[QUOTE]Originally posted by Triple-H

 

I have always kept my financial situation private. I don't share my income level with anyone (including immediate family, except my wife). My kids never understood that but when I asked them why they needed to know, they never had a good reason to know.

Some things will give an indication (ie. house, furniture, etc,) but I have seen people with less money have more thanks to credit.

If anything I remember my roots and always try to be considerate of others. I don't assume everyone can afford what I might be able to. I also don't pretend to be able to afford what wealthier folks can.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by valentine

 

I have generally found that those people who have true substance don't need to flaunt it, those people who don't, do. It's one of life's little contradictions. I'm not only talking about wealth either.

 

Rob, at the risk of needing a judge, I love you too!!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ralper
I have generally found that those people who have true substance don't need to flaunt it, those people who don't, do.

 

Well, I think in our forum, it would not be a problem because we can discuss things without getting all bent out of shape, for the most part. I can only see the pics, etc being an issue if the postings are gratuitous and not really part of the subject. As for posting hard luck stories, we've certainly had some of those out here, too. No one took it as complaining. As a matter of fact, people were very supportive. I like the fact that our members feel they can post in good times *and* bad.

 

My Vacation House in Cape May:


NOT!!!

 

Interesting topic - I'll address monetary wealth, since that was the focus of the original post and it's clear that no value can be placed on having a rich life full of loving friends and family.

Wealth is a relative condition. IMO, anyone in this forum that owns an S2000 is wealthy. We have the wherewithall to afford an impractical item - a 2-seat sportscar. I doubt that anyone here has to worry about where their next meal is coming from or if they will be dry and warm when they go to bed tonight. I contrast this with my journeys to several third world countries where many people face that dilemma each day. I don't understand the need to accumulate obscene amounts of wealth, but I'm sure that my friends in Ecuador don't understand why my wife and I need three vehicles between the two of us. So, in the eyes of most of the world, we Americans are very wealthy.

I think that flaunting wealth relates to the insecurity of some for whom money is security. In high school there were several families that lived at the edge of their financial capabilities, always driving new, expensive cars, the children wearing designer clothing and living in the more expensive neihborhoods. Then there was one family who picked up their kids in an old Chevy station wagon and the kids wore plain clothes. They generously hosted a graduation party, and I was stunned to find out that they were one of the wealthiest families in my town. Their home was modestly appointed (though on a large lot), and I learned from my parents that they gave generously to many publicly funded institutions like museums, orchestras and Universities. They had the class to not flaunt their wealth.

 

^^ Great post -- Doc -- good to "see" you this fine morning -- been missing your posts the past few days. Kind of been "under the weather" so I may have missed quite a few posts from you and others. I agree with you -- I serve on the Social Services Advisory Board here in my City, it has been an eye-opener for me to know how many extraordinarily sad situations exist just under my nose. BUT -- even so, compared to the third world countries, even our social services clients are "well off."