OK then how about a more global perspective? The 2007 Capgemini/Merrill
Lynch Worldwide Wealth Report estimates that there were only 9.5 million
millionaires on the entire planet in 2006.

I'm surprised by the stated 4% withdrawal rule of thumb. I thought 6%
was a conservative enough estimate to be realistic. Not so?

Just to wake up in the morning, in the US, I have to have running
water, hot water, electricity to make the water, I have to pay a
sewer connection fee, pay for expensive plumbing,

Comment: a friend of mine, who resides in Virginia, lives
without electricity and running water. She lives on a
communal farm and there are others similarly unencumbered.
She has a job, she does drive a car, they use propane for
cooking. She has chosen to live thusly for over 16 years.

Good point, but moderate inflation means gradual loss of money. So if
one notices it half a year late and takes measures, it is still
worthwhile to take them.

"Elizabeth Richardson" <erichktn@worldnet.att.net> wrote.

For many folks I think much is to be said for the simple
life. I think it can give one an appreciation of what is
really meaningful for filling one's time. Unencumbered is a
good way to put it. No (or fewer) chains, and less worries
about inflation etc., if only because one knows how to
survive at the most immediate level, as opposed to tarrying
over one's portfolio and counting on investments to survive.

Bottom line after all this rambling is that comparing median
incomes is bogus. Net profit is what counts. If I spend all
my money on modern living, and put nothing away, I am far worse
off than a 3rd world goat hearder who lives a semi-nomadic life,
but is able to feed their family and increase the size of their
heard by a few goats each year. And if our goat hearder gets
health care as a human right, and I cannot afford health coverage,
then tell me who is better off in the long run?

John A. Weeks III wrote:

Bottom line after all this rambling is that comparing median
incomes is bogus. Net profit is what counts. If I spend all
my money on modern living, and put nothing away, I am far worse
off than a 3rd world goat hearder who lives a semi-nomadic life,
but is able to feed their family and increase the size of their
heard by a few goats each year. And if our goat hearder gets
health care as a human right, and I cannot afford health coverage,
then tell me who is better off in the long run?


So the availability of affordable health insurance is your only criteria
for quality of life?

-Will

And if our goat hearder gets
health care as a human right, and I cannot afford health coverage,
then tell me who is better off in the long run?

So the availability of affordable health insurance is your only criteria
for quality of life?

I get John's point. One can burn through $10K's in the things he
mentions, water/AC/rent, etc, and my comparison using median income is
not quite apples to apples. While I have the option to liquidate and
choose to live in the proverbial van by the river, that's not likely to
happen, and I may not actually be living 100X the quality of life
despite having 100X the income of the $850/yr world median person I
reference.

I get John's point. One can burn through $10K's in the things he
mentions, water/AC/rent, etc, and my comparison using median income is
not quite apples to apples. While I have the option to liquidate and
choose to live in the proverbial van by the river, that's not likely to
happen, and I may not actually be living 100X the quality of life
despite having 100X the income of the $850/yr world median person I
reference.

she can't call a cab to get to the doctor
because she has no phone.

On Aug 27, 6:38 pm, "Elizabeth Richardson" <erich...@worldnet.att.net
wrote:
she can't call a cab to get to the doctor
because she has no phone.

Anyone who can afford a cab can have a phone. Get a Tracfone for $10
and about $7 to $8/month for service.

Anyone who can afford a cab can have a phone. Get a Tracfone for $10
and about $7 to $8/month for service. No credit check required - you
don't even have to identify yourself to the company.