Love it lynne! Maybe I'll try that on a snotty acquaintance that seems fascinated with my red patent Privo ballet flats. Should I tell her I got them on Ebay for $20? Nah.....

Although I don't think I could get away with the $14K comment.

LOL.

Comments about where I buy things, what I own, how much I spend... Those make me very uncomfortable.
I've been at both ends of the spectrum financially, and at the end of the day what matters aren't those details.
I have different priorities and am at a different place in life than anybody else.
I do tend to get very defensive initially, so I try to take a deep breath and try to see where the other person is coming from. MOST of the time I just say "thank you" and carry on.
In your case Debbie, I don't know what I would have said.
But like Angie pointed out, it really is nobody's business what or how we spend our money. I'd never ask someone what their car payment is! Some things seem to be fair game in this world that shouldn't be.

"Thank you" is always appropriate, Sarah. Especially when sincerely spoken. Then if someone starts the "how much?" chatter, you can just ignore them.

I don't get defensive at all, I just feel sorry for the person being so shallow about material possessions. That's all they are at the end of the day....

Thanks everyone. If it happens again I'm just going to say Thank-you for noticing and move on.

Oh Debbie, that is strange. I feel very awkword when someone mentions my personal belongings to ME. It is not their business. I would never ever stick my nose into their personal belongings. I hope I would never be scatter brained enough to let something like that slip out of my mouth anyway.
We've talked aout my nosey neighbor who doesn't mind telling me what I shouldn't be wearing. She is that way in many areas of our life. I think that she means well but it is embarrasing and uncomfortable. She just called me to see about lunch again and I am not so keen on it. You did well to ignore the comment.

lol, lynne! Im going to try that next time....Debbiek, yes, please dont let it get to you..I think thats a great response!

Barbara, your story of the woman who so blunty asked you what you do, reminds me of one of the most rude quesyions that I have been asked. I hope this is not hijacking your thread Debbie.
When my now husband, then boyfriend and I, were at a party and I was meeting some of his old friends for the first time, a wife of one of his buddies said to me, "So Sandy do you own a house of your own?" Ahhh, flabergasted is how I felt. I am getting a little shaky thinking about it now.
Luckilly I had a great answer at the time, "I said "yes, I own 2."

I've been taking some classes in psychology, and one of our instructors (a practicing therapist) says she responds to personal questions like that from clients by saying something like "I'm really interested in why that's so important to you" or "Wow, it's fascinating that you're so curious about me. What's that about?" Seems like that would work great in these kinds of situations, too -- put the person doing the asking back on the spot instead of you!

That's so true, MaryK! What ARE they thinking? You must be quick on your own mental feet to not be rattled by theml.

I think these folks may be insecure AND jealous. And, unfortunately, it's USUALLY women!