Today it hit me... I really am poor.

[the_fixer]

So my friend sent me an ad to Costco and I thought for sure it was a misprint, I went out to their site and it was a real ad and the price was correct.

Sometimes it just hits you and you realize that despite your feelings of success there are levels above you in the world that you cannot even fathom.

https://m.costco.com/A4-Wagyu-Center-Cut-New-York-Strip-Steaks%2C-12-oz%2C-4-count.product.100344490.html

https://m.costco.com/Authentic-Japanese-Wagyu-Filet-Mignons%2c-A-5-Grade%2c-8-count%2c-4-oz-Steaks.product.100327598.html

[ender]

I had some awards dinner once with  wagyu beef.

It was delicious. It was a very small amount but I think the chef said it was similar price per pound. But hey... I didn't pay for it (and never will :P)...

[Mr. Green]

Prada sells a paper clip made of Sterling silver for $185. I hesitate to call myself poor because I don't have one.

[wenchsenior]

Yeah...we were served tenderloin Wagyu a few years ago (for free...we are loosely socially connected with some point-zero-something percenters).  It was phenomenal, but not so much more phenomenal than the cheap yearling venison tenderloin that DH provides that I would ever consider paying for it.

[Rcc]

Heh, list of things I dont have:

1. Tesla Model S
2. 5000 sq ft house for 2 adults and one child
3. Rolexs
4. Custom tailored suits

I'm good.

[Warlord1986]

If you make $32,400 then you are in the top 1% of the world.

http://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/050615/are-you-top-one-percent-world.asp

[Khaetra]

I don't have:

1. A huge blinged-out truck to haul nothing in (can't have scratches ya know!)

2. A giant SUV

3. Granite countertops and stainless steel appliances in my kitchen

Geez I'm dirt poor! ;)

[EricL]

Somewhere on this board is a thread discussing what "rich" really means in practical and philosophical detail. Worth the search I'd give  if I wasn't on my phone.

[fattest_foot]

The thing is, you could probably afford those steaks. You likely, like most of us, prioritize your money on other things.

In fact, I could probably afford the steaks and not even notice the money being gone. But I'd definitely feel ridiculous and guilty about doing it.

[crispy]

I bet those would be great with ketchup.

[NoVa]

Heh, list of things I dont have:

1. Tesla Model S
2. 5000 sq ft house for 2 adults and one child
3. Rolexs
4. Custom tailored suits

I'm good.

Rolex, no, no no. That is the McDonald's of luxury watches. You want at least a Patek Philippe. :)

[ptobest]

I bet those would be great with ketchup.

And cooked well done.

[bunchbikes]

You want at least a Patek Philippe. :)

You can find those at Walmart. I'll pass.

[the_fixer]

Maybe poor was a sub par choice of words.

Looking at the ad and thinking about a few other things I was struck by the realization that there are several classes of people that posses far greater amounts of wealth than I will ever be able to accumulate in my lifetime.

I am not envious or jealous my wife and I make far more money than my family and friends, we live well below our means and do not try to show off. We are happy with what we have and thankful.

However when I have seen the shows where people are hunting for private islands, building multi million dollar yachts, RV's and tree houses I guess I just always chalked it up to they were the corner cases or eccentric people with family money / lottery winnings.

However seeing a grocery ad with such an extravagant item it really hit home that there are people out there that spend more in a month than I earn in a year, have in my 401K or even what my house is worth.

Just a sobering realization about the amount of wealth possessed by some people. Kind of how I would imagine if you took someone from Hati living in one of the tent camps and they were to look at my lifestyle.

[Re3iRtH]

Maybe poor was a sub par choice of words.

Looking at the ad and thinking about a few other things I was struck by the realization that there are several classes of people that posses far greater amounts of wealth than I will ever be able to accumulate in my lifetime.

I am not envious or jealous my wife and I make far more money than my family and friends, we live well below our means and do not try to show off. We are happy with what we have and thankful.

However when I have seen the shows where people are hunting for private islands, building multi million dollar yachts, RV's and tree houses I guess I just always chalked it up to they were the corner cases or eccentric people with family money / lottery winnings.

However seeing a grocery ad with such an extravagant item it really hit home that there are people out there that spend more in a month than I earn in a year, have in my 401K or even what my house is worth.

Just a sobering realization about the amount of wealth possessed by some people. Kind of how I would imagine if you took someone from Hati living in one of the tent camps and they were to look at my lifestyle.

If you think believe that, then you will never be able to accumulate that wealth. You are correct.

[nouveauRiche]

Just a sobering realization about the amount of wealth possessed by some people. Kind of how I would imagine if you took someone from Hati living in one of the tent camps and they were to look at my lifestyle.

You ended with the perfect sentence.

[OurTown]

I bet those would be great with ketchup.

And cooked well done.

With a side of chocolate cake.

[prognastat]

Maybe poor was a sub par choice of words.

Looking at the ad and thinking about a few other things I was struck by the realization that there are several classes of people that posses far greater amounts of wealth than I will ever be able to accumulate in my lifetime.

I am not envious or jealous my wife and I make far more money than my family and friends, we live well below our means and do not try to show off. We are happy with what we have and thankful.

However when I have seen the shows where people are hunting for private islands, building multi million dollar yachts, RV's and tree houses I guess I just always chalked it up to they were the corner cases or eccentric people with family money / lottery winnings.

However seeing a grocery ad with such an extravagant item it really hit home that there are people out there that spend more in a month than I earn in a year, have in my 401K or even what my house is worth.

Just a sobering realization about the amount of wealth possessed by some people. Kind of how I would imagine if you took someone from Hati living in one of the tent camps and they were to look at my lifestyle.

If you think believe that, then you will never be able to accumulate that wealth. You are correct.

Right Tony Robbins.

It is quite realistic statistically to say that most people are extremely unlikely to be the next Bill Gates. Not saying don't work hard. But if you go in to life expecting that such a thing is a reasonable expectation you are probably going to have a miserable life of feeling inadequate and a failure no matter the amount of success you have.

[acroy]

" I really am poor"

nah, just less rich than some :)

[WhiteTrashCash]

I imagine that the people who pay those prices for gourmet steaks are probably professional sports league rookies who will one day be featured on ESPN's 30 in 30 specials about where it all went wrong.

[Tyson]

" I really am poor"

nah, just less rich than some :)

I take it as an example that lifestyle inflation can occur at any income level.  No matter how much you have, it's never enough, if what you want is "more" or "the best".

[Clean Shaven]

You want at least a Patek Philippe. :)

You can find those at Walmart. I'll pass.

Hey, do you get a discount on those for "ship to store"? 
http://news.walmart.com/2017/04/12/empowering-customers-with-more-ways-to-save-introducing-pickup-discount

[PiobStache]

Saw this too and have to admit thought about getting them.  Have some guests over, open a great bottle of wine, and it would be a meal to remember.  At some point, life is about memories, and not about things or money in the bank.  Sometimes you've got to spend a little to create a really good memory; other times good memories are free.  I think we should allow ourselves the occasional memory that cost some $$.

[GenXbiker]

Spending that much money on steaks wouldn't be a good memory for me.  I can get more bang for my buck in many more ways.

[PiobStache]

Spending that much money on steaks wouldn't be a good memory for me.  I can get more bang for my buck in many more ways.

That's great!  For some it would.  Isn't it wonderful we're all different? 

[Samuel]

I might have a panic attack while cooking the damn things, though. That's a lot to wager on my grilling skills.

[nouveauRiche]

I might have a panic attack while cooking the damn things, though. That's a lot to wager on my grilling skills.

My thoughts exactly.

[Abooki]

I bet those would be great with ketchup.

And cooked well done.

With a side of chocolate cake.

and can of coke

[jtraggie99]

I bet those would be great with ketchup.

And cooked well done.

With a side of chocolate cake.

and can of coke

Eh....a line or two maybe....but a whole can seems like overkill :)

[crispy]

I bet those would be great with ketchup.

And cooked well done.

With a side of chocolate cake.

and can of coke

Eh....a line or two maybe....but a whole can seems like overkill :)

Well, that line just made me snort...with laughter.

[Goldielocks]

hmmm.

Call me crazy, but that would serve 6-8 people, and for some one's very special 40h or 50th birthday, held at home, with wine and special friends... would still be a lot less expensive than taking everyone out to eat at a nice restaurant.

Quite a few people here could leverage that, easily.  That party would be the same price as a weekend in las vegas for many.. or two fancy watches, or one year's contribution to an education fund, or a year of gym membership for two, or a new iPhone, etc....   I know many people that like to take a 3 day weekend somewhere once per year, in addition to their regular vacation...  It;s all about choices.

[RedmondStash]

If I had to, I could drop 10-20 times that on a car, roof, furnace, vacation, medical emergency, etc., without even blinking.

And the reason I could do that is that I don't buy things that seem both expensive and frivolous to me, which this would be. I'm sure it's delicious, but not enough bang for the buck. If I really wanted to, though, sure, I could buy those steaks, destroy them with my inadequate cooking skills, slather them with ketchup, and dig in.

It's about perspective. That's a huge amount of money for a platter of steaks, but a fraction of the cost of some occasional necessities.

Sure, there are plenty of extremely wealthy people whose ranks I will never join. But I don't really want to. More money, more problems.

A comfortable sufficiency will do for me.

[Cali Nonya]

Am I the only one who noticed they couldn't even photograph a package of steak?  It's just one steak copied over 4 times, or two steaks copied over 4 times. 
Lazy photo-shopping.

[Another Reader]

A new Costco opened in San Jose in June.  The store was crawling with police officers and private security for the first few days.  I asked one of the officers why.  He said it was because of the millions of dollars of jewelry in the display cases.  I laughed that off as silly, but there was a smash and grab jewelry robbery at another Costco a few days ago.  Given what the parking situation is in Bay Area Costcos, I wonder how the thieves got out of the parking lot before the police arrived.

[prognastat]

I can have a plenty delicious piece of steak for 1/20th of the price when you cook it well.

I can also have a delicious piece of beef(not steak) for 1/40th of the price that is delicious when cooked the right way.

[BTDretire]

 I guess you didn't notice those New York Strip Steaks are 12oz!

[Bucksandreds]

Spending that much money on steaks wouldn't be a good memory for me.  I can get more bang for my buck in many more ways.

You could definitely get some BANG for your buck at that price!!!

[WhiteTrashCash]

Who eats red meat anyway? Jeez. May as well inject cholesterol directly into your arteries.

[prognastat]

Who eats red meat anyway? Jeez. May as well inject cholesterol directly into your arteries.

My apologies for being pedantic, but there is actually research coming to light questioning that dietary cholesterol has any significant effect on your own cholesterol. Your body actually regulates cholesterol and reduces it's own production when larger quantities are consumed.

[dreaming]

Who eats red meat anyway? Jeez. May as well inject cholesterol directly into your arteries.

There was red in that meat?  All I saw was white.  Blech

[libertarian4321]

I imagine that the people who pay those prices for gourmet steaks are probably professional sports league rookies who will one day be featured on ESPN's 30 in 30 specials about where it all went wrong.

There will never be a shortage of Americans willing to pay for flashy, overpriced crap they don't need with money they don't have.

Fake it 'til you make it is the American way.

Like with most "luxury" goods, a good percentage of the people who buy those overpriced steaks probably have little or no money.

Most people who can afford it probably wouldn't think of wasting their money on something so frivolous/ridiculous.

[WhiteTrashCash]

Who eats red meat anyway? Jeez. May as well inject cholesterol directly into your arteries.

My apologies for being pedantic, but there is actually research coming to light questioning that dietary cholesterol has any significant effect on your own cholesterol. Your body actually regulates cholesterol and reduces it's own production when larger quantities are consumed.

Nah, I don't think that's true from my own personal experience. I had a problem with cholesterol, so I cut back severely on eating meat. The problem disappeared within a couple of months. I don't doubt there's a genetic component, but changing diet definitely makes a difference.

[Fomerly known as something]

When I see items like the waygu, it makes me feel the opposite. Since I realized I could afford to spend that amount if I wanted too, it hits me that I really am "rich."  With my savings I could eat ridiculously overpriced meat for days and weeks without it affecting my overall net worth "that much," but I won't because I have other values.

[dbm]

Heh, list of things I dont have:

1. Tesla Model S
2. 5000 sq ft house for 2 adults and one child
3. Rolexs
4. Custom tailored suits

I'm good.

Don't knock the custom tailored suits. For me, being in Australia and an unusual size it is cheaper to fly to Thailand have 3 tailored suits and 20 shirts made than to buy 3 suits on sale here. And that's including the flights and accommodation... That usually lasts me 5 years+ of everyday usage... Apparently Vietnamese is even cheaper, but Thailand has better beaches.

[acroy]

Don't knock the custom tailored suits. For me, being in Australia and an unusual size it is cheaper to fly to Thailand have 3 tailored suits and 20 shirts made than to buy 3 suits on sale here. And that's including the flights and accommodation... That usually lasts me 5 years+ of everyday usage... Apparently Vietnamese is even cheaper, but Thailand has better beaches.

Badass. I travel a lot to Brazil and am gonna take advantage of cheap custom tailored clothes eventually....

[bunchbikes]

Badass. I travel a lot to Brazil and am gonna take advantage of cheap custom tailored clothes eventually....

My friend just landed in Thailand and got a $150 tailored suit and tie, and tailored dress shirts at $50 a pop.

[SimpleCycle]

Who eats red meat anyway? Jeez. May as well inject cholesterol directly into your arteries.

My apologies for being pedantic, but there is actually research coming to light questioning that dietary cholesterol has any significant effect on your own cholesterol. Your body actually regulates cholesterol and reduces it's own production when larger quantities are consumed.

Dietary cholesterol doesn't have a big effect, but dietary saturated fat increases LDL.

[Abooki]

I bet those would be great with ketchup.

And cooked well done.

With a side of chocolate cake.

and can of coke

Eh....a line or two maybe....but a whole can seems like overkill :)

Well, that line just made me snort...with laughter.

hahaha died with laughter

[PiobStache]

It's interesting how the mere fact that these steaks exist brings on an almost existential moment for some.

[alexpkeaton]

Whole Foods sells morel mushrooms for something like $260/lb, and they're dried, not even fresh. The grow wild in my parents back yard. They are pretttty, prettty good.