To think the problem with wealth inequality is that rich people don't know how rich they are?

[Neeroy]

Article in the Times today saying that people earning six figures 'don't feel rich'.

Because they are surrounded by six figure earning peers they are comparing themselves to people who have more rather than the 90% of the population that have far less. This is why the budget is poorly received in the news, because rich people think they already shoulder too high a burden when in fact compared to everyone else they still have far more disposable income. Even if they have to cut down on the number of holidays they go on. They aren't sitting in the dark under a blanket. Or only making food that doesn't require turning on the oven.

I don't think they realise how so many people have to live.

www.thetimes.com/article/1fb46414-8f65-436f-8f95-451d69626148?shareToken=8061d939633164c0dfbd805240c8e008

Stalking too.

Plus clearly lying.

Exactly. And if these earners lose their jobs and can't find new ones, say in their late 50s, they will soon find out how not rich they are as the savings run out.

Real wealth means having an income from trust funds, stocks and shares, which is not dependent on what you earn.

The really rich don't pay much tax either, unless they choose to.

We employ people on zero hours contracts. The minimum we have paid is £95/hr the maximum has been £300/hr. These are highly skilled people, many are parents who choose their working hours, work from home most of the time and are certainly not exploited, they pick and choose but there is no other mechanism to employ them. They used to bill us for hours worked, that was simple but that is no longer allowed due to IR35.

The Employment Rights Bill will make our lives and the lives of our zero hours people very difficult, it would likely mean we could no longer employ these experts. Their needs are not served by this bill - they have no resemblance to the exploited min wage, zero hours (or worse 4 hour contracts) employees who are desperate for full time hours and do need more protection. But the Gov has caused all sorts of contortions by lumping them in together - and the nonsense admin we have to go through with pensions and fake holidays etc is really quite frustrating. I get we're not the priority but we pay a hell of a lot of tax and employ quite a few well paid people, it would be lovely of the Government not to make our lives harder for no good reason!

To think the problem with wealth inequality is that rich people don’t know how rich they are?

When you’ve got a person on this thread claiming they’re not rich because they can’t afford to blow £600 on a single pair of boots, I would agree that some people obviously do not appreciate how rich they are.

It won’t occur to them that there are people out there with NO boots, who haven’t got £12 to buy a pair on vinted, and who are currently walking round with wet feet.

‘Rich’ is like ‘fat’. I’m a size 14, I could do with losing a couple of stones. I am fat. But compared to someone weighing 35 stone, I’d be considered quite slim. It doesn’t alter the fact that I’m overweight.

Just because mega-rich people exist, doesn’t mean that the rich aren’t rich. You’re not skint because you’ve bought property in one of the most expensive cities in the world. You’re rich because you’ve been able to.

90k less 40k on housing and 50k on unsubsidised nursery for 2 kids doesn't leave a whole lot though!

I have been the "blow £300 on a dress" person on half the salary, I know what PP are referring to. I just think it's qualitatively different from the situation of many young families in London who are not just struggling compared to the Joneses but actually can't get the numbers to add up, because the full unsubsidised costs of those two major expenses (housing and childcare) are so extreme.

What are you on @OneAmberFinch to be pulling 9-10 hours?

Well I think we are going to find out - and maybe you are right. But the people who think money is important are leaving. So it will be very interesting to see what happens to the country!

Can you explain this to me? Are your workers like supply staff for nurseries and schools eg?

They said that about Scotland when our Govt brought in higher tax for people on higher salaries. People would leave. They didn't. In fact, more people came!

Do you have one wage coming in or two Amber?

What does this mean? I don’t think she’s on anything - she’s just working hard! Within my friend group 9-10 hours a day is/was normal. My husband works 12 hours a day, he used to work more. I’ve done all nighters (which is working 24 hrs plus), I’ve napped under my desk, I’ve fainted at work from exhaustion. That’s finance and law for you, but when you become senior it gets better.

Really? That’s interesting I didn’t know that. I wonder why?

257,000 Brit’s have left the Uk in the last year though - the government initially said they thought it would be 77,000.

You are spoiled and privileged.
I’m an immigrant who lived through societal collapse and I don’t take financial security for granted. I work hard and I work long hours to ensure it for me and my family. I can’t fall back on government support and I can’t count on a nice public salary and nice public sector pension

How do countries with higher productivity than the UK manage?

Thirteen. I have to say that the spelling, reading, simple arithmetic, and even telling the time on this thread by "high earners" is appalling. Worrying actually.

They’re earning that money. Not being handed it. I don’t see why they should pay more than they already do because other people didn’t have or make the same choices tbh.

Someone on £100k sustaining a family isn’t rich they’re just comfortable.

Quality of life I think. We have numerous universal benefits which offset the higher taxes.

That’s appalling. Do you have children?

IMO we should tax the rich until they squeal. Then tax them some more. Nobody NEEDS to earn so much money. It's just greed.

I worked for 42 years in the public sector. I'm hardly privileged financially. I have never claimed a benefit in my life. But I have different priorties than you. Btw, MPs and MSPs also get a public salary. You are working for you. I worked to help people who are disadvantaged.

Tell me what govt "support" I got.

🤣 it’s really not. We have a fantastic life. I’m a SAHM and my husband loves his job. He says there is no amount of money he could get to which would stop him wanting to get up at 6am and go to work. He is the only person I have ever met who feels that way about his job though! It’s not about money for him it’s about making the best of his abilities and thinking about things and getting things right.

He sees DC for literally ten minutes per week day but that’s similar to how much we saw our own fathers during the week and I’d say it’s similar across our friendship group so feels normal.

And this is going to happen so you must be pleased! I’m interested to see how it turns out - but traffic in Dubai is already a pain…

Do not let the rich flee to Dubai with their ill-gotten loot!

He sees the weans 10 minutes a day! I can't even imagine that and my dad was a policeman that worked shifts and on his days off sometimes had to go to court etc.

We're just different. My sons have a brilliant relationship with their dad. He worked weekends etc and sometimes was out at midnight looking for a client he was worried about.

But, the best thing my oldest son said to me was " I just want the same as you and dad. A relationship like yours, a house like this, and a job where I help people.

He became a secondary teacher. Though he is also a writer and has a Masters in creative writing.

I just can't ever imagine my husband putting our boys second.

Do you think it's a class thing?