More Australians have weighed in on the traits that prove you are wealthy in 2021, months after Prime Minister Scott Morrison sparked a viral debate by claiming those earning $180,000 a year are not rich.
Signs of wealth flooded social media over the festive season, after Sydney writer Benjamin Law tweeted: ‘What is your idiotically arbitrary and offensively non-scientific yardstick of whether someone’s rich?’
A popular response was filling your house with Aesop candles, which cost an eye-watering $135 each.
Owning a two-door fridge with an ice dispenser was also cited as a sure sign of money, along with white sofa cushions, freestanding clawfoot baths and buying branded groceries instead of a supermarket’s own range.
One woman said drinking wine from a bottle – not a cardboard box – shows you are rich.
Decorating your house with $135 Aesop candles (left) and drinking wine from a bottle – not a box – is a sure sign of wealth, Australians have claimed
AESOP CANDLES AND HAND SOAP
Many said decorating your bathroom and living room with Aesop candles, which cost $135 each, is a clear giveaway that you’ve got money to burn.
Others said buying liquid soap from the luxury skincare brand – which was founded in Melbourne in 1987 – is a sure sign that you are well off, given it costs $40 per 500ml dispenser.
In an episode of KIIS FM’s Kyle and Jackie O Show from October 21, candles from upscale French label Diptyque – which start from $90 for a standard size – were named as another interior indicator of affluence.
Jackie added if you have hand wash from L’Occitane or Aesop, ‘you’re a baller’.
OWNING A TWO-DOOR FRIDGE
Having a two-door fridge with an ice dispenser in your kitchen was named one of the most obvious hints that your finances are more than comfortable.
‘Instant ice in a fridge door,’ one man wrote.
‘Double-door fridges? Munnnnnnnnnny [sic].’
‘Omg ice fridges – my friend and I have dreamed of this for many years,’ a woman agreed.
‘Sure sign of money. My parents, for example, now have an ice fridge.’
Others said having cutlery that matches glassware and vases filled with random accessories on your kitchen table is a sign that you’re accustomed to the finer things in life.
‘Any kind of large bowl on a table with twine, wood, metal circular ‘things’ in it for decoration,’ one man wrote.
White sofa cushions were also cited as a touch of class along with freestanding clawfoot baths.
‘Having a standalone bath is the ultimate in aspiration,’ one person said.
Many said having a two-door fridge with an ice dispenser (pictured) in your kitchen was named one of the most obvious hints that your finances are more than comfortable
Being clueless about the cost of groceries
Some said Australians who are oblivious to the cost of food and toiletries have more money than they know what to do with.
‘People who have no idea how much groceries cost, i.e. milk and mince,’ one man wrote.
Dozens on Facebook said a major indication of wealth is not sorting prices from ‘low to high’ when shopping online.
‘Even if I was a millionaire, I think I’d still sort prices low to high,’ one person wrote.
Another added: ‘When you don’t have to check your bank account and just go about your day, week or month and never have to think before making a purchase – that’s another big indicator.’
White sofa cushions (pictured) and a freestanding clawfoot bath were also cited as a touch of class
EXCLUSIVELY FLYING QANTAS
A sign of wealth unique to Australians is refusing to fly on any carrier besides Qantas, the presenters of the Mamamia podcast claimed in October.
‘People who exclusively fly Qantas [are rich] – as if Qantas is your first option when you go to book flights,’ host Kee Reece said.
‘I love Qantas, but it’s not the first option unless they’re having a sale.’
Others agreed, although some said they have no choice but to fly with the premium airline because they live in a regional area which is not serviced by other carriers.
Many highlighted people who exclusively fly Qantas, even when there is no sale on, as rich (stock image)
BUYING SIRENA TUNA
Mamamia podcast host Kee also claimed anyone who ‘exclusively’ buys Sirena tuna, even when it’s not on sale, is rich.
‘It’s so expensive!’ she said.
Coles supermarket sells Sirena tuna in oil for $7 per 425 gram can.
For context, the same size can of John West tuna costs just $5.75.
‘Hot tip: Aldi tuna tastes exactly the same as Sirena tuna, but isn’t anywhere near as expensive as Sirena,’ one person posted on Facebook .
But others said they can’t stop buying the ‘boujee’ brand because it tastes so good.
Podcast host Kee also said anyone who ‘exclusively’ buys Sirena tuna (stock image), even when it’s not on sale, is rich
MATCHING SHERIDAN TOWELS
A caller to the October episode of the Kyle and Jackie O Show said she knows someone is rich if they have coordinating white towels in their bathroom.
‘When you go to someone’s house and they have beautiful matching Sheridan towels, [you know they’re rich],’ she said.
Sheridan towels, which come in tasteful shades including rose pink and pristine white, are made from Egyptian cotton and cost an average of $109.99 for a standard bath size.
