Who is unapologetically Rich

[Anonymous]

HHI roughly 250K

--Drive luxury vehicles (BMW, Acura, Audi, Mercedes, etc.) No (two old American sedans)
--Live in a 1 million or more house in a nice neighborhood (NW DC, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Arlington, McLean, or even Capitol Hill). Yes: Bethesda
--Fully fund retirement Save but not "fully funded"
--Fully fund 529s so your kid can go to the best college they can get into, even private school; Have enough saved to fully fund public schoo for two kidsl, don't feel morally obligated to fund private
--Send your kids to private schools like Sidwell, NCS, GDS, etc. No: MCPS
--Have elaborate vacations that frequently involve international travel, like most spring or Christmas breaks the Caribbean or Hawaii along with more occasional big trips to Europe, Africa, or Asia No: almost never take vacations and when we do it's the train to NY
--Afford music lessons, travel sports, tutors, and other enrichment, including expensive camps Yes
--Allow your kids to wear designer labels, like a freshman in high school wearing $150 dollar jeans (7s, Diesel, etc.) No
--Buy handbags that are 1000+ on occasion No
--Invest some money in taxable investments after maxing out 401K and IRA No
--Have the occasional date night at a high end restaurant where you can blow $250 dollars on food and wine on a nice tasting menu No but we go to the theater several times a year and get orchestra seats, which is basically the same as this example in terms of cost

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Alright, since the debate on who constitutes "Upper Middle Class" is hotly debated on here, and people can't see to agree on whether 250-500K is rich or just barely making it as middle class, who on here lives a "rich" lifestyle and what is your HHI? Since people with 500K apparently budget carefully, drive 10 year Hondas, go to public school, and have modest vacations at the beach, who are all these people in the area that people complain about on the private schools forum who are in a bubble of wealth jetting off on fancy vacations and letting their 7th graders wear designer clothes? If you can afford to do several of the following, what is your HHI?

--Drive luxury vehicles (BMW, Acura, Audi, Mercedes, etc.) No, cheap car but that is because we rarely drive.
--Live in a 1 million or more house in a nice neighborhood (NW DC, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Arlington, McLean, or even Capitol Hill).Yes, that is the plan
--Fully fund retirementYes
--Fully fund 529s so your kid can go to the best college they can get into, even private schoolWe save outside of 529s
--Send your kids to private schools like Sidwell, NCS, GDS, etc.No, we plan on public
--Have elaborate vacations that frequently involve international travel, like most spring or Christmas breaks the Caribbean or Hawaii along with more occasional big trips to Europe, Africa, or AsiaNot lately but did and plan to again once the baby is older
--Afford music lessons, travel sports, tutors, and other enrichment, including expensive campsDoes a nanny count?
--Allow your kids to wear designer labels, like a freshman in high school wearing $150 dollar jeans (7s, Diesel, etc.)
--Buy handbags that are 1000+ on occasion[b]Yes
--Invest some money in taxable investments after maxing out 401K and IRAYes
--Have the occasional date night at a high end restaurant where you can blow $250 dollars on food and wine on a nice tasting menu[b]Yes

I'm curious, because there seems to be many neighborhoods filled with luxury vehicles, many people living in 1 million + houses, and many people in the DC area who enjoy travel, and many who complain about expensive clothes being worn in schools (both public and private)

HHI in the 400s. I thought I'd liven the thread up with someone who buys designer bags.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Alright, since the debate on who constitutes "Upper Middle Class" is hotly debated on here, and people can't see to agree on whether 250-500K is rich or just barely making it as middle class, who on here lives a "rich" lifestyle and what is your HHI? Since people with 500K apparently budget carefully, drive 10 year Hondas, go to public school, and have modest vacations at the beach, who are all these people in the area that people complain about on the private schools forum who are in a bubble of wealth jetting off on fancy vacations and letting their 7th graders wear designer clothes? If you can afford to do several of the following, what is your HHI?

--Drive luxury vehicles (BMW, Acura, Audi, Mercedes, etc.) Drive Pruis.
--Live in a 1 million or more house in a nice neighborhood (NW DC, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Arlington, McLean, or even Capitol Hill).
--Fully fund retirement
--Fully fund 529s so your kid can go to the best college they can get into, even private school This is silly, fully funded for state school and have other savings if they go out of state or to a private college/University.
--Send your kids to private schools like Sidwell, NCS, GDS, etc.no need with public as good as it is in McLean.
--Have elaborate vacations that frequently involve international travel, like most spring or Christmas breaks the Caribbean or Hawaii along with more occasional big trips to Europe, Africa, or Asia no
--Afford music lessons, travel sports, tutors, and other enrichment, including expensive camps yes, except no to travel sports
--Allow your kids to wear designer labels, like a freshman in high school wearing $150 dollar jeans (7s, Diesel, etc.) they wear what they want to wear.
--Buy handbags that are 1000+ on occasion no need
--Invest some money in taxable investments after maxing out 401K and IRA yes
--Have the occasional date night at a high end restaurant where you can blow $250 dollars on food and wine on a nice tasting menu yes, but, generally don't go for the wine, prefer a nice cocktail

I'm curious, because there seems to be many neighborhoods filled with luxury vehicles, many people living in 1 million + houses, and many people in the DC area who enjoy travel, and many who complain about expensive clothes being worn in schools (both public and private)

We also donate 7-10% of our gross income. Rich by my standards, but not by DCUM's.

You forgot your HHI. And I swear I've never seen a Prius in McLean that doesn't have DC plates.

--fellow McLean resident.

[Anonymous]

--Drive luxury vehicles (BMW, Acura, Audi, Mercedes, etc.) No. We have a new Honda CRV and two other cars that are 10 years old.
--Live in a 1 million or more house in a nice neighborhood (NW DC, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Arlington, McLean, or even Capitol Hill). No. Townhouse, Bethesda
--Fully fund retirement Fund, yes; fully, no way,
--Fully fund 529s so your kid can go to the best college they can get into, even private school No. We do have some money saved in 529s and the rest will need to be a combo of loans and aid. But I do have a partial tuition reimbursement plan at work.
--Send your kids to private schools like Sidwell, NCS, GDS, etc. No
--Have elaborate vacations that frequently involve international travel, like most spring or Christmas breaks the Caribbean or Hawaii along with more occasional big trips to Europe, Africa, or Asia Usually just Florida or a driving trip; occasionally the Caribbean or California
--Afford music lessons, travel sports, tutors, and other enrichment, including expensive camps Yes, within reason. We pick and choose.
--Allow your kids to wear designer labels, like a freshman in high school wearing $150 dollar jeans (7s, Diesel, etc.) American Eagle and H&M is good enough for us.
--Buy handbags that are 1000+ on occasion No way!
--Invest some money in taxable investments after maxing out 401K and IRA Yes
--Have the occasional date night at a high end restaurant where you can blow $250 dollars on food and wine on a nice tasting menu Yes, but more often we do something like drinks and appetitzers at happy hour. Much cheaper and kinder to the waistline!


Family of five with HHI of $160k.

[Anonymous]

And not just rich, but Rich with a capital R, baby!

[Anonymous]

We don't choose to do some of these things, but can afford all of them.

I did a ton of acting and modeling as a child, and those profits were invested very well. I was always told it was for college, but I wound up getting scholarships. My husband's family has been well off for many generations. When our children were born, the in-laws opened savings accounts for them fully funding their educations through college. I don't really LIKE thousand-dollar purses for the most part. I'm not a car person and DH already went through the fancy sports car/luxury car phase, so we buy pre-owned middle of the line cars. We splurge on vacations. We always go to Mexico each year, and somewhere new also. The kids don't get all designer clothes. They get Gap or CrewCut clothing. We don't live in a McMansion because ... I think they look stupid. We've got a house that's comfortable for us, with a really awesome kitchen and great bathrooms. We don't buy the most extravagant of everything. We're not trying to prove anything to anybody here.

[Anonymous]

I am unapologetically rich:

- in the love I receive from my family
- in the quality education I've received
- in travels I've experienced
- in empathy for others
- in friends across the world
- in a warm and cozy home in a safe neighborhood with a reasonable mortgage

(Rich in money and things - not so much!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Alright, since the debate on who constitutes "Upper Middle Class" is hotly debated on here, and people can't see to agree on whether 250-500K is rich or just barely making it as middle class, who on here lives a "rich" lifestyle and what is your HHI? Since people with 500K apparently budget carefully, drive 10 year Hondas, go to public school, and have modest vacations at the beach, who are all these people in the area that people complain about on the private schools forum who are in a bubble of wealth jetting off on fancy vacations and letting their 7th graders wear designer clothes? If you can afford to do several of the following, what is your HHI?

--Drive luxury vehicles (BMW, Acura, Audi, Mercedes, etc.)
--Live in a 1 million or more house in a nice neighborhood (NW DC, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Arlington, McLean, or even Capitol Hill).
--Fully fund retirement
--Fully fund 529s so your kid can go to the best college they can get into, even private school
--Send your kids to private schools like Sidwell, NCS, GDS, etc.
--Have elaborate vacations that frequently involve international travel, like most spring or Christmas breaks the Caribbean or Hawaii along with more occasional big trips to Europe, Africa, or Asia
--Afford music lessons, travel sports, tutors, and other enrichment, including expensive camps
--Allow your kids to wear designer labels, like a freshman in high school wearing $150 dollar jeans (7s, Diesel, etc.)
--Buy handbags that are 1000+ on occasion
--Invest some money in taxable investments after maxing out 401K and IRA
--Have the occasional date night at a high end restaurant where you can blow $250 dollars on food and wine on a nice tasting menu

I'm curious, because there seems to be many neighborhoods filled with luxury vehicles, many people living in 1 million + houses, and many people in the DC area who enjoy travel, and many who complain about expensive clothes being worn in schools (both public and private)

No fancy cars
Yes, million dollar house in CC
Yes to private school
No elaborate vacations
Moderate sleep away camps
No designer clothes for kids
Used to buy expensive handbags, no longer
No expensive date nights and very little savings
Planning on giving up private school to increase savings

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Alright, since the debate on who constitutes "Upper Middle Class" is hotly debated on here, and people can't see to agree on whether 250-500K is rich or just barely making it as middle class, who on here lives a "rich" lifestyle and what is your HHI? Since people with 500K apparently budget carefully, drive 10 year Hondas, go to public school, and have modest vacations at the beach, who are all these people in the area that people complain about on the private schools forum who are in a bubble of wealth jetting off on fancy vacations and letting their 7th graders wear designer clothes? If you can afford to do several of the following, what is your HHI?

--Drive luxury vehicles (BMW, Acura, Audi, Mercedes, etc.)
--Live in a 1 million or more house in a nice neighborhood (NW DC, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Arlington, McLean, or even Capitol Hill).
--Fully fund retirement
--Fully fund 529s so your kid can go to the best college they can get into, even private school
--Send your kids to private schools like Sidwell, NCS, GDS, etc.
--Have elaborate vacations that frequently involve international travel, like most spring or Christmas breaks the Caribbean or Hawaii along with more occasional big trips to Europe, Africa, or Asia
--Afford music lessons, travel sports, tutors, and other enrichment, including expensive camps
--Allow your kids to wear designer labels, like a freshman in high school wearing $150 dollar jeans (7s, Diesel, etc.)
--Buy handbags that are 1000+ on occasion
--Invest some money in taxable investments after maxing out 401K and IRA
--Have the occasional date night at a high end restaurant where you can blow $250 dollars on food and wine on a nice tasting menu

I'm curious, because there seems to be many neighborhoods filled with luxury vehicles, many people living in 1 million + houses, and many people in the DC area who enjoy travel, and many who complain about expensive clothes being worn in schools (both public and private)

No fancy cars
Yes, million dollar house in CC
Yes to private school
No elaborate vacations
Moderate sleep away camps
No designer clothes for kids
Used to buy expensive handbags, no longer
No expensive date nights and very little savings
Planning on giving up private school to increase savings

You sound just like us except. We don't do sleepaway camp but do day camps in town instead. We have no plans to give up private unless something happens and we're forced to.

I'll say that our neighborhood pretty much only has $1M+ houses and the average car is a minivan or Volvo SUV. Yes, there are luxury cars in the mix, but there are also Priuses and old Camrys and Accords too. This area isn't so much a fancy car type of place. I think of cities like LA and Miami as more fancy car towns.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

You don't need to be truly rich to do those things, but you do need to be comfortable. Truly rich means you can hire a private jet for your vacations and could have multiple houses around the world, etc.

I see. So privileged beyond belief compared to the rest of the world, developed or not is not considered rich on this forum. You need to be Koch Brothers/Bill Gates rich to be truly rich. Or at least movie star rich. Got it.

The criteria that were used to determine "rich" by OP are very middle class concerns. When you do it at the levels of income many are describing you are talking upper-upper-middle class. But the rich don't give a sh*t about 529s, IRAs, and occasional date night splurge meals.

[Anonymous]

HHI $600-800k

--Drive luxury vehicles (BMW, Acura, Audi, Mercedes, etc.) YES, DH LIKES HIS NICE CARS.
--Live in a 1 million or more house in a nice neighborhood (NW DC, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Arlington, McLean, or even Capitol Hill). YES, $1 MILLION HOME IN ALEXANDRIA (FFX)
--Fully fund retirement YES, DH LOVES TO SAVE.
--Fully fund 529s so your kid can go to the best college they can get into, even private school YES
--Send your kids to private schools like Sidwell, NCS, GDS, etc. NO, KIDS CURRENTLY ATTEND PRESCHOOL. WE PLAN TO SEND OUR KIDS TO FFX PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
--Have elaborate vacations that frequently involve international travel, like most spring or Christmas breaks the Caribbean or Hawaii along with more occasional big trips to Europe, Africa, or Asia YES, I LOVE TO TRAVEL.
--Afford music lessons, travel sports, tutors, and other enrichment, including expensive camps YES, SPLURGE FOR THE BEST HERE.
--Allow your kids to wear designer labels, like a freshman in high school wearing $150 dollar jeans (7s, Diesel, etc.) KIDS IN PRESCHOOL WEAR MOSTLY GAP AND TARGET CLOTHES WITH SOME OCCASIONAL RALPH LAUREN. NOT FANCY.
--Buy handbags that are 1000+ on occasion YES, I ADMIT I LIKE MY CHANEL.
--Invest some money in taxable investments after maxing out 401K and IRA YES, DH AND I BOTH LIKE TO SAVE.
--Have the occasional date night at a high end restaurant where you can blow $250 dollars on food and wine on a nice tasting menu WE DON'T DO DATE NIGHTS OFTEN BUT WE HAVE NO PROBLEM DROPPING A FEW HUNDRED FOR DINNER.

WE DO HAVE A HIGH CONSUMPTION LIFESTYLE BUT WE STILL SAVE $100-200K PER YEAR. WE LIVE BELOW OUR MEANS FOR HOUSING. CONSIDERING A MOVE TO MCLEAN OR SIMILIAR BUT WE ARE LEANING TOWARDS STAYING IN ALEXANDRIA. WE LIVE CLOSE TO TJ. WOULD BE FINE WITH OUR CHILDREN ATTENDING THE LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL AS WELL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Alright, since the debate on who constitutes "Upper Middle Class" is hotly debated on here, and people can't see to agree on whether 250-500K is rich or just barely making it as middle class, who on here lives a "rich" lifestyle and what is your HHI? Since people with 500K apparently budget carefully, drive 10 year Hondas, go to public school, and have modest vacations at the beach, who are all these people in the area that people complain about on the private schools forum who are in a bubble of wealth jetting off on fancy vacations and letting their 7th graders wear designer clothes? If you can afford to do several of the following, what is your HHI?

--Drive luxury vehicles (BMW, Acura, Audi, Mercedes, etc.) Drive Pruis.
--Live in a 1 million or more house in a nice neighborhood (NW DC, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Arlington, McLean, or even Capitol Hill).
--Fully fund retirement
--Fully fund 529s so your kid can go to the best college they can get into, even private school This is silly, fully funded for state school and have other savings if they go out of state or to a private college/University.
--Send your kids to private schools like Sidwell, NCS, GDS, etc.no need with public as good as it is in McLean.
--Have elaborate vacations that frequently involve international travel, like most spring or Christmas breaks the Caribbean or Hawaii along with more occasional big trips to Europe, Africa, or Asia no
--Afford music lessons, travel sports, tutors, and other enrichment, including expensive camps yes, except no to travel sports
--Allow your kids to wear designer labels, like a freshman in high school wearing $150 dollar jeans (7s, Diesel, etc.) they wear what they want to wear.
--Buy handbags that are 1000+ on occasion no need
--Invest some money in taxable investments after maxing out 401K and IRA yes
--Have the occasional date night at a high end restaurant where you can blow $250 dollars on food and wine on a nice tasting menu yes, but, generally don't go for the wine, prefer a nice cocktail

I'm curious, because there seems to be many neighborhoods filled with luxury vehicles, many people living in 1 million + houses, and many people in the DC area who enjoy travel, and many who complain about expensive clothes being worn in schools (both public and private)

We also donate 7-10% of our gross income. Rich by my standards, but not by DCUM's.

You forgot your HHI. And I swear I've never seen a Prius in McLean that doesn't have DC plates.

--fellow McLean resident.

Funny, I live in McLean and have a Prius with DC Tags on it. (Company car)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Alright, since the debate on who constitutes "Upper Middle Class" is hotly debated on here, and people can't see to agree on whether 250-500K is rich or just barely making it as middle class, who on here lives a "rich" lifestyle and what is your HHI? Since people with 500K apparently budget carefully, drive 10 year Hondas, go to public school, and have modest vacations at the beach, who are all these people in the area that people complain about on the private schools forum who are in a bubble of wealth jetting off on fancy vacations and letting their 7th graders wear designer clothes? If you can afford to do several of the following, what is your HHI?

--Drive luxury vehicles (BMW, Acura, Audi, Mercedes, etc.) [b]have one for entire family including nanny and have collectables[/b]
--Live in a 1 million or more house in a nice neighborhood (NW DC, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Arlington, McLean, or even Capitol Hill). 2million home in DC area, condo Vail, home Intercostal waterway and boat
--Fully fund retirement what retirement -- we don't work
--Fully fund 529s so your kid can go to the best college they can get into, even private school private all the way goes without saying
--Send your kids to private schools like Sidwell, NCS, GDS, etc. Boarding school
--Have elaborate vacations that frequently involve international travel, like most spring or Christmas breaks the Caribbean or Hawaii along with more occasional big trips to Europe, Africa, or Asia home in France, Vacation in Vail at our home. Fly private
--Afford music lessons, travel sports, tutors, and other enrichment, including expensive camps dressage lessons, flying lessons
--Allow your kids to wear designer labels, like a freshman in high school wearing $150 dollar jeans (7s, Diesel, etc.) when slumming
--Buy handbags that are 1000+ on occasion Berkin
--Invest some money in taxable investments after maxing out 401K and IRA our interest makes interest
--Have the occasional date night at a high end restaurant where you can blow $250 dollars on food and wine on a nice tasting menu fly to Paris

I'm curious, because there seems to be many neighborhoods filled with luxury vehicles, many people living in 1 million + houses, and many people in the DC area who enjoy travel, and many who complain about expensive clothes being worn in schools (both public and private)

Such quaint ideas about being rich. That is upper middle class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Alright, since the debate on who constitutes "Upper Middle Class" is hotly debated on here, and people can't see to agree on whether 250-500K is rich or just barely making it as middle class, who on here lives a "rich" lifestyle and what is your HHI? Since people with 500K apparently budget carefully, drive 10 year Hondas, go to public school, and have modest vacations at the beach, who are all these people in the area that people complain about on the private schools forum who are in a bubble of wealth jetting off on fancy vacations and letting their 7th graders wear designer clothes? If you can afford to do several of the following, what is your HHI?

--Drive luxury vehicles (BMW, Acura, Audi, Mercedes, etc.)
--Live in a 1 million or more house in a nice neighborhood (NW DC, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Arlington, McLean, or even Capitol Hill).
--Fully fund retirement
--Fully fund 529s so your kid can go to the best college they can get into, even private school
--Send your kids to private schools like Sidwell, NCS, GDS, etc.
--Have elaborate vacations that frequently involve international travel, like most spring or Christmas breaks the Caribbean or Hawaii along with more occasional big trips to Europe, Africa, or Asia
--Afford music lessons, travel sports, tutors, and other enrichment, including expensive camps
--Allow your kids to wear designer labels, like a freshman in high school wearing $150 dollar jeans (7s, Diesel, etc.)
--Buy handbags that are 1000+ on occasion
--Invest some money in taxable investments after maxing out 401K and IRA
--Have the occasional date night at a high end restaurant where you can blow $250 dollars on food and wine on a nice tasting menu

I'm curious, because there seems to be many neighborhoods filled with luxury vehicles, many people living in 1 million + houses, and many people in the DC area who enjoy travel, and many who complain about expensive clothes being worn in schools (both public and private)

Bikes and Prius
1.2 m house near Westover (22205)
No bags
Georgetown Day School
No trips except for work (lot of Western Europe travel)
Income - 155 for me; 400 plus 100-200 bonus DH
We are fortunate but DH income is variable so we live like he makes a lot less
Have college covered; retirement well underway

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Alright, since the debate on who constitutes "Upper Middle Class" is hotly debated on here, and people can't see to agree on whether 250-500K is rich or just barely making it as middle class, who on here lives a "rich" lifestyle and what is your HHI? Since people with 500K apparently budget carefully, drive 10 year Hondas, go to public school, and have modest vacations at the beach, who are all these people in the area that people complain about on the private schools forum who are in a bubble of wealth jetting off on fancy vacations and letting their 7th graders wear designer clothes? If you can afford to do several of the following, what is your HHI?

--Drive luxury vehicles (BMW, Acura, Audi, Mercedes, etc.) [b]have one for entire family including nanny and have collectables[/b]
--Live in a 1 million or more house in a nice neighborhood (NW DC, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Arlington, McLean, or even Capitol Hill). 2million home in DC area, condo Vail, home Intercostal waterway and boat
--Fully fund retirement what retirement -- we don't work
--Fully fund 529s so your kid can go to the best college they can get into, even private school private all the way goes without saying
--Send your kids to private schools like Sidwell, NCS, GDS, etc. Boarding school
--Have elaborate vacations that frequently involve international travel, like most spring or Christmas breaks the Caribbean or Hawaii along with more occasional big trips to Europe, Africa, or Asia home in France, Vacation in Vail at our home. Fly private
--Afford music lessons, travel sports, tutors, and other enrichment, including expensive camps dressage lessons, flying lessons
--Allow your kids to wear designer labels, like a freshman in high school wearing $150 dollar jeans (7s, Diesel, etc.) when slumming
--Buy handbags that are 1000+ on occasion Berkin
--Invest some money in taxable investments after maxing out 401K and IRA our interest makes interest
--Have the occasional date night at a high end restaurant where you can blow $250 dollars on food and wine on a nice tasting menu fly to Paris

I'm curious, because there seems to be many neighborhoods filled with luxury vehicles, many people living in 1 million + houses, and many people in the DC area who enjoy travel, and many who complain about expensive clothes being worn in schools (both public and private)

Such quaint ideas about being rich. That is upper middle class.

One would think you would know how to spell Birkin.