Good thread. My parents don't know how much I made (quit in June), but from comments I think they figure it was a decent amount. I haven't really told anyone, but many know I am not working. Presumably, they think I am job hunting. On the fence with that one since I could FIRE, but would be much easier in 5 since wife and kids are not on the bandwagon yet.
Regarding FIRE and some reactions:
- told one neighbor whose husband worked for the same firm. Response "no, really? You're kidding". They are not good savers from what I can tell. But, literally not a comment about it from either since.
- one neighbor jogging by and seeing me walk my son to the bus stop asked "taking the day off?". I said "yep".
- other neighbors have seen me at 7:30 walking my son to the bus stop in shorts, t-shirt and baseball hat. I wonder what they are thinking. No one has asked. Also, I assume they see me mow the lawn mid-day during the week, etc.
- My parents haven't said anything. They are not that nosy. I have noticed them being more "aware" of money, for lack of a better term. i.e. know I likely won't spend like I used to (saved a lot, but earned enough to spend much more than mustachian levels).
- On the other hand, my mother-in-law who lives about a $400-500 plane ride away hinted "a lot of my friends' kids buy them plane tickets". This is the lady who, after I gave her some tip on saving/spending/investments said "don't worry, you'll never have to support me".
- but, with my bro-in-law, who just finished a 24 year career in the Army, and who expressed he'd be happy as a rural route mail carrier, my dad has said "he has no ambition". Bro-in-law would be happy fishing and spending his time outdoors. And, he could almost RE.
- and, most recently, when out with a few friends (all same age, 45-47) one was incredulous that I was thinking of not working again "so, you're going to throw in the towel, it was that bad......you have marketable skills". He supposedly took his first longer-than-a-week vacation this past summer, so def a different mindset than mine.
The general view I think people has is that if a) you've made millions early on, say as a trader, banker, entrepreneur then "congrats, wish I were you", but if b) you earned perhaps the same as the friend/relative and have saved 1-3M (they won't know of course), they will think you are being very risky. The college, work 40 years, then do nothing or golf, is very ingrained as the "normal" thing to do.