# Ask me what it's like to be rich **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 6, 2010, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-what-its-like-to-be-rich/527908 "2010-02-06T04:52:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Max\_the\_Immortal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Max\_the\_Immortal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_the_Immortal)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2010, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-what-its-like-to-be-rich/527908/61 "2010-02-06T19:28:41Z")
If your net income were reduced to, say, 80% of what it is now, what would you do differently? ---
**Author:** ![figure9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f0a364/32.png) [@figure9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/figure9)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2010, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-what-its-like-to-be-rich/527908/62 "2010-02-06T19:33:27Z")
So you make your money helping people avoid paying taxes, and you are worried because you may have to pay more taxes? You are a self admitted smart person. Can’t you find some tax loopholes for yourself? Really this isn’t a total slam can’t you find ways to hide your hard earned money from the IRS? ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2010, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-what-its-like-to-be-rich/527908/63 "2010-02-06T19:51:31Z")
If you are a tax lawyer, presumably you have an employer. Are they OK with you using your Friday to post 50 times on the Dope from 6:00 in the morning until 9:00 at night? Does this interfer with your billable hours? Or were you on a day off? In which case, why were you ignoring your family? ---
**Author:** ![Desert\_Nomad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desert_nomad/32/177_2.png) [@Desert\_Nomad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desert_Nomad)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2010, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-what-its-like-to-be-rich/527908/64 "2010-02-06T21:44:18Z")
> [@manila](#): > > I am not a US citizen. The UK does not chase citizens for overseas earnings if they are not resident in the UK for tax purposes. > > I have not been in the UK since 2001 ( or even read a crap english newspaper since then!!) Yep - you guys do it right… I have been paying to the US for 8 years without living there. In fact for about 3 years I never set foot in the US but paid over $150K in tax. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2010, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-what-its-like-to-be-rich/527908/65 "2010-02-06T21:53:53Z")
This is interesting sociologically. There is a concurrent thread about being dirt poor, and the people in that thread are getting no flak at all. **Rand Rover** is supporting himself and his family, which US Americans tout as being the ultimate goal of every human being. You guys don’t sound like you’re walking the walk; you seem to just be talking the talk. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2010, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-what-its-like-to-be-rich/527908/66 "2010-02-06T21:59:50Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > **Rand Rover** is supporting himself and his family, which US Americans tout as being the ultimate goal of every human being. I tout no such thing. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2010, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-what-its-like-to-be-rich/527908/67 "2010-02-06T22:13:59Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > This is interesting sociologically. There is a concurrent thread about being dirt poor, and the people in that thread are getting no flak at all. **Rand Rover** is supporting himself and his family, which US Americans tout as being the ultimate goal of every human being. You guys don’t sound like you’re walking the walk; you seem to just be talking the talk. No, it’s simply that \*\*Rand Rover \*\*posted this thread just to try and get a rise out of people. This could have been an interesting thread had it actually been started seriously, instead of just trying to stroke his own ego. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2010, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-what-its-like-to-be-rich/527908/68 "2010-02-06T22:19:41Z")
Do you own a sports car? If so, which one? ---
**Author:** ![Pray\_for\_peace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Pray\_for\_peace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pray_for_peace)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2010, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-what-its-like-to-be-rich/527908/69 "2010-02-06T22:30:36Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > This is interesting sociologically. There is a concurrent thread about being dirt poor, and the people in that thread are getting no flak at all. **Rand Rover** is supporting himself and his family, which US Americans tout as being the ultimate goal of every human being. You guys don’t sound like you’re walking the walk; you seem to just be talking the talk. Oh, please. \*\*Rand Rover \*\*wanted exactly the kind of response he is getting. > [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > OK, I’m not really rich. But I do make over $250,000 per year– **substantially over, if you must know** –so that certainly **puts me in the “boogey man” category** , at least as far as a certain Mr. Obama is concerned. I work for a living though, so I’m not “layabout living off the interest” rich. But I am in the top 5% of income earners in these United States. And, **if things work out like I expect them too, I’ll be making substantially more in the future** (if they don’t work out then I’ll only be making a little bit more). > > Anyway, ask away, my world is your oyster (or whatever). ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2010, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-what-its-like-to-be-rich/527908/70 "2010-02-06T23:07:00Z")
I am actually kind of curious about your neighbors. Do you live in a neighborhood near people who are, more or less, professional and upper middle class? Do you live in a neighborhood with old money? Finance guys who pull down more like $2.5M in an average year? Can you live in the same neighborhood as your clients? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Mrs.Cake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2acd7d/32.png) [@Mrs.Cake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrs.Cake)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2010, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-what-its-like-to-be-rich/527908/71 "2010-02-06T23:15:35Z")
Since you do not believe in the government supporting arts, culture, or the general welfare of its citizens, do you directly (via $$) and indirectly (volunteerism, etc) support private charities that do? ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2010, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-what-its-like-to-be-rich/527908/72 "2010-02-06T23:32:30Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#): > > What was your motive for starting this thread? I saw the “Ask me what it’s like to be poor” thread and thought I’d reciprocate. But I forgot the exclamation point. ☹ > [@Max\_the\_Immortal](#): > > If your net income were reduced to, say, 80% of what it is now, what would you do differently? I guess I’d save less and spend less than I do now. I woudn’t get rid of anything I own. Why did you choose that percentage (jus curious)? > [@figure9](#): > > So you make your money helping people avoid paying taxes, and you are worried because you may have to pay more taxes? You are a self admitted smart person. Can’t you find some tax loopholes for yourself? Really this isn’t a total slam can’t you find ways to hide your hard earned money from the IRS? I help people that want to invest money do so in the most tax-efficient manner. It’s not like I’m looking for loopholes to create phony deductions or anything like that (very very few tax lawyers do things like this, and those that do don’t for long typically). So, if I were a non-US person or a tax-exempt entity or a foreign government and I wanted to invest in US real estate, then I’d use lots of the stuff I do at work to save in taxes. As it is, I just pay up like everybody else. Incidentally, I paid about $100k in US federal income tax last year. > [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > If you are a tax lawyer, presumably you have an employer. Are they OK with you using your Friday to post 50 times on the Dope from 6:00 in the morning until 9:00 at night? Does this interfer with your billable hours? Or were you on a day off? In which case, why were you ignoring your family? My employer and family are totally cool with it, and they thank you for your concern. It does not interfere with my billable hours. > [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > No, it’s simply that \*\*Rand Rover \*\*posted this thread just to try and get a rise out of people. This could have been an interesting thread had it actually been started seriously, instead of just trying to stroke his own ego. Well, I’m not sure how exactly you think someone could start a thread like this without trying to stroke his own ego. > [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Do you own a sports car? If so, which one? Again, I’m pretty much a failure in this department also. I drive a Highlander. I really feel like I’m letting you guys down in the “rich-guy stuff” category. Just for you guys, I’ve decided to have a sexy party tonight with a bunch of naked stewardesses and coke everywhere. And then tomorrow I’ll take up underwater polo (with horse and rider in scuba gear) or some other rich-guy hobby. > [@Maeglin](#): > > I am actually kind of curious about your neighbors. Do you live in a neighborhood near people who are, more or less, professional and upper middle class? Do you live in a neighborhood with old money? Finance guys who pull down more like $2.5M in an average year? Can you live in the same neighborhood as your clients? > > Thanks. Well, a lot of this question depends on how big you define my neighborhood. In my immediate vicinity we have the head partner at a fairly large and well-respected firm (it’s not as awesome as my firm of course). Guy next door “does something with computers” (you know, he’s told me three times and i no get it). Other folks around here seem pretty much like me. Going farther out, some houses definitely look like old-money type places, and fairly close to me are some serious mansions. My clients typically live outside the US. > [@Mrs.Cake](#): > > Since you do not believe in the government supporting arts, culture, or the general welfare of its citizens, do you directly (via $$) and indirectly (volunteerism, etc) support private charities that do? Yes, some. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2010, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-what-its-like-to-be-rich/527908/73 "2010-02-06T23:39:27Z")
Do you have many close friends or do they tend to me more “professional contacts”? Do you have friends who don’t make very much money? Do you worry about sounding like a…you know…douche? Especially around people who don’t make as much as you? Do you REALLY believe you deserve to be rich? I’m sure you work hard, but do you think the work you do justifies great wealth compared to any other hard working white collar professional? > [@Eyebrows 0f Doom](#): > > No, it’s simply that Rand Rover posted this thread just to try and get a rise out of people. This could have been an interesting thread had it actually been started seriously, instead of just trying to stroke his own ego. I think there is no way anyone can start a thread asking “what it’s like to be rich” without getting a rise out of people. > [@Enderw24](#): > > Would you give up all your money to live in a world with no government? He’s a tax attorney. What do you think?:dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2010, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-what-its-like-to-be-rich/527908/74 "2010-02-06T23:56:30Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > Do you have many close friends or do they tend to me more “professional contacts”? > > Do you have friends who don’t make very much money? > > Do you worry about sounding like a…you know…douche? Especially around people who don’t make as much as you? > > Do you REALLY believe you deserve to be rich? I’m sure you work hard, but do you think the work you do justifies great wealth compared to any other hard working white collar professional? Most of my friends are attorneys, and most make less than me (but not much less on average). Subjects such as those discussed in this thread and on the SDMB don’t come up often in casual conversation, so I’m fairly confident I don’t sound like a douche around my friends. I’m not sure how to think about the last question. I do what I do. Lots of other white collar professionals my age make a shit-ton more than I do (or at least did before the big oopsy–I’m talking about bankers here generally). Lots of others don’t. I don’t know how to think aout what I “deserve” in this context. I mean, what are my options–find some white collar professional that makes less than me and give him/her some cash? Are you trying to interview for this position? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2010, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-what-its-like-to-be-rich/527908/75 "2010-02-07T00:01:48Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > This is interesting sociologically. There is a concurrent thread about being dirt poor, and the people in that thread are getting no flak at all. **Rand Rover** is supporting himself and his family, which US Americans tout as being the ultimate goal of every human being. You guys don’t sound like you’re walking the walk; you seem to just be talking the talk. I can’t help feeling it’s not his money they have an issue with. ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2010, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-what-its-like-to-be-rich/527908/76 "2010-02-07T00:08:21Z")
Basically, I only part with you on the role that luck plays for successful people in America. My origins are similar to yours. Lower middle-class (West Virginia). My father died when I was young, and I had to help care for my aging mother in my young adult years. I was almost 27 when I finished college (bachelor’s in electrical engineering) and landed a job in the intelligence community, where I’ve worked for almost 25 years. I’m not as successful as you, but I made over $200,000 last year. I sometimes work 80-hour weeks, performing highly-skilled work, occasionally in wartime conditions. I’ve been shot at, and came close to dying from a flu virus last year at a remote base. I’ve also managed to earn two master’s degrees, mostly at night school. I have worked at least as hard as you, and could convince myself that luck had nothing to do with my success. But I have to acknowledge that my access to a marketable education (an ABET-accredited engineering degree) was made possible by very affordable tuition at WVU. Much of which was due to Sen. Robert Byrd’s jockeying to get federal funding. Ending such measures now wouldn’t harm me, but it wouldn’t change the fact that they once helped me. I’m going to pull to pull rank based on age here. You sound like you’ve worked hard and overcome obstacles. But lots of people have worked just as hard, and had less luck with things they couldn’t control. I could give you quite a few examples. It gets more common after you turn forty. I don’t think you’re a jerk. But you seem to like daring people to call you one. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2010, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-what-its-like-to-be-rich/527908/77 "2010-02-07T00:19:19Z")
Let’s say that I determined that 100 percent of my success was due to luck. What do you think I should do differently based on that determination? Also, on your last line, I think it’s just the Dagny Taggart in me–if someone likes me, it makes me think better of them, not better of me (and the converse for those who don’t like me). ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2010, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-what-its-like-to-be-rich/527908/78 "2010-02-07T00:24:53Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > Let’s say that I determined that 100 percent of my success was due to luck. What do you think I should do differently based on that determination? Acknowledge same. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2010, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-what-its-like-to-be-rich/527908/79 "2010-02-07T00:42:39Z")
That’s all you want? OK, bub. I hereby acknowledge that some (unknown and unknowable) percentage of my success was due entirely to luck and not my hard work. ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2010, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-what-its-like-to-be-rich/527908/80 "2010-02-07T00:54:35Z")
Well, if I thought that the role luck played in a person’s success were truly unknowable (i.e., could be anywhere from 0%-100%), I’d probably be less quick than I’ve seen you to be to assert that unsuccessful people are to blame for their situation. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-what-its-like-to-be-rich/527908.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-what-its-like-to-be-rich/527908.md?page=5)