Millionaire Magazines

How Many Cars Is Too Many?

admin — Sat, 07 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

A person who owns one car may or may not need it. A person who lives in area where there is plentiful public transportation and who does not often venture outside of a city probably does not even need that. A person who lives in a small town does need a vehicle, often because there is no transportation available. This is the case for the United States. It is not often the case in other countries, where public transportation is in plentiful supply. A person seldom needs more than one car to get where he needs to go.

A family may have two cars. Two cars makes things easier and provides a back up in case something should happen to the first vehicle. More than this is pushing it, although some people may keep a car as a back up vehicle. If a person needs a truck or heavier vehicle, he can usually rent one from U-haul or a similar company. No more than one car per licensed driver is enough. A person living in warmer climates may get away driving a scooter or a motorcycle all year round. Running a gas efficient car can help a person save a large deal of money.

Best Values for Vacation Homes: Tuscany v. Milan

admin — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

For travelers who wish to stop staying at five star plus hotels in an effort to help the floundering economies of the host countries we recommend coming down a few notches to the vacation rental level of accommodations. We realize this may be quite a shock to those accustomed to superior standards of hospitality but the surrounding locale should more than make up for the sacrifice.
Milan offers a huge selection of short term rentals with all the amenities. The environments are advertised as being “personalized”. We realize this means deviating from the secure predictable surroundings of a luxury chain hotel but on the other hand, exposing oneself to local color and could be an interesting, memorable experience. And so much cheaper!
Milan is a shopper’s paradise but since you are showing a gesture of economizing you might want to consider Tuscany instead where your stay could be virtually expense free. Join the locals in their daily strolls called “passegiata” which go until midnight in the winding flat, streets of Lucca. Why not try this novelty rather than lounging in the spas of expensive capital cities?
Rental prices are based on length of stay and any special requirements. Happy bargaining!

Great Birthday Gifts for Under 10,000

admin — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Some say the hardest part of a relationship is getting to know, really getting to know, another person. Others say it’s learning how to compromise, to meet your friend (lover, spouse, child, house cleaner) half way. Of course these people don’t know what you and I know, they haven’t dealt with the types of things you and I deal with. We, with our experience, know that the hardest part of a relationship is figuring out what kind of gift to get the special someone.

First step is prudence. You need a limit; if you buy them a personal jet for their 40th god knows you’ll have to get them something grander for their fiftieth. And what’s grander than a personal jet? (Answer: nothing.) So let’s say under 10,000 dollars is a good, reasonable, limit.

Second step- what do they like? What are their passions? Do they like ponies (are they turning six?). These are hard questions to answer. Sometimes a gift card is the easiest, but that can seem impersonal. My recommendation: donate a vast sum in their name to some humanitarian project, http://www.heifer.org/. Bam- they feel good about themselves, the starving masses feel good, and you look good. Everyone wins.

Do bears surf in the woods ?

www.millionairemagazines.com — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Well, it’s been a long time coming and the first weekend has finally arrived. The flight over to the private airfield was a pleasant one as is usually it tends to be. The nuts had just that right amount of salt, the baked goods were absolutely as fresh as the fruit was. Even the pilot seemed to make an extra smooth landing, everything seemed to be going your way.

Not being familiar with the lay of the land, or the roads, it was decided to have a chartered limo waiting. This is wise isn’t it, sure it is, after all you haven’t had a chance to stop by the local luxury SUV dealer. You’ve heard it does snow a few times a year here.

The kids have been asking all year when will it be ready, isn’t ready yet, tell ‘em to hurry up dad! The pictures sent by the builder were nice, but they simply couldn’t do justice to the image of your remote rustic cabin in the mountains. You arrive, unpack the provisions, yes, there is even kindled wood and log ready to light in the stone fireplace.

It’s now 8 pm and the kids are asking, hey dad, how do I check my email ? It’s at that moment you realize what dire straits you are in if you can’t solve the problem. You try to mollify them by ordering a pizza. Your concern is shared by the delivery man. He request’s a small tip if he can solve your problem, you agree. He mentions a short phrase and writes it on the pizza box. It said get Wild Blue, problem solved, you smile and instantly flip him a c-note.

Most Eligible Women Alive

www.millionairemagazines.com — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Gone are the days of successful men wining, dining and wooing their female counterparts. This is a generation who has grown up with mothers just as likely to be the breadwinner in a happy household. It has been a longtime tradition for wealthy older men to purchase the most exquisite trophies on the market to be proudly displayed in their bedroom and/or kitchen; however, in an era of equal rights, it is becoming just as common for financially fortunate aging women to stop by the just-over-teenage trophy store and pick up a little something for themselves. So for all you young men out there, looking to live a lavish life of luxury but neither coming from money nor willing to work for it, these are the most eligible unmarried women in the world today, possessing that eclectic blend of riches, beauty and scorn. 1.Elin Nordegren formerly Woods net worth: 750 million It’s been a rough year run of things for Elin as of late. Combine turning 30 with the much ballyhooed antics of her ex-husband Tiger Woods off the golf course, and what you have is a gorgeous former model, with half the estate of one of the richest athletes on the world, subconsciously looking to exact her revenge and prove she’s still got it. Trust issues might still be a lingering after-effect (and with good reason), but nothing a little couples counseling on her dime can’t fix. 2.Jennifer Aniston net worth: 120 million Mainstream hope that America’s Sweetheart will live happily ever after is sinking faster than a Star Jones-paddled canoe, but who knows, perhaps you could be the fellow to treat her right. Besides, after high publicity relationships with Brad Pitt, Vince Vaughn and John Mayer, she recently slummed it up (relatively) with the actor best known as “that guy from Cougar Town.” Maybe, just maybe, “that guy who was on the Jumbotron at the game that one time” is next. 3.Betty White net worth: 18 million Before that lunch gets too unsettled in your stomach, consider this is just a 5-year commitment, 10 maximum, and you can’t put a price on freedom. On the bright side, she hasn’t been more relevant from an entertainment perspective since her Golden Girl days, becoming the oldest person to host SNL in 2010, showing her vibrant personality is still intact, even if other aspects haven’t so profoundly withstood the test of time at age 88. Though many younger fans came to know her first as the old lady from The Wedding Singer, this is an A-list Hollywood actress. Show a little respect, you’d be lucky to win her heart.

Diamonds Are For Whatever

www.millionairemagazines.com — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 20:16:11 +0000

A diamond is truly timeless. When used appropriately, a well cut diamond can be valued well beyond its market price, symbolizing a level of class, commitment and purpose that can’t be expressed in mere dollar amount. With that said, when you have a whole lot of money, each subsequent diamond may add a little sparkle to your life, but it’s highly unlikely each individual rock will hold quite as special place of a place in the mind or heart. There can come a point in one’s affluence when a box full of diamonds is little more than a glorified tub of glitter. Here are some wise purchases when you finally hit that plateau.Nesmuk Diamond Kitchen Knife w/ring (Price: 40,000) Not only does cooking’s finest heirloom boast a selection of diamonds to complement its sterling silver handle, it manages to integrate them while minimizing utility. After all, if you’re going to develop a diamond-centric cutting tool why not fashion a knife that can not only cut up a cutlet but also slice through a stained glass window while at it? On the other hand, with daggers and candlesticks becoming more and more obsolete, the “diamond-handled kitchen knife” does make a nice murder weapon for a modern day Clue remake.Konquest Diamond Hoodie (Price: 10,000) It can be tough to look good while wearing extraordinarily expensive clothing. Wait, that’s entirely untrue. With the wide selection of well-crafted designer tuxedos, suits, sport coats and slacks, it’s arguably never been easier for men to garb themselves in quality garments, giving rise to one’s reputation even if ultimately lowering the bank account. Konquest has made it the clothing line’s personal vendetta to compromise this notion, providing outerwear pricey enough to rival a lightly used KIA, yet equally inappropriate for high brow occasions. Their diamond-studded hoodie combines over 4,000 hand placed crystals and a 3 carat diamond zipper with the perfect touch of homelessness, seamlessly blending its overpriced bling with its underpass feel.

Watch Your Money Move

www.millionairemagazines.com — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 21:46:42 +0000

When purchasing a million-plus dollar automobile, there are only two logical assumptions as to why it’s a sound investment. Either you are merely using your living room like a mall atrium, showing off prize cars for drawings and giveaways as decoration, with no intention of taking one for a lap around the food court, or you are a supremely confident driver capable of summoning Jason Bourne type instincts in the face of oncoming traffic. Bear in mind, every luxury automobile is just one 16-year-old with a cell phone away from an overpriced pile of scrap metal. Furthermore, unlike real estate which (until recently) has largely held or increased its value assuming proper upkeep and barring natural disaster, a car immediately depreciates the second you drive it off the lot. With that in mind, here’s a look at two of the world’s biggest fast-moving price tags.Bugatti Veyron (Price: 1,700,000) Enter the world’s fastest street legal car, though one would be tough-pressed to find a street on which it’s legal to top out at just over 250 mph. With its W16 engine (comprised of 16 cylinders in 4 banks of 4 cylinders a piece) the Veyron affords drivers 1001 horsepower, far and away the most powerful road-car on the market. Since any prospective buyer obviously has some cash to blow, the trip from Los Angeles to Vegas is a hair over 270 miles, meaning you could easily throw down a few more meaningless money stacks on black just over an hour after leaving the City of Angels (assuming no petulant police officers or bathroom breaks).Ferrari Enzo (Price: 1,000,000) Too aerodynamic for actual Formula 1 racing, the Ferrari Enzo does borrow some of its top end speed technology from F-1. Still if you’re going to pay such a premium for speeds frowned upon by law enforcement officers nationwide, you might as well splurge for the Bugatti, as the Enzo’s top speed is just 110 over the nation’s highest maximum speed limit (75 mph), though still an acceptable 120 over for residents of a selection of slower moving states (where limits only reach 65 mph).

Wear Your Wealth on Your Wrist

www.millionairemagazines.com — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 15:30:36 +0000

Having money is a lot of fun in and of itself, but some people like to show off exactly how much they are worth. Without literally donning a suit made entirely of 100 dollar bills (after all, how well would your matching money umbrella hold up when you make it rain?), these selected watches are pretty much as close as you can come to wearing your wealth for all to see.Piaget Emperador Temple (Price: 3,500,000) For approximately the same price as a mid-level Malibu home, the Temple allows you to tell time with the world’s elite. Comprised of over 1,200 diamonds of various cuts, many women would willingly accept it in lieu of an engagement ring, actually saving you three months salary in the long run, which if you can afford this watch is probably a healthy chunk of change. Not only does this watch possess enough diamonds to make even African warlords blush, it boasts unparalleled precision as well. Considering the Temple has two watches hidden in its design, each revealed by pushing down on a set trigger, it is actually a bargain compared to some other expensive pieces, running a mere 1,750,000 per face.Franck Muller Aeternitas Mega 4 (Price: 2,700,000) The Mega 4 is the world’s reigning “most complicated watch,” with 1,483 moving parts, but to actually man up and match its asking price, buyers might need to have the world’s most complicated insecurity issues as well. Whether you want to come off as impressively intelligent enough to figure out what each of the innumerable hands tell you or just want to prove you have that kind of purchasing power, the Mega 4 is sure to provide an ego boost. In 999 years when all your contemporaries’ watches have long since lost track of time, you’ll be glad you splurged for the watch with a 1000 year calendar.

The Spoils of Youth

www.millionairemagazines.com — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 19:12:41 +0000

They say money can’t buy happiness, but for generations now brand new toys, clothes and accessories have made up for missed recitals, being cut from the basketball team and even individual bouts with social awkwardness. For particularly wealthy parents, each successive disappointment comes with the increasingly expensive task of making it right. Of course, after a decade-or-so’s worth of birthdays and back to school specials, there’s only so much a kid doesn’t already have. Though it may seem that Christmas comes every day for Sam and Sally Silverspoon, here are a few gift ideas that will make them smile on a special occasion.Louis Vuitton Skateboard (Price: 8,250) So your young one might not naturally fit in with the average skateboard punk crew, but surely somewhere there’s a crowd of rich kids out there who can fake it in a Malibu’s Most Wanted meets Avril Lavigne kind of way. Any sort of grinding trick is heavily frowned upon, after all, once you scuff up the designer name it becomes just your average 4-wheeled recipe for a platinum cast.Geoffrey Parker Flying Disc (Price: 305) For those who think a 300 dollar “flying disc” implies an ornate remote controlled toy requiring parent (or butler) assembly, let’s quickly put those fears at ease. Surely you remember frisbees from the good ole college days. Well, there’s no reason your offspring should suffer from the same flimsy plastic product you tossed around on the quad. This luxurious leather disc truly proves to be the “ultimate frisbee,” though you may want to choose between this and the puppy. For the same price you could fill the dog bowl with caviar and still achieve an equal result.Billionaire Boys Club Gold Rucksack (Price: 1,650) Sure the name may imply this backpack is just for billionaire little boys, but this carryall is easily within the price range of you hundred-millionaires out there. Not only does the name inflate the price, but it forgets about the young girls out there who might desire a shiny, gold book bag for the fall. While this unique display of family money certainly crosses the borders of traditional gender roles, there’s no early indication to imply that young men who wear one will follow suit (though it certainly wouldn’t seem to help).

Uncomfortable in Your Own Skin?

www.millionairemagazines.com — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 16:40:48 +0000

Let’s be honest, human skin is overrated. Aside from the occasional bronze tan after summering at the French Riviera, what more does it really offer? Our animal friends offer much more practical outer layers, after all, alligators sleekly stride through water and can lay in the sun all day without wrinkling, chinchilla’s rarely complain about a chilly winter evening and snake’s shed their skin anyway; it’s not like they are terribly attached to it. For only a couple of thousand dollars a pop, you can finally help put human skin where it belongs, as a failed fad of seasons past. Step into more highly evolved fashion future with this entirely animal skin ensemble. Okay, you might look ridiculous, but fashion statements are inherently bold by nature (and in this case at the expense of it).Hermes Matte Crocodile Birkin Bag (Price: 120,000) Handbags are perhaps an entire subject on their own, with high end models rarely comprised of mere fabric, but few one-time hides ever eclipse the exorbitant price tag of this little ditty. Apparently, cheaper versions of the original are available for around 5,000. Still for only about the same price, you can purchase your very own baby crocodile, which over the years can grow to hold not only your cellphone, wallet and keys but a wide assortment of insects, fish, shellfish alongside the occasional roaming neighborhood pet.Manolo Blahnik Alligator Boots (Price: 14,000) For just 7,000 a piece, these high-heeled black boots will cover you from knee to tow in gator skin. Stylishly retooling a legendary look among swamp-crawlers, this fresh design should have street-walkers sprinting stiletto over stiletto towards Saks Fifth Avenue.Russian Sable Coat (Price: 40,000 average) “What is a Russian sable?” you might ask. This small mammal native to Russia and northern Asia has been predisposed to making its home in the frigid northern taiga, thus its prized fur should have no problem weathering the milder Manhattan temperatures. The coat comes in particularly handy on a cold winter night when collecting money from the aforementioned boot-wearers.