Everything you can afford at different levels of wealth – from private jets to housekeepers

The average UK salary before tax is £37,430, according to the Office for National Statistics.

While such a wage can provide you with a comfortable life if you’re careful with your money (and you live outside of London), it’s pocket money compared to the wealthy elite.

For the lucky few who have bank accounts bursting with zeros, life can be very different to the rest of us. From having less, if any, financial woes, to being able to go on a luxury holiday whenever they fancy, having a lot of disposable cash comes with its perks.

But to give you an idea of the wild things you can afford at different levels of wealth, plus what changes as your net worth increases, Metro spoke to two financial experts to get the lowdown: Ayesha Ofori, former executive director and private wealth adviser, and founder of investing app Propelle, and Emmelia Powell, financial adviser and director of premier wealth solutions.

£10 to £30 million

Firstly, ‘this is enough money to make sure that you and your generation are sorted for life,’ says Ofori. While you’ll be able to set your kids up, it might not see them through their lives, she explains.

For example, if you only have £10 million (yes, we know, ‘only’), ‘it’s likely your children are going to need to do something.’ Meaning: work.

Powell adds: ‘There will still be financial concerns around tax planning, wealth transfer, and asset protection. Trust planning and Family Investment companies will start playing a part in conversations.’

Lifestyle inflation is still a consideration; spending can outpace income if not managed, Powell says, adding that ‘anxiety still exists around maintaining wealth and avoiding financial missteps.’

As for luxuries, you’ll likely drive high-end vehicles, with each family member having their own. You’ll also have multiple properties. This includes your main residence, an extra house, and perhaps a summer home.

Ofori says any worries over basic life expenses will be non-existent – school fees, mortgages, and regular travel will be covered.

Private healthcare and other types of insurance are also standard, adds Powell.

In terms of experiences, you’ll do some great things, but they won’t be ridiculous.

‘This is something you’ll see later,’ Ofori hints. So, you’ll always fly business class, you might fly first class every now and again, but you’re very unlikely to have a private jet.

£30 to £100 million

At this level of wealth, you’ll have a little more luxury. Ofori says: ‘With £10 to £30 million, you’ll book nice 5* star hotels, but with £30 to £100 million, you’re going to the best.’ That means presidential suites every time.

Ofori also notes that your property and asset portfolio will have increased. You’ll own multiple luxury homes around the world, and you’ll have more cars.

They won’t necessarily be collections – this comes later – but you’ll have the disposable income to purchase fancy motors as and when you please. ‘Supercars and bespoke vehicles become the norm,’ says Powell.

It’s in this category that household staff (housekeepers, chefs, drivers, and personal assistants) are common, due to the size of your properties and the amount you own.

‘You can also take care of the next two to three generations,’ Ofori adds. Meaning, your kids, their kids, and maybe even their kids will be financially stable for life.

She also says your perspective towards money starts to shift. You no longer think in pounds, you think in millions.

Finally, within this bracket, you should be able to stay below the radar if you want. ‘Once you have more money, it’s impossible, which can become a problem,’ she says.

£100 to £500 million

‘This is where you start to think of your money like a family office,’ states Ofori. Your money becomes a business, and you need to employ people to manage it for you. You also become a known wealthy figure, and it’s very difficult to hide, especially if you’re a private person.

Interestingly, Ofori says that you’ll now have enough properties and assets that there’s only so much more you can buy.

She explains that the more money you earn, the less difference there is between a £25 million house and a £100 million house.

So, your interest shifts from mansions to collectables. This includes art, fashion, and cars.

Plus, because multiple generations are taken care of, you’re thinking less about money and more about the impact and influence you want to have.

Ofori adds: ‘Your social circles will have changed by now. And when you’re surrounded by people who have the same amount of money as you, they’re not impressed by your wealth. So, you have to find other things to be impressive.’

Cue philanthropic ventures, which Powell says often begin at this stage.

£500 to £1 billion

While having this amount of money may sound fun, it’s not without its challenges, according to Ofori.

‘Billionaires tend to hang around with other billionaires, mainly because of the security issues they face.’

Yours and your family’s life becomes quite restrictive. You can’t just go on holiday for the weekend – everything will have to be thought through and planned. ‘Where are you going? Who is doing security? How safe is it to go?’ Ofori explains.

She also says that you stop caring about money, full stop. Your only focus is achieving influence and power, ‘because what is the purpose of your life now?’

Things aren’t seen as luxuries anymore either. Often, you’ve had so long to get used to the finer things in life that everything becomes second nature. Powell casually says you’ll own a superyacht, private jet, and perhaps a helicopter. You’ll have multiple global residences with dedicated full-time staff.

Finance-wise, she says you’ll have to set up charitable foundations and sophisticated trust structures. Highly diversified wealth business holdings, private equity, and global investments are also non-negotiables.

‘Influence and legacy-building are key themes,’ Powell concludes.

Over £1 billion

There isn’t much tangible difference between £500 million and £1 billion, says Ofori. While you’ll likely appear on rich lists (Forbes, Sunday Times, etc.), ‘you’ll have everything anyone could ever need and any superficial improvements to your life will be marginal’.

Unless you have a private island – which Powell says is common – there’s also nowhere else for you to go. Ofori says this is why we’re seeing billionaires heading to the moon.

‘They’re finding ways to change the level.’

Power is the ‘only thing you can’t buy’, says Ofori, using Elon Musk as an example. ‘He gets to have his cake and eat it,’ she explains. ‘He can have influence and power and whisper in the ears of the President, but he doesn’t have to be President and deal with the responsibilities that come with it.’

Ofori and Powell both agree that your goals change, too. You influence governments, fund major social causes, or shape industries. You have the resources to change the world, not just live comfortably in it.

‘If I were to have that level of wealth, one of the things I’d do would be reforestation,’ Ofori shares. She says this amount of money might give you access to purchase parts of the Amazon Rainforest to start replanting trees. Or, you could use your cash to clean up the oceans.

Ultimately, you find ways to spend the money, but it’s no longer about you.

However, there are differences. Ofori says that some people will do these things because they genuinely want to do good. Others do it for the word that has become synonymous with the mega-rich: power.