To ask what people consider rich....

[Imoen]

I'm possibly going to be flamed but Im genuinely curious. I keep reading on thread about its ok for the "rich" or the rich are getting richer etc....

I've also had several conversations with friends/family and often the throw away comment is "its ok for you, you're rich".

Thing is, I don't think we are. To me rich is not having to worry about working again.

WE both have very very good salaries which I'm grateful for an I know we're lucky (me 90K, him 60K) and we have a mortgage on a 4 bed house worth 280K. (130K left to pay).

But I would not say we are "rich".

You have good salaries OP but I don’t think you’re right

I don’t think I’m rich

Agree breaker is rich

But then I also agree with PPs talking about not having to worry if your washing machine breaks or MOT is due as you have enough money to cover it. It’s easy to take these things for granted and I know a lot of people don’t have a spare £100 or £500

Someone at work once said I “live in a different world” to her as I’d bought ghd straighteners for about £140 a few years ago

I consider people we know who live in 60,000,000 houses, and have multiple homes across the world as rich. The poster who earns 1.5 million a year as well off.

You know how a pretty girl, gets glammed up and then tells people shes ugly, hunting for compliments by all means.

That's what I saw when I read:

"We went on holiday at Christmas to the Caribbean"

and then

"I just dont believe I am rich"

To me you're rich when you feel able to start giving money away. It will be different depending on who you are, but when you've got a level of money where you can meet all of your own wants and needs comfortably, still have savings and then be able to give chunks of money away, then you're rich.

I think multi-millionaires and billionaires are rich. I think you’re comfortable OP, i.e. not struggling. Your friend clearly sees you as rich because perhaps she’s struggling to manage on her income. I think a lot of people mix with people in the same income bracket mostly so when they meet others who are better off they automatically think they're rich when they're not, they’re just better off.

I feel like this is a 'let me brag about my care free expenses and then post it on mumsnet so people can tell me I'm rich because nobody has asked me how we afford it all this week.'

"I think you're rich, Breaker is wealthy."

Strange. Since when does wealthy mean more wealthy than rich.
I think you're rich op, but I've learnt that rich people don't like being called rich so if I was talking in your presence, I'd probably refer to you as 'well off' as a euphemism.

Someone above said you were 'comfortable'. Comfortable for me starts much lower than that and includes anyone not constantly worried about money, who can eat out and go on holidays and were I live can start from 20 something k a year.

But again, I now that people use comfortable as a euphemism for rich, just like Mumsnetters say a 'decent' wage when they mean a very high one.

@Inclemental 🤣 millionaires need a way to pass the time while breastfeeding too you know! I find lots of Mumsnet amusing and interesting, I'm not sure why having money should preclude me reading/participating. Sorry if you feel I don't belong.

@Thesuzle I explained my circs up thread.

just like Mumsnetters say a 'decent' wage when they mean a very high one.

more accurately, what YOU think is very high. People do not have the same standard, the more I read this forum, the more I am amazed as how little some people expect from life.

What some people seem to think is a luxury is a basic need for others, it's weird thing. Just read a thread about au-pairs as an example, or about holidays.

It's so sad.

I just put last year's net income (£16,000) into the global rich list calculator. I am in the world's top 3.43 per cent of rich people, and I feel it.

I have a toilet that flushes, and running water. I have a job I love and a great work/life balance. I only buy things I need, because that's all I can afford - but to afford more, I'd have to work more of my paid job, and I like to do my voluntary job too. I have a fab car that I bought with money from my Dad's will. I economise on heating, but I am never cold cos I have jumpers.

I feel rich, and I am sorry for the OP who doesn't. It proves that feeling rich is nothing to do with money (or, indeed the reality of the global situation).

Breaker, as a millionaire, why are you on mumsnet? Not sure that’s how I would be spending my time if I was loaded.

You what now ?!
Is there a particular income bracket that allows you to be on mumsnet? You'll have to let us know incase there's anyone else you deem too wealthy to go on a chat forum....

@Pringlefan, I love and agree with your definition "To me you're rich when you feel able to start giving money away."

I began tithing (giving away 10 per cent of your income) when I was a Christian teenager. I'm not a Christian any more, but I've done it ever since. My income may seem small to many, but I am rich.

and HOW are the wealthy supposed to spend their time? What should we all aspire to, pray do tell

You're rich if you have a private banker

When people talk about the rich paying more taxes or the rich keep getting richer I don't typically associate this with people who are working for a salary (except maybe some super high earners). Its global CEOs, venture capitalists and people with massive inherited wealth who aren't considered to be contributing their fair share and just laughing as their wealth grows while working people keep slaving away. So in that respect OP you aren't rich, just comfortable and paying your fair share.

We have what is considered a high income (live in the US) and pay way more of our fair share of taxes than much richer people and it is frustrating. I know plenty of actual rich people living in an expensive city. None of them "work" in the traditional sense, their money works for them. I have to say I am envious of that, they get to work on passion projects and devote a lot of time to charity work too.

I think you are right OP, I would not class you as rich and I think it cheeky of your cousin to ask you to pay their mortgage payment when you still have your own to pay.

Breaker isn't that wealthy as she can't afford to pay someone to post on Mumsnet for her.

OR CAN SHE???

150k income and 130k montage left.
That is rich.
We have a bit more coming in but 700k mortgage (!)
Breaker is very wealthy.

If you live on the streets of Malawi and grill rats for food

I wish I could afford to grill my rats. I have to eat them raw. You bloody snobs with your posh grills don't know you're born

DP and I live in London, no dependents, and have a combined income of around £120,000 (possibly a bit more, maybe £125,000?). But we also have a £450,000 mortgage on a two-bed flat, so our outgoings once mortgage payments and bills are factored in are around £2000 a month. At the moment, I'd say we are well-off though not rich, but as soon as we have a baby and have to factor in loss of earnings through maternity leave and then astronomical childcare costs, I think we'll feel comparatively squeezed.

I also think some of it is pure luck, timing or whatever you want to call it. Sorry for people who are a bit younger, but my generation (god I feel old but I'm only 47) had 'free' university, and the cost of buying a house was much lower. We bought our house 15 years ago for under 400k and it's now worth well over £1 million, there is absolutely no chance in hell that I would be able to afford this house if I was to buy it now. We've had a proper head start.

QueenBlueberries I agree. But wait for all the baby boomers to start on about how it was harder back then. It's wasn't. It's nigh on impossible for young people now according to every source other than the imagination of older people who want to believe their good fortune was down to their hard work and nothing else!

www.theguardian.com/society/datablog/interactive/2012/jun/22/how-wealthy-you-compared

according to this calculator anything over 35K is comfortable and more than 57K puts you in the richest 10% of the UK, they consider more than 130K super rich ie the top 1%

it only takes account of income rather than wealth, wealth accounts for assets as well
while a pensioner on 25K seems quite poor they may have a mortgage free house worth 350K and a pension fund of 200K which makes them wealthy in many senses than someone earning 40K but will little assets
The rich generally have assets as well as a high income

What breaker will no doubt agree to is that even with one 6 figure and one lower 7 figure income, it's still not private jets and yachts. People think that all manner of luxury is available when it's really only available to the super rich.

There is comfortable (which means no significant worries but relies on the NHS), lower priced private education is possible but this will require other sacrifices. Camping hols or family friendly all inclusive. Mortgage.

Rich (private healthcare, private education for dc). Holiday in tropical places but in regular rooms. Regular daily cleaner and possibly a nanny. Possible second home which will be simple and low maintenance.

Very rich (above plus multiple holidays in presidential suites or premium villas within 7star resorts. Proper staff - nanny, housekeeper, full time gardener/driver). Multiple homes.

Super rich, yachts, jets, multiple proper staff-nannIES, driver, gardeners, maintenance person, security, PA, invitations to attend fashion shows from Chanel et al, multiple homes in various elegant places all with full time staff.