I think we can all agree that the cost of living isn’t what it used to be. There is no way someone can still buy their first car with the same amount it costs for a good pair of boots today. But alas, let’s not dwell in the past. With the release of the Great Gatsby movie, talk of wealth has been circulating, and we’re getting involved.

The American literary masterpiece, written almost a century ago, has just been adapted to film for the fifth time.

Check out the trailer, here.

Jay Gatsby is a character renowned for his flamboyance and deep pockets, having made it to number 14 on the Forbes Fictional 15 richest list.

Let’s see what Gatsby’s lifestyle would cost today.

The Car 

You can’t imagine Jay Gatsby without his yellow Rolls Royce. This sleek dream of a car would have put a sufficient dent in your wallet in 1925, but today it will do that, and then some. A brand new 2013 Rolls Royce Phantom, will set you back a staggering R4,291,053 – double what most people put down on a house investment.

 The House

So, after seeing how much the car costs, the thought of figuring out the digits on the deed of Gatsby’s Long Island Mansion is a bit daunting. In the novel, this home is situated in the “West Egg” of Long Island, but as that is a fictional area – we introduce you to the North Shore, and real “Gold Coast” of the island.

This is what an abode in one of the Gold Coast villages would cost.

• Cold Spring Harbor: R 21,868,560,00  
• Centre Island: R 19,134,990,00
• Manhasset: R 17,312,610,00
• Syosset: R 11,845,470,00

Wherever Jay chooses to spend his night away from home, you can be certain it’s going to cost more than what it took to get there. The “Fitzgerald Suite” according to the Telegraph, has been opened in honour of the 2013 film and if you are willing to pay around R25,563 a night. then it can be yours – excluding party damages.

The Party

There is no point in living in style when you can’t show it off or enjoy it. Jay Gatsby has got this down with his weekend long lavish parties. According to FOX, celebrities “get togethers” have cost people like Kanye West and Sir Phillip Green up to R170 million. That’s enough to put Ethiopia back in the black.

The Grand Total

1. The car:  R4,291,053

2. The house: R21,868,560,00

3. The hotel room: R25,513,32

4. The gala party: R170 million

That’s a total average of R208,414,666,32 on just four expenses to live like Gatsby.

Makes even more sense to buy ticket’s to Wednesday night’s US Powerball lottery – which is R3 billion ($350 million). CLICK HERE to buy tickets from South Africa.

[Source: GoBankingRates]

[Thanks, Richard]