The Price Of Happiness

How much does one really need to earn to be ‘happy’? Keeping up with the Joneses (or the Lowys) is hard enough — but being them might be even harder, says Damien Woolnough

- Damien Woolnough

Struggling Neighbours actor turned Hollywood princess Margot Robbie recently spoke out about the pressures that accompany a salary stretching into the millions. “I just wish someone had explained a lot of those things to me early on,” Robbie told The Hollywood Reporter about the cost of financial success. “I wouldn’t have resented the position I found myself in, because I would’ve known what I was getting myself into.”

What you’re getting into is shelling out for private assistants, showcase homes and security, and it’s a cost that’s not restricted to those with Oscar nominations. In March, a report was released showing that the average top executive salary in Australia is now $5.2 million. Add to that an annual bonus of roughly $1.49 million and it’s clear that the rich walk among us, most likely in next season’s Louboutins. Squeeze yourself into their shoes and imagine a married couple, in their forties with two children, who have worked their way to the fringes of Sydney’s A-list. Her wardrobe has gone from Cue to Armani, while he now has some Brioni and Brunello Cucinelli beside his Hugo Boss suits. The board offers are coming in, but so are the bills …

So how much money does one really need to live ‘happily’ in a major Australian city such as Sydney and still manage to clear the credit card every month? BAZAAR investigates.