Spot on

I consider myself rich

Have all I need
Have my health
Raised 2 kids who are living great lives
Have 3 grandsons who are happy and healthy

Make decent money (fall somewhere in the middle class bracket)
Have a good bit put back for retirement
And own enough to leave my kids and grandkids something when I am gone

Are there things I want to do that are out of my budget?
Yes and always will be

But I am blessed beyond 95% of the world population I would guess

land had really gone up down here. Cheap is 10k an acre. When I bought my part of the farm it had been split from 241 acres out into 19 sections. It sold from 3k to 6 k the small to build on lots of 3 acres selling for the most. Today they would be over 16 to 20 k per acre on those. Going by whats sold recently.

The increase sure raised that useless inaccessible part of net worth and keeps increasing property taxes and Im priced out of expansion.

I think I would prefer a decrease since I never plan to sell and leave it to the kids and or future grand kids. Lower taxes and being able to buy more would be much preferable over higher cost to own and never being able to afford to buy more.

Like my friend said..." Iam so broke ...I can't even pay attention "

If you have enough food in your house for more than one day, you are wealthier than half of the world. Let that sink in.

Personally same as richard, I believe when your assets pay for your liabilaties, you're wealthy.

Rich is when you have so much money, you'll renovate the house you just renovated, cause why not?

I am neither. but I am working towards being wealthy using the skillset the lord's given me.

That does change the perspective on things.

I consider myself blessed and comfortable. If I want something I buy it and won’t haggle a price but that’s me . My dad always said I should learn to do carpentry and other repair related stuff and I stink at carpentry and would rather write a check because making money has always been easy for me and I don’t know why . Just my take but real wealth is family and health and a few crazy long time friends to throw into the mix lol

“Escape velocity” is when you have enough to not worry/care anymore,,,,

That amount varies with each individual

“Escape velocity” is achievable,,,,, and should be the goal

If your relying on someone else like the government,,,, you’re not there

Most never reach it

Well i grew up poor. My father worked hard , always provided a home and food, mabe a present or two for christmas. I remember sometimes not knowing where the next meal was comming from . Dad always found a way to provide. I have been retired 4 years now and with my social security and retirement , plus working part time lm better off and always have money. Having money is not everything . The love of family and being able to help others is my wealth . So i have been from one end to the other.

I’d consider myself middle class but rich because I want for nothing really and I like working everyday heck I don’t know what day of the week it is most days. If I want it I buy it but I don’t want much so it balances out well. I have what I have and don’t want what you have I’d rather give you something then sell it cheap there’s a difference to me for some reason if you low ball me it’s a respect thing I guess. LOL

I know a guy who works in construction and makes about $60,000 a year. He has five young kids and his wife is at home, keeping the house and homeschooling. They have two used Toyotas, and no debt. He has a nice fishing boat which he bought used and it needed some work but he did it all himself and it's really nice now. They get by, but most people would not consider them rich by any means. Some of the happiest people I know.

I know another couple who makes about $180,000 a year between them and they always seem to be struggling for money. Their kids are gone, their house is paid for, but they have credit card debt and a car payment on a $100,000 car.

We all make choices.

I think its really a matter of "how much you keep" vs. "how much you make"

Lots of factors come into play here, some will apply, some won't.

Mortgage
Rent
Vehicles and vehicle insurance
Health Insurance
Monthly utility bills
Student loans
Cell phone bills
Groceries
Gas/diesel
Investments
Credit card debt

What is "poor" to some, may not be poor to others, same with "rich" and/or wealthy. I agree that life experience influences that behavior/opinion. I tell my adult children all the time, if you have a roof over your head, a place to sleep, you have food and water, you are doing better than a lot of people! Be thankful and recoginize "gratitude".

Il isnt the midwest its its own crap whole, why would anyone live there ormove there on purpose.. Every islike land here is so expensive then is sharing prices for top quality farm gourd.

While I understand your premise, keep in mind, one couple is paying a boat load in taxes while the other isn't paying any federal income taxes and is likely receiving more than they paid in.

I agree Bernie. It's all about perspective, the poor people here have cell phones and cable tv.

I consider myself wealthy just by being born in the USA and having opportunities

You can make good choices or excuses.

Poor people today, would be upper middle class just a few generations ago

Only took 38 trillion in federal debt to accomplish this. Think what the next 38 trillion may accomplish.

Capitalism did it,,,,,, not crazy government borrowing

Socialism and a broken monetary system will put most back into poverty

Seriously, Capitalism will raise the quality of life for all people, but the current poor don't get all their wealth from capitalist activities. They get it from wealth transfer programs. They certainly could not live as well as they do without government handout programs.