Price of happiness? 1.5 million!

[Celestial]

http://www.msnbc.com/news/926241.asp

Sure make me happy

[AdamGberg]

only 1.001 to go...

[HahnB]

That's BS, I'd be happy finding 5 dollars on the ground, it's the degree of hapiness that changes with the more money you would get.

[Stabber]

while i probably would be really happy with all that money, I think it is just in human nature to always "want" and "need." Which equates to suffering. Very few people leave this life without desires (damn, I sound like dali lama)

[Y2A]

I think 1.5 mil would do. Whatever lets me live a middle class life without having to work EVER AGAIN would make me happy.

[galileo]

If you had 1.5 mil and lived a modest middle class lifestyle (50k year), you'd only make it to retirement. Then you'd be poor again.

If I had 1.5mil, I'd keep working and invest like a mofo. Retire early and buy an ergonomic, ultra-foam padded rocking chair.

[Y2A]

Originally posted by galileo
If you had 1.5 mil and lived a modest middle class lifestyle (50k year), you'd only make it to retirement. Then you'd be poor again.

If I had 1.5mil, I'd keep working and invest like a mofo. Retire early and buy an ergonomic, ultra-foam padded rocking chair.

If you invest the money and get only a 4% return, thats 60k a year right there in interest. You wouldnt have to touch the 1.5 mil

[galileo]

tr00 dat. I'd still work, I'd be bored as **** sitting around.

[Y2A]

Originally posted by galileo
tr00 dat. I'd still work, I'd be bored as **** sitting around.

"late night, come home, WORK SUCKS, I know..." - Blink 182

Not sure how long it would last, but Im pretty sure I could take a month (or 10 years) of doing nothing and love every minute of it. Sleep 12 hours a day, golf, lift... Maybe Im just lazy

[galileo]

When I was unemployed for a few months after a big move, I got antsy after about 2 months. At the 3rd month I felt worthless. It could've been because of the money factor too, but I still wanted to be doing ****. But, I was personally far more productive during that time period, so maybe it would be for the best! Ok ok, I'll take the 1.5 million. Make the check out to galileo galilei.

[Ritzol]

Since when is 50,000/yr middle class??

I thought it was more like 75,000/yr is middle class... or does the range start at 50?

[hemants]

Money is like hygeine. It can't make you ecstatic for very long but a lack of it can sure make you unhappy.

But...

the best things in life are free but you have to be free to appreciate them

(and of course financial freedom is one aspect of freedom but by no means the biggest one)

[galileo]

Originally posted by Ritzol
Since when is 50,000/yr middle class??

I thought it was more like 75,000/yr is middle class... or does the range start at 50?

First off, it totally depends on area. Second off, if you are single and making 50,000 a year, would you consider yourself lower class? That's almost silly. $75,000 a year in my area would earn you a very nice house and a BMW.

I just looked it up and $30k starts the single middle class.

[Majestic]

Originally posted by Ritzol
Since when is 50,000/yr middle class??

I thought it was more like 75,000/yr is middle class... or does the range start at 50?

Simple, Concise Answer:

It depends on your "stage of life", marital status, and location


Long, Irritating Explanation


What part of Michigan are you living in? Farmington Hills?

The average starting salary for a college grad is around $35k (not in Flint, of course....it's more like $28k). If you make $40k a year, you're making more than most young single people that live in Kalamazoo, East Lansing, or Mt. Pleasant (to name some college towns). If you live in Ann Arbor, however, you'll have to spend wisely. Or have some roommates to split the rent with.

I think it's easy to forget how few make more than $30k a year, when everyone on this site is either still in school, or is an up & coming young adult.

In Flint, for instance, there are very few people who make over 35k or so. 50k would be QUITE upper-middleclass for one person in this town.

I would guess that as a whole, if you're *single* and making $50k you can live "almost" anywhere in *Michigan* quite comfortably, while buying the things you'd like, but don't need (vacations, nice TVs, etc.), and still tuck away a couple grand in your investment account every year.

It really depends on the "stage" of life you're in, if you have kids, what your priorities are, etc. Having a roommate who isn't your girlfriend also saves you money. You're not paying for his food, his clothes, etc., although you enjoy the benefit of shared rent.

Not sure how old you are, Ritzol, but usually when a Sociology book, or economic report is talking about "middle class income", they're talking about a 2-person family.

In that situation, $75k ($37.5k a year for each spouse) a year would probably be near the very bottom of the middle-class, depending on location.

Let's put it into perspective:

My college roommate just got married. He makes around $30k a year, as does his wife. Both are teachers. They just bought a new house in southeast Michigan for a couple hundred grand.

They also own a small cottage up North.

Would I label them "lower class", just because their combined income is $60k a year? No, I wouldn't. In a financial bracket, yes.

In reality, no.

Your "Average" American doesn't work at Ford, GM, or Chrysler, nor is the starting salary in most places $40k for inexperienced newbies (as it is at those companies).

The above mentioned newlyweds won't be stuck at a combined $60k for long. Nor is any other educated/skilled young worker.

But that's not what America is made of. It's made of people running gas stations, oil change facilities, cell phone store managers, etc. None of those people eclipse $30k a year in Michigan. And their salaries will NEVER go up (comparatively).

[SquareHead]

Wow for a seccond there I was all bumed out at middle class not starting untill 50K! I think like in LA or somthing maybe 50K is middle class. 50K is a prety damn good living in my book!

[SquareHead]

There is a place where inexperienced newbies make 40K!! Damnit. I wish I would have never ever even looked at this thread!

[Ritzol]

Originally posted by galileo


First off, it totally depends on area. Second off, if you are single and making 50,000 a year, would you consider yourself lower class? That's almost silly. $75,000 a year in my area would earn you a very nice house and a BMW.

I just looked it up and $30k starts the single middle class.

I was actually referring to a couple, and if 75,000 earns you that, then **** .... I need to move.

[Ritzol]

Originally posted by Majestic


[



In that situation, $75k ($37.5k a year for each spouse) a year would probably be near the very bottom of the middle-class, depending on location.

Yes, that's what I was getting at.... meaning as a couple making 50,000 a year would seem very low to me, but as a single it would be different.

[galileo]

Not sure why you assumed marriage. I am quite single and I will have a BMW and house within 2 years. Bank on it!

[Ritzol]

Originally posted by galileo
Not sure why you assumed marriage. I am quite single and I will have a BMW and house within 2 years. Bank on it!

I assumed marriage because most people in the world marry..


and congrats to you, I'm sure no one is doubting.

[Celestial]

Dont know where you live ritz but its surely not worth living there. Here you get paid high, cost of living is low and its gorgeous....guess its why we are the fastest growing city in the US.

[Celestial]

Dont know where you live ritz but its surely not worth living there. Here you get paid high, cost of living is low and its gorgeous....guess its why we are the fastest growing city in the US.

[Celestial]

wtf, how did that happen

[Y2A]

Originally posted by Celestial
Dont know where you live ritz but its surely not worth living there. Here you get paid high, cost of living is low and its gorgeous....guess its why we are the fastest growing city in the US.

And why the waiting list for Bucs season tickets is like 50 or 80,000