New Money or Tacky

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not rich, but if someone asked me how much our preschool tuition was, I'd tell them. I feel like that's something they could easily find out anyway, and it can be valuable to know what other schools charge. If they were thinking of joining the country club (to which I do not belong, but just hypothetically), I'd probably be comfortable sharing the cost, but it's not like I'd tell them without them bringing it up first.

Friends have asked me how much I paid for my house, because I'm a single mom with a single family house in a desirable area, so they're probably trying to figure out how I afforded it. I've shared that when asked, because it's public tax record and they could look it up if they wanted to.

Thats the thing people fail to realize - I can find out how much you paid, when you bought, your annual taxes, whether you pay them on time, etc. I can even find out how big of a mortgage you have, and if you bought in the last few years I can probably even get photos of the inside of your house. I can find out if mom and dad co-signed or if you bought on your own, etc. If you are a federal employee, I can find your salary for the last three years and your bonus as well.

Its all public record and takes about five minutes to do.

[Anonymous]

Annual taxes? Really? Arent they private? How do you find that out - scary!

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't make it a habit of talking about these things. Right now it's probably fine -- people can find out what your house costs, preschool is a known expense etc. But once people get used to asking these questions and getting answers from you, it will get harder if you, down the road somewhere, want to be more private about things. Say your DC gets a scholarship in college and doesn't want it announced to the world -- will be harder if your "friends" are used to asking -- so what is DC's college costing you anyway?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Annual taxes? Really? Arent they private? How do you find that out - scary!

I think the pp means property taxes, not income.

[Anonymous]

Here's a secret, everyone knows how much you paid for your house it's public and easily looked up.

[Anonymous]

Just because something is public record doesn't mean it makes polite conversation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Annual taxes? Really? Arent they private? How do you find that out - scary!

I think the pp means property taxes, not income.

Yes I meant property tax.

Post an address of anyone you want to know about and I'll show you how much you can find

[Anonymous]

I hate that it is impolite to talk about money. I think that belief is part of the reason we are so financially illiterate as a country. Please change this and share info and be honest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hate that it is impolite to talk about money. I think that belief is part of the reason we are so financially illiterate as a country. Please change this and share info and be honest.

Absolutely agree with this!

[Anonymous]

everyone says its so impolite to talk about money. i think it's great to spread awareness. talking about money can lead to saving money, so how is that a bad thing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hate that it is impolite to talk about money. I think that belief is part of the reason we are so financially illiterate as a country. Please change this and share info and be honest.

See networthiq.com/explore

I am addicted. Its the closest thing to being able to ask a bunch of people your age how much they have, how much they save, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hate that it is impolite to talk about money. I think that belief is part of the reason we are so financially illiterate as a country. Please change this and share info and be honest.

It is impolite to talk about the details of one's own financial situation. No one says you can't talk about how to budget, save and invest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate that it is impolite to talk about money. I think that belief is part of the reason we are so financially illiterate as a country. Please change this and share info and be honest.

It is impolite to talk about the details of one's own financial situation. No one says you can't talk about how to budget, save and invest.

+1

Whether information is publicly available is irrelevant. It is impolite (and yes, tacky).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not rich, but if someone asked me how much our preschool tuition was, I'd tell them. I feel like that's something they could easily find out anyway, and it can be valuable to know what other schools charge. If they were thinking of joining the country club (to which I do not belong, but just hypothetically), I'd probably be comfortable sharing the cost, but it's not like I'd tell them without them bringing it up first.

Friends have asked me how much I paid for my house, because I'm a single mom with a single family house in a desirable area, so they're probably trying to figure out how I afforded it. I've shared that when asked, because it's public tax record and they could look it up if they wanted to.

Thats the thing people fail to realize - I can find out how much you paid, when you bought, your annual taxes, whether you pay them on time, etc. I can even find out how big of a mortgage you have, and if you bought in the last few years I can probably even get photos of the inside of your house. I can find out if mom and dad co-signed or if you bought on your own, etc. If you are a federal employee, I can find your salary for the last three years and your bonus as well.

Its all public record and takes about five minutes to do.

exactly. since it takes less than five minutes, people should look it up. asking is not polite