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Hubby and I had a financial discussion last night and I had to ask him to not tell families/friends what we had discussed. People ask me all the time about our money and how much we make. I like to keep finances private and hate talking about money but others are more comfortable. Am I too old-fashioned?

I too was raised never to ask people about money, or talk about finances. I have one relative that always tells us how much money he makes and asks us about our income. It seems so rude to us! My brothers and sister are very competitive and like to discuss their finances w/ us. It does not seem as bad coming from them though as we are all very close.

I don't consider myself old-fashioned, but definitely think it is rude to ask others about their finances. I have discussed my own finances with my parents in the past. Mainly because they ask and I'd rather not get into with them. Although now that I'm a bit older, Scott and I are handling everything between the two of us and leave other family members out of it.

We have and will continue to discuss our finances with our children. I think that is a great way for them to learn about money and budgets. If they don't learn from you, who will they learn from?

I would discuss investments with my sisters, but I wouldn't discuss salary etc. Not unless we were having a general discussion about what markets are paying what salaries etc.

My husband and I don't really talk about our finances with family or friends; I agree it is a bit personal. We might mention things to our parents here and there in casual conversation, but I really don't think it's important for everyone to know. What does it matter, you know?

I talk to my mom about it some but not a lot, mostly when I'm frustrated or happy about the way something has worked out financially. It's really more emotional support than financial. Or I ask my dad when I have an investing questions; he's really well-educated about stocks and mutual funds, and he teaches me about investing when I ask for his opinion. Other than that my husband and I don't really share details with anyone -- family or friends.

Actually, I have had conversations about salary though with a few friends who are in the same field of work that I am. But we were talking in more general terms to make sure that what we were being offered at various places was in line with others around the country. You've gotta know what you're being offered is fair, right?

I hate when people talk about how much they have and whatnot. My husbands step dad is that way and even if the word money isnt said somehow he gets to that point. My husband and I always talk about money...where we are what we want to be at in a few months/years. I may talk about things with my parents but only if I need advise or encouragement.

My husband and I also do not discuss our finances with family or friends. It just doesn't make good conversation.

Karen

Like Vito Corleone, I never discuss business outside the family. But really, I only ever discuss money if there is a reason to do so. If a friend is having a bad day and commisserating about overdrawing his account, maybe I will mention something about I had a hard time financially. Or if I'm discussing something important, getting an opinion from a knowledgable friend, THEN I might talk money. But very rarely does that come up.

I talk money with my wife very often, because we always need to be on the same page. But beyond her, no one really NEEDS to know. And if they WANT to know (like a lot of people do, just for a mental scorecard or something) then I make sure to not tell them anything at all.

Admittedly, I am a very private person.

We keep money matters to ourselves. Unless there is something going on and we need a little extra help. Then we talk to the parents. That is about as far as it goes.

We definitely keep money to ourselves (minus our good friends that work on the same squad as my SO, they make the exact same, same raises/bonuses, etc). We talk salary with them, and we all have built/are building houses in the same neighborhood so we talk about general house expenses, but other than that, we don't talk about it. Us wives/fiances with different jobs don't talk about our income or anything.

I agree with sharing your financial decisions with your children and making them privy to your conversations. My dad died when I had just turned 18 and was still living at home. My mom wasn't in the picture and I was totally on my own. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT TO DO WITH MONEY!!! I learned the hard way about credit cards and check books...forget budgets and investments. It was terrible. Long story short, I fully support kids having allowances and teaching them about tithing, budgeting, saving and spending wisely.

I have had just a couple of people ask us about our income. It seemed odd, but since they were good friends I answered honestly. In one case I wish I hadn't. Every so often that friend brings up my husband's then-income and makes a comment about how "easy" we have it. If she weren't a "friend," I would cut her off at the knees, but sometimes allowances must be made (no pun intended). I do have a mind to tell her about all the sacrifices he/we made, how LONG we were making small incomes, how much debt we used to have, how hubby went to work full-time and then went to college full-time at night to get his masters (leaving me home w/ a sickly infant), etc. Oh well, as a friend I will bite my tongue....

Our son, when he was 5, overheard a conversation between my husband and me; we were discussing a $3000 raise and what his salary would now become. Later in the afternoon, our daughter (just turned 11) came up to with a perplexed look on her face. She hesitated, but then asked, "Mommy, does Daddy REALLY make $3000?" She then quickly added, "That's A LOT!" I made sure to tell our elder child that she should take an extra math class her next year in school!