On top of that, they earn an income from "Rocs" – which are green energy certificates given to generators of renewable power.
Wage and salary earners, in contrast, have to pay taxes on their earnings in the year that they earn them.
Still, families with earnings above $75,000 are the ones most likely to tell pollsters that they earn enough to lead the life they want to lead, says Andrew Kohut, director of the Pew Research Center.
High demand means that they earn more, too.
But bankruptcy advisers respond that they earn the money, especially now.
"I talk to them about every penny that they earn," Mr. Mahler said.
They should take it out of the funds that they earn.
Demand that they earn the discretionary material possessions they want, so they don't view them as entitlements.
The dealers set the interest rate, and the loan fees that they earn are a big contributor to their profits.
"Who gets to tell those stories in a way that they earn public attention?" Ms. Holloway asked.
Conversely, people who learn that they earn more than their co-workers will be discouraged by that news.
