Are you rich?

[Lchnsf]

Compared to who?

[handiacefailure]

There was a thread awhile back talking about if their cleaning lady still comes due to the virus. I was surprised about how many gay or bi men on this forum have cleaners or maid services. I always thought that was for wealthy men in big houses with wives and kids who don’t want to do housework.

 

My cleaning lady only charges $60 and provides her only supplies. I live in a small two bedroom/2 bath condo and she doesn't touch the smaller bedroom I use as a junk/storage room and the bathtub never gets used in the guest bathroom but it only takes her about an hour and half to two hours to clean the place. Would take me longer and my time is worth more than that.

[handiacefailure]

Far from rich, but live comfortably. I live in Toledo, which is a very boring city, but has a low cost of living, and allows me to have more money to travel and hire. I bought a cheaper car six years ago and have no plans on getting rid of it anytime soon since I bike and walk most places and instead of investing in huge house, bought a smaller condo and have no debt Now if I lived in a place like NYC, I'd probably be living pay check to paycheck with no money to hire or travel.

[handiacefailure]

I’m in a similar boat. There is no incentive for my husband and I to accumulate wealth beyond what we have since we won’t ever have children.

 

I like spending money on men and trips.

 

I'm in the same situation. I still save a lot, but don't have kids or a spouse to worry about providing for after I die and my parents are pretty well off, so don't think I'll have to worry about supporting them financially. My biggest fear with money is health care costs after I retire, hopefully we'll have a president between now and then that will get some kind of national health care system in place. I am a diabetic and only am about an hour away from Canada, so I can at least drive to Canada to get my insulin if I have to since it's only 1/10th of the cost in Canada that it is here.

[caramelsub]

Far from rich, but live comfortably. I live in Toledo, which is a very boring city, but has a low cost of living, and allows me to have more money to travel and hire. I bought a cheaper car six years ago and have no plans on getting rid of it anytime soon since I bike and walk most places and instead of investing in huge house, bought a smaller condo and have no debt Now if I lived in a place like NYC, I'd probably be living pay check to paycheck with no money to hire or travel.

 

This is true. I’m hoping to move. But am debating whether to move to a boring city with limited escorts, limited gay nightlife, but cheap cost of living. Or a fun city with lots of hot escorts, and gay clubs, but high cost of living. I keep going back and forth. It seems like there is no middle ground.

[BabyBoomer]

I've been waiting for over 60 years for Michael Anthony to deliver me a cashier's check for one million dollars. So far, it hasn't arrived.

 

~Boomer~

[muscmtl]

Anyone who can spend 300 and more an hour for sex is rich.

5,4 millions gay men in the US, with at least third of them making more than 100 k a year, so its an "escort market"

[+ Italiano]

You don't learn about the world while watching it on television. You travel and see it. Experience is everything.

 

It's possible to travel far and wide without spending a mint.

 

If traveling the world doesn't change you for the better, there's not a lot more I can say to that.

ABSOLUTELY!!! Traveling has been one of my priorities in life. I don't care about fab cars, clothing, fancy homes etc. Of course I like living comfortably, but I have never been obsessed with expensive material object.

But traveling has enriched me and given me immense pleasure and knowledge. And I have been lucky to live in 4 totally different Countries in 2 Continents, and that's also priceless in terms of personal fulfillment

[+ Pensant]

As a millennial I don't understand why my generation is so travel obsessed and is willing to prioritize travel over saving and investing. None of the vacations I took as a kid changed my life in any way, they were nice but not transformational experiences.

Come to think of it, I thought I’d miss my annual month-long European trip this summer, but I’m perfectly content to be enjoying the tranquil island life up here in the PNW. i really have everything I need, most importantly friends and family.

[MscleLovr]

debating whether to move to a boring city with limited escorts, limited gay nightlife, but cheap cost of living. Or a fun city with lots of hot escorts, and gay clubs, but high cost of living.

 

I think it depends largely on your interests and how you wish to live @caramelsub Age is not an important factor. I’m old but I enjoy going out most nights (restaurants, theatre, concerts) in normal times. I’m also coupled, so we live in a major world city, and I’ve a 2nd home in a less expensive city a short flight away for when we want different food, the beach and sea.

 

If you’re young and single, and seeking a boyfriend or two, you have to live somewhere fun and interesting. But if you have rural pursuits or just enjoy a quiet life, and if nightlife is of no interest to you, you could live somewhere less costly and make regular trips to the “big city” for fun.

 

My view is my own: I feel you could move to New Zealand, you won’t live any longer but it will feel like you do as the days drag by....

[mike carey]

feel you could move to New Zealand, you won’t live any longer but it will feel like you do as the days drag by....

As Dame Edna once said, Australia is so central, you can hop on a plane and in 24 hours you'll be somewhere interesting. The same can be said for New Zealand. Well, not right now. I'm not rich by any of the western definitions (but living in the west I am on a global scale), but I'm happy living in a small city in Australia and would be happy in New Zealand but it's not 'home'. The hills are a different colour and the sky somehow isn't so big or the same blue. I miss being able to travel as I could six months ago, but I'm looking at where I can travel to now. It may involve more driving or trains than flying.

[marylander1940]

There was a thread awhile back talking about if their cleaning lady still comes due to the virus. I was surprised about how many gay or bi men on this forum have cleaners or maid services. I always thought that was for wealthy men in big houses with wives and kids who don’t want to do housework.

 

I remember... You should also consider most forum members are way older than you're and professionals who don't have time to clean as they did when they were young.

 

For me as a gay man, I pretty much know at this point that I am never going to have kids. I hope to have a partner some day and may have nieces or nephews (though my sister is older in her 40s and doesn't have kids so probably not biologically). So I don't particularly have any reason to invest or save to give anything to the next generation. I also work in education and have been putting years onto a guaranteed pension.

 

So while I could save, invest and buy property, I don't really need to. I feel like I get a lot of happiness from traveling and meeting new people. Last year I went to the UK, experienced some amazing scenery and culture and met many handsome men along the way that showed me a good time. Only one of them did I actually hire. To me, the trip was worth every penny that I didn't put into a 401K.

 

Great post.

 

As an Irish American and considering how we were discriminated for a century and denied access to jobs, housing, etc. I've always thought it was my duty to provide generational wealth for the younger members of the my family. I do enjoy life but I live way below my possibilities.

 

Anyone who can spend 300 and more an hour for sex is rich.

5,4 millions gay men in the US, with at least third of them making more than 100 k a year, so its an "escort market"

 

Most of Americans are accustomed to spend money they don't have. Venmo, PP, have also made it possible. Unfortunately our society loves debt but as far as other countries keep taking our dollars we'll get by.

Edited July 29, 2020 by marylander1940

[Caliboy95]

I’m not rich yet. ? I’m still in my mid twenties so I have a long way before me. I just make a decent money and have a savings account while I complete my college education.

[handiacefailure]

This is true. I’m hoping to move. But am debating whether to move to a boring city with limited escorts, limited gay nightlife, but cheap cost of living. Or a fun city with lots of hot escorts, and gay clubs, but high cost of living. I keep going back and forth. It seems like there is no middle ground.

I prefer a cjheaper city myself. I figure I am at work during the day anyway and get to see a lot of cities I wouldn't get to see if I lived in a place with a high cost of living.

[+ jeezopete]

I’m hoping to move. But am debating whether to move to a boring city with limited escorts, limited gay nightlife, but cheap cost of living. Or a fun city with lots of hot escorts, and gay clubs, but high cost of living. I keep going back and forth. It seems like there is no middle ground.

Sure, there's a middle ground. I'm still working, living on my own in a small town about 30 min from my job. I'm a 40 min drive from a major city with gay bars/clubs, resident & visiting escorts, fine dining, theater, museums, shopping, etc. So my cost of living is low & I'm able to save for vacations, hiring, and other activities. I don't deal with the high cost of living in the city (or the traffic, noise, crime...), and I'm usually too tired during the week to go out anyway. Weekends, I can drive to the city for any of the activities listed above, then back home to the peace & quiet. If I'm going to hire, or if I plan to enjoy a few drinks when I'm out then I just get a hotel room for a night. Again, my cost of living allows for that in my budget.

-->Note: Due to the current health crisis, I have not participated in any of the aforementioned activities since the original shutdowns. Therefore my savings are really looking good for future adventures.

[Quincy_7]

Anyone who can spend 300 and more an hour for sex is rich.

5,4 millions gay men in the US, with at least third of them making more than 100 k a year, so its an "escort market"

 

Do you have a source for those figures? If they're accurate it's very interesting that gay men are disproportionately high income earners. The share of straight men breaking six figures is way lower.

[MaybeMaybeNot]

I am really appreciating reading everyone's comments. I come on this board feeling like the inexperienced, naive youngster in awe of all of you who have such exciting experiences with these attractive guys. I am not young, but I have never lived my life choosing careers that paid me well for my education and ability. Perhaps I should change my perspective; perhaps hiring isn't just for those pulling in the big bucks.

[jeezifonly]

I am really appreciating reading everyone's comments. I come on this board feeling like the inexperienced, naive youngster in awe of all of you who have such exciting experiences with these attractive guys. I am not young, but I have never lived my life choosing careers that paid me well for my education and ability. Perhaps I should change my perspective; perhaps hiring isn't just for those pulling in the big bucks.

It’s a question of trade-offs. I don’t hire on a regular basis. I allow myself the treat if I’ve been eating at home, avoiding online “boredom shopping”, etc. I have worked for non-profits my entire career. I’m better situated than coming generations who do the same work will be at my age. I was able to buy some rental prop in a good market, and income from that and the 401k is it.

And right now, I only wear my summer diamonds.

Some’re diamonds and some aren’t...

[MikeBiDude]

perhaps hiring isn't just for those pulling in the big bucks.

It’s not....there’s something for everyone!

[muscmtl]

Do you have a source for those figures? If they're accurate it's very interesting that gay men are disproportionately high income earners. The share of straight men breaking six figures is way lower.

Basic calc based on gay% in US and adult male numbers

[Sangohan777]

Real rich people won’t say they are rich, especially in this forum. So this thread is useless.

[+ FrankR]

I’m not rich yet. ? I’m still in my mid twenties so I have a long way before me. I just make a decent money and have a savings account while I complete my college education.

Start investing NOW my young friend! You will be glad when you reach my age! ?

 

(I was lucky to have a great mentor that guided me onto the “right track” early in life - now I am paying it forward as best I can.)

 

Edited July 30, 2020 by FrankR

[socurious]

Hi

[socurious]

no i am not rich. i am probably lower middle to in the middle class ish? im not sure the whole you must earn blah blah to be blah blah seems a bit silly.. depending on the area you live and the cost of living.

I have enough after all my expenses and mandatory "put into savings" to have an "entertainment" budget.

what i dont spend in one month rolls over into the next.. so i can hire for a few hours every month or two.. or one huge hire that blows through my budget.

Can i fly someone across the world and take month long cruises and vacations? ha i wish!

If people are lucky enough to have that much money. i wish them well.. and hope they spend wisely.

 

Lower middle and hiring expensive scorts?

[+ sniper]

Lower middle and hiring expensive scorts?

There's a difference between being able to do anything you want and being able to do everything you want. The latter are rich, the former are simply "not poor" and have made choices accordingly. If you can scrape 10 bucks a week off your normal spending, that's $520 a year. Barring disaster, most people can manage that.