I wouldn't even tell my friends and family. I wouldn't want them to try to borrow money or mooch or guilt trip me in some way. Many of my friends are democrat types who don't have a clue about money. Other than my Lexus, they have no idea my net worth grows faster than their paycheck. They mostly just assume it was a big waste of money and probably a lease (my only luxury, and I bought it used with 24k miles on it on dec 31 2009). Not super rich yet, but on track to being a millionaire by 35-38. When they bitch about "speculators" (they don't even know what that really is) and about how they create all the high commodity prices, bubbles, cause recessions, etc and that they should basically be outlawed and take all their money............. I try not to wink at them. Just change the subject... good luck teaching them. So back to the original question - I would basically keep it a secret, even from my children when I have some. I would want them to grow up believing that they need to put effort into what they do and be an independent person. I will pay for their college but buy them some shitty used car. I will definitely talk money with them to educate them, but maybe just take off a zero or two (or 3?) when telling them where I am when they are old enough. I definitely want to get their mind thinking as an investor. Maybe even as a lower risk one than I since I hope to leave them a sizable sum when I die. So, uh, anonymous. But take good vacations. Maybe even spend summers abroad or something.
Don't worry. You won't have this problem anyway. Showing your money when you are a speculator lately? Get a clue.
Strongly disagree. Your response is predicated on the fact that other people's knowledge of information about my life (income, wealth, assets, lifestyle, etc) somehow correlates with the amount of enjoyment that I have. For me, nothing could be further from the truth. The knowledge someone else possesses (whether about me or anything else) is irrelevant to my personal level of satisfaction. The exception to this is where somone's knowledge about me has the potential to affect my security (target of theft, ransom, etc.) or the ability to lead my life (paparazzi, personal interactions impacted due to perceptions, etc.). Then, of course, the correlation is negative. I have never found the perception of others to be a relevant factor in my decision-making process. Typically, when I have considered it, the end result has been less than optimal. R
Definitely avoid celebrity. I would pay 50% of my net worth to avoid any form of publicity for life, if it could be guaranteed.
Think of it this way. What does 'fame' (for being rich) get you? Lots of sex - with gold-diggers and social climbers, trying to get knocked up so they can sue your ass for 100k a year child support Celebrity - paparazzi harassment, everyone you sleep with dishing the dirt on your love life, nuisance lawsuits Public interest - from ransom gangs, kidnappers, blackmailers and extortionists Wealth - you have it already Acclaim from peers - your broker starts reverse-engineering your trading strategy Sounds like a great deal, where do I sign up???