I don’t begrudge anyone their affluence. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being in a fortunate financial position as long as there is some altruistic sharing.
Plenty of billionaires are philanthropically minded and give in very generous ways.
I agree there are a thousand different ways to live and I am now living an alternative lifestyle on a low income that still provides me with everything I need and still a decent amount of what I want, but my wants are not exorbitant.
The line is the line that @Espiritus_Corvus mentions.
My situation is similar to @Seek , when the economy crashed and the housing bubble burst, my years of work as an Int. design asst. and home stager crashed as well. Luxury businesses are the first to go when an economic recession occurs. People quit paying to have their homes decorated or staged for a fast sell and that was that.
From 60 to 0 in a short period of time.
Didn’t take long to fall hard and far from my years of grace and prosperity.
Oh well, I’m alive, my needs are met and I am able to survive quite well on very little.
As long as ones basic needs are met the rest of how one manages to live on less is largely a matter of creative endeavor. You’d never know by looking at me that I live on less than a $1000.00 a month at this time.
If life hands you lemons, make lemonade. I am one that has and continues to survive, inspite of some really dark times and I do not feel like a “victim” of any institution.
If you have the money to buy a castle, a Lear jet, a Rolls, well enjoy! I won’t lie and claim I am nearly as happy as I once was but I am also not one for wallowing in misery. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and move on.