Ronstar
Moderator Emeritus
I know I'm dressed appropriately when people see me toiling in the yard and say " Look - they have a gardener"
I'm actually a bit suspicious when I see people dressed to the nines in the latest fashion or driving around in Range Rovers. Sometimes they're the ones who spend everything they have and more to keep up appearances.
You have a lawn to mow? I don't even have one.I'm so poor I mow my own lawn because it's cheaper than a gym membership.
Could be, but maybe they are just wealthy? Not everyone who dresses well or drives a nice car is in debt to their ears. But if it makes you feel better assume away.
I hide my wealth all the time. My landlord clothes consist of a pair of Dickies, in Carthart brown, with the hammer loop. A few paint spots, a few holes.
I almost 100% of the time wear a Menards t-shirt, when I feel like dressing up it's one without paint spots on it...
Even a few friends have mentioned to be when speaking about FIRE, "You really do not have a lot of expenses"...
The lawn generally needs to be mowed, and I have an old furnace, a snow plow, and a old 16-slot mailbox in the driveway. Which has major asphalt holes in it.
Of course, if I wanted to work until I am 90, I could have a better appearance.
Great article and I'm a shorts and t-shirt guy, usually with a few holes in the shirt. Neighbor lady recently complained to me about my old tennis shoes, so the next time she saw me I had them wrapped up with some duct tape just for effect.
I think in this day and age many people want to flaunt their so called wealth to impress others as to how well they are doing. There is a word in Websters for that "insecurity".
I
... But according to the unspoken national ethos, no Australian is permitted to assume that he or she is better than any other Australian. How is this enforced? By the prompt corrective of levelling derision. It has a name—The "Tall Poppy Syndrome". The tallest flowers in the field will be cut down to the same size as all the others. This is sometimes misunderstood...It isn't success that offends Australians. It's the affront committed by anyone who starts to put on superior airs."
I hide my "wealth" by wandering around the neighborhood in pajama pants and slipper socks. People just think I'm crazy. Works a treat.
I do not flaunt my wealth because I do not have it. I consider people with an 8-figure portfolio wealthy, and I am not there.
Could be, but maybe they are just wealthy? Not everyone who dresses well or drives a nice car is in debt to their ears. But if it makes you feel better assume away.
Funnily enough, there was a guy standing in line in front of me at the checkout at Grocery Outlet the other day who was wearing slipper socks. He wasn't wearing pajama pants though. I have yet to see anyone wearing both at the same time when out of the house.
I actually do see people in pajama pants more and more in stores, so pretty soon, you will be the norm! (Wait, I haven't seen anybody with slipper socks though... )
I heard a funny story about the "gardener" chatting with the passerby who asked who much he charged and he said nothing but once in a while he gets invited to sleep with the lady of the house!I know I'm dressed appropriately when people see me toiling in the yard and say " Look - they have a gardener"
I have more shorts than slacks but I still have 3 Hugo Boss suits that I keep for special occasions. More funerals that weddings these days.I like to dress according to the occasion. Sweats and t shirts certainly quite frequently, but on other occasions like out to a nice restaurant it's a sport jacket with blue jeans. Depends. Hardly ever wear suits other than to weddings or funerals, nevertheless, these occasions do happen from time to time so I am prepared.
We actually dropped the special insurance coverage on jewelry. Not likely to replace them. Seldom wear such trinkets anymore.Which is why I qualified my observation with the word "sometimes". My Ex was all about appearances and didn't have two dimes to rub together, but I also know people who live a conspicuously good life and have the means to do it.
Yeah, something about FIRE. I never wore much jewelry to start with, but now I wear even less. No high heels either. I still think I look good in them (I am relatively short - 5'5), but I don't want to bother with them, and I walk more so it makes more sense to wear sensible shoes. Clothes wise too. I prefer shorts with comfy Ecco sandals over pants/shoes as long as weather permits. I still wear jackets I got free from my old w*rk because they are comfy too.We actually dropped the special insurance coverage on jewelry. Not likely to replace them. Seldom wear such trinkets anymore.
frayne;1729387 I think in this day and age many people want to flaunt their so called wealth to impress others as to how well they are doing. There is a word in Websters for that "insecurity".[/QUOTE said:I was always in awe about guys like Buffett and Walton driving old pickups and living simply. Said if I ever made money i'd live the same as those guys. Of course we don't have that kind of money but still respect the low carbon low consumption footprint.
I can say 100 percent that we blend in. Even our teen kids don't know our NW. We all pretty much drive beaters. All less than 10k in value.
We have a few toys - a classic car and a few motorcycles but they are modest and any generic middle class guy might have the same.
I ride and wrench on old and ratty Harley's for fun, been doing that for decades, so usually I'm at least partially greasy. That adds to the effect. I usually wear a shirt and Levi's 501 unless I'm at school teaching.
When I teach I wear nice button down shirt and khakis usually with rock port comfortable loafers-- i try to come off as knowledgable but a simpleton. My DW is same as me.
Unless someone rubs my nose in their supposed wealth .... Then I take off my boxing gloves, and can dish it right back being unimpressed. I quickly discuss the places we've lived, the drivers and maids we've had, or portfolio strategy. Oh..and toss in for effect that we are retired in our 40s and these are just our "for fun and keep busy" jobs.
Usually we don't go there .... Better to just blend in. Even around close family who know we are FIRE they don't know our NW and we laugh at their "leased and mortgaged" fancy lifestyle ... Tried to help them a few times but ya can't fix stupid so we stopped trying to get them on a different path.