 [Photo: Country Club of Naples] |
Private Country Club Membership
| Annual Carrying Costs (Country Club of Naples) | |
| Dues | $8,240 |
| Cart fee (assuming one round of golf per week) | $1,144 |
| Capital assessment (to fund club improvements) | $828 |
| Annual golf bag storage fee | $125 |
| Locker fee | $75 |
| TOTAL | $10,412 |
| Costs for Non-Golfer | |
| Social membership | $3,000 |
| Dues | $2,535 |
| TOTAL | $5,535 |
| Dining membership | $1,000 |
| Dues | $1,735 |
| TOTAL | $2,735 |
| (Dining fees do not include food and drink.) | |
The cost of becoming a member at a private country club in Florida averages $72,500, according to a 2010 study by the McGladrey accounting and sports marketing firm. Entry fees average $58,700 in southwest Florida, $68,700 in central and north Florida, and $89,800 in southeast Florida.
The outlays don’t stop once you’re in, however — the study found that members pay an average of $9,900 in annual dues and fees, not counting what they spend when they eat and drink at the club. Here’s what it costs to belong to the Country Club of Naples after you’ve paid the $25,000 to join. The club features a newly renovated par-72 course, along with a pool, tennis courts, dining options and social activities ranging from happy hours to live entertainment.
 [Photo: Country Club of Naples] |
A Corporate Jet
 [Photo: Citation Sovereign] |
The Citation Sovereign, a popular midsized business jet manufactured by Cessna, can accommodate up to nine passengers (plus two crew members) and travel up to 2,847 nautical miles at a top speed of 527 mph. Owning the jet will set you back around $17.6 million. But if you actually want to fly somewhere ...
| Annual Carrying Costs (Based on 400 hours a year) |
 |
|
| Fuel ($4.50 per gallon) | $455,400 | |
| Personnel (2 pilots, benefits) | $210,000 | |
| Engine reserves | $149,160 | |
| Labor ($99 shop rate) | $47,520 | |
| Parts | $31,920 | |
| Hangar rental | $24,000 | |
| Hull insurance | $22,000 | |
| Liability & medical insurance | $12,500 | |
| Auxiliary power unit reserves | $12,324 | |
| War risk insurance | $4,770 | |
| TOTAL | $969,594 | |
 [Photo: Citation Sovereign] |
 [Photo: Shoreline Bahamas] |
A Second Home
The absence of property, income and inheritance taxes makes Grand Bahama Island a big draw for wealthy second-home buyers. A $1.595-million home at Shoreline Bahamas, a new 26-acre gated community along Fortune Beach, buys a fully furnished, 2,730-sq.-ft., three-bedroom residence with an ocean view. Amenities include a community pool and hot tub, pool bar, clubhouse, three tennis courts and maid service upon request. Assuming you pay cash for the home, here’s what it will cost to own it.
| Annual Carrying Costs | |
| Homeowners insurance (includes $700,000 in contents coverage and 3% tax) | $25,257 |
| HOA assessments (includes security, refuse removal, water supply and upkeep of landscaping, pools and the estate) | $7,100 |
| Electric* | $4,834 |
| Taxes | $0 |
| TOTAL | $37,191 |
| * Based on 2,240 kWh per month at the rate Grand Bahama Power Co. charges | |
 [Photo: Orlando Magic] |
Orlando Magic Luxury Suite
 [Photo: Orlando Magic] |
Yacht
 [Photo: Benetti] |
The Paradigm, a 115-foot Italian yacht by Benetti (sticker price: $6.7 million), has five cabins and can accommodate up to 10 guests. It’s also a gas guzzler, consuming 65 gallons per hour. Owners can offset their ownership costs by chartering their yachts for six weeks a year, but the grand tab for operating a mega-yacht like the Benetti runs more than $1.2 million annually.
 [Photo: Benetti] |
| Annual Carrying Costs | |
| Crew costs (salaries, medical, insurance, food, travel,uniforms, training) | $363,550 |
| Engine costs (fuel, oil, heat exchange, rebuild costs, service costs) | $350,023 |
| Maintenance (deck, interior, paint, onboard tenders, water maker) | $117,300 |
| Dockage and transport | $100,050 |
| Generator costs (fuel, servicing, rebuild sosts) | $84,541 |
| Administration (insurance, mail, office supplies) | $69,354 |
| Communications (wireless internet, satellite data link, satellite TV, crew cellular service, navigation equipment) | $60,831 |
| Guest costs (dining and spirits,entertainment, water sports) | $35,800 |
| Hydraulics | $23,000 |
| SUBTOTAL | $1,204,449 |
| TOTAL (less six weeks of charter income) | $868,449 |
 [Photo: Benetti] |
 [Photo: Benetti] |
 |
Thoroughbred Racehorse
Whether it’s a $1,000 steed or the record-breaking, $16-million colt sold during a Fasig-Tipton Florida auction at the Calder Race Course, all horses need shelter, food and training. Those ongoing expenses add up quickly.
| Annual Carrying Costs | |
| Training fees | Up to $36,500 |
| Food | $5,475 |
| Boarding | $5,400 |
| Vitamins | $1,095 |
| Ferrier fees (including new shoes every six weeks) | $1,040 |
| Vaccinations and tests | $635 |
| Joint supplements | $365 |
| Deworming | $120 |
| TOTAL | $50,630 |