Why do people think I'm rich, and how can I get people to stop thinking I'm rich?

It's all relative. My wife & I are DINKs (double income no kids), and although everyone thinks we're loaded, I certainly don't consider myself rich. Yes, we've almost paid off our house, but we don't drive around in expensive cars, have heaps of investments or fly first class. When I think of rich, I think of the names like Trump, Murdoch, Riley & Packer. Yes, I may be doing better than other people my age, but I'm also way behind many others. Perhaps you're the same..perhaps you're doing better than your friends? Perhaps you're dressing like a millionaire? Who knows - but why let it bother you?

Simple. People respond to behaviors. At some point you displayed behaviors of an easy-going charitable well-off person. Things like paying for their meals and drinks, lending them money, giving them presents when they did not reciprocated. So, simply do the opposite. Show that you forgot cash at home, ask them to pay for small things and promise to pay back, and then don't. Ask to borrow money. Forget presents. You will be surprised how fast "friends" will change

I get this all the time. Here's what I feel. But its just me, and I could be wrong. I spend within my means. Which means I am never in a situation where I am in desperate need for money, which essentially means I don't borrow money from my friends. Worse, I always have some spare cash when they need money to sort out some urgent issues (they do pay back). Since they know my spending patterns, ( I spend as much as others but not just on credit) the borrowing became regular. Then they started taking lightly and started being sarcastic about me being rich, asking me to pay bills when we go out for lunch etc, among other things. Some times they split the expenses, sometimes they didn't. I didn't mind paying, but what I didnt like was the fact that every time it happened, it looked like an act of insult. I started feeling the same way as you ve mentioned. They don't know my obligations, they don't know how much I have or how much I earn. But because I do not show desperateness for money, I am perceived to be rich. Here's what I did. But its just me, and I could be wrong. I started saying NO when they wanted to borrow money. I insisted on not paying the bills every time. When they are too smart about it , I just tell them that I am leaving my wallet at home (I am not a very assertive person , you see ;o), I started being assertive. It didn't go very well a few times. But I was prepared to lose a few friends. ' I looked at this way. one, I have no problems because I am cautious with money. They have problems because they are not. And it is not my duty to always help them. I should stop feeling bad about it. Two, when around them, act like them. I don't always crib about money, but when they start cribbing, sing along. When they crib about expenses, sing along. Borrowed money from them a couple of times, just to stop them borrowing from you etc etc.. you get the Idea. This seems to work so far. The RICH tagging has reduced considerably. They offer to pay bills now. I don't know if this is going to end well , but it seems to go in the right direction.

People aren't saying you are rich out of the clear blue sky. There must be something you are doing, saying or wearing that gives them the idea that you are wealthy. By some people's standards you are. Take a good look at yourself and see why people think you are rich.