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Richest 2% Own Half the World's Wealth
kop writes "The richest 2% of adults in the world own more than half of all household wealth, according to a new study by a United Nations research institute. Most previous studies of economic disparity have looked at income, whereas this one looks at wealth — assets minus debts. The survey is based on data for the year 2000. Many figures, especially for developing countries, have had to be estimated. Nonetheless, the authors say it is the most comprehensive study of personal wealth ever undertaken." The study itself is available from the World Institute for Development Economics Research.
On a related note, how the fuck did grandparent get modded +5 Informative? Are there really THAT many 14-years olds in here with mod points?
SIG: TAKE OFF EVERY 'CAPTAIN'!!
I carry a high deductible plan. My deductible for the year is $2400, I don't have a prescription drug plan, etc., but my monthly premium is $119. My wife and child are on her insurance with reasonable copays, etc., and it's over $500/month for the two of them.
For me, I never go to the doctor because I'm healthy, I should start going for annual checkups, but never remember to. However, even with annual visits (which are free or cheap, I forget, because they want you to stay healthy), I don't pay much for it. Why do I carry insurance like this? I don't want a health maintenance plan, I want insurance. If something bad happens to me and I need to be hospitalized, my downside risk is covered. It's much cheaper because I am responsible for routine stuff... My car insurance doesn't cover oil changes, why should be health insurance cover routine medical care?
The nice thing with the high deductible plans is the HSA incentive. I can put up to my deductible into an interest bearing account (I put pre-tax dollars in) that can be used tax-free for health care costs. So I am insured for expensive stuff, and I have already saved up to cover the deductible if I need to use it. It's a win-win for me.
Insurance is expensive because people with insurance get a lot of medical care that they might skip, but once you are paying $800-$1000/mo for insurance, there is no way you aren't getting EVERYTHING looked at.
The question with the cheap coverage is what did it cover. You said it didn't cover what you needed it to, but now you're paying an extra $120/month. Do you really go to the doctor's enough to cover that extra $1400/year in premiums? Would you be better off with a cheaper plan and paying for "what you need"? Something like 80% of Americans use less than $1000 of medical care each year. Would that $79 plan cover you if something bad happened?
I think that people worry to much about the small parts of health care, and don't focus on what they are really insuring against. What's great for me is that this HSA that is building up can be used if I need something expensive down the road, and that to me makes it reasonable to pay $50-$100 if I need routine coverage.
Alex
Yeah. I punched in an approximation of my yearly wages, and it popped up some things I could do with my dough.
For $8, I could buy X apples...OR some farmer in Honduras could buy 25 apple trees to feed his village!
Yeah, that's swell. I'm sure that while the farmer in Honduras isn't doing as well off as me, he's doing a hell of a lot better than I would be if I had the exact same funds as him. I sure as hell can't buy 25 apple trees for $8. I doubt I could buy two for that much.
Stupid link. Maybe somewhat funny, depending on your outlook on things, but utterly worthless otherwise.
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