Curious, Earning, Money, Net Worth, Question, Rich, Saving, Spending, Wealthy, What would it take?

At what point would you feel wealthy?

It’s a pretty simple question — at what point would you feel wealthy?

Is it a net worth number?

Is it a feeling?

Is it because you can do something you’ve never done before?

For me, it’s if I would never have to work again, even with all of the spending I want to do.

Not so easy to pin down, but that would mean being able to take a trip any time I wanted, buy anything I wanted without thinking about the price tag too long and hard (yes, this includes $2000 Burberry coats), and basically.. doing whatever I want, whenever I want.

Oh, and being able to take a cab.

I’ve reached a mini-equilibrium of that now, but it is obviously not permanent because I will have to work and make money to sustain what I am doing now which is what I like to term a mini, semi-retirement of sorts, by taking very long sabbaticals (going on 3 years now!).

I think the actual net worth number I would need would be at least $5 million, but if I could just ratchet down my spending and jack up my income, I wouldn’t need as much, now would I?

This is the price I am willing to pay for the balance of enjoying life while making sure I secure my financial future.

SO WHAT WOULD IT TAKE FOR YOU?

12 responses to “At what point would you feel wealthy?”

Revanche @ A Gai Shan Life

July 3, 2016

It’s a multi-faceted answer. I already am and feel wealthy beyond measure in the things that matter beyond money with regard to chosen family and friends. I can’t do anything more about the family by blood who don’t value me.

I am wealthy in money. But I also have a lot of room for growth because there’s so much more I want to do in the world. Travel, help underrepresented minorities get the basic necessities, rescue animals, support medical research. My level of wealthy doesn’t begin to touch that and I’d like to.

Just for me? I said $10M months ago but when I think of all the above things I realize that $10M is laughable. More please 🙂

Reply
1. sherry@savespendsplurge.com
  
  July 8, 2016
  
  LOL!!! $100M!!
  
  Reply
alana

July 1, 2016

Being able to take a cab or towncar everywhere is of my “wealth indicators” as well.

Fundamentally though, I think one is wealthy when investment returns (after accounting for inflation), can comfortably fund desired lifestyle and activities.

Reply
1. sherry@savespendsplurge.com
  
  July 2, 2016
  
  I’m heading towards that, but $18,000 – $24,000 year of bare bones living is not my idea of comfortable. $50K maybe.
  
  Reply
Debbie M

July 1, 2016

For me, there are many, many points. There was the first time I had my own spending money and didn’t have to ask my parents for everything. There was the time I went to college and started getting more stuff that was just mine (towels, fingernail clippers). There was the time I could afford to live away from home without financial aid. There was the time I paid off my first car. There was that first job when I had health insurance and paid sick leave and vacation. There was the time my car broke down and I didn’t have to end the vacation–I just dropped off at a shop and rented a car. There was the time I paid off my house. And there was the time I retired.

I am wealthy in so many ways even though I don’t fit most western-world definitions of wealthy. And I really don’t want to be all that wealthy anyway–never knowing who’s really my friends, feeling like I need to live behind a locked gate, etc.

Reply
1. sherry@savespendsplurge.com
  
  July 2, 2016
  
  Oh yes! Not asking your parents for money. I stopped that at 19, but it was more an independence thing than a wealth thing.
  
  I think the more money you have, the worse it is. I have been reading horrific stories about luxury, famous families.. it is all a bit sad to be honest.
  
  Reply
Sara

July 1, 2016

On Ali Wong’s Netflix comedy special she says she’ll feel wealthy when she can buy the pre-cut mango at whole foods. Hilarious and she has a point.

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1. sherry@savespendsplurge.com
  
  July 2, 2016
  
  LOL!
  
  Reply
Cassie

July 1, 2016

That’s a tough question. Personally I know I associate wealth with the feeling of security, but at the same time I know the bar for feeling secure moves much like the feeling of acquiring “enough” moves for those with increasing incomes. I’d have to say I’d feel wealthy if my net worth kept increasing regardless of my spending. I don’t anticipate ever being wealthy enough to spend freely, but financially independent and comfortable I can see.

Reply
1. sherry@savespendsplurge.com
  
  July 2, 2016
  
  Hmm. Good point about spending ‘freely’. What does that really mean? .. like I can walk into Holt Renfrew & buy the entire department if I wanted? Ugh.
  
  Reply
Julie@ChooseBetterLife

July 1, 2016

To feel wealthy, I’d have enough to live comfortably on for the rest of my life.
To me, this means frugally but still doing what I want, traveling, and being generous to those I love.

Reply
1. sherry@savespendsplurge.com
  
  July 2, 2016
  
  What a good answer.
  
  Reply