To wonder how everyone knows so much about others' finances?

[bluegreygreen]

Lots of threads on here at the moment about money issues, as you might expect.

What has surprised me is how many people seem to know so much about their friends'/families' finances.

I have read threads comparing OP's rent to the neighbours' mortgage payment, and others complaining about friends or siblings being helped out financially because they 'earn x amount per month' or 'their outgoings are only y'.

I have never spoken to anyone other than my husband and the bank about our mortgage payment. I don't know what my neighbours earn. Is this unusual?

Being mortgage free makes a huge difference. A young friend lives in a van, and people assume she’s broke but she has a fairly well paid job and ten years of living that way have allowed her to accumulate substantial savings. She’s planning to buy a home outright and good for her.

People who discuss other people’s money are usually judging them and stating what they think those people should do with their money. Or moaning about how tight they are. Discussions about money can cause resentment among people who need/want more than they have, or think they deserve. This is why I never discuss money.

And the thought of living in a community where everyone knows how much cash you have on a daily basis (and why you should buy everyone a drink tonight because you won on a scratch card - never mind what your own plans for that cash were) is my idea of hell.

I have no idea where 4 of my 5 children bank nor their salaries and they have no idea about my finances other than the fact that I am retired. Inever hand my card(s) to anyone to use and never borrow from or lend to anyone. There are other avenues they can pursue rather than ask me.