How many times do you hear yourself mutter, “If only I could win Powerball?” We put the question to our readers: What would you do if money was no object? Here’s what’s hot on their most-wanted list and how much it costs.
1. A fully equipped gym at home
https://twitter.com/LiftingArmy/statuses/477836516623126528
Imagine the luxury and convenience of being able to work out in the comfort of your own in-home luxury gym? You wouldn’t have to drag yourself out of bed on a cold winter’s morning or worry about feeling fat in a room full of grunting, sweaty people. Of course, you can do it on a budget, but where’s the fun in that? Every good gym needs a fully stocked juice and smoothie bar, his and her saunas, showers and dressing rooms and a whopping big audio visual system.
The cost: $18,000 minimum plus GST.
2. Personal chauffeur
Why drive and deal with the stress of traffic when you can be chauffeured to and from work while you finish your latest novel, paint your toenails or catch up on the morning events in ultimate luxury? Whether you have one too many after-work drinks or have more important things to focus on, like updating your Facebook status, a personal, on-call chauffeur can get you to your destination in rock-star style.
The cost: Between $45,000 and $70,000 a year for a live-in, on-call chauffeur, plus annual leave and insurance costs.
3. Waterfall shower and steam room
https://twitter.com/AntonioRadi7/statuses/494221897891344385
You’ve had a hard day at the office and the kids are fighting. Can you think of any better way to unwind than your own heavenly bathroom sanctuary? Imagine coming home and having a luxurious steam before washing away the stress in your very own waterfall shower. Every girl should have one.
The cost: The showerheads can range between $300 and $1,800. Prices for getting your shower to double as a steam room will vary depending on the size, the cost of the steam generator and the layout of the bathroom.
4. Personal chef
How would you like a personal chef? http://t.co/qyi3EwUGb2pic.twitter.com/OHJdBkFb2y
— Hy-Vee (@HyVee) July 7, 2013
Hands up who hasn’t dreamed of having a personal chef? With My Kitchen Rules taking Australia by storm, having a personal chef is becoming more popular and affordable. Imagine coming home each night to a fully prepared healthy meal and you haven’t had to lift a finger or spend all day trying to come up with a new, interesting meal idea the kids will actually eat. Having a personal chef takes all the hard work out of meal times, and even if you can’t afford one full-time, perhaps just one or two nights a week may be more affordable than you imagined.
The cost: Approximately from as low as $400 to 500 a week not including food, for a fully prepared lunch and dinner.
5. Luxury private indoor pool
#Indoorpool Indoor pools are symbol of ultimate luxury. #luxurypoolhttp://t.co/6jXJ9rFhE3pic.twitter.com/S6prQTlu6I
— Jennie (@juhisyscomm) July 25, 2014
If money was no object, we’re sure a private indoor swimming pool would be at the top of every family’s most-wanted list. You don’t have to leave home or worry about other people’s dirty swimming pool habits. You can swim year-round, whether it’s to chill out and relieve the stress of everyday life or exercise to shed a few kilograms.
The cost: $35,000+. By the time you get it designed, acquire permits, get lights installed, have it built, and get it tiled, the price will rise fast. Then, add to that the cost of maintaining the pool and the electricity bills for running the filter and heating it.
6. Luxurious getaway
A bit of an oxymoron but how do you keep unbusy in a #resort like the @ConradMaldives? http://t.co/3i8QifcQX3#luxurypic.twitter.com/1DgTSQ0NfM
— Going Awesome Places (@GoAwesomePlaces) July 24, 2014
Abandon the hustle and bustle of the city and find yourself somewhere remote and tropical where you can clear your head. Take time to breath in the fresh, salty air, read a good book or just close your eyes and enjoy doing absolutely nothing.
The cost: Obviously, it depends on your destination, how long you are staying and the type of accommodation. Perhaps opt for a resort where one price includes all meals.
7. Private jet
https://twitter.com/LuxuryReviewSA/statuses/491662356179845120
Why drive when you can fly? Jim Carrey, Jackie Chan, Michael Jordan and James Packer all have their own private jets, while John Travolta owns three. Join the elite club of the rich and famous who jetset across the skies. You don’t have to have a pilot’s license; if you can afford a jet, you can afford to hire a pilot.
The cost: You can expect to pay around $3 million for the jet, $160,000 for the cost to import it and permits, an average of $30,000 a year for insurance, $20,000-$40,000 for keeping the plane in a hangar each year, a minimum of $100,000 for your own pilot or, if you plan to fly it yourself, you’ll need to pay for training. Not to mention, the cost of running it per hour is around $2,000.
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8. Luxury yacht
Serene, one of the largest and most luxurious boats ever built. http://t.co/3EEBf6RLRH#yacht#power#luxurypic.twitter.com/30vRkFTkjm
— Gentleman's Journal (@thegentsjournal) July 25, 2014
Sail the oceans in exquisite luxury. Fashion icons Giorgio Armani and Dolce & Gabbana, U2’s Bono and Tiger Woods all own incredibly breathtaking super yachts and you, too, could be one of the rich and famous.
The cost: It varies, but the newest, biggest super yacht was purchased for $605 million.
9. Robot toilet
https://twitter.com/YoSelina/statuses/494244560889864192
While it would be nice to own a super yacht or a private jet, not all of us have access to that kind of money. With a robot toilet, you could feel like you were born rich without having to mortgage your house.
The cost: Approximately $1,290.
10. A manservant or butler
Due to the popularity of Downton Abbey, the humble manservant is making a huge comeback. If you decide it’s a manservant you must have, their skills include a bit of everything, from maintaining swimming pools, to house presentation and valet parking.
The cost: Graduating butlers can expect to earn around $60,000 per year. If you want someone with a few years experience, it’s going to cost you a little more — $120,000 and upwards. However, if you were envisaging your manservant topless, you might want to contact Butlers in the Buff. Prices start from $105 for two hours, but the longer you hire him, the cheaper the rates.
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