The “wealthy” is not going to work

[Sirwalterraleigh]

When the temp is hovering around 95-100 degrees how can one spot who is wealthy?. Does one have different shorts and t shirt and sneakers than the other guy? Does one have a gold plated cell phone?

The vineyard Vines sweater tied around the shoulders is the dead giveaway…

But when it’s that hot they switch to one that’s moisture wicking

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I'm still confused. There is a guy who coaches Clemson football who speaks with a strong Southern accent and drawl and says ain't a lot. He's one of the highest paid coaches in the country earning $10M per season.

Yeah…but not everyone can be Jed Clampett

 

[Lilofan]

Yeah…but not everyone can be Jed Clampett

I’d say there is a misconception if one talks with speech patterns that they don’t look wealthy? That’s a bizarre assumption.

 

[networkpro]

I’d say there is a misconception if one talks with speech patterns that they don’t look wealthy? That’s a bizarre assumption.

Maybe its a routine lack of exposure to people outside of a narrow geographic area or specific culture? I know quite a few unassuming individuals that have considerable personal wealth without the pretentious accouterments. Keeping up with the Jones (or pretending to) isn't a lifestyle for a lot of people. Easy credit, leasing, and second-hand availability can fuel that kind of superficial appearance.

 

[tpoly88]

Its costing more and more to vacation at WDW, absolutely true.

Annual income is not the measuring stick.

Disposable income is the measuring stick.

There are many families that make less than 200K but have no debt and have low monthly costs.

They can save up and use their disposable income to feed the Mou$e

not sure if a lot of you are checking hotel sites at different vacation sites around the country but hotel rooms are through the roof everywhere especially the higher end places. for example, just 4 years ago stayed at Little palm island in the keys for $800 a night with my FL discount. Now not a room to be had below $2000!! four seasons golden oak i stayed for $400 one night, not now. i think a lot of people saved money from not going out to dinner, the movies or vacation and they have money in their pocket to spend and thats whats driving up the prices. Annual income is not it as you mentioned.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I’d say there is a misconception if one talks with speech patterns that they don’t look wealthy? That’s a bizarre assumption.

It’s actually a throwaway pop culture joke…superficial stupidity.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

not sure if a lot of you are checking hotel sites at different vacation sites around the country but hotel rooms are through the roof everywhere especially the higher end places. for example, just 4 years ago stayed at Little palm island in the keys for $800 a night with my FL discount. Now not a room to be had below $2000!! four seasons golden oak i stayed for $400 one night, not now. i think a lot of people saved money from not going out to dinner, the movies or vacation and they have money in their pocket to spend and thats whats driving up the prices. Annual income is not it as you mentioned.

This has been the story for the better part of a year. And there is alot of factors including those you point out.

I think it’s lack of spending and cabin fever that has pushed those rates for travel way up…from the bottom up.

But in typical “free market” fashion…the rest of the corporate world is insanely price gouging to “gets theres” and the cost of every necessity AND nicety is off the charts…so there is an intersection where money runs dry and travel suffers. Just a question of when?

 

[Lilofan]

not sure if a lot of you are checking hotel sites at different vacation sites around the country but hotel rooms are through the roof everywhere especially the higher end places. for example, just 4 years ago stayed at Little palm island in the keys for $800 a night with my FL discount. Now not a room to be had below $2000!! four seasons golden oak i stayed for $400 one night, not now. i think a lot of people saved money from not going out to dinner, the movies or vacation and they have money in their pocket to spend and thats whats driving up the prices. Annual income is not it as you mentioned.

Only discounted rates I can think of is from the coupon book at the state line of NC, SC, GA. Rates of $80 and lower at Days Inn, Econolodge etc off of I-95 include free hot breakfast . Bed bugs and roaches may be included in price. I’ve stayed in some and in the hotel parking lots were a range of traveler vehicles from Ferrari to Chevy. Even the owner of a 488 costing $400K needs a place to sleep.

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

This has been the story for the better part of a year. And there is alot of factors including those you point out.

I think it’s lack of spending and cabin fever that has pushed those rates for travel way up…from the bottom up.

But in typical “free market” fashion…the rest of the corporate world is insanely price gouging to “gets theres” and the cost of every necessity AND nicety is off the charts…so there is an intersection where money runs dry and travel suffers. Just a question of when?

My daughter always vacationed on Sanibel Island every year, staying waterfront. She checked the same condos that they always stay at and they are $1000 a night!!! They decided to stay farther away and it's 415 a night, but they can just walk a path to the beach, no roads to cross. It's just getting out of hand what prices are being charged now!

 

[crazy4disney]

Really? My household isn't at this income level, we have two kids, and (outside of pandemic times) are targeting going to Disney once a year and staying at a Deluxe for a week.

And before anyone asks, we don't carry credit card debt (pay off every month), and our only debt is our mortgage and a loan on year 4 of a 5 year loan on one of our cars. We just choose where we want to spend our money.

This response isnt directed to you but just in general. 200k in place A can go a lot further than say place B. So location / cost of living plays a huge factor as opposed to people throwing out a number and saying if you make this so on and so forth.

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

The “insane property taxes” is a myth…those that line themselves up with largess in real Estate here are hit.

Like 6,000 sf and a beach house

What are you talking about? New Jersey is ranked in the top 3 states for property taxes by every measuring agency I have seen. Including my tax bills.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

What are you talking about? New Jersey is ranked in the top 3 states for property taxes by every measuring agency I have seen. Including my tax bills.

Ranked how?

Because that’s a highly subjective thing…”high”…when it’s not compared to what you get out of it. And it’s hard To do that in an unbiased way. But it’s always presented as “objective” by fools who want to pound their fist and rant.

 

[monothingie]

Ranked how?

Because that’s a highly subjective thing…”high”…when it’s not compared to what you get out of it. And it’s hard To do that in an unbiased way. But it’s always presented by fools as “objective” by fools who want to pound their fist and rant.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Absolutely…

Are your schools crap?
You know where they are?

My point is there’s way more smoke than fire under the tax complaints.
I’m not saying it’s spent wisely…just saying it’s hard to make a 1:1 comparison.

 

[networkpro]

Absolutely…

Are your schools crap?
You know where they are?

My point is there’s way more smoke than fire under the tax complaints.
I’m not saying it’s spent wisely…just saying it’s hard to make a 1:1 comparison.

The tax rate vs efficacy does not necessarily directly correlate.

 

[monothingie]

Are your schools crap?
You know where they are?

Not every community in NJ is a Tenafly or Morris Plains.

Now do Mapplewood, Irvington, Hillside, Camden, etc.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Not every community in NJ is a Tenafly or Morris Plains.

Now do Mapplewood, Irvington, Hillside, Camden, etc.

You mean the places with long-standing social and economic issues/blight?

Now…I agree that throwing money at it - a time honored nj tradition - isn’t very successful

But the “our taxes are so HIGH!” Doesn’t echo down those streets. Currently, you can hear it in bayhead, ship bottom and stone harbor.

Don’t hate the player here…hate the game.
It’s not all cut and dry.

 

[Lilofan]

What are you talking about? New Jersey is ranked in the top 3 states for property taxes by every measuring agency I have seen. Including my tax bills.

A friend whose NJ home is valued at $600K paying $14K annual property taxes with a volunteer ambulance and fire dept? That's ridiculous.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

A friend whose NJ home is valued at $600K paying $14K annual property taxes with a volunteer ambulance and fire dept? That's ridiculous.

$600,000…that’s the part that sticks out. And they probably have a full time fire department 10 miles away that could be there in 7 minutes…and a hospital within 15 and a a state police barracks and three local police departments.

Or you could pay $4000 a year for crappy schools in a depressed area where you can sell your house for $120,000…

I used to have really nothing to say about taxes either way…then I kinda grew up and collected information and watched humans and came to realizations.

There’s no perfect place or policy…just shades of grey.

 

[mysto]

Of course the wealthy are not going to work, they aren't called the idle rich for nothing!