“GOOD HELP IS THE
Achilles’ heel of X^*J the rich,” Hunter S. Thompson once declared from Palm Beach, referring to maids who either had skills worthy of a car allowance or were so inexperienced thai they machine-washed the drapes.
Everything is expensive on Beverly Drive in Highland Park- not just good help. Start with the house: We’ve heard of Realtors making offers in the receiving lines at funerals-trying to find something-so their clients can buy into Dallas’ most exclusive enclave.
The fortunate few that are already ensconced are committing themselves and their pocketbooks to elaborate landscaping projects and interior decoration. Add in the cost of maintenance and entertainment, and pretty soon you’re spending big money.
So just how much does it cost to live on Beverly? Not in one of the megamansions, but in a regular house between say, Fairfield and Hillcrest? We added up the yearly cost, divided by 365. and probably still came in too low.
Lawn, Garden, Pool
Lambert’s for lawn and garden. Pool maintenance by Aqua Care.
Highlights: II Lambert’s people don’t know it. nobody knows it. And their weekly reports tell you about every petal and stem.
Downside: Loud leaf blowers at 8 a.m. on Saturday.
Cost: $35 a day. The pool only costs $10; the rest goes for sculpted hedges, seasonal plantings, and squads of guys with rakes.
Extracurricular Activities
Gymnastics, dance, and tennis for daughter, Karate, lacrosse, and football trainer for son.
Highlights: At least eight hours a day are spent away from home.
Downside: Being the family chauffeur-all day, every day.
Cost: City Ballet, $5 a day. “Privates” from Kim at Powerhouse of Dance, $9 a day. Gymnastics “privates” at Jay Rock Gym with Jay, $9 a day. Karate and lacrosse, $1.64 a day. Tennis lessons at Dallas Country Club, $5 a day. HPHS season tickets, $.28 a day. Total: $30 a day.
Restaurants fi Food
Eatzi’s and Marty’s Cafe TuGough are just around the corner. Simon David on Inwood delivers, A full pantry is a point-and-click away on GraceryWorks.com.
Highlights: When your husband brings the CEO home for dinner, drop off your heirloom platters at City Cafe To Go and they’ll make you look like Martha Stewart.
Downside: You can’t order online unless your teenager’s at home to show you how.
Cost: $150 a day.
House
Mediterranean Villa or French Chateau.
Highlights: Six-bedroom/six-bath mini-mansion with a decked-out media room and conservatory shipped from England.
Downside: Service people who can’t speak your language. Also, conservatories leak.
Cost: $2.5 million (minimum). Assume $1.5 million mortgage at $11,000 a month. Robin Hood adds to the property taxes, $3,850 a month. Insurance, $1,000 a month. Utilities (electric, water, cable), $2,000 a month. Total: S595 a day.
Cars
Four stalls, four cars. Range Rover, Jaguar XKR convertible, BMW 750it, plus classic in garage.
Highlights: Stall left for mint condition ’69 convertible Stingray used only for Saturday morning runs to Brookhollow Country Club.
You can lease everything but the Stingray for $5,000 per month.Downside: Auto premiums, $700 a month.
Cost: $190 a day.
The Holidays
Outside decorative lighting and fancy gifts are musts.
Highlights: Fun excuse to hit New York for Erickson Beamon or Yvonne Christa beaded jewelry for your friends.
Downside: Angry hairstylists. If you give less than $200-in cash-for a Christmas bonus, your hair could suffer all year.
Cost: $75 a day. The bonuses, the presents, the food baskets, the booze-it all adds up.
Her Feng Shut Consultant
Highlights: Rearranging furniture provides enlightenment. which improves love life.Downside: Fights with gay decorator.
Cost:$1 a day.
Miscellaneous
Shrinks for the whole family, $28 a day. Vacations (St. Bart’s or Anguilla; Jackson Hole or Montana; weekends in Aspen), $95 a day. Gifts-every baby shower costs you $150 minimum; weddings are more. Camp in North Carolina for the kids, $4,000 each/$33 a day. Jamba Juice every day before school, $4 a day. Kate Spades for 7th grader, two at $200 each, $1 a day. Tithing, $100 a day (never quite that full 10 percent). Country club memberships, $20,000 annual costs.
Cost: $570 a day.
Kids
For the 9th-graders, Hockaday ($14,050), St Mark’s ($15,015), or Cistercian ($8,500). Uniforms and books run another $1,800. For tire toddler, Meadowbrook Nursery School ($4,600). Highlights: Get to know future competitors early. Downside: Some of these kids are competing already, and they’re really smart. Cost: $97 a day. (Armstrong and Highland Park are free, but who’s counting?)
Entertaining 5 Parties
Highlights: Food Company handles
everything.
Downside: Hours spent working your way up in Crystal Charity seriously cutsinto shopping time.
Cost: $68 aday.
Dog
The only question is which retriever: Labrador or Golden.
Highlights: Call Jill at HP Animal Clinic for shots and pills. While away, JD Kennels for S15 bucks a day.
Downside: Fido returns spoiled rotten.
Cost: $5 a day.
Beach House
Seaside is closer than Nantucket or the Hamptons and has warmer water.
Highlights: Just like HP-plus ocean. Downside: Hurricanes occasionally rearrange roof tiles.
Cost: $40 a day.
Nanny
Best: Salvadoran
Worst: English au pair with orange hair.
Highlights: The kids are learning a second language.
Downside: Still trying to wash orange dye
out of designer towels.
Cost: $100 a day.
Home Fashions
Forty Five Ten has perfect baubles and great linens. The D&D building and Cars we 11 Rush Berlin in New York are musts for everything from armoires to fauteuils. ..
Highlights: Fun trips to New York with gay decorator.
Downside: More fights with gay decorator.
Cost: $75 a day.
Clothes
Chanel Boutique and Michael Kors at Ultimo, $6,000 leather Hermesbag at Neiman Marcus and Stanley Korshak, and $300 python sandals at Tootsies.
Highlights: Got two seasons out of Fendi bagette.
Downside: Everything must be dry-cleaned all the time: Fishburns and Avon Cleaners are the best.
Cost: $300 a day. Your cleaning bills are paying for their kids’ college tuition.
His Personal Trainer & Tae Bo
Brings in Billy Blanks for personal instruction in Tae Bo.
Highlights: Reduces that middle-age paunch.
Downside: He takes up a lot of room.
Cost: $750 per visit. Add in kickbox-ing and power yoga, $5 a day.
Housekeeper
Highlights: She worked for mom.
Downside: She’s still blackmailing you for that high school party when your parents were on safari.
Cost: $150 a day.
Smile Enhancement
Dr. Kyle Keeter on Preston Road whitens, polishes, and contours teeth. Highlights: The best smile anyone can buy.
Downside: Flossing.
Cost: $4 a day.
Hair
Lisa Bennett at Richard Hayler is responsible for so many “natural” blondes in Dallas. Shampoo and blow-dry twice weekly, and deep condition every two weeks.
Highlights: Heather dispenses hot gossip with your brow wax.
Downside: If you switch from Hayler to Perry Henderson you could start an in-house war.
Cost: $20 a day.
Skin & Nail Care
Clinical Skin Solutions.
Highlights: Getting an appointment with Lea Mallison.
Downside: Phone calls from Lea’s co-workers at the clinic soliciting business when her appointment book disappears.
Cost: $30 a day (or $10,000 bounty for the appointment book).
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