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.
FIREdreamer, guess my only quibble would be the part about '"rich" by any standards'.
I've heard many definitions of "rich". I think my favorite is: Rich is having choices. In the context I heard it, the person was able to categorize most Americans as rich - by comparison to all of the third world. When you go to your closet to dress each morning you are "forced" to choose which clothes to wear for the day. You go to the firdge and are forced to choose which food to prepare. You drive to the market and are forced to choose what items to purchase. You have choices. The truly "poor" person (3rd world standards) may literally have one set of clothes, one type of staple which is eaten at all meals, has no market other than barter for staples, etc.
I don't mean to turn this into a touchy-feely discussion of rich vs. poor. I'm simply pointing out that there are standards by which we measure our "richness" or "wealth" - it's always in comparison to something (someone) else.
Personally, I don't "feel" rich, but somehow I "know" that I am rich. Hope that makes some sense. I rarely worry about what others think about my personal situation. If they are boorish about it, I tend to stay away from them in the future. I don't live a lavish life style, but I make very conscious decisions about how I spend my wealth. Because my choices are different than my peers, sometimes they assume I am more wealthy than they are. In fact, they probably have earned more than I have (after all, they're still working and I'm retired), but they have made different choices. I never criticize their choices and I do resent it if they criticize mine.
So, if my ramblings have any point, I guess it's that being rich has more to do with what I would call "good" choices than about absolute accumulation of money or possessions. I plan no changes in that philosophy to lower my profile nor to please anyone else.
By the way, thanks for bringing up this topic. It has brought out many thoughtful and colorful repsonses.