20 Outrageous Things We Can’t Believe Money Can Buy

Outrageous things money can buy
Wealth Gang / marchmeena29/istockphoto / imaginima/istockphoto

In a world where most of us carefully budget for everyday expenses, the ultra-wealthy are spending jaw-dropping amounts on things that defy reason. From pet cloning (yes, pet cloning) to heated driveways, the rich and famous seem to operate in a reality where no purchase is too bizarre or over the top. Curious about how the 1% are living? Let’s take a look at some of the most extravagant and absurd things that money can buy.

1. Books by the Foot

Bookshelf full of books
clu/istockphoto

“There are companies that sell books by the foot. Usually leather bound. It’s for decorating so your home library is stocked with books. Normally you can pick genres or just let the company fill your shelves, you just give them the length of your shelves and your color scheme and they send you books to fill the shelves in bindings that harmonize with your rooms color pallete.” u/buck746

2. Concierge Medicine

Doctor getting paid
zest_marina/istockphoto

“You get your own dedicated doctor, perhaps your own whole clinic. You never wait for tests. You never wait for an appointment. Your doctor will make house calls and even diagnose and prescribe over the phone.” u/Barbarian_818

3. Pet Cloning

Pet clone
Romans14/istockphoto

“I saw Barbra Streisand talking about how she cloned her dog, and she admits that he looks like her dog, but he doesn’t act like him. …Then why did you spend all that money? Why not give a rescue a new home if he’s a new dog anyway?” u/wemustkungfufight

4. Yacht Transportation Services

Sailing yacht in the Crystal lagoon, Comino - Malta
danilovi/istockphoto

“Wealthy people hire yacht transportation services to move their yachts around. A larger ship will pick up the yacht and ferry it to the desired location. The wealthy person will fly to that location on a private jet, then head over to the yacht to party.” u/rocketmonkee

5. Self Opening and Closing Microwaves

Woman putting food into her microwave
Kanawa_Studio/istockphoto

“I didn’t know self opening and closing microwaves were a thing until I house sat for a friend in a gated community.” u/Rabid_Stormtroopers

6. Private Jet Timeshares

Private jet
EXTREME-PHOTOGRAPHER/istockphoto

“For those not quite rich enough for their own private jet, or those rich people wanting to be a bit frugal.” u/LovelyLaccee

7. VIP Terminals

Terminal
marchmeena29/istockphoto

“Most major airports have a special VIP terminal for special rich VIPs who get to bypass all of the riff raff in the main terminals and wait for their private jets in luxury.

I am not talking about a first class lounge. Those are for the wanna be rich people. I am referring to a more special setup for the chosen few that is almost never discussed or advertised. But they are usually there.” u/TheRealTinfoil666

8. Exotic Car Clubs

New York City, USA - August 09, 2023: Ferrari SF90 Stradale supercar sports car in showroom, low corner view.
photosvit/istockphoto

“There are clubs that you can join to check out exotic cars. Some of them are invitation only. You pay a large fee on a monthly or yearly basis you can reserve a Bentley or Lamborghini to use for a bit. Or you can just walk into the showroom and drive away with whatever is available. Or maybe you send an assistant to pick it up for you.” u/Pneuma001

9. A Heated Driveway

Driveway
imaginima/istockphoto

“I knew a family in high school that had a heated driveway. It was piping under ground that ran warm water though it to keep the driveway warm in the winter.” u/aintlifegrandXJ

10. Private Neighborhoods With Helipads

Helipad
zoranm/istockphoto

“Private neighborhoods with dedicated airstrips/helipads and hangar space are growing in popularity. I’ve seen them in Georgia, Colorado, Florida, and Califonia. Its like paying into an HOA but they maintain the airfield and amenities. You have to have special permission to land if you don’t live there.” u/Blueberry_Mancakes

11. Monogrammed Paper Towels

Paper towels
izzetugutmen/istockphoto

“I briefly tutored private school kids from wealthy families, one of their guest bathroom disposable paper towels were customized with their family name and were way higher quality than I thought was possible in a paper towel.” u/thenorussian

12. White Glove Luggage Service

Luggage
art159/istockphoto

“Someone will box up and ship your luggage so it’s already at your destination before you get there. Before you get to private jet status, this is a luxury most people can’t imagine.” u/j0j0nez

13. A Decompression Chamber

Hyperbaric chamber
jacus/istockphoto

“My wife works as a house manager for billionaires. Previous employer had one. I’m not sure why.” u/Warrandytian

14. Club 33 Membership

“[The club] is invite only from Disney, you can’t pay to be in without being invited first, and when you are it is around $50,000 to start, plus $15,000 each year for renewal.” u/Mattyice0228

15. Home Gas Service

Home gas service
mauro_grigollo/istockphoto

“A tanker service that comes and fills up your cars and trucks at your house so you don’t have to bother going to a gas station.” u/carramrod13

16. Diamond Circuit Breakers

Diamonds
Sarawut Jaimassiri/istockphoto

“One of my friends makes diamond encrusted circuit breakers for rich clients in the Middle East who want their electrician to know just how rich they are.” u/VeniCogito

17. Heated Towel Racks

Heated towel rack
phototropic/istockphoto

“Anybody making 100K has this!” u/comeseemeshop

18. Luxury Ice

Ice cubes
banjongseal324/istockphoto

“Glace Luxury Ice Co produces perfectly square ice blocks for ‘minimum dilution and maximum cooling.’ Hand-carved and completely clear, these cubes are sold in bags of 50 and each bag costs $325.” u/Ancient_Mix_4860

19. Toilets With Bluetooth

Toilet
Rawf8/istockphoto

“There is an app that tells the toilet your personal settings, so everyone who uses it can have the toilet seat heated a different amount.” u/ahkegfvbjkrf

20. College Consultants

Student Services Department Of University Providing Advice
monkeybusinessimages/istockphoto

“The wealthy pay people to help their kids not only prep for tests and work on their essays but to help them fill out their common app, curate their activities and resumes. Then sometimes they do that again when they’re looking for internships and jobs, even to help them navigate registering for classes.” u/meatball77

Author
Erin Kuschner

Erin has spent the past decade as a writer and editor for both digital and print publications. Prior to joining Wealth Gang, she was a reporter and editor at Boston.com, Time Out Austin, and Time Out Los Angeles, and has written for the Los Angeles Times, the Boston Globe, Eater, and other publications.