Page 16 | What is considered rich these days??

Soccermomsavestheday · 2026-03-07T22:55:49+00:00

So my husband and I live a pretty decent life but not one that warrants being called ‘financially out of touch’ and ‘how the other half live’ in my opinion which is just a couple of example of my sil many comments towards us. My husband earns around £250k a year, I don’t have to work so don’t. We live in a nice 4 bedroom detached house with a lovely sized wrap around garden. We’re lucky enough to send our children to private school. We don’t go on extravagant holidays or wear high end designer clothes etc. We both drive Range Rovers but one is second hand (5 years old). And bottom line we have worked really hard to be where we are but don’t consider ourselves ‘Rich’ more so comfortable that we can live a modest life without financial restraints it really bugs me when she says stuff like ‘you wouldn’t know what it’s like to budget’ and ‘it’s alright for some’ etc. I do budget monthly and am very much aware of how much things costs etc Am I being unreasonable in this situation?

BeanQuisine · 08/03/2026 04:10

My husband earns over fifty million quid after tax, but we don't really consider ourselves "rich".

Much of that goes on the mortgage, school fees and dog food.

Yes, we are well off, but not so wealthy that I can afford to buy fancy knickers without trying them on in the shop first.

It's all relative really. A lot of people on small incomes have no idea just how much we supposed "rich" really struggle.

elliejjtiny · 08/03/2026 03:56

I would say a household income (not including benefits)
£0-20k - poor
£20-40k - the squeezed middle
£40-60k - comfortable
£60-80k - wealthy
£80k - rich

WhatTheHellsGoingOn · 08/03/2026 03:51

I think the reason this post was set up was to give the OP an ego boost in a load of strangers agreeing unanimously that she IS ‘rich’ and has attained that status (through her husband, so not her achievement).

From what she’d said about all the many years of hard academic work in the OP I assumed they were both in the upper echelons of academia (though that isn’t necessarily well paid).

Slight exaggerations going on here which points to the preoccupation with ppl she doesn’t even know acknowledging her status.

Imnotdrunkyouare · 08/03/2026 03:18

You are definitely in a position that most people are not. I wouldn’t class you as very wealthy, more that you live comfortably but also guessing that you have high outgoings and must therefore live to a budget and to your means.

I am unsure as to why some people are more concerned over whether your husbands job is legit or not. That wasn’t the topic of discussion. You have described (albeit rather untidily) a typical solicitor salary for position, coming from a previous solicitor who practised in the South West. Be aware that drawings reflect the past year of earnings made after all else has been settled and isn’t the same amount every year. Never count your chickens until they’re hatched. You might want to reconsider paying school fees out of the final drawings

Flomingho · 08/03/2026 03:13

I would consider you well off as you have a very comfortable lifestyle on just one person's salary. However, my definition of actually rich would be multi-millionaire where a person would never have to think about working again or could rock up in a car show room and buy a high performance sports car outright, private jets, multiple exotic holidays.

Confuserr · 08/03/2026 02:59

I think you're getting me mixed up with someone else?

Original poster

Soccermomsavestheday · 08/03/2026 02:56

Soccermomsavestheday · 08/03/2026 02:52

I know you don’t work in the legal profession or you’d know what I’ve explained would be true. It’s getting tedious repeating myself so type away. I won’t be engaging with you further. Enjoy your ‘barrister’ life with the ‘QC’ 😂
You’ve made me laugh tonight
best wishes to you internet stranger 😜

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PS surely you’re far too intelligent to be trolling away on mumsnet at 3am? As you are a ‘barrister’ not a mere solicitor because all solicitors always go around pretending to be barristers because it sounds better 😛

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Original poster

Soccermomsavestheday · 08/03/2026 02:52

Confuserr · 08/03/2026 02:45

I'm so confused! A sol who is an equity partner is so different from a barrister, in particular (given that it's as relevant for this thread) the way they are paid. I really can't think of any reason you'd use the latter as shorthand for the former. So odd. And dead funny that OP is now questioning the credentials of the people pointing that out where she is the only person demonstrably to have said that someone's a barrister when they're not. Mind boggles.

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I know you don’t work in the legal profession or you’d know what I’ve explained would be true. It’s getting tedious repeating myself so type away. I won’t be engaging with you further. Enjoy your ‘barrister’ life with the ‘QC’ 😂
You’ve made me laugh tonight
best wishes to you internet stranger 😜

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Original poster

Soccermomsavestheday · 08/03/2026 02:48

Soitwillbefine · 08/03/2026 02:40

I don’t think you should have to justify your life, how you live or finance it. I don't think that being comparatively well-off is something you have to justify. You say you aren’t out of touch and I’m sure you don’t think you are.

i don’t feel well-off at the moment but if I compare it to my upbringing then I absolutely am.

I think maybe what you are missing here is the message from your SIL, That she is struggling on a much tighter budget.

it’s about being aware, subtle and caring. Do you need to alter the way you share what your family are doing?

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I absolutely know and am aware that she struggles financially. I definitely don’t intend to make her feel bad about herself and I’m conscious not to mention monetary things with her (as I do most people in the real world to be honest).

It’s the constant comments about us and expecting us to sub her lifestyle. It’s not my place to financially support her or so I thought but maybe I need to be more supportive. I do help with the kids stuff. I bought school shoes and bags etc in the past.

I guess I didn’t think we came across as very wealthy in a way it justified all her comments I guess

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Confuserr · 08/03/2026 02:45

PhaedraWas · 08/03/2026 02:21

Oh ha ha ha. As a real solicitor married to another now retired but formerly real solicitor, both partners in private practice your posts have really made me laugh.

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I'm so confused! A sol who is an equity partner is so different from a barrister, in particular (given that it's as relevant for this thread) the way they are paid. I really can't think of any reason you'd use the latter as shorthand for the former. So odd. And dead funny that OP is now questioning the credentials of the people pointing that out where she is the only person demonstrably to have said that someone's a barrister when they're not. Mind boggles.

Original poster

Soccermomsavestheday · 08/03/2026 02:42

HellybellyMelly · 08/03/2026 02:35

@Soccermomsavestheday not sure if you’re a joke post here. I think your sister in law is jealous that you married well and living off your husband. People would say I’m well off as I send mine to independent schools but I’m a single parent and almost all my monthly wage goes on this. I have no car, no nice holidays. You seem to do this easily. But I think you need to read the room more.

It’s not a joke post.
I wanted a few opinions outside of my family and friends. I appreciate it’s a post that wouldn’t get me much love but thought a wade through all the hate for some useful opinions would be worth it.

my sil also doesn’t work (although she’s a single mum and has financial help from the government). She’s not jealous that I don’t work as she also doesn’t either. I’m always really helpful with childcare and I’m the next person after her that the school rings if anything happens with her children. I do try to have a positive relationship with her but her comments are becoming relentless but I’m going to try to let them slide after reading some of the comments here.

Thanks for you reply x

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Soitwillbefine · 08/03/2026 02:40

Soccermomsavestheday · 07/03/2026 23:09

I suppose I don’t know if I’m being unreasonable to be offended by her comments. She says something everytime we see her and it’s in a negative way. I wouldn’t dream of being so rude to her but thought maybe I’m being sensitive

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I don’t think you should have to justify your life, how you live or finance it. I don't think that being comparatively well-off is something you have to justify. You say you aren’t out of touch and I’m sure you don’t think you are.

i don’t feel well-off at the moment but if I compare it to my upbringing then I absolutely am.

I think maybe what you are missing here is the message from your SIL, That she is struggling on a much tighter budget.

it’s about being aware, subtle and caring. Do you need to alter the way you share what your family are doing?

HellybellyMelly · 08/03/2026 02:35

@Soccermomsavestheday not sure if you’re a joke post here. I think your sister in law is jealous that you married well and living off your husband. People would say I’m well off as I send mine to independent schools but I’m a single parent and almost all my monthly wage goes on this. I have no car, no nice holidays. You seem to do this easily. But I think you need to read the room more.

Original poster

Soccermomsavestheday · 08/03/2026 02:33

Heyhoherewego23 · 08/03/2026 02:27

FYI it’s how you hold your knife and fork (if you hold your knife like a pen……) it’s basic manners.

There is no way this person has an ounce of education.

So people who don’t use their cutlery properly are beneath you? No etiquette no education no good?

Thats very sad. There are lots of people through no fault of their own that are unable to do basic tasks ‘correctly’ but are no more unworthy than anyone else.

very unfair thing to write 😔

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Heyhoherewego23 · 08/03/2026 02:27

FYI it’s how you hold your knife and fork (if you hold your knife like a pen……) it’s basic manners.

There is no way this person has an ounce of education.

Original poster

Soccermomsavestheday · 08/03/2026 02:22

PhaedraWas · 08/03/2026 02:21

Oh ha ha ha. As a real solicitor married to another now retired but formerly real solicitor, both partners in private practice your posts have really made me laugh.

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Lots of ‘real’ solicitors and barristers on here tonight. I didn’t know mumsnet was the legal hang out on a Saturday night/ Sunday morning 😝

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PhaedraWas · 08/03/2026 02:21

Soccermomsavestheday · 08/03/2026 00:19

I’ve stated why I said that as its hard to explain an equity partner as they’re self employed so I thought a barrister is similar in that way for people without law knowledge (if you were a barrister you’d know that and know they work within chambers)

I apologise if that’s upset you

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Oh ha ha ha. As a real solicitor married to another now retired but formerly real solicitor, both partners in private practice your posts have really made me laugh.

Original poster

Soccermomsavestheday · 08/03/2026 02:20

Confuserr · 08/03/2026 02:16

Well he's not one of those either 😝

Obsessed with the phrase "you probably eat like a pen friend" btw. Did you make that up? I'm definitely going to start saying it but ideally would like to know what it means first...

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Thank god.
obnoxious barristers thinking that the word ‘barrister’ sounds better than ‘lawyer’

I guess you don’t understand the legal profession or you’d know why I explained it differently. For the lay person.

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Original poster

Soccermomsavestheday · 08/03/2026 02:16

PhaedraWas · 08/03/2026 02:14

It's completely bollocks isn't it? And so badly written.

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It’s hilarious people think my life is fake, made me chuckle more than once tonight 😂 😂

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Confuserr · 08/03/2026 02:16

Soccermomsavestheday · 08/03/2026 02:14

It’s KC now 😜

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Well he's not one of those either 😝

Obsessed with the phrase "you probably eat like a pen friend" btw. Did you make that up? I'm definitely going to start saying it but ideally would like to know what it means first...

PhaedraWas · 08/03/2026 02:14

HoskinsChoice · 07/03/2026 23:20

I mean clearly this thread is fake but 'rich but thick' still made me laugh. 🤣

Do people really fall for this goady bullshit?! 🎣 1/10

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It's completely bollocks isn't it? And so badly written.

Original poster

Soccermomsavestheday · 08/03/2026 02:14

Heyhoherewego23 · 08/03/2026 02:12

You’re an unemployed SAHM riding on your husbands coattails… you can’t even get his position right for fear of him being a lowly solicitor!

You want more status or you wouldn’t have put my husband, the barrister. He’s clearly not QC. you probably eat like a pen friend and butter your bread whole.

It’s KC now 😜

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Original poster

Soccermomsavestheday · 08/03/2026 02:14

Motherscanbefuppers · 08/03/2026 02:09

If you were so ambitious and hard working all your life until now, how did you suddenly get to the point of “my husband earns £250k, I don’t have to work so I don't”. In my experience, if you were anywhere close to your husband in terms of work ethic, ambition and earning potential, you don’t just turn that off because you “don’t have to” work. Something not adding up here.

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We’re all different

I don’t care to work if it’s the choice between that or being at home for my children. I totally changed once my first born was born and that was 10 years ago and I’ve never looked back. I absolutely love being at home. I totally respect women who enjoy having jobs too and also respect the women who work but would rather not but have to.

We’re all different

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Heyhoherewego23 · 08/03/2026 02:12

You’re an unemployed SAHM riding on your husbands coattails… you can’t even get his position right for fear of him being a lowly solicitor!

You want more status or you wouldn’t have put my husband, the barrister. He’s clearly not QC. you probably eat like a pen friend and butter your bread whole.

Woollyguru · 08/03/2026 02:11

You're high earners but that's not what I consider rich. If you have assets not including your residence of £2m+ I'd consider that rich.

Your DH could lose his job at any time. Assets are independent of income and will compound and grow if appropriately invested.