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Investments

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Does wealth cause a disconnect with people?

83 replies

mids2019 · 27/06/2026 08:19

We are doing moderately well with a net worth of £1.4 million. In the West Midlands (house,pensions,investments) in our very early 50s. We had about a £60K growth in one of our funds last year and our financial advisor seems to be getting 10-12% returns on investments pa regularly.

In do feel now it's difficult to talk about money with friends and people we know in the same town (a little down trodden on general) as some of them have real money troubles and the cost of living crisis is really biting. When do missions get round to money we stay diplomatically silent and remain vague about wealth and financil goals to not needlessly antagonize people.

Does anyone feel the same and do they tend to discuss investment etc. with those with similar amounts?

OP posts:
euff · 27/06/2026 17:48

kwaker5 · 27/06/2026 17:30

Who is your financial adviser? We're looking to switch 😆

Yeah, not to de-rail or anything but your gain was pretty much twice my income. I’d welcome chatting finances about that fund if it takes people with small sums! :p

Bakequeen · 27/06/2026 17:52

Humble brag!

Overtheatlantic · 27/06/2026 17:52

Also looking for a new financial advisor!

TheRealWhacker · 27/06/2026 18:06

I hate to be that person but £1.4m including house and pensions in your 50s is really not “rich” territory. I mean it’s a £600k house plus £400k each in pension (so about £16k a year each pension from 60). Less if some of that is savings, it’s not really, embarrassed that we’re going first class round the world again territory.

You’re doing well, but not so well it’s going to be awkward with your friends. I have honestly never discussed money with my friends beyond “gosh I can’t believe how expensive dairy milk is now” or other such trivial comments.

TheyGrewUp · 27/06/2026 18:07

Just don't discuss it. We are very very comfortable. Never discuss my circumstances at work, if my car's being serviced, I get an uber rather than take dh's. Keep it dark. Most friends are similar to us but we don't discuss money.

Carbonararama · 27/06/2026 18:29

I actually think it's a shame we can't have more open discussions about money, investing and so on.

Too many people are ignorant about even the most basic concepts as it was never discussed in their family when growing up and it's seen as taboo, or they behave like ostriches and bury their head in the sand because it's too complicated/boring/scary.

I don't suggest we all go round bragging or prying, but bringing these topics out into the open would be helpful for many

hattie43 · 27/06/2026 18:33

TheRealWhacker · 27/06/2026 18:06

I hate to be that person but £1.4m including house and pensions in your 50s is really not “rich” territory. I mean it’s a £600k house plus £400k each in pension (so about £16k a year each pension from 60). Less if some of that is savings, it’s not really, embarrassed that we’re going first class round the world again territory.

You’re doing well, but not so well it’s going to be awkward with your friends. I have honestly never discussed money with my friends beyond “gosh I can’t believe how expensive dairy milk is now” or other such trivial comments.

Of course it’s comfortable/ rich when probably most of her friends have very little and the issues raised are genuine . It’s a huge difference to someone on minimum wage .

Ireallywantadoughnut36 · 27/06/2026 19:09

Very classless to discuss money, most well off people hide it, you'd never know. I'd not raise it at all. Why would you need to....

Boxclever · 27/06/2026 19:19

I don't discuss money with anyone except DH, our financial adviser and our investments manager.

We're older than you, late 60s/early 70s and between us have total assets worth about £4 million.

I don't think of myself as "rich" at all. We have a modest pension income, live in an ordinary modest house, drive cars that are 10 years old and have a very modest lifestyle. But I know we don't have to worry about money, which is a very nice position to be in. When the car packs up, we can buy another one. When the boiler fails, we can replace it. We're very fortunate.

Twattergy · 27/06/2026 19:40

It kind of sounds like you are itching to tell more people about your investments and net worth etc OP? Not really sure why? I do have generic conversations about planning ahead with friends (we are all early 50s) but none of it details the value of investments or pensions etc. At a push, a few closer friends are aware we dont have a mortgage but that's about it. I dont find this creates a distance from friends who dont have much money, there's plenty to talk and connect about. And you can empathise with someone without going 'well of course I earned twice your salary via my investments this year!'.

everynamewastaken · 27/06/2026 20:17

Honestly I don't understand why money ever needs to come up. I'm doing well in my thirties and I downplay my situation at every opportunity because a) why would I need to mention my money to anyone and b) it just seems boastful and I grew up poor so I know how it is to feel like the person who has nothing so why make others feel that way? And I guess because of that situation I am very frugal anyway so don't drive fancy cars because I see it personally as financially irresponsible...but that's a personal choice. My view is you should be able to be friends with anyone as long as you get on and the only adjustment you should be making is not choosing fancy restaurants as your regular meet up spot or at least giving a few options so friends can subtly say they prefer the cheaper one if they need to without it being a big thing. Otherwise, be yourself and be friends with people you enjoy spending time with.

Beachbeachbaby · 27/06/2026 21:02

Meadowfinch · 27/06/2026 17:01

Why would you want to talk about money? Surely that is between you and your accountant. It is utterly boring for everyone else, and can only come across as either gloating or begging.

Find something more interesting to talk about.

Agree!

I was always taught it’s crass and ill mannered to talk money with friends and family (family with possibly a few exclusions). There is no need. It’s in bad taste

BurnoutBee · 27/06/2026 21:09

I am in the west mids. I have richer friends than you and poorer.

Never discuss money to any of them tbh. It’s a non issue.

Commonmum · 27/06/2026 21:32

It is interesting as I have also become more conscious the more well off I am. Not the OP kid of wealth but still a 6 figure salary and being able to buy things without having to count the money. I don’t buy anymore luxury bags or clothes as I feel conscious about other people who might struggle. I also downplay my expenditures with people, like our holidays. I am not sure why I do it really, I just feel uncomfortable

Mistymagic77 · 27/06/2026 21:53

I am not sure what relevance your bet worth has until you die. You can’t suddenly cash in your house or pensions. We are HNW on paper but we currently have high outgoings. I still happily participate in a COL conversation - it affects us all. You definitely don’t need to discuss your “net worth” with anyone, other than your IFA and maybe your beneficiaries.

oliviaAustin · 27/06/2026 21:57

No because we don’t tell people about it. Why would you talk about money with people who have less than you? Just commiserate over the cost of things and leave it be.

MxCactus · 27/06/2026 22:34

I'm actually quite interested in what investments you do OP! I'm just starting to get into investing...

MxCactus · 27/06/2026 22:38

But to answer your original Q I find it hard to discuss with anyone tbh because I am richer than the majority (both me and DH on six figure salaries), so I often make people feel bad when I discuss it, but equally I have two close friends who I recently found out they earn or their partner earns half a million a year, so that made me feel rubbish! I think in general it's never good to discuss finances with friends

Atleastitsnotsunstroke · 28/06/2026 03:22

There's only 1 -2 friends I've known since childhood that I'd talk to about money as we all went to private school but weren't wealthy iyswim. We all had moderate but not excessive help toward a deposit. We share the same work ethic - you make your own life.

People have different attitudes to investing. I've tried to talk to some about taking an interest in what their pensions are invested in.

AurielleBaies · 28/06/2026 03:33

Don’t talk about money. Especially at the moment…but generally, just don’t talk about money.

Wofflewaffle · 28/06/2026 04:20

Meadowfinch · 27/06/2026 17:01

Why would you want to talk about money? Surely that is between you and your accountant. It is utterly boring for everyone else, and can only come across as either gloating or begging.

Find something more interesting to talk about.

Because you don’t have to ‘talk about money’ to be talking about money, indirectly. You might not list all your investments and assets to your friends but presumably you do talk to them about travel and holiday plans, cars and transport choices, shopping, eating out and socialising, retirement plans, home improvements, moving house, sports and hobbies etc. It’s usually pretty clear who’s dropping £80,000 on a new camper van and who’s making do with their parents old tent. Who’s installing aircon powered by solar panels and who’s making do with fans. Who’s retiring at 51 and who’s likely to still be slogging away at 65. Who’s enjoying their newly renovated private pool and who’s heading to the local council pool to cool off. These are all examples of conversations I’ve had with friends and family recently (I’m the poor one) and yes it can create a barrier.

whittingtonmum · 28/06/2026 05:37

The most revealing thing is that you class £1.4 million networth as doing moderately well. I think a lot of people would feel they would be in an excellent position if they had this level of wealth. Definitely never discuss money with anyone. This attitude could cause significant offence.

Summerlovin24 · 28/06/2026 06:21

Never discuss money because one flippant comment can really bug someone
Eg moderately well off
1.t million to you may be moderate but to someone else would be fantastic
I had a friend telling me how skint they were this month - BTW they don't have a mortgage. That to me would be dreamland so i had to rapidly change the subject. Can't take that seriously

Heereforagoodtime · 28/06/2026 08:04

I guess it depends on the purpose of the conversation as to whether you are being unreasonable or actually have a point.

My perspective is that talking about money in an objective fashion isn't crass but then, to me, it is nothing more than a matter of fact and has no bearing on a person or how I see them. That said, I am aware many people are either uncomfortable talking about money or think it is crass to do so, while others might need to have a conversation because they are struggling and they are just not in a place to hear how wonderful someone else's financial situation is.

Think of it this way... If your relationship with your husband was absolutely flying, and a friend was going through a divorce, you wouldn't start talking about how wonderful things are in your life while they're leaning on you to or trying to share their woes. I can't imagine there would be an awkward silence, either.

If a friend is talking to you about their financial woes, listen. Try to see the world through their eyes. Offer sympathy. If you have any ideas on something that might help, make sensitive suggestions. If they're really down on their knees, do something for them - send them a hamper with a note to say you know they're having a hard time and want to cheer them up or take them out for a meal just because you love them and want to give them a break.

If the talk is just general "jeez, butter costs more than my kidney these days"... Like, yahhh. Your financial planning hasn't somehow paused the crazy cost of living increases for you and, whether you can afford them or not, surely with such financial acumen you've noticed the numbers rising at a crazy rate. I'd also hope your maths skills are relatively en pointe and you must be able to figure out that x + y no goes into z. That's nothing to do with your own financial position so I'm not sure why it would be awkward to talk about it.

If you want to have a proper, in-depth talk about finances, which is an absolutely fine thing to do, just choose your audience carefully. You wouldn't strike up a conversation about your wonderful marriage with the friend going through a divorce, would you? Similarly, if you wanted to talk about your sex life, you'll have friends who'd be happy to engage in that conversation and others who would be extremely uncomfortable to do so. If you were swingers, I imagine you'd only talk about swingers stuff with fellow swingers. Same with discussing your investments.

Ultimately, I am concerned that you place too much importance on money - as though it makes you different to your friends because you seem unable to separate yourself from your net worth (congratulations on that, by the way, you're going to have a very comfortable retirement and I appreciate that will have come with hard work, going without and taking a sensible approach to money). The idea that you don't buy things for the reason you don't want to stand out is a bit weird - I'm not sure anyone really cares what you drive, do they?! If I had the money, I'd have that Lambo and I'd be taking my friends out in taking, chauffeuring their kids to prom. Our multi-millionaire friend used to have supercars and would drive one while basically lending my husband the other so they could "go out to play"!

I've been a poor student, hanging out on a yacht with the multi-millionaire mate (all expenses paid), I've had friends take me out for meals because I was working four jobs just to pay my way through law and not a penny to spare, send me little gifts to cheer me up. They didn't judge me, they didn't see me any differently to them (just a friend in a squeeze) and I didn't judge them (I didn't think they were better than me, just good friends looking out for me and loving on me). I was grateful for their kindness and knew I'd do exactly the same if I was in their shoes.

I've also been financially stable, taken friends out for meals, bunged them some cash etc when they've been in a bind and explained that others have done it for me, before - if it makes them feel better, they can either return the favour when they're in a better position or pay it forward, but they don't need to.

I now live in the "forever home" and it's really fucking awesome. Guest rooms are always made up ready for friends, and the door is open for anyone to come and eat with us or just hang out here. Our friends know they can come and go as they please, and we're obviously in a position to be able to look out for them. It doesn't cause any issues. In fact, we've had friends use our house to host parties just because it's big enough to hold everyone and meant that the group (which is now a bit spread out) could all be together.

Just don't be a dick about it, I guess.

Frugalgal · 28/06/2026 08:46

mids2019 · 27/06/2026 08:19

We are doing moderately well with a net worth of £1.4 million. In the West Midlands (house,pensions,investments) in our very early 50s. We had about a £60K growth in one of our funds last year and our financial advisor seems to be getting 10-12% returns on investments pa regularly.

In do feel now it's difficult to talk about money with friends and people we know in the same town (a little down trodden on general) as some of them have real money troubles and the cost of living crisis is really biting. When do missions get round to money we stay diplomatically silent and remain vague about wealth and financil goals to not needlessly antagonize people.

Does anyone feel the same and do they tend to discuss investment etc. with those with similar amounts?

You just need to say ' I am considerably richer than youww'