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Are you keeping a low profile in these difficult economic times?
03-17-2009, 12:56 PM
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#1
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 12,901
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Are you keeping a low profile in these difficult economic times?
It's pretty safe to say that most people on this board would be considered "rich" by any standard. Because we mostly live below our means though, most of us have probably learned to fly successfully under the radar. But, with the current economic and political climate, are you taking any extra steps to keep a low profile?
We have been the recipients of a few disagreeable comments lately, that's why I'm asking.
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03-17-2009, 01:00 PM
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#2
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Lawn chair in Texas
Posts: 14,183
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Yeah, I gave up wearing my bling... 
My profile is already lower than a snake's belly in a wagon rut...
__________________
Have Funds, Will Retire
...not doing anything of true substance...
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03-17-2009, 01:11 PM
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#3
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,083
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No.
However I have always had a rather low profile with regards to finances.
__________________
"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.
(Ancient Indian Proverb)"
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03-17-2009, 01:18 PM
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#4
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: East Nowhere, 43N Latitude, NY
Posts: 9,037
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 Quote:
Originally Posted by FIREdreamer
It's pretty safe to say that most people on this board would be considered "rich" by any standard. Because we mostly live below our means though, most of us have probably learned to fly successfully under the radar. But, with the current economic and political climate, are you taking any extra steps to keep a low profile?
We have been the recipients of a few disagreeable comments lately, that's why I'm asking.
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Oooohhhhhhh, I'm rich I'm rich  TY for making my day. 
Seriously, though, I have always been private about my finances. LH and I were DINKS, so we heard all the remarks over the years. Blah blah blah...
In my current situation, I continue to totally disregard any and all comments. Just smile and wave  .
I'll share, again, what my Mom used to say...
"When the neighbors start paying my bills, then they can tell me how to live."
__________________
"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." - Walt Disney
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03-17-2009, 01:24 PM
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#5
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 12,901
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Just to make sure... We are also very private with our finances. Nobody knows what we are worth or how much we make. Not even close family members. We live on 30% of our gross income so it's not like we go around flaunting it either. But of course people close to us know that a DINK couple with 2 Ph.D.s must be making a good living...
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03-17-2009, 01:32 PM
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#6
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,764
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FIREdreamer
It's pretty safe to say that most people on this board would be considered "rich" by any standard. Because we mostly live below our means though, most of us have probably learned to fly successfully under the radar. But, with the current economic and political climate, are you taking any extra steps to keep a low profile?
We have been the recipients of a few disagreeable comments lately, that's why I'm asking.
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No, I am what I am.
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03-17-2009, 01:37 PM
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#7
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 331
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FIREdreamer
It's pretty safe to say that most people on this board would be considered "rich" by any standard. Because we mostly live below our means though, most of us have probably learned to fly successfully under the radar. But, with the current economic and political climate, are you taking any extra steps to keep a low profile?
We have been the recipients of a few disagreeable comments lately, that's why I'm asking.
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Well, I still wear torn underwear, old shirts, stained pants, shoes with card board in the soles, don't shave, have flies buzzing around me, but I have given up my gold chains
jug 
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03-17-2009, 01:38 PM
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#8
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 255
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I drive a 1996 Jeep GC with 160,000 miles on it. The air dosen't work and the radio caught fire last year. The driver's seat has a piece worn out of it. It's worth about 2K? What does this have to do with keeping a low profile? Everything. The vehicle is sufficient for my needs. I live in an urban area where carjacking is common but no one would bother with me. Same thing with finances, a Walmart watch and faded jeans incognito all the way. Most think I'm worst off than they are.
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03-17-2009, 01:39 PM
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#9
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,764
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jug
Well, I still wear torn underwear, old shirts, stained pants, shoes with card board in the soles, don't shave, have flies buzzing around me, but I have given up my gold chains
jug |
Ha I knew I wasn't the only one who wore torn underwear!
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03-17-2009, 01:42 PM
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#10
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Collin County, TX
Posts: 9,296
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No. To my knowledge, no one has ever thought that I am wealthy. I guess I'm doing something right...so no changes.....
__________________
There's no need to complicate, our time is short..
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03-17-2009, 01:42 PM
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#11
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: North Oregon Coast
Posts: 16,483
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No real change -- I've never been one to just go out and discuss my financial position with the general public and I've never been one for flaunting what wealth I may have. I live in a cheap, 65-year-old 2/1 house with 1150 square feet, for crying out loud... 
Obviously on this board that changes *somewhat* but even here I usually don't go posting our financial statements except for occasional bits and pieces that might be relevant to the discussion.
__________________
"Hey, for every ten dollars, that's another hour that I have to be in the work place. That's an hour of my life. And my life is a very finite thing. I have only 'x' number of hours left before I'm dead. So how do I want to use these hours of my life? Do I want to use them just spending it on more crap and more stuff, or do I want to start getting a handle on it and using my life more intelligently?" -- Joe Dominguez (1938 - 1997)
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03-17-2009, 01:49 PM
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#12
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: East Nowhere, 43N Latitude, NY
Posts: 9,037
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FIREdreamer
Just to make sure... We are also very private with our finances. Nobody knows what we are worth or how much we make. Not even close family members. We live on 30% of our gross income so it's not like we go around flaunting it either. But of course people close to us know that a DINK couple with 2 Ph.D.s must be making a good living...
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I hear ya.
Been there done that as a DINK couple, both GS-13 Engineers. No matter what you do, there will always be a grouse who has to try to ruin your day. Today's economy may drive the frequency of comments in an exponential fashion.
Freebird's Method of How to Deal with Disagreeable Comments...
Plan A: Smile and wave .
Plan B: Wave and smile.
Plan C: KMG (G stands for grits)
Good plan to keep asset details to yourselves, even family. Some would say "especially" family. 
__________________
"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." - Walt Disney
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03-17-2009, 01:53 PM
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#13
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: North Oregon Coast
Posts: 16,483
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Quote:
Originally Posted by freebird5825
Freebird's Method of How to Deal with Disagreeable Comments...
Plan A: Smile and wave .
Plan B: Wave and smile.
Plan C: KMG (G stands for grits) |
Given the thread topic, KMA works, too -- Kiss My Assets! 
__________________
"Hey, for every ten dollars, that's another hour that I have to be in the work place. That's an hour of my life. And my life is a very finite thing. I have only 'x' number of hours left before I'm dead. So how do I want to use these hours of my life? Do I want to use them just spending it on more crap and more stuff, or do I want to start getting a handle on it and using my life more intelligently?" -- Joe Dominguez (1938 - 1997)
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03-17-2009, 02:26 PM
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#14
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,901
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FIREdreamer
It's pretty safe to say that most people on this board would be considered "rich" by any standard.
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Define "rich". I'm not sure I qualify. 
__________________
“I guess I should warn you, if I turn out to be particularly clear, you've probably misunderstood what I've said” Alan Greenspan
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03-17-2009, 02:29 PM
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#15
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: North Oregon Coast
Posts: 16,483
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"In better financial position than most of our peers," maybe? As a group I'd imagine we have more invested for retirement, more saved up for emergencies and less debt than the average person on the street for our age and income history.
__________________
"Hey, for every ten dollars, that's another hour that I have to be in the work place. That's an hour of my life. And my life is a very finite thing. I have only 'x' number of hours left before I'm dead. So how do I want to use these hours of my life? Do I want to use them just spending it on more crap and more stuff, or do I want to start getting a handle on it and using my life more intelligently?" -- Joe Dominguez (1938 - 1997)
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03-17-2009, 02:30 PM
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#16
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 8,827
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One a somewhat related theme, even during normal times I find it very hard to find friends that are comfortable discussing finances even in a general way. I rarely bring it up myself, but when things drift that way everyone seems to shuffle their feet and change the subject.
Well there are plenty of other things to talk about with friends. I guess one of the nice things about this board is that money, retirement, and investing are not taboo.
__________________
Rich
San Francisco Area
ESR'd March 2010. FIRE'd January 2011.
As if you didn't know..If the above message contains medical content, it's NOT intended as advice, and may not be accurate, applicable or sufficient. Don't rely on it for any purpose. Consult your own doctor for all medical advice.
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03-17-2009, 03:56 PM
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#17
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: East Nowhere, 43N Latitude, NY
Posts: 9,037
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Cuz FireDreamer said so is good enough for me.
Oooooooohhhhhh I'm rich I'm rich...<runs off with arms waving wildly>
__________________
"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." - Walt Disney
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03-17-2009, 04:04 PM
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#18
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: minnesota
Posts: 13,228
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich_in_Tampa
One a somewhat related theme, even during normal times I find it very hard to find friends that are comfortable discussing finances even in a general way. I rarely bring it up myself, but when things drift that way everyone seems to shuffle their feet and change the subject.
Well there are plenty of other things to talk about with friends. I guess one of the nice things about this board is that money, retirement, and investing are not taboo.
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Lawyer coworkers of mine always liked to discuss finances. From new investment possibilities to "my God, my daughter is going to Northwestern and we will have to pay through the nose!" Maybe in part it was because we always knew what each other makes. Outside of work, I have the same experience.
__________________
.
No more lawyer stuff, no more political stuff, so no more CYA
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03-17-2009, 04:12 PM
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#19
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Central MS/Orange Beach, AL
Posts: 9,072
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If you saw the neighborhood I live in you would know I'm as low profile as they come.
__________________
Retired 3/31/2007@52
Investing style: Full time wuss.
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03-17-2009, 04:16 PM
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#20
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Gone but not forgotten
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 6,924
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I just naturally keep a low profile: small old house in a blue collar neighborhood, small car, replace clothes when they wear out.
Cow-irkers used to mock me, but I'm retired.
And that's why I is and they ain't.
(points for the reference)
__________________
"Knowin' no one nowhere's gonna miss us when we're gone..."
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