Discussing personal finances, including how much money you make, can be a sensitive topic, and it's entirely up to you whether you feel comfortable sharing such information with your friends. If you prefer not to disclose your salary but still want to respond with credibility and maintain a positive relationship with your friends, here are some strategies you can use:
Politely Decline: You can politely and respectfully decline to share your exact salary. You could say something like, "I prefer not to discuss my salary, but I'm doing well, thanks for asking."
Redirect the Conversation: Shift the focus of the conversation to a different topic. For example, you could say, "I'd rather not get into specifics about my income, but let's talk about your recent vacation/job promotion/hobby instead!"
Express Appreciation for Their Interest: Show gratitude for your friends' interest in your life without divulging specific financial details. You could say, "It's nice of you to ask, but I prefer to keep my financial matters private."
Highlight Other Achievements: Emphasize your professional accomplishments, skills, or projects you're working on instead of talking about your income. This way, you can contribute to the conversation positively without discussing your salary.
Talk About General Financial Tips: If you're comfortable discussing financial topics in general, you can share some tips or insights without revealing your own salary. For example, you might say, "I've been trying to save more money lately, and I found these budgeting apps really helpful."
Set Boundaries: Let your friends know that you prefer not to discuss personal finances and hope they understand and respect your decision.
Use Humor: Lightly deflect the question with humor. For instance, you could say, "If only I had a dollar for every time I was asked that question!"
Remember that it's entirely acceptable to keep your financial information private. Sharing or not sharing your salary doesn't define your credibility or worth as a person. True friends will respect your boundaries and understand that some topics are off-limits for discussion. If they persist in asking or make you uncomfortable, it might be a good opportunity to have an honest conversation about respecting each other's privacy.