If, as Ms Harman seemed to be suggesting, the new affluence test was aimed at the very rich, it would save little money.

ECONOMIST: Welfare benefits

By the end of the week, the prime minister's advisers were seeking to distance themselves from the idea of a new affluence test.

ECONOMIST: Welfare benefits

Affluent Millennials may think they are radical by rejecting traditional luxury status symbols, but they have just created a new image of affluence, says Pedraza.

FORBES: Meet The Millennial 1%: Young, Rich, And Redefining Luxury

To boost literacy rates in certain ZIP Codes with lesser affluence, New York City signed up with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to send popular children's titles into homes of children up to age 5.

WSJ: New Chapter in New York City for Children's Book Program

Affluence may present new challenges but they are a lot better than the alternative.

ECONOMIST: Can you be too rich?

Asia's affluence has brought a host of new ailments that impinge on future communities.

CNN: SPECIAL REPORT: HEALTH

The upsurge of divorce in the 1970s was caused by new social mores and legislative changes rather than affluence.

ECONOMIST: Can you be too rich?

Choices may multiply with the growth of affluence, but there is nothing new in the tension between impatience and prudence.

ECONOMIST: Can you be too rich?

Does it reflect more greater fan affluence in 2007 and 2008 (Chicago, New York, Boston demos are larger and wealthier than New Orleans and Phoenix)?

FORBES: Patience Pays Off In Buying Super Bowl Tickets On The Secondary Market

Maybank is itself grappling with the challenges of banking in the New Asian Economy, where old developmental priorities have given way to the demands of fast-expanding affluence and regional business.

CNN: The Asiaweek Financial 500