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Originally Posted by wiz_apprentice
ThePressure,
You forget the exchange rate. As of 1/17/2010 1 GBP = 1.6 USD dollars(approx). If you use conversion rates:
30,000 pounds = 48,000 US dollars(approx), so that would be a much higher amount for someone to live off of in the US.
30,000 US dollars = 18,800 pounds(approx), so living on 30,000 US dollars would equal less than 20,000 pounds. That would mean some tighter living in the UK. Plus, I'm sure that are places like London and other areas that have high costs of living.
I'm amazed at the lack of financial literacy on this thread. People think that 30 K/year will allow them to live anywhere/anyway they want and that just isn't true.
Nobody thinks it will allow you to live anywhere/anyway you want.
Nobody has said that.
THe point is that there are many people who can and would live fulfilled lives with 1m dollars, without ever feeling the desire to work a regular job to make more money.
They would prefer more money, but it in many cases wouldnt be worth the work.
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I honestly don't think many of you freaks cook. Here is a basic sampling of crap I need to make 2 steaks for me and a friend.
2 Steaks: $20 (USDA Choice Ribeye ~$10 a lbs)
Peppers: $2
Garlic: $.50
Oregano: $3
Salt/Pepper/Oil: $.5
There will be some oregano left over, but the uses of fresh oregano are limited and I'm going to assume we don't create such complicated menus weekly that we can utilize a maximum amount of oregano for freshness.
I've spent $26 to make two steaks. I have no sides created, no drinks, and need to take my time and effort to do this. Of course if I enjoy cooking, that is great. If I don't and view cleaning dishes etc as a waste (in addition to the tangible cost). I actually have to care about this.
Some things are noticeably cheaper though. I can make delicious salads for myself for ~2 dollars and with a wide variety of vinaigrette that may or may not be expensive to make.
The point being that if you're going to make "gourmet" quality meals, they're going to cost a gourmet amount. If I could buy an entire tenderloin at $6 a lbs and cook 20 of these for a gianormous group, I'd save a **** ton of money. Sadly things aren't typically sold like this. Ergo many things cost a premium for freshness/quality/amount etc.
Steaks are significantly more expensive per serving than basically anything else you'll make on a regular basis.
Most meals are going to be simple and cheap.
Average cost of food per day if you dont eat out should be no more than $25 and that is a generous budget.
Gourmet isnt the same as 'good'.
Good food can be extremely inexpensive.
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Watch paint dry
Count to a million
Work out pi to further than anyone else has
Look to see what other movies sync up with Pink Floyd albums
You are right there are so many enjoyable things to do.
I've listed several hobbies that are extremely common.
You just for whatever can't believe that there are people out there who are content with the way they are - and wouldn't strive to be henry-like. I live a lot like you guys too and i enjoy it, but we are not in the majority. This forum is a collection of some of the biggest spenders around.
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Its not necessary. If you want to continue this disucssion along these lines, you need to change 1m to 200k.
Otherwise the only interesting discussion here is why someone with wealth would choose to live like this.
This is going ot be shocking to you probably.
But most people dont like their jobs.
And while everyone prefers more money to less,
There comes a point to many where the amount of money they can expect to get from an hour of work isn't worth the effort.
And that point comes when the amount of pleasure they'd get out of the money earned for a days work would be less than the displeasure they'd get by going to work instead of doing other things that fit within a $30k/y budget.
Most people in the world arent high maintanance prissy little bitches.
Most people live in places where the cost of living is extremely low, and they live happy and fulfilled lives despite it.