Rich People Luxuries That Most People Can’t Afford
Most people don’t think twice about skipping the private jet or declining a personal chef. But for the extremely wealthy, these are everyday conveniences. What seems normal to them often costs more than the average household earns in a year. Here’s a look at what rich people casually spend money on without blinking.
Luxury Watch Collections Worth More Than a House
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Some millionaires own watch collections valued at over $500,000. A single Patek Philippe Grand Complications model sells for $300,000, more than the national median home price. And unlike houses, these watches don’t appreciate much unless they’re ultra-rare. They’re mostly flex pieces that sit in glass cases.
Owning Multiple Homes Around the Globe
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It’s not unusual for the ultra-rich to maintain homes in places like London, Malibu, the Maldives, or St. Barts. Each property comes with staff and maintenance costs that add up to hundreds of thousands annually. Most Americans can’t even afford one home, let alone several in different countries.
Flying Private Instead of Commercial
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A round-trip on a private jet from Los Angeles to New York can cost up to $40,000 or even more. That’s ten times what a commercial first-class ticket costs. Frequent flyers often spend millions a year without thinking about fuel surcharges, crew costs, or hangar fees.
Hiring a Full-Time Personal Chef
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When it comes to private chefs, they typically earn between $70,000 and $150,000 per year. That doesn’t include the cost of gourmet ingredients or kitchen staff. Most people do meal prep or microwave dinner. Rich folks eat five-star meals daily like it’s a standard Tuesday.
Designer Clothes for Toddlers
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Dressing a toddler in Gucci or Dior might sound absurd, but it’s a trend among wealthy parents. A baby Burberry trench coat retails for over $400. It’s a bit absurd because the child outgrows it in months, but the price tag rivals an entire adult wardrobe for many families.
Exotic Pets with Expensive Needs
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Bengal cats and macaws might look cool on Instagram, but they need special permits and veterinary care. These exotic pets can cost $20,000 upfront and require several thousand dollars a year in upkeep. That’s a serious expense for what is, at the end of the day, a designer-status pet.
Annual Ski Trips to Private Chalets
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A week in a private chalet in Courchevel, France, can top $100,000 during peak season. You see, the wealthy don’t just ski—they rent out entire mountainsides. Lift tickets, staff, private chefs, and equipment rentals only add to the staggering price tag of what many consider just another weeklong winter getaway.
Having a Full Staff at Home
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The wealthy don’t juggle chores—they hire staff for everything. A large estate might have maids, nannies, drivers, butlers, gardeners, and security on the payroll. For some, annual salaries top $1 million. While most families handle daily life themselves, in these homes, outsourcing every task is the norm. The house runs smoothly, but it comes at a price.
Private School Tuition for Children
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Elite prep schools in the U.S. can cost over $60,000 per year. Add in donations, uniforms, and extracurriculars, and it’s like paying for a small college every year. Many families can’t even afford public school supplies without help, let alone fund decades of elite education for multiple children.
Outrageous Spending on Cosmetic Procedures
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Wealthy people can spend hundreds of thousands on aesthetic procedures like full-body laser resurfacing, jawline sculpting, or luxury post-op care. These aren’t medical necessities. They’re extremely expensive routines disguised as self-care. Many undergo procedures annually, sometimes monthly.
Designer Furniture That Isn’t Functional
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Wealthy homeowners fill living rooms with pricey designer pieces. These items often serve more as conversation starters than places to sit. Most families use practical couches and sturdy tables from affordable stores. For the rich, furniture becomes display art, sometimes off-limits to guests, and rarely serves any real everyday function.
Throwing Lavish Parties with Celebrity Performances
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A birthday party with a pop superstar onstage, dinner by Michelin chefs, and gift bags that rival a monthly paycheck—this is how the ultra-wealthy celebrate. A single night’s entertainment can top seven figures. Even the décor might arrive by plane. For most, these blowout events are hard to imagine, but in some circles, they’re routine.
Buying Custom Cars Instead of Off-the-Lot Models
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Instead of visiting a dealership, rich people commission custom-built vehicles with bespoke interiors and personalized branding. These cars often cost upwards of $500,000 and are more about bragging rights than basic transportation. There are owners who never even drive them, but simply store them as investments in air-controlled garages.
Going on Shopping Sprees in Foreign Cities
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High-end shoppers sometimes fly to Paris or Milan just to buy clothes. Luxury shopping vacations can rack up six-figure credit card bills, especially with personal stylists, security, and VIP access. For many, these trips happen annually, like seasonal retail pilgrimages.
Spending Thousands on Personal Trainers and Gyms
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One-on-one sessions with elite fitness trainers can cost $300 or more per hour. Building private gyms in their homes with equipment worth more than a new car is also a thing. Meanwhile, many Americans can’t afford even a $50 monthly gym membership, let alone private Pilates instructors or in-home saunas.
Paying for 24/7 Security
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For ultra-rich individuals, security is constant. Armed guards, armored vehicles, facial recognition gates, and fingerprint scanners can cost over $500,000 a year. Most people rely on locks and a home alarm system if they can afford one at all. For the rich, paranoia protection becomes just another monthly bill.
Renting Out Entire Islands for Vacations
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A handful of people treat private islands the way others treat weekend getaways. At places like Necker Island, guests have their own staff, chefs, and boats ready on arrival. There’s no crowd—just ocean, quiet, and anything you want on demand. For most, this kind of trip is pure fantasy. For the ultra-rich, it’s just another escape.
Buying Original Artwork for Home Decor
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High-net-worth individuals love hanging original Picassos or Warhols on their walls. Mind you, a single painting might cost millions. Based on an average person’s experience, “art” comes from a big-box store or is made by their kids in school. Collectors even hire consultants to ensure their art is both trendy and valuable.
Having a Closet Just for Shoes
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It’s not rare for a rich person to have a walk-in closet dedicated solely to shoes. Some collections include hundreds of pairs of Louboutins, each costing $700 or more. It’s normal for the ordinary folk to own fewer than ten pairs of shoes, total. Meanwhile, there are wealthy collectors who only treat their shoes as a display.
Using Concierge Medical Services
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Common people wait weeks for a basic appointment and pay co-pays just to get in the door. As for rich people, they sometimes even travel with their doctor on vacation. Concierge doctors charge annual fees between $2,000 and $25,000 for ultra-personalized healthcare. These services include house calls, unlimited visits, and 24/7 phone access.
Wearing Jewelry Worth More Than a Car
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Earrings, watches, rings, and necklaces often double as status symbols. A single diamond necklace can be valued at $200,000 or more. That’s more than the price of a Tesla Model Y, worn casually to lunch or an awards show, requiring separate insurance policies due to value.
Spending More on a Dog Than a College Fund
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Purebred dogs from champion bloodlines can cost $10,000. Add in dog trainers, spa days, custom meals, and vet insurance, and some of these rich people drop more on their pets each year than many spend on rent or childcare. Designer dogs have monthly budgets larger than entire households.
Taking Space Flights for Fun
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Booking a seat on a rocket is now part of the luxury bucket list. A few minutes in zero gravity, a glimpse of Earth from the edge of space, and a ticket price that tops most homes—this is the new playground for those with serious wealth.
Owning a Wine Cellar with Bottles Worth Millions
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Collectors with deep pockets fill cellars with bottles that rival the price of a car or even a house. A single rare vintage might sit untouched for years, watched over by a sommelier. While most people pick up a bottle on sale at the store, for the wealthy, wine collecting is a private pursuit and a display of status.
Living in Penthouses with Million-Dollar Views
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Luxury penthouses in places like Manhattan or Dubai sell for over $50 million. These homes include concierge service, private elevators, and panoramic views. The price of the view alone exceeds the entire mortgage of most American families. In some cases, the view costs more than the building itself.
Spending Big on Wellness Retreats
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Luxury wellness retreats trade daily stress for weeklong schedules packed with yoga, massages, and nutrition consults—all in a secluded setting. Private chefs handle every meal, mineral baths and meditation fill the afternoons, and no one’s rushing home after.
Chartering Yachts for Summer Vacations
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Renting a luxury yacht for a week can cost between $100,000 and $1 million. That doesn’t include docking fees, fuel, or crew tips. Sailing around the Mediterranean sounds dreamy, but for most people, it’s just something to watch on “Below Deck” while eating microwave pizza on the couch.
Installing Home Theaters That Rival Cinemas
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Wealthy homeowners spend hundreds of thousands building private theaters with Dolby Atmos and projection systems. What a privilege to stream unreleased films for a premium. On the other hand, others share popcorn and sticky seats in a packed theater. It’s like a personal AMC that doesn’t allow strangers or mess.
Customizing Private Jets with Designer Interiors
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Gulfstream and Bombardier jets can be customized with designer fabrics, gold-plated fixtures, and spa showers. These upgrades often cost millions and are treated like luxury apartments in the sky. Flying coach with a carry-on feels worlds away from that reality, where champagne and caviar are served at 30,000 feet.
Hiring Nannies with Degrees and Specialized Training
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Many wealthy families employ full-time nannies who hold degrees in early childhood education or psychology. They are usually multilingual and CPR-certified and primarily trained in Montessori or Waldorf methods. Their salaries can exceed $100,000 annually. For most parents, affordable childcare means juggling waitlists and side gigs. They might also rely on family to fill the gaps.