Offbeat

Stuff So Expensive, It Makes my Head Hurt

Right now the economy looks like roadkill. It isn’t getting up anytime soon. As jobs are shed and people cut back on spending in an effort to weather the storm, the ultra wealthy and their lavish purchases become even more shocking, excessive and fascinating. Bailout recipient Citibank was quick to cancel the delivery of a new 50 million dollar jet despite multi million dollar penalties (that most likely would have made it less expensive to just take delivery of the aircraft) and a government effort to avoid a public relations nightmare.

If you, like me, have a hard time even wrapping your head around the thought process involved in some of these decisions, read this to get a better understanding of extreme wealth.

The thing is though, a 50 million dollar jet isn’t even that expensive or excessive in the grand scheme of things. I try to be positive and imagine that Citi was “cutting back in our best interests,” because you see, there are far more ridiculous and expensive things that the ultra wealthy/giant multinationals can buy.

The Boeing Business Jet or “BBJ” is a 737 that has been fitted with larger fuel tanks for an intercontinental range and decked out for personal use. I am not going to even bother telling you how insanely nice it is inside. Just watch this clip and see for yourself. The really mind boggling thing about this super sized private jet is that Boeing will sell you an even bigger one if you want. How about a private 787, 777 or 747? Airbus also has orders for private versions of its gargantuan A380. With the 747 and the A380, we are talking about jets that cost hundreds of millions. The only question I ask is how much the fighter jet escort is going to cost?

Another standard item for the ultra rich is the yacht, and a great example of big and ostentatious is the Dubai.

The biggest yacht in the world up until December of 08, this monster is owned by the Sheik of Dubai. It’s big, expensive (sorry I don’t have an exact number but I know it is in the hundreds of millions), and in my opinion, it isn’t half as cool as the Phoenix 1000 luxury submarine which at only $78 million dollars is probably less expensive as well.

I guess the next time I see a $3325 t-shirt, I will try and keep an open mind.

One of my favorite things about America is the “American Dream.”  The idea that anybody can start a company, run for president or become rich and famous is great.  As far as I am concerned, if you start the next Google or Microsoft, you can spend your money however you want.  While it will always be difficult to justify such insane purchases (especially so in a recession and doubly so when taxpayer dollars are involved) we can at least take comfort knowing that such spending creates jobs.  Somebody needs to put together the planes, submarines and boats.  I’ll be trying my best to keep that in mind while I turn down the heat, make myself some Ramen and try to start the next Google.

© 2009 The Daily Interweb.