<p>There’s a rumor that the Gateses are leaving $10 million to each of the Gates kids. They can live off the interest on that money for life if they put it all into 30 year T-bills. 4.76% of $10 million is $476,000, a little less than $300k net of tax.</p>
<p>I’m sure the Gates kids have connections with other rich people up the wazoo.</p>
<p>^^ reminds me of The Great Gatsby with the “old money and new money” things.</p>
<p>To be honest, I’m half and half.
I am not envious of their money, I feel like it’s only human to have to work for your money. Also, someone who doesn’t live life so luxurious will experience the hardships and feel better rewarded when they have money. The only thing I can think of that I’m jealous of is the fact that they could travel anywhere whenever. I want to travel!</p>
<p>Im starting to get a vibe off of these posts that “rich” people are bad or evil. Or maybe careless.</p>
<p>Well, let me fill you guys in on a little something; the people you see buying million dollar homes and 4 or 5 cars, they do that because they are missing something. They do that to not worry about something, just like drinking (lots) makes you forget your problems (just like these material things, only for a while). Most of them own these homes and cars through loans or mortgages, and are employed (so if they are fired, they will surely regret being such careless spenders)</p>
<p>It also depends on the family. Most of these families haven’t been accustomed to being “rich” (mind you, “wealthy” and “rich” are a world’s away from each other). Most of them lived in the midwest/south and are in their late 30s/early 40s, have troubled kids (just 'cause their dad makes 6 or 7 figures, they can go crazy and live off his money), and have either divorced, going through a divorce, or facing very difficult marriage problems.</p>
<p>Speaking from personal experience, not all wealthy (not rich,but wealthy) people spend exuberantly. My family (im not intending to show off, i swear to you) is a prime example: the most costly vehicle we have ever purchased is a base GMC Yukon, a slightly used one at that. One of the family companies (privately owned) operates its own fleet of 2 G550 jets, and a boeing 777 private configuration. We have never used them for personal uses, and never intend to. We fly coach/economy, and if the points rack up, maybe upgrade to business if we feel like it (rarely). We dont travel every school break, only in the summer if we really need to relax. Even then, we stay at excellent places that are within the reach of middle-income/upper-middle family, but NEVER at seaview mansions or those places Manaay is speaking about. We RARELY buy “designer” clothes, only for the formal or semi-formal events. Most of it comes from regular stores like American Eagle. You would never EVER imagine that theres an excess of 1 billion cash in the background. </p>
<p>We personally know a family who ,by god’s generousity, have been enjoying their wealth (I dont mean to belittle at all, but they only have a fraction compared to us, at most 1/5) exuberantly. They match Manaay’s description. Maybe even more. They own atleast one or 2 houses in every continent, fly on daddy’s only private jet, and drive new cars every 3 months. They cant stand us for the fact that we arent using our money.</p>
<p>The moral of the story is: Not every wealthy or rich person is bad or chauvistic or pompous. They can be very nice people, caring and understanding. They can also be modest!</p>
<p>give you an example:
Rich - Shaquille O’neal
Wealthy - The guy who owns the team!</p>
<p>Living in America, I already live better than 90% of the world. Already, the idea of that scares me. I could not function properly knowing that i am within the richest one tenth of the world.</p>
<p>I think just having internet access puts us in the top 4%. Also electricity puts us in the top 1/3. Wealth is all relative really.</p>
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<p>Yes you could because then you would be in a very unique position to help people who are in need and that is a very fulfilling thing to be able to do.</p>
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<p>Ignoring all those that live here at or below the poverty line, of course. Doesn’t matter if we’ve got choices galoure and money floating around; they don’t see any of it. What’s the stat - 75% of Americas wealth is held by the richest 5%? Or something close to that…
Personally, I’m fine with what I have; though it’s not much… it is more than the standards of other countries… but I’m also not near the poverty line.
To top it off, we’re in a country that - to improve the world’s opinion of us, we spend WAY more money helping poverty issues in other countries than our own. I don’t know… in my opinion - if you’re poor in America; you’re in a bad, bad place.</p>
<p>My family is relatively well off.</p>
<p>I am going to OSU in the fall. I have a job now, but I don’t need one. I like working. After high school, I enlisted in the military when I could have gone straight to college without any financial difficulty.</p>
<p>People assume that all rich people care about is money. Ironically though, rich people probably care less about money than everyone else for the same reasons mentioned in this thread. Nobody in my family has to worry about financial aid; it isn’t on our minds. We aren’t pursuing careers aimed at generating the most money; we’re following what we’re interested in. People who are not in good financial situations are constantly worrying about money and aim for the opportunities that will net them the most of it. I think most rich people, while they enjoy having money, aren’t as hedonistic as people without money like to believe. Sure, some are, but so are many people without money. Having money just makes it easier for people to put more time in other things they would like to be doing. </p>
<p>A good quote: Whether you’re rich or poor, it is always good to have money.</p>
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<p>That just… isn’t true. In 2006, we spent $22.7 billion total on international aid. Medicaid alone costs the federal government a good 8-9 times that, and that doesn’t even consider the amount individual states pay.</p>
<p>Manayy- Bottom line is: You’re going to let jealousy eat at your soul or use it to motivate you to greatness or riches?</p>
<p>A lot of that international aid goes to the pockets of corrupt dictators.</p>
<p>Frankly I’d rather wait in line for two years for a section 8 voucher than live in the war zones of Rwanda or Sudan or Somalia or Zimbabwe. Over there you really don’t have anything besides a few rich power players and many, many people who barely scrape together any food to survive, and are killed for no reason.</p>
<p>@Batllo</p>
<p>thats very true!</p>
<p>Disregard women, acquire currency?</p>
<p>I envy rich people who are nice. I effing hate super rich people who are pompous a55es. Talk about wanting to punch someone in the face and break his jaw. And then, there are those rich people who aren’t jerks, but are just sissies who don’t want to get their nails dirty.</p>
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<p>way to put things into perspective.</p>
<p>In some way I am envious, and in some ways I’m not. I think I’m just envious because of the fact that they will more than likely always be well off and not think twice about a price tag. Other than that, I almost feel sorry for them…Most won’t feel the joy of earning their way towards a goal, feeling the hard work pay off, or even something as simple as relaxing. They tend not to realize how important it is to make something of yourself and be independent, basically living in the “real” world. And I really hate the pompous, jerks (rich/wealthy or not). </p>
<p>I have a friend whose family is very well off and she can go to the best school for her, while not making a dent in her family’s bank account. Her concern is finding a boyfriend. Then there’s me, who is going to community college to save my dad’s money, really looking into schools that would fit my future, and trying to find a job so I can pay for things on my own/not feel guilty about asking my dad for some money. Because of this though, I know I’m more responsible, dedicated, and focused on my goals and future.</p>
<p>I’m happy for her and all, but I have a pretty good feeling she can’t really enjoy the small, amazing things that life has to offer, because she’s been handed everything she ever needs/wants on a silver platter.</p>
<p>There’s more to life than money, but I’m not going to lie, having it can sure lift a giant burden off your shoulder :/</p>
<p>I think the ability to give to others is really great. I always wish I could go out and buy something for someone who is struggling. My mentor just bought me a dress and a pair of shoes for my job interview, and I’m on cloud 9. I can only imagine what it feels like to buy a load of grocery for a family from the working poor, or to send a low-income student to college debt-free (a non-Stanford low-income student, that is).</p>
<p>Ceteris paribus, I’d rather be rich than poor.</p>
<p>To hell with relative wealth. I care about absolute wealth.</p>
<p>of course i’m envious of rich people. this is why i don’t watch teen cribs…</p>