As we all know that in Europe and the United States, a common argument is popular "hiding wealth for the people". That is to say, there are fewer rich and poor people, and there are more middle classes-both ends are wide and the middle is wide. And the argument often describes such a wealth distribution as the "healthiest" for a society. So, is that really the case?

1. What is the annual income of the top 1% rich?

There is a joke about Wall Street : "Someone just asked me what to do if I won the $ 1 million lottery, hell, what do I buy a lottery ticket, and I make more than that every month!"

According to the official data in 2019, if you want to enter the top 1% of the United States, your bottom line is $ 250,000. What is this concept? For example, Google ’s average salary to employees is about $ 113,000, with a total range of $ 65,500 / year to $ 162,400 / year, which means that even if you mix well at Google, your income is only 1% of the group ’s bottom line 65%-not enough to reach.

It is not an exaggeration to describe this group as "suffocating fortune". These people generally have a formal inheritance plan—yes, their children have a “throne” inheritance—and set up trust funds for their children. And unlike the usual stereotypes, these rich people are usually very low-key, they live in properties that are worth less than their annual salary, and do not have much enthusiasm for luxury cars. However, they will have sufficient links with the local political circles and are willing to take greater risks in terms of asset appreciation , because even if there is a problem with the temporary investment, they have sufficient strength to be a backup. In this way, they will continue to gain more opportunities and greater benefits, and continue to realize the increase in wealth at a speed that ordinary people cannot reach in their lives.

Those who travel around the world every day are usually called "flashy newcomers" by successful people because they are too superficial and rarely can maintain their wealth for a long time.

2. How much is the bitter smile of the middle class?

Although different from the exaggerated and funny tax proportion of France, the middle class in the United States also bears a considerable tax burden-the rich are not afraid to pay taxes, and the poor cannot afford to pay taxes-and the middle class with a large group not only in income "If you can't be high, you can't be low." In terms of tax revenue, you must pay a considerable proportion to allow the government to fill expanding benefits to benefit the poor.

When we expand the scope of some, exclude 10% to 20% top income group of the United States, then go from 20% down to 80% of the population, in a broad sense is considered to be "middle class", that is, Individual annual income is between $ 311,000 and $ 94,000, and the range is still quite large.

Taking into account the American living supplies, the purchasing power of the US dollar is still relatively cheap, but labor is more expensive, so if the couple can reach the "middle section" of middle income, that is, the family annual income is more than 120,000, the days are still relatively Better.

Of course, in some high-end areas of Manhattan, San Francisco or Los Angeles this income is not enough to live, whether it is buying or renting a house. You know, in some areas of San Francisco, the monthly rent for an apartment of about 100 square meters is more than $ 4,000. Not to mention the words of buying a house.

Of course, if both are in the low end of the middle income (they are more than 60,000 per year) and they live in a relatively developed area (east coast west coast), it will be more difficult to live.

However, according to the 2018 official statistics report, the median salary of a full-time employee in the United States is $ 46,800 per year. Only $ 3228 is available after tax each month, so even if you spend it alone in Los Angeles, it is more difficult to save any money. This also explains why the concept of "the middle class in the United States can't even get hundreds of dollars in emergency expenses", so it can only "spend tomorrow's money today", overdraft credit cards, a vicious circle.

3. Definition of "the poor"

Basically in the United States, people with an annual income below $ 25,000 are considered poor. The number of this group is actually greater than 20%. Low-income groups are basically unable to afford rents in a good area (school district or urban area), let alone buy a house with a loan. Of course, in some central and southern states with relatively low consumption, this level of income can still make up for it.

Take 25,000 annual income as an example. In California, the monthly income is only $ 1816. With the government's medical benefits, renting a cheap apartment, driving a cheap used car, and living step by step is no problem. of. But in terms of diet, you have to shrink back. First of all, you need to provide sufficient calories to the body with limited funds-organic foods are basically not necessary-you often buy a lot of fried foods, high-carb semi-finished products and simple snacks.

Due to the low hourly wage, you have to invest a lot of time working hard, let alone the gym: no time, no budget.

So the common phenomenon in the United States is- the poorer and fatter, the richer the body, the better.

Finally, the phrase "knowledge is productivity" is an eternal truth in the United States.