What is considered rich these days??

[Soccermomsavestheday]

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?

I used to think being Rich was getting paid enough to have a few holidays a year, a big home with a pool, kids wanting for nothing and a nanny to take care of them, a Rolls Royce on the driveway etc. But as years have rolled by I've realized that being rich is something very different to being wealthy, being rich to me now is having a healthy and happy family, a roof over our heads, having the freedom to leave work to go and watch their Christmas plays, food in our bellies, laughter and whispering chatter coming from my children's bedrooms when they're supposed to be sleeping, cuddling my kiddies on the sofa with a movie - I've never felt richer in my life. I do earn decent money - but all money does is buy you choices, a happy life does not need a 6 figure salary or flashy cars. Yes money helps but its not the be all and end all, I've seen people living in tin shacks that are happier than people on 150k a year, perspective is everything in this life.

I wouldn't say that's very decent tbh. Especially if they are single and want a good quality of life with a mortgage , holidays and nice things.

"BFH"

Single with no kids. This is perfectly fine for a starting salary after unu. It's definitely enough to live off.

I’d say it’s a very comfortable income, which allows you to make real choices. Being very rich is different.

You have it easy. You're rich compared to most. Is this post a joke? This is why people despise the rich.

Which one is it?
"I don’t have to work so don’t."
"we have worked really hard to be where we are ".

I think I am rich lol. I have a mortgage on a nice three bed detached house. Nice cars well I think they our Nissan duke and ford ranger. We own them so no debt duke is 2013 thou. Holiday once maybe twice a year. I am a part time carer partner is in construction. When we had r first child we lived in a bed sit over looking a dump. Maybe rich means different things to different people. It’s not really having money that makes me feel rich it’s more having choice that having the money has brought us. we work hard and yes some luck is always involved

How are those things even a contradiction? I don’t think the OP has claimed to never have worked?

Btw you are not rich. If you were you wouldn’t be on mumsnet asking if you are!

Yes, you are being wildly unreasonable.

Private school is a luxury some families could never contemplate, no matter how much they longed for it. You drive luxury cars. You don't have to work because your husband's income is sufficient. You have a large detached house with a lovely garden. These are not indicative of "a modest life".

To put this in context, the average UK wage is £39,000, i.e. six times less than your husband earns. Imagine trying to live on 1/6 of your current income, and how much of your current lifestyle would have to go for you to be able to do that. I'm not disputing that you budget for your lifestyle, but your budget includes the cost of two Range Rovers and private school. It is not the same as someone whose budget means they have to decide between putting the heating on and buying their child new school shoes.

The vast, vast majority of people in this country are getting by on a fraction of the money you have. If that doesn't make you rich, what does? Do you think 'rich' means 'having so much money you never have to consider the price of anything, ever"?

the impication that if you don't work hard you don't have £250k

My dear, you are stinking rich.

Exactly. It's insulting to so many people who are working their arses off but still struggling, especially in the current economic climate.

In my opinion you’re rich .
My daughter has friends who think we are rich because we own a detached home ( decent area but not at all posh ) we have nice food in the house , a decent car ( not new ) are able to take 2 short UK holidays per year and can replace a household appliance when it breaks down and can’t be repaired.
So to them I’m rich and I feel just comfortable IYSWIM

Wow I appreciate your hiuse will get taxed more but really...... £250k to my £38k no comparison. I always have too much month left at the end of my pay even with a strict budget. Was a single Mum working and on benefits until 6 years ago, went from a full time salary of £22k to now full time salary of £38k.

Most graduates start between 25 and 30k so it's above average.

I believe 80k places you in the top 10%. I would think that was “rich” but it’s all personal.

National min wage for 40 hours a week is just over 25k, so I’m not sure that’s a good barometer/

That’s really not fine if you’re single.

£32k starting wage aged 22 is pretty decent.

Course it's fine. Many Grads I know make do of it and rent privately in London in a house share with that. Decent salary to start a working career with.

Don’t eye roll at me, it’s ignorant.

I have three children, so I know how much childcare is. I live in the south east in an expensive town so I’ve been there. I also know that you cut your cloth accordingly.

No problem with my comprehension, but you certainly have a problem with your attitude.

And you think new grads get much above minimum wage?
Yeah OK, some do, but it's not the norm whatever the weather.

Nah mate you're rich. After all you have a 'wrap around garden.'