TORONTO - Canadians earning $200,000 a year don't consider themselves rich. In fact, they feel they are just getting by says a new survey. The poll, conducted by American Express, surveyed over 1,000 people to see how they viewed money and lifestyle.

The majority of respondents felt that people who made $500,000 per year were rich, while those earning $100,000 were merely comfortable. However, those who landed in the national average of $58,000 (85 per cent) viewed themselves as comfortable with 10 per cent saying they were well-off.

More than half of the respondents felt they didn't have enough disposable income for entertainment purchases. Comparison shopping played a role in spending for participants of all income levels,. Home improvements, entertainment, sports and hobbies, and travel were the top items that Canadians liked to spend money on.

People making over $200,000 don't see themselves as lavish spenders, but they are twice as likely to:

• spend $2,000 a person on a vacation (48 per cent);
• pay $250 for a hotel room (58 per cent);
• pay $300 for a theatre or hockey event (32 per cent); and
• would spend $100 for dinner (94 per cent).

In comparison, average income earners were more frugal with 76 per cent saying:

• they would never spend $250 per night in a hotel;
• $2000 for a vacation is too much (62 per cent);
• nor would they spend $100 on a meal (61 per cent).

Each income group named paying off their mortgage and other debts (31 per cent) as their top financial priority. If presented with an unexpected windfall 82 per cent said they would use it for debts or investing, while 15 per cent would use it as disposable income.

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