that his family would pay an extra $2,000 in tax even though they had already donated $1,000 (which is very generous I might add ). The radio host (Jon Faine for those in Melbourne) pointed out that if they were going to pay $2,000, that meant they were on at least $200,000 per annum. The guy's answer was "yes, but we're not wealthy"
So the question I asked myself is "at what point do you consider yourself wealthy?"
To me, wealth (and I am talking about monetary wealth here, not emotional) is a combination of assets and disposable cash.
Personal example: We are a family of 4, one main income earner on $130-140k per year (although I've just started working 2 days a week so I now contribute a minute amount), with a largish mortgage ($450,000), some credit card debt, non-existent savings. We have no disposable cash by the end of the pay period, and we are struggling to save. I'm not complaining, just stating facts. We are working to change our spending habits, but the above is what our current situation is. I wouldn't say we are wealthy, but we are certainly not poor. We still manage to pay the bills, we can buy what we need most of the time, and sometimes what we want but not necessarily need.
I know everybody's idea of wealth is different and I wonder whether our perceptions of wealth get distorted. If you are on over $100k a year, are you wealthy? If you are on over $200k, are you wealthy? Or does it depend on your personal circumstances, such as the size of your mortgage, your car loans, etc.
*start rant*
TBH, if somebody on $200k/year came to me and told me they are not wealthy because they are repaying a $1.5 million on the house, $100k on a Porsche Cayenne (hate that car), and the private school fees, I'd be a bit peed off. In my opinion, they are wealthy and have just chosen to spend their money on expensive cars! Their choice, but don't come and tell me you're not wealthy!
*rant over*
So, wonderful people of BE, what is wealth? Is there a minimum amount of monetary wealth (assets and income combined) that makes you wealthy? Or is it all relative?
). The radio host (Jon Faine for those in Melbourne) pointed out that if they were going to pay $2,000, that meant they were on at least $200,000 per annum. The guy's answer was "yes, but we're not wealthy"So the question I asked myself is "at what point do you consider yourself wealthy?"
To me, wealth (and I am talking about monetary wealth here, not emotional) is a combination of assets and disposable cash.
Personal example: We are a family of 4, one main income earner on $130-140k per year (although I've just started working 2 days a week so I now contribute a minute amount
), with a largish mortgage ($450,000), some credit card debt, non-existent savings. We have no disposable cash by the end of the pay period, and we are struggling to save. I'm not complaining, just stating facts. We are working to change our spending habits, but the above is what our current situation is. I wouldn't say we are wealthy, but we are certainly not poor. We still manage to pay the bills, we can buy what we need most of the time, and sometimes what we want but not necessarily need.I know everybody's idea of wealth is different and I wonder whether our perceptions of wealth get distorted. If you are on over $100k a year, are you wealthy? If you are on over $200k, are you wealthy? Or does it depend on your personal circumstances, such as the size of your mortgage, your car loans, etc.
*start rant*
TBH, if somebody on $200k/year came to me and told me they are not wealthy because they are repaying a $1.5 million on the house, $100k on a Porsche Cayenne (hate that car
), and the private school fees, I'd be a bit peed off. In my opinion, they are wealthy and have just chosen to spend their money on expensive cars! Their choice, but don't come and tell me you're not wealthy!*rant over*
So, wonderful people of BE, what is wealth? Is there a minimum amount of monetary wealth (assets and income combined) that makes you wealthy? Or is it all relative?
Wealth and materialism are important but being healthy, happy and a nice person are equally important.
Jan 27th 2011, 11:33 am
#3
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 2,442
Re: Can you define wealth?
On the radio this morning, a guy on the talkback called about the flood levy. I only heard a small extract of the call that was replayed but it sounded that he was against the levy. His point was that his family would pay an extra $2,000 in tax even though they had already donated $1,000 (which is very generous I might add ). The radio host (Jon Faine for those in Melbourne) pointed out that if they were going to pay $2,000, that meant they were on at least $200,000 per annum. The guy's answer was "yes, but we're not wealthy"
So the question I asked myself is "at what point do you consider yourself wealthy?"
To me, wealth (and I am talking about monetary wealth here, not emotional) is a combination of assets and disposable cash.
Personal example: We are a family of 4, one main income earner on $130-140k per year (although I've just started working 2 days a week so I now contribute a minute amount), with a largish mortgage ($450,000), some credit card debt, non-existent savings. We have no disposable cash by the end of the pay period, and we are struggling to save. I'm not complaining, just stating facts. We are working to change our spending habits, but the above is what our current situation is. I wouldn't say we are wealthy, but we are certainly not poor. We still manage to pay the bills, we can buy what we need most of the time, and sometimes what we want but not necessarily need.
I know everybody's idea of wealth is different and I wonder whether our perceptions of wealth get distorted. If you are on over $100k a year, are you wealthy? If you are on over $200k, are you wealthy? Or does it depend on your personal circumstances, such as the size of your mortgage, your car loans, etc.
*start rant*
TBH, if somebody on $200k/year came to me and told me they are not wealthy because they are repaying a $1.5 million on the house, $100k on a Porsche Cayenne (hate that car), and the private school fees, I'd be a bit peed off. In my opinion, they are wealthy and have just chosen to spend their money on expensive cars! Their choice, but don't come and tell me you're not wealthy!
*rant over*
So, wonderful people of BE, what is wealth? Is there a minimum amount of monetary wealth (assets and income combined) that makes you wealthy? Or is it all relative?
). The radio host (Jon Faine for those in Melbourne) pointed out that if they were going to pay $2,000, that meant they were on at least $200,000 per annum. The guy's answer was "yes, but we're not wealthy"So the question I asked myself is "at what point do you consider yourself wealthy?"
To me, wealth (and I am talking about monetary wealth here, not emotional) is a combination of assets and disposable cash.
Personal example: We are a family of 4, one main income earner on $130-140k per year (although I've just started working 2 days a week so I now contribute a minute amount
), with a largish mortgage ($450,000), some credit card debt, non-existent savings. We have no disposable cash by the end of the pay period, and we are struggling to save. I'm not complaining, just stating facts. We are working to change our spending habits, but the above is what our current situation is. I wouldn't say we are wealthy, but we are certainly not poor. We still manage to pay the bills, we can buy what we need most of the time, and sometimes what we want but not necessarily need.I know everybody's idea of wealth is different and I wonder whether our perceptions of wealth get distorted. If you are on over $100k a year, are you wealthy? If you are on over $200k, are you wealthy? Or does it depend on your personal circumstances, such as the size of your mortgage, your car loans, etc.
*start rant*
TBH, if somebody on $200k/year came to me and told me they are not wealthy because they are repaying a $1.5 million on the house, $100k on a Porsche Cayenne (hate that car
), and the private school fees, I'd be a bit peed off. In my opinion, they are wealthy and have just chosen to spend their money on expensive cars! Their choice, but don't come and tell me you're not wealthy!*rant over*
So, wonderful people of BE, what is wealth? Is there a minimum amount of monetary wealth (assets and income combined) that makes you wealthy? Or is it all relative?
Wealthy = lots of assets with zero debt.
Jan 27th 2011, 11:48 am
#4
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Joined: Feb 2010
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Re: Can you define wealth?
and that's why I was trying to keep the debate on a purely and basely material level 
I consider we're OK financially, but certainly very wealthy in terms of everything else. We are healthy, happy, have great family and friends and are reasonably nice people
Jan 27th 2011, 11:49 am
#5
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Jan 27th 2011, 12:11 pm
#6
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Joined: Jul 2007
Location: Sydney
Posts: 4,404
Re: Can you define wealth?
Well firstly, I'm all in favour of this tax. Forcing people into helping is important.
I'm single, have a respectable wage which is quite above the average. But, I can easily find myself broke. You can make yourself wealthy on most wages. You just have to live within the means that will make you rich. Being on 200k a year and not being wealthy should mean a waste of money going on things like massive tv's a new car every year etc.
I'm single, have a respectable wage which is quite above the average. But, I can easily find myself broke. You can make yourself wealthy on most wages. You just have to live within the means that will make you rich. Being on 200k a year and not being wealthy should mean a waste of money going on things like massive tv's a new car every year etc.
Jan 27th 2011, 12:22 pm
#7
221b Baker Street
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Miles from anywhere, Victoria, Australia.
Posts: 14,125
Re: Can you define wealth?
I would define wealthy as being able to walk into a shop, seeing something that you like and saying, "I'll take that please" without having to ask how much it costs. 
Jan 27th 2011, 12:23 pm
#8
Proudly Deplorable
Joined: May 2003
Location: Alloha snack bar
Posts: 24,246
Re: Can you define wealth?
That depends. If you have been earning $200k for a long time then you should be kind of wealthy, but if you are new to that kind of money, then you may not be. I work with loads of people who earn similar money (and more) and most have an average (but comfortable) lifestyle.
Jan 27th 2011, 12:23 pm
#9
Mostly Harmless
Joined: Dec 2009
Location: Semi-rural wonderworld, Brisbane
Posts: 15,109
Jan 27th 2011, 12:26 pm
#10
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,230
Re: Can you define wealth?
It all depends on circumstances really. I'd consider a single person on $100k a year to be pretty well off. Of course if that salary has to stretch to feed a family of 5 then it doesn't look so good. Some people could earn half that, be really frugal, save and buy a modest house. Or you could earn double that and piss it all up against a wall.
Jan 27th 2011, 12:26 pm
#11
221b Baker Street
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Miles from anywhere, Victoria, Australia.
Posts: 14,125
Jan 27th 2011, 12:27 pm
#12
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,230
Re: Can you define wealth?
That depends. If you have been earning $200k for a long time then you should be kind of wealthy, but if you are new to that kind of money, then you may not be. I work with loads of people who earn similar money (and more) and most have an average (but comfortable) lifestyle.
Jan 27th 2011, 12:27 pm
#13
Not actually a squirrel
Joined: Apr 2010
Location: England
Posts: 3,446
Re: Can you define wealth?
James Packer is wealthy.
Jan 27th 2011, 12:29 pm
#14
Mostly Harmless
Joined: Dec 2009
Location: Semi-rural wonderworld, Brisbane
Posts: 15,109
Re: Can you define wealth?
Jan 27th 2011, 12:30 pm
#15
Mostly Harmless
Joined: Dec 2009
Location: Semi-rural wonderworld, Brisbane
Posts: 15,109
