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Original poster

Are you rich? What makes you rich in your opinion

63 replies

Tiddingtonplace · 23/12/2023 21:54

Its so subjective, isnt it?

OP posts:
declutteringmymind · 23/12/2023 23:03

We are very comfortable financially. All the trappings and retirement and school/uni fees all ring fenced through luck,hard work, sweat and tears. Big inheritance likely but not required from my side.

All of us are currently healthy. Lots of holidays, I love my work and charity work. More study planned. We have no reason to be unkind to anyone although we've had it tougher than most (illness, loss of eldest DC countless other shit).

Aims in life: for this to continue, to do some good in the world, improve the lives of others, to look after our parents in old age.

FairEnuf · 23/12/2023 23:06

I waken up to look out onto the loch every morning and the hills (they're really mountains but everyone calls them hills here). We live in a very rural area and we watch otters and other wildlife daily. We don’t struggle for money, we never have and never will. We have wonderful young adult children who are all independent. Being rich can mean many things to different people. We’d give it all up in a second to spend 5 more minutes with our son who was killed very suddenly 5 years ago.

MintJulia · 23/12/2023 23:10

Yes.

My riches are a wonderful son who lives with me full time, happiness, health, freedom to live as I wish, clean air, green fields, plenty of space.

And the ability to pay the mortgage and heating bill.

We aren't financially rich (or poor) but for the moment, we have no worries.

Ecnerual · 23/12/2023 23:11

I don't feel rich.

We are comfortable, but we have to budget so we can afford to cover all our bills, save into a pension and have treats like a holiday every year. I do however worry that we aren't saving enough for retirement (we're in our 30s now) and that we might struggle to support our children financially when they're older (thinking of basic living costs). I also worry that my mum will be retiring with just a state pension and rents so I may end up supporting her.

Neither of us comes from wealthy families so have never had any financial help and we won't ever inherit anything. I think this makes a bit of difference to how wealthy I feel because everything is on us (and I work in a vocational public sector profession so little chance of earning mega bucks 😂).

Realise compared to many and in non-monetary ways I am rich though 💙

elliejjtiny · 23/12/2023 23:11

I am 41, been married over 20 years and still have my grandad alive. Those things make me rich.

financially we are in poverty.

closingdownsale · 23/12/2023 23:11

In the UK - On the ONS Wealth Calculator, I reckon 'rich' is if you're in top 10% of your country (I'm in top 50% apparently). OR if you have over £500k in house value, possessions and savings.

Tbh though, I'm definitely not poor. Will be drinking champagne on Xmas, we're all sat with a deliveroo now like most weekends, and the tree is propped up by a shit load of presents so I can't say not being rich in Europe's affects me that much.

Aqua20 · 23/12/2023 23:11

@Tiddingtonplace I'm not rich financially but I am rich in sharing my time with the people to who would like /value me in their life. Time is wealth!! Financially, you can't take coins or notes with you!!

LadyGaGasPokerFace · 23/12/2023 23:14

I’m richer than my parents were.

MintJulia · 23/12/2023 23:17

@DiwaliQueen I've been both financially wealthy(a long time ago) and wealthy in terms of family and life, and trust me, the latter is far better although I understand it is nice to experience the former - travel & lovely hotels & clothes etc.
But they really are all completely pointless if you don't have the stuff that makes you happy.

PotatoAloo · 23/12/2023 23:26

Yes, rich. As in lots of (new) money.

N.B. Why is new money looked down on? Why is it worse than inheriting money from other people? Just wondering why the snarkiness...

My yardstick for "rich" is that we can buy what we like and not budget. If the kids want a particular school or hobby or holiday, then we can do that if we think it's a good idea. Also lots of private healthcare, which is a godsend right now.

Obviously there are more important things than (excess) money in terms of happiness. But if the question is "are you rich?" then that's not the same as "are you happy?"

scoobydoo1971 · 23/12/2023 23:27

I am rich from new money (own business interests), and old (inheritance). I am rich because I am a millionaire, and have no debts whatsoever. There are lots of people in the world who are richer than me, and I do not take it for granted as other people (late parents) worked hard to give the inheritance. Nevertheless, I appreciate my financial position is very fortunate. I own a 9 bed house with extensive grounds outright overlooking the sea, and several other properties outright with no mortgages. I have 6 figure savings in bonds. Through my business interests, I have an annual income that is well above average. My children enjoy a private sector education, and we go on holiday several times per year. There is always money in my current account, and I could find a large sum quickly if there was an emergency that needed dealing with. I don't desire the latest gadgets, cars or homewares, but if I did then I could go out and buy them without much consideration of whether I could afford it, or not. That makes me feel materially rich, but also grateful for the opportunity available to my children. However, in other ways, I am not enjoying a rich and immersive life. I am physically very very poor, and exhausted by extremely debilitating medical conditions that are mostly incurable. I work too hard, and I have considerable life changing genetic illness requiring multiple, frequent surgeries that zap energy levels. I don't have a partner because all recent suitors have been too interested in obtaining financial security via a marriage to myself. I am cynical about the motivations of new friends as I have been asked for loans, investments and gift purchases from some people who I haven't even known for a long time. I have had all sorts of romantic propositions from younger men, and it is blatantly obvious they are looking for a sponsor rather than a girlfriend. So, if there ever was a case of money cannot buy you happiness, then it is me. I just hope money buys my children security in their adult lives.

flapjackfairy · 23/12/2023 23:28

as I grow older I really understand the meaning of the saying health is wealth.
I know people who are much better off than I am but who have terrible health unfortunately and no amount of money can change that.
So I feel v blessed to have a modest house and savings in the bank.to fall back.on though I live in a city considered a dive by many and few others would consider us wealthy. But we have all we need and the health to enjoy it so I am v content and thankful for that .

BlowDryRat · 23/12/2023 23:29

Last week I had to choose between buying some really nice fabric to go with my yoga mat bag or a new book by a photographer I admire. About 5 seconds into my terrible dilemma I copped onto myself and realised that I must be rich if that was the extent of my money problems.

edwinbear · 23/12/2023 23:35

I’d be loaded if I wasn’t paying £4k a month in school fees. When Labour get in, thanks to VAT on fees I’ll be expected to whip up close to £5k a month in fees. So, I have a choice to basically stop buying food and keep DC in private school, or take them out and send them to state. If I take the latter option (most likely), I’ll suddenly be swimming in cash. It’s very tempting. I’ll feel rich then.

Smellslikesummer · 23/12/2023 23:39

Yes.
For me being rich is

  • never worrying about bills/mortgage payments
  • being able to pay for private school for several DC
  • being able to replace any appliance that breaks down, or car/house repairs with no impact to the overall budget
  • being able to visit any place in the world we want to (as in, if we really wanted to we could, even though it could mean budget holidays the rest of the year)
Cincinnatus · 23/12/2023 23:40

In excess of many millions, so yes wealthy. I have zero stress and do what I want.

But also rich in a very happy marriage and 2 really lovely children.

KissTheRains · 23/12/2023 23:44

Average wage is about £30k in the UK, or so.
Someone earning 3 x the average, as much as they'll dent it, are rich and are earning far far more than millions upon millions of people.

Sure they'll say things like,
"Well I don't have a lot of disposable income"
Yes, because you choose to have bills that eat your wage away. If you earn £5k a month and your bills are £4999... that doesn't mean you're not earning £5k, it means you're choosing to spend your wealth.

GoingDownLikeBHS · 23/12/2023 23:47

Interesting. I wonder if thread might have been more informative if OP had asked "are you poor?" because so many friends I consider to be comfortably off (or even wealthy) are pleading utter poverty and it really gets to me. But they sincerely believe that, and this is a wide range of people, so how come they hold that belief so dear?

I'm talking about friends with at least one family home owned outright, in London so we're talking about people owning 2 or 3 three bed semis and renting them out whilst owning their own house no mortgage, and working, and with private pensions already in payment. I have a group of school friends I meet up with, I am the only one with a mortgage, and the only person with just one house (ie., the mortgaged one I live in).

Some have already inherited from parents, or will do soon. I can see one neighbours house from where I'm sitting, owns 3 houses outright and has several top of the range cars with personalised number plates on the drive. Told me the other day it's not fair they struggle so much. And how awful it was that they had to trade in their Mercedes for ULEZ.

Work colleague owns house outright, has 3 pensions in payment plus inheritance, books overseas holidays every 2/3 months. Talks about needing to "save pennies" and fiddles her expenses. Is now looking at buying a detached 4 bed. I have more examples but might become a bit tedious!

Seriously wondering if I'm the odd one for thinking they are well off.

GoingDownLikeBHS · 23/12/2023 23:49

Whilst I've been typing I notice several people have posted that they do believe they are rich. I think it's great that they just know their position, know they are comfortable and own it. Its the people in apparent denial that really get to me!

FunnysInLaJardin · 23/12/2023 23:49

I am comfortable, but very rich in terms of what life has given me.

Great childhood, fab marriage of 35 years and lovely kids. Good job, very nice home, lovely siblings and good friends

FunnysInLaJardin · 23/12/2023 23:52

although rich in monetary terms is subjective.

We earn around £100k, our house is worth £1m ish with a small mortgage and we have around £150k invested.

I wouldn't say we were rich, but others might

singleshare · 23/12/2023 23:52

I have investments worth several millions, so I'd consider myself rich. I don't have a particularly rich lifestyle, as I'm very new money (got lucky with playing with Investments while not working) and do frugal things out of habit and being unwilling to liquidate assets. My dcs are in private school and we have nice holidays.

I'm happy with my life, I have a happy marriage, a home where I like to live, 3 dcs and robust health for me and my family. I don't have to work and I love having lots of time for myself.

Comfortablechair · 23/12/2023 23:52

Bless you literally no one understands till they get chronically ill. It’s so humbling and heartbreaking. I would be on paper probably considered wealthy or even very wealthy but as others have said I’d give it up for a pain free life and ‘normal’ job. My wealth has come with HUGE physical and mental
sacirifice that will take years to unravel. My advice is get a mid level easy job with lots of holiday and never having to check emails out of hours. Spend every waking minute with your family children and friends don’t waste one day. The best things in life are always free - walking, running, talking, drawing etc

Bananalanacake · 24/12/2023 00:07

Dh sold his company for millions, he bought a plot of wasteland and is building something beneficial for the community, (think along the lines of children's centre). Also building us a house on this land, so expect me on the property board asking about walk in wardrobes soon. The old cliche is true, nothing has changed, I was always very frugal, I will always enjoy second hand shopping as it's better for the environment and more fun.

Mairzydotes · 24/12/2023 13:03

We don't have a high income and lots left over so we aren't rich in that sense.

However, we own our house and our second hand cars. We can afford to put the heating on , use our electric as we please and have plenty to eat . So we aren't too bad on the things that are important.

I'm sure people with a surplus of money just buy more expensive versions of the same things .