We look solidly middle class, with just new enough vehicles such that they don't stand out (a 2006 Yaris and a 2005 Tundra for my work, both bought cash, and well used with more than 200,000km on both). Once you step foot into our house though, you can see that we spend a solid amount of money to 'buy it for life'-furnish our house. We did outlay a lot of money for our dining set (people always compliment me on it), but the front room couch was a hand me down from my Mom (she spent something like $4000 on it about 10 years ago). The matching dresser to the dining set was worth $1200, but I got it for $100 because the granite on top was cracked, and no one else wanted it (I keep the table linens in it, and it has an expensive-looking side lamp on it). Our bedroom furnishes are from Ikea, and was mostly bought from the 'as-is' section. Things like light fixtures were bought on sale using coupons or buy one/get one free deals.
What isn't immediately obvious are things like our tiny mortgage (Just under $60,000 left on a $374,000 house), and the ~$145,000 we have in investments, and our no debt (except DH's last student loan, at 3.5% as a tax deduction). People who know what I do for work, sometimes comment on how 'I must make good money', and sometimes family members comment on how we should be able to afford more vacations/stuff, but they don't know that we've saved, and paid cash for all our house renos, and we will be paying cash to replace our 20+ year old carpet with hardwood, next summer. And they don't truly understand the freedom and flexibility we've enjoyed as my husband went back to school, and is now doing the 'new teacher' years on short contracts and substitute teaching.
I recently lost 60 pounds, so I had to buy some new clothes, but most of them have been bought either at consignment, or on sale/at Winners. I treated myself to a leather riding jacket (and I feel a twinge of guilt over the price), but that was really it. I still don't like to waste money, paying full price for things. I stock up on sale items at the grocery store, and I shop at the bulk store for baking supplies and spices (and I rent cake pans for $2/day instead of buying them).
I don't usually wear make-up, but I have earrings and jewellery that I wear, when I want to look put together. However, given my profession, looking casual is pretty much expected. (I wear old sweatpants and t-shirts at work, all of which are billowing on me now, but I work in the field, so other than being a woman, I look the same as everyone else). The most expensive footwear I own, is still a pair of Baffin winter rubber boots for work.
Meh, I don't think we stand out at all, unless you really know us.
