|
| Wednesday, March 12, 2008 |
| How Much Nest Egg Do You Need to Join the True Elite |
This SmartMoney article: How Much Nest Egg Do You Need to Join the True Elite is pretty depressing. I could care less if I ever found myself in the "True Elite" level of wealth - but come on, now you need $10 Million to be considered middle class? More and more rich people certainly believe they need at least $25 million. In a recent survey by Chicago-based Spectrem Group, 25% of affluent folks said it takes $25 million to be rich, and another 8% said $100 million. Those two groups combined weren't all that much smaller than the 45% who cited $5 million.
While $1 million was once a sign that you had arrived, plenty of people with up to $10 million nowadays don't think of themselves as rich. Many actually consider themselves "middle class," according to survey work by the authors of a new book, The Middle-Class Millionaire. That's increasingly true as the $10 million crowd finds a new intruder in its gated communities: the weakening economy. The delinquency rate for "jumbo" home mortgages — a category that includes loans for basic McMansions — more than doubled last year, to 0.74%, according to Fitch Ratings.
True, only a tiny portion of all Americans meet our definition of rich: Just 0.20% of households have net worths of $25 million or more. But in absolute numbers, the group is considerable. If one representative from each of the 175,400 households filed into an NFL stadium at the same time, they wouldn't all find seats. In fact, they would have to go in two shifts — and even then, some 15,000 would be left in the parking lots, tailgating in their Bentleys. |
| posted by Boston Gal @ 1:27 PM *
* Subscribe to Boston Gal's Open Wallet |
Links to this post:
|
| 11 Comments: |
-
"If one representative from each of the 175,400 households filed into an NFL stadium at the same time, they wouldn't all find seats."
the question is would they be satisfied with seats? would they not - each one of them - demand box/booth seating? :-)
- s.b.
-
We're bombarded with pictures of wealth -- Mercedes, Leer Jets, Mansions.
It's only natural that those who are doing fine but don't splurge on excesses think of the excesses as reserved for those with more money than they have.
-
Good lord, that's depressing! There's just no keeping up.
-
This story is so ripe for comment it's crazy. This isn't depressing, it is fascinating. The disconnect between the "rich" and everyone else is striking. We don't appreciate how rich they really are, and neither do they (e.g., thinking $10M is middle class). Consider also the tax policy angle, and how it plays out in elections - shaving a few hundred dollars of the Average Joe/Jane's tax return will keep them voting republican so that the truly rich (who don't, by the way, get that way earning wages subject to payroll taxes) enjoy dividend rates of 15% rather than 35%? You cannot make this stuff up!
-
There is SO SO much disconnect with the rich and the average joe its not even funny. This is VERY VERY depressing. WAKE UP AMERICA!
-
WOW! I consider myself middle class (net worth $20k)...I must be really poor to these people!
-
Don't worry people. In the grand scheme of things how much fame or wealth you attain on earth or how beautiful of a spouse you have will not overcome the fact that your future generations will be subject to leaving most earthly possessions behind and probably most of your genetic code to evolve into beings that can live beyond this planet:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/11/science/space/11earth.html
The earth is going away in less than 8 billion years with predictions of the water leaving in a billion years.
Understanding that humans have only been on earth say 10000 years should give pause. Why worry about what is coming? Just learn to be happy with your circumstance. Remember no one can control your emotion only you can...well until this technology is perfected:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpfjmzZ4NTw
-
Don’t believe one optimistic word from any public figure about the economy or humanity in general. They are all part of the problem. Its like a game of Monopoly. In America, the richest 1% now hold 1/2 OF ALL UNITED STATES WEALTH. Unlike ‘lesser’ estimates, this includes all stocks, bonds, cash, and material assets held by America’s richest 1%. Even that filthy pig Oprah acknowledged that it was at about 50% in 2006. Naturally, she put her own ‘humanitarian’ spin on it. Calling attention to her own ‘good will’. WHAT A DISGUSTING HYPOCRITE SLOB. THE RICHEST 1% HAVE LITERALLY MADE WORLD PROSPERITY ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE. Don’t fall for any of their ‘humanitarian’ CRAP. ITS A SHAM. THESE PEOPLE ARE CAUSING THE SAME PROBLEMS THEY PRETEND TO CARE ABOUT. Ask any professor of economics. Money does not grow on trees. The government can’t just print up more on a whim. At any given time, there is a relative limit to the wealth within ANY economy of ANY size. So when too much wealth accumulates at the top, the middle class slip further into debt and the lower class further into poverty. A similar rule applies worldwide. The world’s richest 1% now own over 40% of ALL WORLD WEALTH. This is EVEN AFTER you account for all of this ‘good will’ ‘humanitarian’ BS from celebrities and executives. ITS A SHAM. As they get richer and richer, less wealth is left circulating beneath them. This is the single greatest underlying cause for the current US recession. The middle class can no longer afford to sustain their share of the economy. Their wealth has been gradually transfered to the richest 1%. One way or another, we suffer because of their incredible greed. We are talking about TRILLIONS of dollars. Transfered FROM US TO THEM. Over a period of about 27 years. Thats Reaganomics for you. The wealth does not ‘trickle down’ as we were told it would. It just accumulates at the top. Shrinking the middle class and expanding the lower class. Causing a domino effect of socio-economic problems. But the rich will never stop. They just keep getting richer. Leaving even less of the pie for the other 99% of us to share. At the same time, they throw back a few tax deductible crumbs and call themselves ‘humanitarians’. Cashing in on the PR and getting even richer the following year. IT CAN’T WORK THIS WAY. Their bogus efforts to make the world a better place can not possibly succeed. Any 'humanitarian' progress made in one area will be lost in another. EVERY SINGLE TIME. IT ABSOLUTELY CAN NOT WORK THIS WAY. This is going to end just like a game of Monopoly. The current US recession will drag on for years and lead into the worst US depression of all time. The richest 1% will live like royalty while the rest of us fight over jobs, food, and gasoline. So don’t fall for any of this PR CRAP from Hollywood, Pro Sports, and Wall Street PIGS. ITS A SHAM. Remember: They are filthy rich EVEN AFTER their tax deductible contributions. Greedy pigs. Now, we are headed for the worst economic and cultural crisis of all time. Crime, poverty, and suicide will skyrocket. SEND A “THANK YOU” NOTE TO YOUR FAVORITE MILLIONAIRE. ITS THEIR FAULT. I’m not discounting other factors like China, sub-prime, or gas prices. But all of those factors combined still pale in comparison to that HUGE transfer of wealth to the rich. Anyway, those other factors are all related and further aggrivated because of GREED. If it weren’t for the OBSCENE distribution of wealth within our country, there never would have been such a market for sub-prime to begin with. Which by the way, was another trick whipped up by greedy bankers and executives. IT MAKES THEM RICHER. The credit industry has been ENDORSED by people like Oprah, Ellen, Dr Phil, and many other celebrities. IT MAKES THEM RICHER. Now, there are commercial ties between nearly every industry and every public figure. IT MAKES THEM RICHER. So don’t fall for their ‘good will’ BS. ITS A LIE. If you fall for it, then you’re a fool. If you see any real difference between the moral character of a celebrity, politician, attorney, or executive, then you’re a fool.. WAKE UP PEOPLE. THEIR GOAL IS TO WIN THE GAME. The 1% club will always say or do whatever it takes to get as rich as possible. Without the slightest regard for anything or anyone but themselves. Reaganomics. Their idea. Loans from China. Their idea. NAFTA. Their idea. Outsourcing. Their idea. Sub-prime. Their idea. High energy prices. Their idea. The commercial lobbyist. Their idea. The multi-million dollar lawsuit. Their idea. The multi-million dollar endorsement. Their idea. $200 cell phone bills. Their idea. $200 basketball shoes. Their idea. $30 late fees. Their idea. $30 NSF fees. Their idea. $20 DVDs. Their idea. Subliminal advertising. Their idea. Brainwash plots on TV. Their idea. Prozac, Zanex, Vioxx, and Celebrex. Their idea. The MASSIVE campaign to turn every American into a brainwashed, credit card, pharmaceutical, love-sick, couch potatoe, celebrity junkie. Their idea. All of the above shrink the middle class, concentrate the world’s wealth and resources, create a dominoe effect of socio-economic problems, and wreak havok on society. All of which have been CREATED AND ENDORSED by celebrities, athletes, executives, entrepreneurs, attorneys, and politicians. IT MAKES THEM RICHER. So don’t fall for any of their ‘good will’ ‘humanitarian’ BS. ITS A SHAM. NOTHING BUT TAX DEDUCTIBLE PR CRAP. In many cases, the 'charitable' contribution is almost entirely offset.. Not to mention the opportunity to plug their name, image, product, and 'good will' all at once. IT MAKES THEM RICHER. These filthy pigs even have the nerve to throw a fit and spin up a misleading defense with regard to 'tax revenue'. ITS A SHAM. THEY SCREWED UP THE EQUATION TO BEGIN WITH. ITS THEIR OWN DAMN FAULT. If the middle and lower classes had a greater share of the pie, they could easily cover a greater share of the federal tax revenue. They are held down in many ways because of greed. Wages remain stagnant for millions because the executives, celebrities, athletes, attorneys, and entrepreneurs, are paid millions. They over-sell, over-charge, under-pay, outsource, cut jobs, and benefits to increase their bottom line. As their profits rise, so do the stock values. Which are owned primarily by the richest 5%. As more United States wealth rises to the top, the middle and lower classes inevitably suffer. This reduces the potential tax reveue drawn from those brackets. At the same time, it wreaks havok on middle and lower class communities and increases the need for financial aid. Not to mention the spike in crime because of it. There is a dominoe effect to consider. So when people forgive the rich for all of the above and then praise them for paying a greater share of the FEDERAL income taxes, its like nails on a chalk board. If these filthy pigs want to be over-paid, then they should be over-taxed as well. Remember: The richest 1% STILL own 1/2 of all United States wealth EVEN AFTER taxes, charity, and PR CRAP. A similar rule applies worldwide. There is nothing anyone can say to justify that. Anyway, there is usually a higher state and local burden on the middle and lower classes. They get little or nothing without a local tax increase. Otherwise, the red inks flows. Service cuts and lay-offs follow. Again, because of the OBSCENE distribution of bottom line wealth in this country. I can not accept any theory that our economy would suffer in any way with a more reasonable distribution of wealth. Afterall, it was more reasonable 30 years ago. Before Reaganomics came along. Before GREED became such an epidemic. Before we had an army of over-paid executives, celebrities, athletes, attorneys, investors, entrepreneurs, developers, and sold-out politicians to kiss their asses. As a nation, we were in much better shape. Lower crime rate, more widespread prosperity, stable job market, free and clear assets, lower deficit, ect. Our economy as a whole was much more stable and prosperous for the majority. WITHOUT LOANS FROM CHINA. Now, we have a more obscene distribution of bottom line wealth than ever before. We have a sold-out government, crumbling infrastructure, energy crisis, home forclosure epidemic, 13 figure national deficit, and 12 figure annual shortfall. The cost of living is higher than ever before. Most people can't even afford basic health care. ALL BECAUSE OF GREED. I really don't blame the 2nd -5th percentiles. No economy could ever function without some reasonable scale of personal wealth and income. But it can't be allowed to run wild like a mad dog. ALBERT EINSTEIN TRIED TO MAKE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND. UNBRIDLED CAPITALISM ABSOLUTELY CAN NOT WORK. Bottom line: The richest 1% will soon tank the largest economy in the world. It will be like nothing we’ve ever seen before. and thats just the beginning. Greed will eventually tank every major economy in the world. Causing millions to suffer and die. Oprah, Angelina, Brad, Bono, and Bill are not part of the solution. They are part of the problem. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A MULTI-MILLIONAIRE HUMANITARIAN. EXTREME WEALTH MAKES WORLD PROSPERITY ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE. WITHOUT WORLD PROSPERITY, THERE WILL NEVER BE WORLD PEACE OR ANYTHING EVEN CLOSE. GREED KILLS. IT WILL BE OUR DOWNFALL. Of course, the rich will throw a fit and call me a madman. Of course, they will jump to small minded conclusions about 'jealousy', 'envy', or 'socialism'. Of course, their ignorant fans will do the same. You have to expect that. But I speak the truth. If you don’t believe me, then copy this entry and run it by any professor of economics or socio-economics. Then tell a friend. Call the local radio station. Re-post this entry or put it in your own words. Be one of the first to predict the worst economic and cultural crisis of all time and explain its cause. WE ARE IN BIG TROUBLE.
-
I don't know what is so depressing about this but it is true. I know a lot of people I work with who have LIQUID wealth in the $5MM-$15MM range and they are pretty young (30s and 40s) but do not feel rich at all. These days $1MM is not even a hurdle and $5MM is the new $1MM. You need to look at the INCOME you generate off your nest egg. If you have $10MM in liquid net worth you can safely/comfortably draw an income of around $400k to $500k on that without really risking your principle and keeping it up with inflation. So is $400k per year going to make you feel rich? No way, that is a very common upper middle class salary in many places. I think the problem with the difference in perception is a lot of middle class people don't really know what it is to be rich because what you're exposed to is so different. You might see a bunch of things around you that you can't afford and think "Hey, if I made $500K per year I could easily afford that stuff" - but in reality when you are rich the world you're exposed to is much different. Those guys I work with, they spend at least $20k-$40k just to rent a beach house for a week, their typical two-week vacation costs more than most people make in a year. And it is not like they are living a super high life or anything, its just that your interests move up. Just like a poor person may think how awesome it would be to stay in a $200/night hotel, but for a middle-class person that is nothing great.
-
I'd probably define rich as being able to live a decent middle class lifestyle without working or receiving social security or running down your capital. Let's say $100k for a family with children would mean $2.5 million in net worth using the 4% rule. For a single person half that could work. But of course this isn't a luxury lifestyle by any means. So that's where we get to $5 or $10 million as rich. There are a whole lot of different levels of rich in fact. On the investment side in the US in order to be allowed to invest directly in hedge funds etc. you need $1.5 million. But at that level you won't be able to get to invest in any good funds who usually will have high minimum investments. And you probably want to invest in more than one fund. So $10-$20 million is probably only just getting you into that game.
Maybe we should define terms like "financial freedom" as the threshold level and rich as a level much above that?
-
mOOm, Your definition sounds good to me. If you had 2.5 million, you wouldn't HAVE to work, but if you wanted to work that money would be gravy and allow you to give more to charity, take nice vacations, etc.
2.5 million? No problem! I'm 10% of the way there. :)
|
| |
| << Home |
| |
|
|
|
|
"If one representative from each of the 175,400 households filed into an NFL stadium at the same time, they wouldn't all find seats."
the question is would they be satisfied with seats? would they not - each one of them - demand box/booth seating? :-)
- s.b.