The super rich. Just wow

[Paul77]

After returning from holiday to Roquebrune-Cap-Martin in the South of France, I'm still in awe of the wealth in Monaco. Visited Monaco as it was 20 mins in a taxi from where we were. I just can't get over how the super rich manage it. Stark contrast in some cases like all cities of the world but the divide was clear to see. Watches in shop windows that cost more than my yearly salary and just so many super cars and big massive yachts with rooms in them bigger than my house.

It was certainly soul destroying to say the least. I must have sat for the rest of my holiday and all of last week trying to fathom out how wealth like that is generated. 27 million Euros for a boat. 23 million Euros for the villa for sale down the road from where we were staying.

Outside Monte Carlo Casino for a spell before we went in and it was saturated in supercars, and not just stock out the shop either, all customised to the hilt.

That kind of exposure really has shifted my mind a bit.

 

[freddielong]

Why would you have an off the rack supercar that just shows you can't really afford it.

 

[Paul77]

Indeed. A gold plated Lambo Aventadore, why not

My mate made a good point though. The golf course would still have grass and they'd still need to use off the shelf clubs like we do.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I've been to Monaco before, didn't really like it to be honest, and seen the boats in the harbour at St Tropez. As you say, it is a level of wealth beyond the comprehension of most. The thing that made me smile about Monaco is that you see all these people in Ferrari's but they can't get out of 2nd gear due to the size of the place. They are millionaires and billionaires yet they live in apartments to save tax instead of living in a gorgeous villa over the border and coughing up like normal people. Drowning in wealth and superficial goods. I wouldn't mind their loose change though.

 

[Foxholer]

Indeed. A gold plated Lambo Aventadore, why not

My mate made a good point though. The golf course would still have grass and they'd still need to use off the shelf clubs like we do.

But the clubs would all be 5* gold-plated Honmas at about 35-40 grand a set - though the players would still duff it around just like we hackers! They'd just be able to play a few more of the exclusive courses the we would!

 

[Paul77]

I've been to Monaco before, didn't really like it to be honest, and seen the boats in the harbour at St Tropez. As you say, it is a level of wealth beyond the comprehension of most. The thing that made me smile about Monaco is that you see all these people in Ferrari's but they can't get out of 2nd gear due to the size of the place. They are millionaires and billionaires yet they live in apartments to save tax instead of living in a gorgeous villa over the border and coughing up like normal people. Drowning in wealth and superficial goods. I wouldn't mind their loose change though.

I wasn't really impressed with the overall place either. I was rather disappointed. Too many high rise flats and construction for my liking. Yes, I'd love a fraction of their wealth to be honest. The flashy cars and boats are impressive and the surrounding villas are just stunning, but I still scratch my head on how they got there in the first place.

 

[RollinThunder]

I imagine they belong to footballers, other top-end sportsmen and just plain old business tycoons. The Wolf of Wall Street opens your eyes to that sort of wealth. The problem is that people's minds change with money, and they just want more and more, so they're never happy. A fellow I know is the same. He's on about £200K a year, and he is as miserable as they get. His estranged kids hate him, and only crawl back to him when they want money, and his parasite girlfriend 20-years his junior is offloading her kids onto him, paying for their private education and uni fees. His mates all have more money than him too, so he constantly feels insubordinate, and just wants more and more. He's a sad story, and just an empty shell of a person without his wealth.

My perfect lottery win would be about £5 million. Enough to buy a couple of businesses and have an income from them, with some financial security for the rest of your life. Too much money and I'd lose motivation to do anything, but that's just me. I'd like to keep myself busy, and at least keep some goals to aim for. I wouldn't say no to a 19-year-old Russian supermodel hanging off my arm though ;D

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I'm so not impressed by super-wealth - and I'm not at all envious. There is a lot more to life than money and possessions,

 

[Paul77]

Interesting because I've always said to the mrs that I'd not like to win millions but enough to keep me setting goals.

 

[The Green Fairy]

The best things in life - are not things.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

The best things in life - are not things.

Agree - a wee bit of spirituality and belief can do wonders for us all

 

[Paul77]

Agree - a wee bit of spirituality and belief can do wonders for us all

Totally agree, but I've been riding on that boat for a wee while now and it tends to get stressfull. Spirituality doesn't pay the bills or allow you to travel and see the world before you croak it

 

[Piece]

On the flip side, a lot of us are doing quite well when compared to what I see on TV...

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Totally agree, but I've been riding on that boat for a wee while now and it tends to get stressfull. Spirituality doesn't pay the bills or allow you to travel and see the world before you croak it

You're right - it doesn't pay the bills - but can make them less worrying and the effort to earn the ££ to pay them less tedious.

 

[Paul77]

Truth be told, I do sometimes wonder about living in a log cabin in the middle of no where and living off the land in total peace. Life tends to get very busy and noisy the older I get. My mate also earns a pretty packet and he's a miserable git. I'm fairly happy, my Mrs and I have a right good laugh most of the time. Precious.

 

[Big D 88]

I'd love to be able to do what i work as now, but for my own business and not a company rich enough to do it ! So in that essence i do wish i had more money.

That said, reading comments about wealthy people being miserable gits, i have to say i have a gorgeous fiancee, 4 adorable (sometimes annoying!) young girls and an income. So i cant complain !