Buffy fans: is Giles FI?

[HappierAtHome]

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

I'm rewatching Buffy at the moment, because of course.

In season three, Giles is fired by the Watchers' Council. Presumably, the Watchers' Council pays its watchers, because otherwise Wesley would have to have a second job. Assuming that watchers are paid, Giles has been collecting two salaries for at least three years (school librarian + watcher).

At the end of season three, the school burns down meaning that Giles is no longer employed as a librarian. In season four references are made to him being unemployed now. Yet he doesn't seem to be in a hurry to get a job at all - instead living what appears to be a happy, comfortable life - and has enough extra cash to pay Xander for extra work around the house.

Later, he buys the Magic Shop, so presumably has enough cash on hand to purchase a business with at least a sizeable deposit.

I vaguely recall that at some point further on (season six?) he gives Buffy a generous gift to assist with her home repair and living expenses.

So: do you think Giles is FI? And did anyone else watch the series and pick up on his apparent lack of any need to be employed?. I didn't notice it when I watched the series previously, but then, early retirement wasn't at the forefront of my mind back then.

[mjs111]

Yeah, I always got the impression he was financially independent.  Maybe had family money.

Mike

[gimp]

Yes. And also the red convertible.

With that said, it seems nobody really cares about money in the show except as a plot point (being broke in season 6).

[Fallenour]

Maybe thats why Angel is always so pissed off at him. Maybe he screwed angel out of a lot of stock that he had since the late 1800s, and instant bank.

Another thing is you have to remember, is that Giles is a very trustworthy guy, and has had several hunters under his watch. I wonder how many he got insurance policies on o.o

[Fallenour]

Dog ate my homework, demon ate my wife?

[DecD]

Yeah, I would imagine so.  You never see him short on money or worrying about money-  in season 4 he's just trying to find a purpose, not a way to support himself.

A whole new perspective on Buffy :)

[LennStar]

He not only collected 2 salaries, but also had nearly no expenses.
I mean he lived in the library, didnt he (at the start)? I am sure he had a bed somewhere in the back.
Also vampire killing implements arent that costly - even a top-notch hand-made sword or axe is only a few thousand dollars and a hand-me-downer for generations of hunters (and perhaps even generations of watchers). And wooden stakes he gets wholesale on discount.

And all of that is business expenses which he gets refunded from its bosses (where they get the money is something I am always interest in these secret societies).

And all the time he just has no time to buy anything or going anywhere to give money away, what with all the business at night and his day job.

Savings rate of 80%? 90%?

[Gin1984]

He not only collected 2 salaries, but also had nearly no expenses.
I mean he lived in the library, didnt he (at the start)? I am sure he had a bed somewhere in the back.
Also vampire killing implements arent that costly - even a top-notch hand-made sword or axe is only a few thousand dollars and a hand-me-downer for generations of hunters (and perhaps even generations of watchers). And wooden stakes he gets wholesale on discount.

And all of that is business expenses which he gets refunded from its bosses (where they get the money is something I am always interest in these secret societies).

And all the time he just has no time to buy anything or going anywhere to give money away, what with all the business at night and his day job.

Savings rate of 80%? 90%?

I don't think he lived in the library, no school would allow a teacher to do that.  They do show his apartment in a few episodes.

[Travis]

He not only collected 2 salaries, but also had nearly no expenses.
I mean he lived in the library, didnt he (at the start)? I am sure he had a bed somewhere in the back.
Also vampire killing implements arent that costly - even a top-notch hand-made sword or axe is only a few thousand dollars and a hand-me-downer for generations of hunters (and perhaps even generations of watchers). And wooden stakes he gets wholesale on discount.

And all of that is business expenses which he gets refunded from its bosses (where they get the money is something I am always interest in these secret societies).

And all the time he just has no time to buy anything or going anywhere to give money away, what with all the business at night and his day job.

Savings rate of 80%? 90%?

I don't think he lived in the library, no school would allow a teacher to do that.  They do show his apartment in a few episodes.

It seemed like Giles' only hobby or expense was his rare book collecting.  In season 4 when the gang spent a lot of time at his house Xander "discovered" his TV behind stacks of books.  Giles gave the impression he never used it.  I'm sure the Watchers paid him well and comped him for expenses.  The size of the check he gave Buffy in season 6 was never revealed, but it was enough to nullify that particular plot point for a long time.  His job at the school seemed more like a cover story than something he really showed any concern for in that he was a great librarian, but it was a means to an end as a Watcher rather than an important source of income.  The fact that we saw him relax and explore some new hobbies after he lost both jobs showed he wasn't hurting for money (Spike: "He probably owns some midlife crisis form of transportation - shiny, red, shaped like a penis."  He also bought the magic shop on a whim after checking out its profitability.

[Gin1984]

He not only collected 2 salaries, but also had nearly no expenses.
I mean he lived in the library, didnt he (at the start)? I am sure he had a bed somewhere in the back.
Also vampire killing implements arent that costly - even a top-notch hand-made sword or axe is only a few thousand dollars and a hand-me-downer for generations of hunters (and perhaps even generations of watchers). And wooden stakes he gets wholesale on discount.

And all of that is business expenses which he gets refunded from its bosses (where they get the money is something I am always interest in these secret societies).

And all the time he just has no time to buy anything or going anywhere to give money away, what with all the business at night and his day job.

Savings rate of 80%? 90%?

I don't think he lived in the library, no school would allow a teacher to do that.  They do show his apartment in a few episodes.

It seemed like Giles' only hobby or expense was his rare book collecting. In season 4 when the gang spent a lot of time at his house Xander "discovered" his TV behind stacks of books.  Giles gave the impression he never used it.  I'm sure the Watchers paid him well and comped him for expenses.  The size of the check he gave Buffy in season 6 was never revealed, but it was enough to nullify that particular plot point for a long time.  His job at the school seemed more like a cover story than something he really showed any concern for in that he was a great librarian, but it was a means to an end as a Watcher rather than an important source of income.  The fact that we saw him relax and explore some new hobbies after he lost both jobs showed he wasn't hurting for money (Spike: "He probably owns some midlife crisis form of transportation - shiny, red, shaped like a penis."  He also bought the magic shop on a whim after checking out its profitability.

And I bet he had an expense account from the Watchers for that, lol.

[Metta]

My sense was that he made a lot of money from his dark deeds in the past with Ethan Rayne and then invested it when he accepted his destiny as a watcher. I see his character as more of a warrior monk than as a mustachian, since he is moving to a greater calling (and unconcerned about FIRE), but either works for me.

[ShortInSeattle]

Tweed is a durable fabric. Plus elbow patches are always in style.

I say, yes. He was an early mustachian.

Riley: These spells, these really work? I mean, can you really turn your enemies inside out or learn to excrete gold coins?
Anya: That one's not so much fun