Posted on 04/27/2024 2:27:20 PM PDT by Libloather
The salary to be considered 'rich' has risen in every state in the last five years - as rampaging inflation means everyday spending eats up a bigger chunk of wages.
In fact, new data has revealed how the earnings needed to be among the wealthiest has soared by over 40 percent in some states.
The definition of rich has changed the most in Washington state, according to data from GOBankingRates, where Americans must now earn $544,518 to be among the wealthiest, up from $378,374.
The personal finance site defined 'rich' as those within the top 5 percent of earners in each state.
In order to be within this category in 12 US states, workers must earn a salary of over $500,000, it found, as household spending power has eroded.
GOBankingRates compared US Census Bureau salary data from 2017 and the latest available data from 2022 to see how the earnings threshold to be among the top 5 percent had changed over a five-year period.
In Washington, residents had to earn $378,374 in 2017 to be among the top 5 percent of earners. But in 2022, the median income of the top 5 percent had soared to $544,518.
Washington is home to big paying firms like Microsoft and Amazon as well as Starbucks and T Mobile - all based in and around Seattle. It is a far cry from its days as the birthplace of grunge and bands like Nirvana.
Nevada saw the second biggest jump over the time period - up 40.41 percent from $320,403 in 2017 to $449,872 in 2022.
Residents in Las Vegas say they have been priced out of the once-affordable city as wealthy Californians have flocked to Nevada - pushing up housing costs.
Rent in Sin City...
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
I’m not even middle class anymore. Thanks, Brandon.
And making a lot of money doesn’t make you rich.
When I got into medical school, my Dad (a cardiologist) told me something really important.
“A brain surgeon on Park Avenue has always made more than a general practitioner in Brooklyn. But you know those heart surgeons, the ones with the mansions in Sands Point? Two thirds of them are living check to check. Do what interests you”.
1 in 20? I find this very hard to believe.
The left loves to play the rich vs poor scam.
Rich is anyone with more money than you.
Poor is anyone with less money than you.
It’s all subjective from the point of view of the listener. That’s how socialists and communists convince the more wealthy that they are poor and have to get even with those than have more. Soon they are all equally poor.
I’m about 1/5th “wealthy” for my state, but I have a 2600 sq ft home on 2 acres, horses, dogs, a wife I’ve been married to for close to 40 years, no debt...I’m better off than many who have far more income!
My house and car are paid off. I’m not hungry. So I feel rich.
Well said!
I know millionaires who have an annual income of under $100,000.
“Income statement vs. Balance Sheet. Earnings do not equate to wealth.”
exactly ... i don’t “earn” shite anymore, but have an enviable net worth AND an enviable liquid net worth ...
one of the tricks to actually being wealthy is to figure out a way to avoid overt earnings as much as possible ... the other trick is to live below your earnings level and save, save, save and invest, invest, invest ...
“It’s all subjective from the point of view of the listener.”
Look at Cuba.
They can always find someone poorer than you to justify taking everything you have.
Socialism is theft.
-Frederick Bastiat
“Rich = Having “F.U.” Money’
absolutely true! and the amount of necessary F.U. money can vary widely from person to person ... and it doesn’t necessarily need to be all that large of an amount, either ... if one owns their own house and cars and everything else debt free, does their own cooking, does their own yard work, does most of their own house and appliance repairs, doesn’t drink, doesn’t smoke, doesn’t do street drugs, and has good medical insurance, there’s not that much remaining that absolutely must be paid for ...
Exactly... Had an uncle in the very high 6 figure income when I was struggling in the.military back in the early 80s. He told me it’s all relative. He said he just has bigger car payments, house payments etc.
When he retired he had nothing because he spent all his money vice planning ahead.
I’m retired and we’re doing great.
Read later!
keeping up
Very good sir!
We own our home mortgage free, 3.5 acres in a nice quiet area. We are debt free no credit cards, no personal loans and no car notes. We put 50% of our income into savings and investments. We are not high earners. We worked very hard and employed a lot of discipline to get here.
To know contentment.
Is to be rich!
I am doing ok but have seen how congress with their inflationary spending can wipe out savings in months and then it takes years to recover.
My AMD stock needs to get to $250 a share and stay there or go higher for me to feel comfortable. It came close and peaked about 6 weeks ago at $227 but is now at $157... as the FED will not act one way or another. People who never worked in a real job are the ones running the FED and congress!
Next stock will be Starlink (Elon Musk) when it is offered at the end of this year or sometime next then I will be able to buy a few things and not worry about the money.
James 2:5-6
King James Version
5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+2%3A5-6&version=KJV
Matthew 5:3-4
English Standard Version
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5%3A3-4&version=ESV
Hang in there 😀
[C’mon Powerball!]
I think I’d get myself in a whole lotta trouble with that kind of money.
And with all the cars I’d buy, I’d wing up with bigger barns, like the rich fool....
BUT I could order stuff that’s not on the $1 menu, so.......
(who remembers $1 menus? It was B.J.B. - Before Joe Biden)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.