Originally posted by: stickshift
my dad makes around ~$140k before taxes, and we live like crap...so it would take a bit more than that ot make me happy.
Well, consider that the government takes 40% of his income immediately, not to mention other taxes. Just to be mean, let's say, he has an after-tax income of $70,000. Reasonable 30-year mortgage ($400,000 home, 5% interest), pays $2,000 a month, $24,000 a year. Let's also assume he has a relatively new car, bought it and is paying it off over time, $8,000 per year for payments. He and his wife contribute to an IRA, smart investors, they contribute the full amount that they can, plus a little extra for their taxable portfolio, $10,000 for that ($6,000 IRA contribution + $4,000). Plus insurance (life, auto, homeowners'), clothes, utilities, food, let's say that's an extra $1,500 a month, $18,000 a year.* That leaves $10,000 a year for fun.
I dunno, that's my college-age guy's view of married/family finances, from a minimalist perspective. That leaves a generous amount for investing, responsible home/car ownership, etc. For me right now, $10,000 is a sum I could not justify or imagine spending on anything leisure-wise, even over a year's time.
Perhaps from his perspective, because his dad does not have a ton of money lying around or does not throw it around, he does not see his dad as wealthy.
* this could be a huge variable, I honestly do not know how much would be spent over a year's time for a family of four in this regard, I know what my insurance is, but I don't know utilities/clothing/etc.