New York, Jan 7 : Even though Emmy Award winning director Spike Lee owns houses on the Upper East Side and on Martha''s Vineyard, and sends his kids to private schools, he still cribs about his wealth.

Lee, 51, says that he is not very rich, and that compared to the wealth of others he is nothing.

"It's not rich rich," the New York Post quoted him as telling Britain''s Observer.

"Rich is Spielberg. Lucas. Gates. Steve Jobs. Jay-Z! Bruce Springsteen. I''m not complaining. But that''s money. Will Smith. Oprah Winfrey - that''s a ton of money.

"Compared to them, I''m on welfare!" he added.

It looks like Lee does like to save up on his pennies, especially after he was spotted travelling with his wife and son in economy class on a flight from the Bahamas. (ANI)