It seems like a common sentiment here is that being a millionaire in the US is common. In reality only 4% have 1million+ in assets in the US which makes it relatively uncommon. I don't get the disconnect here.
It seems like a common sentiment here is that being a millionaire in the US is common. In reality only 4% have 1million+ in assets in the US which makes it relatively uncommon. I don't get the disconnect here.
I'm seeing 9.63 households with $1 million plus in assets, not including value of their primary home.
I am reading Wild and trying to get into it, but why didn't she take like 20 minutes to actually PREP before getting on the damn trail?! Ohhh my pack is SO heavy....Oh I got the wrong fuel for my stove....
It seems like a common sentiment here is that being a millionaire in the US is common. In reality only 4% have 1million+ in assets in the US which makes it relatively uncommon. I don't get the disconnect here.
I don't necessarily think people here think that being a millionaire is common in the country, but it may be common in the sense that people here personally know millionaires. They're parents, siblings, bosses, BFFs, the guy you keep up with on FB that you met in college or the coworker you see in the hallway. We post on a money-related board, so it's kind of a self-selecting crowd.
Also, when the person you know who is a millionaire is awe-struck about the toys and lifestyle of THEIR billionaire parents/siblings/bosses/BFFs then you really feel like, wow, maybe being a millionaire is more common than you think since now there's these billionaires??
ETA: On one of my commutes, I drive past the BIGGEST HOUSE I HAVE EVER SEEN EVER being built on the top of a multi-acre hill. It overlooks a neighborhood of legit MANSIONS (4+car garages, pool & tennis courts), and it makes those mansions look like "oh, you could only afford 3 acres and 8,000 square feet? how quaint!"). It's the ULTIMATE one-upper house. So yeah, millionaires seem "common" by comparison.
It seems like a common sentiment here is that being a millionaire in the US is common. In reality only 4% have 1million+ in assets in the US which makes it relatively uncommon. I don't get the disconnect here.
I don't necessarily think people here think that being a millionaire is common in the country, but it may be common in the sense that people here personally know millionaires. They're parents, siblings, bosses, BFFs, the guy you keep up with on FB that you met in college or the coworker you see in the hallway. We post on a money-related board, so it's kind of a self-selecting crowd.
Also, when the person you know who is a millionaire is awe-struck about the toys and lifestyle of THEIR billionaire parents/siblings/bosses/BFFs then you really feel like, wow, maybe being a millionaire is more common than you think since now there's these billionaires??
ETA: On one of my commutes, I drive past the BIGGEST HOUSE I HAVE EVER SEEN EVER being built on the top of a multi-acre hill. It overlooks a neighborhood of legit MANSIONS (4+car garages, pool & tennis courts), and it makes those mansions look like "oh, you could only afford 3 acres and 8,000 square feet? how quaint!"). It's the ULTIMATE one-upper house. So yeah, millionaires seem "common" by comparison.
Maybe. I'm in Silicon Valley and there are a ton of millionaires and quite a few billionaires here and I still think this board makes it seem more common place than it is in reality.
My mom's side of the family is Amish and my dad's side of the family is from West Philly. I know I personally am aware that millionares are not common. But I'm on a money board, so that kinda shapes what I talk about at least, and I'm assuming that's the case for most others who post here! I lurk on bogleheads and they slant significantly more "Why isn't everyone a millionaire???" compared to here. It's depressing!
@shoegal have you read Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer? Same guy who wrote the book about Everest, Into Thin Air.
I read it this fall and it was so good so now I'm refusing to read Wild. I feel like I'll be disappointed and need some more space between reading 2 books with similar-ish themes. Although the premise of Into the Wild involves a lot of judgement, too, but being told from an outside perspective gives you more ability to keep your opinion and still enjoy the book.
my3bears, yes! I am mildly obsessed with mountaineering and Into Thin Air is fascinating. I believe there is a new movie coming out (this year, next?) Called Everest that also centers on the 96 disaster.
I think what annoys me so much about Wild (so far) is that with tiny prep steps, she'd be so much more capable. The whole, "oh silly me my boots are TINY!".... Bugs me! I am kind of hate-reading at this point.
@shoegal have you read Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer? Same guy who wrote the book about Everest, Into Thin Air.
I read it this fall and it was so good so now I'm refusing to read Wild. I feel like I'll be disappointed and need some more space between reading 2 books with similar-ish themes. Although the premise of Into the Wild involves a lot of judgement, too, but being told from an outside perspective gives you more ability to keep your opinion and still enjoy the book.
I realize this is probably not flameworthy.
I haven't read Into the Wild, just seen the movie, but I felt like McCandless was a HUGE pain in the ass. I actually liked Wild.
@shoegal have you read Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer? Same guy who wrote the book about Everest, Into Thin Air.
I read it this fall and it was so good so now I'm refusing to read Wild. I feel like I'll be disappointed and need some more space between reading 2 books with similar-ish themes. Although the premise of Into the Wild involves a lot of judgement, too, but being told from an outside perspective gives you more ability to keep your opinion and still enjoy the book.
I realize this is probably not flameworthy.
I haven't read Into the Wild, just seen the movie, but I felt like McCandless was a HUGE pain in the ass. I actually liked Wild.
I completely agreed and then by coincidence right when I finished the book, McCandless's sister wrote a book about the REAL story of their childhood. Apparently there was a lot more abuse by the father to the mother and the kids than Krakauer wrote about. He knew about it, but the sister (at the time) told him not to write about it because she was hoping the dad would change and apologize and become a good person at some point. He didn't, so then she wrote her book.
It definitely changed my opinion of McCandless and I could see why Krakauer wrote about him so positively. And it explained why he rebuffed the financial support of his father so much. Like, no dad, your money is not going to make me feel better.
This legit made me giggle because it conjured images of all us rich Asians rollin' in it.
Also, I have no idea where the comment about board perception that millionaires are common in the U.S. comes from. Did I miss something?
Lol! I was thinking something similar.
I honestly don't know either, but I was just working from a place that the perception exists here.
I was working from the same place
I do assume that most of us here will be millionaires at some point in our lives. I don't know if that makes me an oblivious asshole. I know we as a group aren't a reflection of the status quo.
I'm house sitting and pet sitting for a friend. I cannot wait to get back home and sleep in my own bed and be around my pets. Doing this has totally confirmed that I will never be a dog person; I like dogs but I really do not want to live with them! The dog I'm taking care of snores louder than my XH!! I do not understand how people can have multiple dogs; I'd go starking raving mad.
They're not all that way! I think dogs are like kids -when you have your own, they aren't nearly as annoying as other peoples'. I have felt the same way dog sitting in the past, but my dogs are perfect angels
Seriously though, I've been dating my BF for about a year and a half and he's heard my golden retriever bark ONCE. She's practically mute. My other dog barks more, but it's only maybe a few times a week and rarely while in the house.
But I hate going to the doctor because that means taking time off work and a lot of driving/waiting around, just to sit with the doctor for two minutes while (s)he cuts me off in the middle of every sentence, throws a prescription at me (which usually doesn't work), occasionally comments about how I'm too heavy, and then shoos me away. It doesn't feel like it's at all worth it, especially when my problems don't get fixed. I know they're busy, but I just want someone who listens to me.
It is time for a new doctor. If they aren't listening to your problems, then they cannot help you fix your problems. For regular visits, schedule the first appointment of the day. Most (but not all) are better at listening, first thing in the morning.
Post by illgetthere on Mar 16, 2015 9:44:09 GMT -5
I always assume I will be a millionaire at some point, but I have no delusion that it be worth anywhere near what it is now. My retirement accounts are on target to go over 1M in the next 30 years if we can base on history. We are currently far from millionaires.
I am reading Wild and trying to get into it, but why didn't she take like 20 minutes to actually PREP before getting on the damn trail?! Ohhh my pack is SO heavy....Oh I got the wrong fuel for my stove....
Judging.
I just started reading it too. I worry about this book and A Walk in the Woods somewhat encouraging people that taking a long solo hike in the woods unprepared will bring you meaning when it can bring you death. I am only 1/4 of the way in and I am still aghast at the idea that she packed novels and a big bulky camera, then even being broke leaves stuff for free instead of sending it back to her friend to sell later, not very MM!
I might become a millionaire at some point but I have a baby so that money will disappear for her college education. Even though, I have more money/higher salary than either of my parents or grandparents, I know that I am not as "well off" because thing just cost so much more now.
I am reading Wild and trying to get into it, but why didn't she take like 20 minutes to actually PREP before getting on the damn trail?! Ohhh my pack is SO heavy....Oh I got the wrong fuel for my stove....
Judging.
I know! That drove me nuts too. It sounded like she spend a good amount of time at REI before the hike too. Unless their staff used to not be helpful, she must have not listened to them at all. Everyone I've worked with there has been super helpful and I've been happy with everything I've got.