Re: The drawbacks of displaying financial success
Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2016 7:51 pm
On "let's do this fancy dinner, vacation, trip, x together" I will only go if there is an expected potential income increase or if it's paid for by someone or something else. I am okay telling people that I value going for a walk in the park, watching a movie on my tiny-but-quality projector, or going backpacking w/ my 9 pounds of gear + food/water than going on the expensive trip.
If they insist, I may or may not mention that I value saving and investing and personal freedom more than that type of immediate spending; but that I also (likely) enjoy their company and would like to spend time in other ways. A minimalist (optimized) life style also leads to people to not even question whether I'm wealthy or not. I am happy to dish out personal finance knowledge or let out the secret red pill of FIRE if the appropriate person inquires, of course.
As for family, I have bluntly told my immediate family what my assets are and how they are allocated in a hope to inspire them; it's been working to some degree. I also bluntly told them that this is mine, and although I am under-no-circumstances willing to dish my $ out freely, I am absolutely willing to dish out educational personal finance tirades.
I think a financially strong family unit prevents a lot of distress down the line (bailing out broke aging parents, anyone? or a needy sibling?)
If they insist, I may or may not mention that I value saving and investing and personal freedom more than that type of immediate spending; but that I also (likely) enjoy their company and would like to spend time in other ways. A minimalist (optimized) life style also leads to people to not even question whether I'm wealthy or not. I am happy to dish out personal finance knowledge or let out the secret red pill of FIRE if the appropriate person inquires, of course.
As for family, I have bluntly told my immediate family what my assets are and how they are allocated in a hope to inspire them; it's been working to some degree. I also bluntly told them that this is mine, and although I am under-no-circumstances willing to dish my $ out freely, I am absolutely willing to dish out educational personal finance tirades.
I think a financially strong family unit prevents a lot of distress down the line (bailing out broke aging parents, anyone? or a needy sibling?)