> bro, i don't want to tell you how to live your life, but if you are describing people as envious, toxic, and potentially dangerous than either these are not your friends, or you have a horribly low opinion of people.

I found this interview eye-opening of how serious (and dangerous) money can be, when the people around you don't have any: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKutkXy1Eeo&t=1178s

Even when it's not a situation of danger, though, money can still drive a wedge. The friends you made growing up, you were then equals (and neither of you had anything). Your financial success can become a mirror into their financial struggles, and not everyone does ok in that situation.

I still remember when a company I worked for had a spreadsheet where people were anonymously sharing their salary information along w/ title, demography, notes, etc. Most of the people who posted their info with some self-perception that their salary was "low" for the role added notes to the spreadsheet suggesting they think it's "low" because of racism or sexism.

To you, that might be good, positive, and normal. IMO it was toxic and fueled by envy with no actual information to support their position (and, admittedly, no information to deny it either). They only wanted my salary information to help progress their position in life, which to me is not so different from Google or Facebook wanting such private information for their own monetary gain.

I don't know, maybe it's an American thing, but here in Europe we boast much less about our success. It's considered rude.

Anyway, boasting of financial success is something I find sad, unnecessary and potentially dangerous.

Tomorrow some friend of a friend junkie may need money and may think I'm collecting rolexes or idk.

Better people don't know shit.

A friend of a friend of a friend may seek some easy money (“six handshake rule”).

Friends talk about friends.

Guarding your family from various criminal activities may be hard.

This all may add up not in your favor eventually.