I've seen a few people over the years who have made some money but try to portray that they live a frugal lifestyle. They want to give the impression usually to those they employ or associate with during business, that they make every attempt they can to be cautious with their spending. I have seen them even get angry/uneasy with those around them who might for example go out and buy a posh coffee, reminding them how expensive it is and how they should not be doing it 'on their wage' as if it's a lesson being taught. What is really is, is a form of control they seek over others. I'm the big balls here, stop with your pretend wealth....without having the nuts to say that.
What they are actually doing is feeling exposed because they know they just spent 5K on a coffee machine and 2K on posh coffee to fill it and are desperate to tell everyone, but then they would give up their made up image of frugality, though sometimes they have to steam in and sneer. They get really uncomfortable when people less wealthy than them talk money because they have created this image that they are not like that...when the people who know them know it's all front, a show put on to create an image of working hard to protect their hard earned, a frugal lifestyle and knowing the value of a penny. Reality is when they then mix with people like them they tend to be the biggest willy wavers you will ever meet, I find that really odd but I have seen it a few times and still makes me smile.
I tend to agree that old school money tends to be less about the money but that's because they think it's normal to go buy a £1M car or holiday home, it's all they know and as most were schooled at the finest public schools all their friends know. I think most people who start to earn well go through the 'look at my wad' phase, not all but most. I did and I have seen it MANY times and still do but then you grow up and realise that you really are far from wealthy, far from rich, far from being a made man or woman. We see it on this forum now and again and it is SO obvious.
However I have zero issue with people who have worked hard, made a load of money and then go out and enjoy the fruits of their labour, all power to them. But I do find particular with those who make money from money it creates massive detachment and ego that is often distasteful and then it becomes a game of one upmanship and a place where the emperors new clothes are all the rage....the land of pay overs and pay big overs because you can and MUST be first. Fine line between indulging a passion because you can and doing it because you must to keep with the in crowd.
