Off the top of my head:

In the situation described in OP, she wouldn't be dropping a persona - that's who she is. You're really asking why she doesn't mask that with a UMC persona, which is funny, since...

UMCs pride themselves on being able to sniff out their own, and can be very cliquey if you're not doing travel soccer, preschool violin, and jetting off to Europe. I'm not interested in being a striver trying to win the approval of the mom brigade that is always talking about someone's kitchen reno.

When you grow up poor, you know that your circumstances can change quickly, so you don't spend what you might need tomorrow. I didn't grow up poor, but I find a lot of UMC status spending wasteful, particularly when it's keeping-up-with-the-Joneses as opposed to something genuinely enjoyed or wanted.

Also, a la Millionaire Next Door, the UMCs may be surprised to learn that the people not consuming conspicuously enough for them are actually socking that away to retire early and get out of the DMV.

Finally, I love Ikea, and probably 1/3 of our house is Swedish do-it-yourself. A UMC friend introduced me to it, actually. I've got a few antique pieces I'd give up before the Ikea. And you'll have to pry my ligonberry jam out of my cold, dead fingers.

Anonymous wrote:What is the point of being rich if you can't enjoy it, which means living how YOU want to live, not how people like OP think you should live?

This. Maybe she likes her stuff. Maybe she just doesn't care enough to find stuff she likes more (shopping is not top priority for all of us). Maybe she's concerned about the whole rich-man-eye-of-a-needle thing and is planning on giving it all away to charity. Maybe she's still friends with the druggie-baby-mamas because she knew them back when and is a kind and compassionate person who is trying to help and stay true to people who haven't been as fortunate as she has.
Or maybe she just doesn't feel welcome by her new rich neighbors.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Never seen the show, but I grew up poor, and I am still frugal right now. I am content, I have plenty of money now so I don't need to buy luxury items trying to impress anyone. It's funny because when I was poor(er), in my early 20s, I was the opposite, having no money made me wanting to spend more, fresh out of college I would buy purse that cost one paycheck. Now I don't! A classic looking $500 purse will do, it would be weird to carry a Chanel to work anyway!

Wow, you are really humble, carrying your "with the people" 500 dollar purse instead of a Chanel.

LOL! I was so very excited about the $85 purse I got for my birthday. I just don't belong on DCUM.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Never seen the show, but I grew up poor, and I am still frugal right now. I am content, I have plenty of money now so I don't need to buy luxury items trying to impress anyone. It's funny because when I was poor(er), in my early 20s, I was the opposite, having no money made me wanting to spend more, fresh out of college I would buy purse that cost one paycheck. Now I don't! A classic looking $500 purse will do, it would be weird to carry a Chanel to work anyway!

Wow, you are really humble, carrying your "with the people" 500 dollar purse instead of a Chanel.

"With the people "at work would be more than $500, a $500 bag is definitely below average but who cares. Try get one with no logo/not easily recognizable.

There is nothing wrong with a $500 bag, but calling yourself "frugal" and then immediately following up with the fact that you carry a $500 bag means either:

1. You are trolling
2. You don't understand what "frugal" means
3. You are incredibly out of touch and only associate with people who pay even more ludicrous sums for basic items

or any combination of the 3.

OK.

I own a Range Rover and my wife has multiple Chanel bags. Come at me frugal peasants.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Never seen the show, but I grew up poor, and I am still frugal right now. I am content, I have plenty of money now so I don't need to buy luxury items trying to impress anyone. It's funny because when I was poor(er), in my early 20s, I was the opposite, having no money made me wanting to spend more, fresh out of college I would buy purse that cost one paycheck. Now I don't! A classic looking $500 purse will do, it would be weird to carry a Chanel to work anyway!

Wow, you are really humble, carrying your "with the people" 500 dollar purse instead of a Chanel.

"With the people "at work would be more than $500, a $500 bag is definitely below average but who cares. Try get one with no logo/not easily recognizable.

There is nothing wrong with a $500 bag, but calling yourself "frugal" and then immediately following up with the fact that you carry a $500 bag means either:

1. You are trolling
2. You don't understand what "frugal" means
3. You are incredibly out of touch and only associate with people who pay even more ludicrous sums for basic items

or any combination of the 3.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Never seen the show, but I grew up poor, and I am still frugal right now. I am content, I have plenty of money now so I don't need to buy luxury items trying to impress anyone. It's funny because when I was poor(er), in my early 20s, I was the opposite, having no money made me wanting to spend more, fresh out of college I would buy purse that cost one paycheck. Now I don't! A classic looking $500 purse will do, it would be weird to carry a Chanel to work anyway!

Wow, you are really humble, carrying your "with the people" 500 dollar purse instead of a Chanel.

"With the people "at work would be more than $500, a $500 bag is definitely below average but who cares. Try get one with no logo/not easily recognizable.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Never seen the show, but I grew up poor, and I am still frugal right now. I am content, I have plenty of money now so I don't need to buy luxury items trying to impress anyone. It's funny because when I was poor(er), in my early 20s, I was the opposite, having no money made me wanting to spend more, fresh out of college I would buy purse that cost one paycheck. Now I don't! A classic looking $500 purse will do, it would be weird to carry a Chanel to work anyway!

You pay $500 for a purse?

so cheap, what classic bag can you get for 500?

Not a classic bag, but a classic looking bag. The wife generally buys something in the $200 or lower range. Is Michael Kors acceptable to the frugal crowd?

What is the point of being rich if you can't enjoy it, which means living how YOU want to live, not how people like OP think you should live?