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AIBU?

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What is considered rich these days??

613 replies

Soccermomsavestheday · 07/03/2026 22:55

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?

OP posts:
mynameiscalypso · 07/03/2026 23:12

MotherofPufflings · 07/03/2026 23:09

I cannot bear it when people try and justify themselves by saying that they "worked really hard to be where they are". Lots of people work really hard, probably harder than your husband, and still don't earn anything like as much as he does. It's mostly down to luck - of background, education, being in the right place etc. It sounds so bloody smug.

Totally agree. Plus the OP says she doesn’t work.

Soccermomsavestheday · 07/03/2026 23:12

MotherofPufflings · 07/03/2026 23:09

I cannot bear it when people try and justify themselves by saying that they "worked really hard to be where they are". Lots of people work really hard, probably harder than your husband, and still don't earn anything like as much as he does. It's mostly down to luck - of background, education, being in the right place etc. It sounds so bloody smug.

It really has been hard work educationally. We both come from working class backgrounds but studied far beyond post graduate level and worked our way up the ladder as such. We have never had any financial help. So yes I do consider that hard work and entirely lacking of any luck 😊

OP posts:
Blondeshavemorefun · 07/03/2026 23:11

Earns £250k a year and private schools

and you think you aren’t well off

jeez 🙄🙄🙄🙄

NorthernAndNervy · 07/03/2026 23:11

It’s all relative. I don’t work as my husband earns £95k, but our mortgage is only £750 and we live in a 3 bed. We have a Range Rover and an older car. He would happily move to a bigger house but I’m happy with where we are and what we’ve got and don’t see the point in stretching. We’re “rich” to some people - I wanted a new ring - got one the next day for £1.2k without him even blinking. my mum often says to me “you lot are loaded” we’re not - and without DH I’d be a poorly paid dental nurse on about £13 an hour at most.

To people who have to budget their last £50 for food we are very lucky and well off. But to some of our friends living in a £750k house as they are both on £100k salaries, driving better cars, having cosmetic work regularly and having many exotic holidays, we’re not as well off.

Soccermomsavestheday · 07/03/2026 23:09

LaMarschallin · 07/03/2026 23:07

Is that really the question you're asking or are you actually asking if your SiL is being unreasonable?

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

OP posts:
MotherofPufflings · 07/03/2026 23:09

I cannot bear it when people try and justify themselves by saying that they "worked really hard to be where they are". Lots of people work really hard, probably harder than your husband, and still don't earn anything like as much as he does. It's mostly down to luck - of background, education, being in the right place etc. It sounds so bloody smug.

LaMarschallin · 07/03/2026 23:07

Is that really the question you're asking or are you actually asking if your SiL is being unreasonable?

Brewtiful · 07/03/2026 23:06

You cannot possibly think private educated children, two range rovers, a 4 bedroom detached house and you being a lady of leisure constitutes a modest lifestyle.

No wonder people say you're out of touch.

ThatFairy · 07/03/2026 23:06

It's subjective. Rich to me is outright owning your own house with a lovely big garden in a nice area. But then I'm what people refer to as "the underclass"- currently unable to work and living without a car in a little council flat and running out of money every month

ShanghaiDiva · 07/03/2026 23:03

I wouldn’t call sending dcs to private school, driving range rovers and earning £250k per year, living a modest life.

Nevermind17 · 07/03/2026 23:03

Only Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk are rich according to Mumsnet.

I consider myself to be rich having grown up very poor, but we’re probably considered to be relative paupers on MN.

JaceLancs · 07/03/2026 22:58

I would consider you fairly well off - which is not the same as rich!
To me rich means never having to even consider what you can afford or even think about budgets etc

CharlotteSometimeslikesanafternoonnap · 07/03/2026 22:58

Why are you being purposely obtuse? Of course you are very well off, your husband earns many times more than the average salary.