When we were kiddy winks, a cup of sugared water, a lump of coal and a farthing in our pocket was enough to keep a smile on our cheeky wee chops.

But the cost of living these days just isn't what it used to be...especially if you're a millionaire. No more lording it about the mansion with a paltry few million in the piggybank. The Centre for Economics and Business Research reckon 5.8 million is the minimum any self respecting millionaire needs to scrape by in 2008. Any less and you'll be laughed out of your private jet quicker than you can say emergency landing.

And just what does modern luxury living entail? Bare essentials include, plush mansion, holiday home in the Med and at least a couple of silly cars. And thats being modest.
Footballers are much greedier. The cost of living for an average ball chaser has risen to as much as 13 million in recent years. And to think back in 2006 you only needed 2.8mill to get by in the higher echelons of rich!

With social nasties like rising house prices, higher inflation and consumer demand to blame, it just goes to show it's not only the common pleb who suffers at the fickle hand of the economy. Millionaires have feelings too.

Shame we don't really care.