But the thing is, she could have bought it for $20k in 1979 - saying that someone owns an apartment valued at $1M in Manhattan is pretty meaningless on its own.

I just meant that if she sold it, she could stand to make a million dollars. Depending on whether she owned it outright, of course.

I mean, I don't care what she makes, or what she's worth, I just thought the point of the original post was that she does have an asset worth some money, not that it was luxurious or that's living some super fabulous lifestyle.

And it's certainly relative, in terms of living space or whatever -- like everyone pointed out, a million dollars (sadly) doesn't buy much in NYC.

And she has a pension which means she does not have to save for her old age.

I'm assuming that's the gov't pension and therefore stable, but pension != safe. Half of my Dad's was gone 2 years after he retired. oops, sorry, you lose that.

I'd assume its a government pension,yeah.

Oh, I agree, Amy, it's not nothin'.

Her salary is over 150,000 per year.

For New York, really, that isn't huge. It's in the range of not having to worry too much about money, but still way below, say, Real Housewives territory. That's upper-middle class for New York, I'd say.

I think, before everything went to hell, first year associates in large firms were starting at about $120,000.

I read somewhere today that her reported savings is $32,000, and she has $15,000 in credit card bills and an outstanding $15,000 dental bill (ouch!). And in her neighborhood, $1 million will get you a 1000 sq. ft. condo.

But ... I think the point was not that her million-dollar property was especially big or luxurious, just that she *has* assets worth a million dollars, right?

No, the point is that "owns a MILLION DOLLAR CONDO" means that means that we should handwave away any sense that coming up as a minority woman from the projects and getting to where she is is anything you might give her some credit for. It's proof, really, that she's no different than any given upper white class man. Except for maybe the leg up from affirmative action.

[TB, that's not directed at you, really. But I know where I've seen this point raised before in recent weeks. And it's not good company to be in.]

I think, before everything went to hell, first year associates in large firms were starting at about $120,000.

Yep.

For New York, really, that isn't huge. It's in the range of not having to worry too much about money, but still way below, say, Real Housewives territory. That's upper-middle class for New York, I'd say.

We need actual definitions for these things, you know? Are there any? I'd give a single person with that salary even in NYC a little more of a bump than upper middle class.

Of course, here in America it seems like most people think they are middle class. And in a few years they'll be rich.

It's proof, really, that she's no different than any given upper white class man. Except for maybe the leg up from affirmative action.

THIS is why I suggest the little red lapel stars. Nothing flashy. It just keeps you from getting away with the every man schtick or acting like John Edwards is blowing you out of the water financially.