Define "Rich"

[♥ COVID-19♥]

According to the federal government, if you make $250,000/year in the United States, you are rich. As a New Yorker, I can tell you that a quarter million a year won't get you too far, especially if you're trying to raise a family.

This article from The Los Angeles Times took an interesting perspective on the subjective definition of the term "rich":

How much money makes you 'rich'?

Reporting from New York — It's just not the same on this island as anywhere else.

In Manhattan, a monthly parking space goes for $550. A magician for a children's party asks $650 an hour. (A rookie will take $400.) The nanny gets $600 a week. Breakfast for four at a corner diner is $40; a dog walker is $10,000 a year; a plumber who makes emergency calls won't lift the toilet lid for less than $250.

Occasional spa treatments?

"Did you have to ask?" said Ricky Metz, a Manhattan hairdresser who boasted about the combined $310,000 she and her husband earn a year but became embarrassed trying to explain how it is spent. "I know, I know I shouldn't whine, but in New York unless you're a millionaire you don't feel rich. We feel middle-class."

Really, they're not. They're among the 2.5% of Americans — couples who annually earn more than $250,000 and individuals who earn $200,000-plus — whom the Obama administration and the Democrats have considered wealthy enough to pay higher taxes starting next month.

What's your definition of what it means to be rich?

[Chicago Jake]

Apparently to the Obama administration, it is anyone who regularly votes Republican.

[innit Geezer]

I'm not sure what defines rich, but I'd think it would include assets and/or income. $250,000 in NY will keep your head above water but not much else. This morning I was with a couple who make approximately $75,000 combined, they can barely eat (seriously) and only drive as needed.

[Merlot Joe]

Who really knows? $250,000 a year out here will get you a long way. Our president thinks $250,000 make you rich so that must be the starting point.

[innit Geezer]

I just did some fast math, you need at least $2000 a month to run a small house here (no mortgage). Rents in the northern suburbs are approximately $1600 for smallish units.

There are many typical homes in Westchester County with r.e. taxes around $20,000 and bigger houses can easily be $35,000 per year.

I haven't thought of where I'm going to retire, but it's not going to be around here which is sad, why do I have to be forced out (like so many others)?

[Tex]

Rich is having enough money to do what you want where you want it. For some, having a few hundred dollars a week gets it, for some, ten million isn't nearly enough.

For purposes of making government policy regarding "the rich", it is whatever the majority wants it to me. To my thinking, the money doesn't belong to the government to start with and the default should be towards lower taxes. Chico agrees with me 100%, but when I start getting much past him, the honest disagreements begin. I suspect that the only thing that we will all agree is fair involves a lot of white trash, cotton candy and turkey legs.

[Chicago Jake]

To split all people into two distinct categories, Rich and Not Rich, is ridiculously over-simplistic. There is a sliding scale from dirt poor to middle class to filthy rich, with many subtleties and gradations in between.

To me, the real distinction comes when you are rich enough to not have to worry about money. That is, when you have enough to satisfy your needs, and worries about not having enough evaporate. Everything above and beyond that is just gravy.

I once read an interview with Jerry Seinfeld where they asked him his thoughts on wealth. He said something that sounded quite profound: "People don't want money so that they can buy things. People want money so that they don't have to worry about not having any money!" I thought that was brilliant.

[Ardbeg... innit]

Dec 13, 2010 17:07:46 GMT -6 ♥ COVID-19♥ said:

a dog walker is $10,000 a year;

In my book, anyone willing to pay $10,000 a year to have their dog walked is "rich".

[♥ COVID-19♥]

I wouldn't disagree with that -- BTW, I could argue that you'd have to be rich just to be able to live in a Manhattan apartment that will even allow you to keep a dog in the first place.

[Chicago Jake]

Given that a dog walker can easily walk upwards of ten dogs a day, you could argue that the dog walkers are rich.

[♥ COVID-19♥]

10 a day? I've seen some that walk 10 at a time!

[Ardbeg... innit]

Makes those years and years in grad school seem ever more valuable.

[Tex]

If I had to move to Manhattan, I guess I could make a living as a dog walker. (the Naked Cowboy job being already taken)

[♥ COVID-19♥]

Dec 14, 2010 10:12:22 GMT -6 Ardbeg... innit said:

Makes those years and years in grad school seem ever more valuable.

Better than waiting tables, I s'pose ...

[♥ COVID-19♥]

Dec 14, 2010 10:26:22 GMT -6 Tex said:

If I had to move to Manhattan, I guess I could make a living as a dog walker. (the Naked Cowboy job being already taken)

BTW, I recently found out that The Naked Cowboy actually lives in New Jersey.

[Tex]

My wife wanted a picture with the Naked Cowboy and we ended up chatting with him for a few minutes. He seemed a decent sort - originally from Ohio and wanting to find an alternative to the 9-5 grind. He found it.

[♥ COVID-19♥]

And now he's running for POTUS as a Tea Party candidate looking to bring back HUAC

www.nj.com/hobokennow/index.ssf/2010/11/secaucus_naked_cowboy_bring_ba.html

[Ardbeg... innit]

Pres Naked Cowboy would make for interesting White House press conferences and State of the Union Addresses

[♥ COVID-19♥]

His VP pick should be that chick who was a witch.

[Ardbeg... innit]

Veep Naked Witch

[♥ COVID-19♥]

And what of her masturbation policy? It would be interesting to see how long she could be Mistress Of Her Domain around The Naked Cowboy.

[Ardbeg... innit]

She just needs to take a Civics class first so that she knows what is in the Constitution

[Merlot Joe]

Dec 14, 2010 11:40:13 GMT -6 Ardbeg... innit said:

She just needs to take a Civics class first so that she knows what is in the Constitution

Maybe they can get a two for one and she can take Palin with her.