| If someone is going to feel contempt about what you spend your money on, ditch them quick. |
| We don’t flaunt it at all but we don’t hide it. We live very comfortably but well below our means. If you make a million but live on $100,000 what’s the point of making a million. |
| OP, if you have a HHI of $1 million but a net worth of only $4 million you are likely flaunting it. |
lol. |
You may be right, but we only began making this level of income within the last few years. Still, I've gotten roasted here before for our subpar savings level (20% of HHI). But yes, we've inflated our lifestyle significantly as our income has risen. |
| Flashy? No. Is it clear I have money, yes. Everything subtle and tasteful, but always expensive. |
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I’ve done some reflecting on this. DH and I grew up lower to middle class. We bought our house years ago and family, neighbors and friends are all middle - upper middle class. I will admit here that I have some prejudices about rich people, despite being one now myself.
I don’t trust that I could raise kids well who understand how wealthy they are. I do not want to get into circles where I or my kids feel pressure to keep up with the Joneses. So, we don’t go out of our way to save money, but because our house is so cheap and cars aren’t that exciting, we do end up saving a lot. We go on nice vacations, and I buy lots of clothes but just at places I’ve always shopped. For reasons above, plus possibility of getting robbed or being a target for a scam, I don’t want to buy watches or purses that cost thousands. |
I don't normally add up our spend, but most of our expenses are on CC (except things like utilities), and their end of the year statement gave me a glimpse. I think we spend about 200K a year. Which is not nothing, but less than 20% of our annual income. I was surprised, and expected it to be more. |
Lol. Doubt it. But this comment is really unintentionally revealing. |
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We don't like to flaunt our wealth for several reasons:
-Relatives will be coming from all directions asking for handouts. As it were, some of them already do on a semi regular basis. -We come from really humble backgrounds and just don't like flashiness. -For personal safety. |
| I'm low-key, and my DH flaunts it. For example, he drives a luxury car, and I don't; he joined an expensive golf club. He "needs" to live in a very expensive house that is too big for our needs. We are barely wealthy (think $5m net worth). Over the years, I've accepted the way he is, and just have my emergency fund he doesn't see, so if s*** hits the fan, I can float us for a while so we can sell our house, his car, and get out of memberships. |
Oh my heavens, I used to be wealthy but when I had to downsize to a Hinckley, let 3 of my 5 domestic staff go, and begin renting out the caretakers cottage across my home’s courtyard in Gstaad, it was very humbling. Thank God, the 6br cottage in Maine is still in the family though. |
Did you grow up poor? |
I'd think it's the other way around. |
You are correct. |