30 NOVEMBER 2002, Page 87

Q. I do not think that your correspondent (9 November)

and partner, together earning £500,000 p.a., should consider themselves 'rich' and therefore feel guilty. Surely the definition of 'wealthy' is the ability to live off the income of one's income? In these days of derisory interest rates, the income on a — presumably pre-tax — income of £500,000 would scarcely keep your correspondents in champagne. You can reassure them: they have a lot further to go.

MS., Richmond, Surrey A. Thank you for putting these correspondents in their place.