I laughed out loud when I saw this topic. I'm a widow living on Social Security. I buy my tickets with credit-card Frequent Flyer miles, and use Home Exchanges for a place to stay. <BR> <BR>I drive an 8-year-old car, but last summer I spent 3 weeks in England with the full use of a lovely townhouse and a car, for free. Can't get cheaper than that.

Hmm.. interesting question. If anyone ever asked me if I were wealthy, I would immediately say no. But I guess we would be considered affluent. We are in our early 40's and have a very nice home which has appreciated to close to 1 million in value in 10 years, have no debt, other than a relatively small mortgage, drive nice new, but not luxury cars, have cleaning help, have already saved for our children's college educations, and dine out often and travel fairly frequently, but not extravegantly. We NEVER stay in 4 or 5 star hotels, always use the web for dirt cheap airfares and hotels, eat at moderately priced restaurants when traveling and usually picnic for lunch. We have also never flown first class, as it just isn't worth it, IMO. <BR> <BR>My sister, who is a teacher and makes a modest living, manages to travel extensively. Her secret is to never plan! When she sees an outrageous deal she jumps on it. She's gone on trips with a days notice and is lucky she's had that flexibility. It's also her number one priority. She's a great shopper for bargains (as am I), drives an 8 year old car, and almost never dines out. Bottom line is if it's important to you, you can make it happen.

I'm not wealthy. My wife and I earn $250K. We have our own condo and a car and manage to save $5K every month altho our expenses is $8K a month. Out of this savings we go one long trip, spend maybe $10K on it and a short trip ($2K) every year. <BR> <BR>We always fly economy, stay at 3 or 4 star hotels (not more tha$200 a nite) and spend not more than $100 for dinner on meals. <BR> <BR>My ambition is to see every country in the world before I die. We plan to see 1 country a year at least. I'm 31 and have seen 15 countries so far. <BR> <BR>I don't wear designer clothes. Have been wearing the same watch for 10 yrs.I buy a lot of insurance ($15K a yr), invest in mutual funds ($100K) and live a simple but comfortable life. <BR> <BR>If you don't splurge you still can enjoy life. It depends what your priorities are.

We don't have a CAR! That makes a real difference, financially speaking. I can't even drive. And fortunately, here in Holland one really doesn't need one - public transport covers just about all of the country and all the rest I do by bike (healthier too!). Of course in de US it's really hard to do without a car, but I can think of places (New York City, Boston, etc.) where it's quite possible.

"traveller," I'm curious -- what, exactly, do you think is "wealthy?" You have an income that puts you in the top fraction of one percent of the population of the wealthiest country in the world, yet you say you aren't wealthy. <BR> <BR>I'm beginning to understand why nobody on this topic has admitted to being "wealthy" -- it's because everyone thinks "wealthy" means "Somebody earning way more than myself", LOL.

I have to laugh when I read the above poster "traveller" when he calls himself not wealthy. My husband makes about $70K a year and I am a stay-at-home Mom. We have a nice house and I think we can afford to buy almost anything we really want. We also have a child with a serious illness and never have had to worry about the cost of her medical care because we have wonderful health insurance... I feel so lucky that we can afford for me to be a stay-at-home Mom. Even though our family income is less than 30% of what "Traveler's" is and not much more than he manages to save per year, I consider myself wealthy. A lot of people don't have the things my family has. I think it's kind of funny because I NEVER thought I was a "glass is half full" kind of person, but maybe I am. (LOL)

It's all relative. I agree with traveler, my husband earns what he and his wife do, but in no way do I consider us wealthy. We can't fly first class or charter a private plane, stay at the Plaza Anthenee, rent an island, etc, etc. When you can do those things, you are wealthy. We are affluent, but when you live amongst people earning 7 or near 7 figures, you don't feel wealthy. However, most people can travel if they make it a priority, it's just a question of how you travel and what you spend. I have a neighbor who flies her whole family first class, only travels with her housekeeper because she doesn't trust hotel babysitters with her children and books 3 rooms, one for her and her husband, one for the kids and one for the housekeeper. Imagine what her vacations cost! I'm not exaggerating either, it's the absolute truth.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where theives do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:19-21 <BR> <BR>How true this is.

Imnottelling, you're absolutely right, it's all relative. Thanks for confirming my suspicion! OK folks, now can we hear from people who think they're not wealthy, because they can only afford to rent a SMALL island? <BR> <BR>But I can tell you, if I had my hands on a quarter-million a year, I'm quite certain that I would travel first-class!

Yes it is relative but perhaps you should consider a different perspective when you call yourself not wealthy. I posted above and mentioned that I have a child with a serious illness... Through our visits to the hospital we met a family who's son was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Because the father was taking off so much time to seek out the best care for his son (they had to take him to a hospital out of state for a special treatment) the company he worked for fired him. I know this is illegal to be fired under these circumstances, but illegal or not it is what happened. Now they are without insurance, can't make their rent, they had just moved to the area and were renting until they could buy a house, so buying a house is out of the question now, and they will likely lose their son. The father is incredibly depressed. They are dealing with so much, I can understand how it would be difficult for him to fight being fired. There family simply doesn't have the energy to take on more battles. <BR> <BR>To get back to the point, though, you ARE wealthy and you should feel fortunate. Money might not save the family I have told you about from losing their son, but it certainly would relieve the additional anxiety they are having in their lives over rent, bills, etc.

I am not wealthy at all. I AM RICH. Rich with love, health, security within myself and rich with Family Values and I don't make 100K a year, but do find time to travel. Weather it be to Europe with frequent flyer miles or to our childrens homes four miles away.

SAHM you're absolutely right. Wealthy or not we know we are VERY fortunate for all we have, healthy kids, a great marriage, good friends and wonderful families and not a day goes by that we don't remind ourselves of it. When I married my husband in "84 he was making 13K, so everything we have we worked hard, saved and invested for, which is why we will propably never fly first class! I mean, $12,000 for our family just not to be uncomfortable for a few hours? I don't think so. Besides, I think most first class flyers are upgraded with ff miles or filthy rich. In either case they aren't cheap like me! <BR> <BR>I wish you luck with your son and pray for the boy you spoke of. It's very unfair that they are in those circumstances. Last year I worked on a fundraiser for a 4 year old boy with a brain tumor which had progressed and was very serious. His parents were able to fly to a specialist in Chicago and get him the help he needed and am happy to report that he is very much improved with a great prognosis. His parents surely feel like the wealthiest people on earth.

I have no idea what it's like to be a millionaire' <BR> <BR>But I bet I'd be darling at it' <BR> <BR> Dorothy Parker

Mimi, at least you are rich in a sense of humor!

I take about three international trips a year on an income of about $45K. The biggest way that I save money is through frequent flyer miles. I have my whole spending universe running through Delta airlines: my calling card, my home phone, my credit cards, car rentals, hotel stays. It results in at least two free tickets a year, which means I can use my money for things that don't come free like hotels and admission fees. When I made even less money, $24K right out of college, I did have a "travel savings account" and I would deposit money every week. If travel is a priority, you find a way to do it despite your income. You almost start thinking of it as a monthly bill that needs to be paid. This year on my little $45K, I will be going to Costa Rica in December, Greece in May and Australia for a month in August.

Ah Traveller--I'm sorry but the arrogance of the young. You are 31 and you and your wife make $250K a year and you don't think you are particularly wealthy. Please--get a grip on reality. Most people at 51 would be delighted to have your income!

Dawn, I like your strategy. How do you manage to have all the time to take your trips? That's a big problem for me. <BR> <BR>Really it's not always how much you make, but if you can hold onto it to use it the way you'd really like. It's not especially useful, imho, to compare incomes. This thread shows that the income level doesn't necessarily correspond to how often one travels. Travel is good for the mind and spirit, wish I could do a lot more of it.

Debby, I am far from wealthy, and can only manage a trip to Europe every other year. I'm retired and on a fixed income, so the only way I can afford to make a trip is to skrimp and save for two years starting on the day I return from a trip. <BR> <BR>But I'll let you in on a little secret (which all lovers of travel already know) PLAN, PLAN, PLAN! Planning my next trip starts immediately from the time I get home. Read everything you can find about the country you're going to visit, get on the internet and check the weather in the city you will be visiting, send for brochures from many of the towns where you're going, etc., etc. Planning is "almost" as good as going.

Hi, Debby. My partner and I aren't wealthy (he didn't get a "real" job until 35 and I've mostly worked for non-profits) but we manage to go abroad at least once a year. We'd probably do it more often if we didn't have student loans to pay! A couple of years ago, I switched to a credit card that earns me frequent flyer mileage. I've been able to rack up plenty of mileage (i.e., free tickets) b/c I use it to pay EVERYTHING. I've also subscribed on the various travel sites for e-mail alerts for fares to cities that I'm interested in. We also tend to stay in modest hotels since we don't spend most of our time in the room. I should note that we don't have kids or a mortgage but do live in Manhattan so we manage to pull it together some how! You can make it work :-) And in the words of Rosalind Russell's Auntie Mame, "Live! Live! Live!"

I didn't put my real name altho I am a regular here so as not to appear arrogant. I guess "wealthy" is all relative. I'm in private banking which means I am an account manager for wealthy people.My wife is a lawyer. Day in, day out I see clients with their multi million dollar portfolios. They own big homes all over the world while my apartment is 900 sq ft. They always travel first class and some of them book the entire floor (for security reasons) when staying in a hotel. Some own yachts, some own hotels! Now those people are wealthy. I am not. I am just fortunate. Even my colleagues drive Porsches, BMWs and Mercs. They stay in $500 a nite hotels, trave biz class. <BR> <BR>Am I in the top 1% of the popuation?I thought only people with million dollar incomes are in the top 1%. Please don't hate me when I say where I work I feel just average.I guess I feel like a janitor in Silicon Valley at the height of the Internet Boom. <BR> <BR>Having said that, I am not complaining. Merely pointing out the irony of relativity. I am immensely fortunate to be healthy and I wouldn't trade that for a million dollars. <BR>