Wealthy whingers: The £90,000-a-year families who still don't feel rich - News - Evening Standard
       

Wealthy whingers: The £90,000-a-year families who still don't feel rich

They may have big houses, flash cars and exotic holidays, but the wealthy still aren't happy (file picture)
They have the money, the jobs, the homes and the holidays. And yet, for the vast majority of wealthy families, there is a problem - they still don't feel well-off.

While millions of their fellow Britons may find it difficult to sympathise, the so-called working wealthy clearly believe they are having a tough time.

According to a survey published today, such households earn £88,000 a year, have more than £20,000 of annual disposable income, take two foreign holidays and live in a home worth £390,000.

What more, you might ask, do they want?

The answer, it seems, is to earn around £60,000 more a year, own more than one property and send their children to a private school.

Then, the survey found, they would feel rich.

Nearly one in ten households are now classed as wealthy, with the average family bringing in an income of £88,000 a year - nearly triple the national average, according to insurer Hiscox which commissioned the research.

Nevertheless, 90 per cent of wealthy Britons do not feel well-off, the survey found.

The study of 1,000 professionals found four out of ten go on more than one foreign holiday a year, while 29 per cent own a luxury home entertainment system and 23 per cent have savings of more than £25,000.

Around 15 per cent also own a piece of art work and 14 per cent have more than one property, while the contents of their homes are valued at more than £50,000.

Researchers said the typical "working wealthy" individual lived in the South-East of England and was a professional with an income of between £50,000 and £250,000.

They have surplus cash but are not ostentatious about what they buy. They see themselves as "no longer ordinary, but not yet extraordinary".

Steve Langan, of Hiscox, said: "Being wealthy doesn't mean we stop being down to earth or lose touch with the value of things.

"We've worked and saved hard to buy the possessions that we hold dear."

Comments

Don't Miss
TV Baftas - in pictures

Best of the Baftas

Stars on the red, white and blue carpet
What makes Chelsea and Arsenal target Eden Hazard tick?

Hazard warning

What makes Chelsea and Arsenal target Eden Hazard tick?
You big softie: Has Giles Coren put down his poison pen?

You big softie

Has Giles Coren put down his poison pen?
Pop star Paloma Faith, former Labour minister and Tory blogger back gay marriage video

Gay marriage

Pop star, former Labour minister and Tory blogger back gay marriage video
Promethipedia: the lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus

Promethipedia

The lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus
Prints charming: patterned trousers for summer

Prints charming

Patterned trousers for summer
Bob Geldof on grandchildren, activism and the state of music

Grandpa Bob

Bob Geldof on grandchildren, activism and the state of music
The Middletan: Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London

The Middletan

Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London
Amy Childs bares all like Britney

Dare to bare

Amy Childs vajazzles like Britney
Trip the bright fantastic - in vertiginous neon

Fashion

Trip the bright fantastic - in vertiginous neon