Does your social circle have a lot of family money/trust funds?

[Anonymous]

We have lived in the same area for about 10 years and it’s become really clear that almost half our our social circle has very large trust funds and family money. Usually the husband has a career but it’s typically one with lower stress and a moderate salary and then the rest of the families are one or two income lawyers, doctors, software engineers, c-level, sales… usually with an income averaging around $500k, but it’s so evident how much better off the ones with trust funds are. It’s hard not to compare knowing our income is high but it’s just very hard to reach that lifestyle they have from having the trust fund there. I was wondering if anyone else’s area is like this and what your experience has been? I never really noticed it but now that we know these people and are close with them I see the difference. We are all 30’s/40’s. I’m also wondering if you are someone in the situation of a trust fund in a community like this, do you look down on the families that are working class?

[Anonymous]

Hahahaha doctors, lawyers, C-suite are NOT “working class”

[Anonymous]

It’s an anonymous forum after all. Isn’t this the place to ask questions like this. I told the attitude from a lot of people with trust funds and family money is it’s crass to talk about it but again, it’s an anonymous forum. What does it really matter. Seems like a good place to be honest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have lived in the same area for about 10 years and it’s become really clear that almost half our our social circle has very large trust funds and family money. Usually the husband has a career but it’s typically one with lower stress and a moderate salary and then the rest of the families are one or two income lawyers, doctors, software engineers, c-level, sales… usually with an income averaging around $500k, but it’s so evident how much better off the ones with trust funds are. It’s hard not to compare knowing our income is high but it’s just very hard to reach that lifestyle they have from having the trust fund there. I was wondering if anyone else’s area is like this and what your experience has been? I never really noticed it but now that we know these people and are close with them I see the difference. We are all 30’s/40’s. I’m also wondering if you are someone in the situation of a trust fund in a community like this, do you look down on the families that are working class?

I know both types. I judge them on the content of their character. Seriously, I don't care. Good for them. I wish it were me. It's not my situation. My situation is still pretty good. We can all be friends. Why spend energy on things that don't impact me?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hahahaha doctors, lawyers, C-suite are NOT “working class”

In my bubble it is. Totally different lifestyles than the other half.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hahahaha doctors, lawyers, C-suite are NOT “working class”

In my bubble it is. Totally different lifestyles than the other half.

Get a freaking clue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s an anonymous forum after all. Isn’t this the place to ask questions like this. I told the attitude from a lot of people with trust funds and family money is it’s crass to talk about it but again, it’s an anonymous forum. What does it really matter. Seems like a good place to be honest.

NP
I have never heard this from someone directly but there are many people who had a neighbor/friend/relative tell me that person had a trust fund. I wonder if they know EVERYONE knows because one or their friends is a big mouth. It's also possible that it's not even the case and just assumed gossip.

[Anonymous]

I have no idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have no idea.

+1 I don’t have enough money to have a social circle that includes families with trust funds/family money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s an anonymous forum after all. Isn’t this the place to ask questions like this. I told the attitude from a lot of people with trust funds and family money is it’s crass to talk about it but again, it’s an anonymous forum. What does it really matter. Seems like a good place to be honest.

NP
I have never heard this from someone directly but there are many people who had a neighbor/friend/relative tell me that person had a trust fund. I wonder if they know EVERYONE knows because one or their friends is a big mouth. It's also possible that it's not even the case and just assumed gossip.

I think it’s just obvious in some cases. 3 kids in private school, second home, husband is a civil engineer and they live in a 3m house and drive an escalade/bmw. You need a very large salary to carry this lifestyle. We have a $500k family income and live a fairly normal life with kids in public school, just happens to be a great neighborhood but totally normal house that would be $400k anywhere else.

[Anonymous]

Not really. Not trust funds.

But I'm at the age where people's parents are dying -- and a number of them are leaving mortgage free homes in NoVA. Which is $$$, especially for an only child.

[Anonymous]

I know a few people with trust funds.

$500,000 is not working class in any circle. You just don’t know any working class people socially. Your house cleaners, your nannies, your yard people, and the server at your restaurant are working class. I’m not a social justice warrior but *any* stretch, but don’t call yourself working class in real life. You’re not and it makes you sound really unappealing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know a few people with trust funds.

$500,000 is not working class in any circle. You just don’t know any working class people socially. Your house cleaners, your nannies, your yard people, and the server at your restaurant are working class. I’m not a social justice warrior but *any* stretch, but don’t call yourself working class in real life. You’re not and it makes you sound really unappealing.

When I said working class, I just meant people who are living primarily off their careers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know a few people with trust funds.

$500,000 is not working class in any circle. You just don’t know any working class people socially. Your house cleaners, your nannies, your yard people, and the server at your restaurant are working class. I’m not a social justice warrior but *any* stretch, but don’t call yourself working class in real life. You’re not and it makes you sound really unappealing.

Hmm, not sure I agree.....

Working class in some circles (not mine) is anyone who needs to work to maintain their lifestyles.

I was a waitress in HS and one summer in college. I grew up UMC/UC. I'm definitely not nor have I ever been working class.

I define UMC as grad school educated professionals (doctors, lawyers, some c-suite folks, some white collar professionals, maybe even some feds).. UC is these folks plus family money or folks who don't work (to me). Some people define it on income, some by wealth. Few people meet all the metrics, so do though.

[Anonymous]

My wife has one; it paid off my student loans but we don't get money from it on a regular basis. I don't know of any other people with them. We don't know people with $500K salaries though. Our friend group is more like $250K per family tops with plenty below that.