The term “rich” really has no meaning, everyone has their opinion. To you & me $500k/yr is a lot but considering some earn in the millions or billions range, along with the yachts and Bugatti Veyron’s they own, it really isn’t.
That said, I’m technically a 10%er, I know people that consider me “rich” yet I’m still far from being able to retire.
People who make $30K/year think people who make $40K/year are rich. The Left knows this game well.
I'm inclined to believe that in today's world one can,perhaps,define "rich" in a standardized way...at least in connection with a certain part of the world.
I've traveled to certain Third World countries...India and Tanzania being just two.There,one is rich if he/she has access to drinking water that doesn't give you cholera.
I've also traveled to Greenwich,CT...the Upper West Side of Manhattan...Palm Beach...and Dubai (where I've seen a Bugati Veyron Vitesse in the Dubai Mall's valet parking area).There,$500K/yr just about allows you to get by.
To a guy like myself I consider myself to be comfortable but not rich.Condo of 1,000 sq feet,a late model German car (not a Mercedes or Porsche),the ability to do some traveling and have a nice piece of Prime Rib from time to time.
In Tanzania I'd be considered obscenely wealthy.In Greenwich,CT I'd be considered poverty stricken.But to me in just about every spot on earth except a few here,a few in Europe,a few in the Middle East and,perhaps a few elsewhere (they say Sydney real estate is outrageous) I'd say $500K/yr is rich...unless,perhaps,you're supporting a family of 10.
Just sayin'...
I won’t be able to retire until noon on the day of my funeral.