We are overseas missionaries with a non profit. In part of the interview process before being sent to the foreign field we had some questions about the state of our personal finances.
We were asked how much debt we had. We were also asked by

We are overseas missionaries with a non profit. In part of the interview process before being sent to the foreign field we had some questions about the state of our personal finances.
We were asked how much debt we had. We were also asked by category...
How much is your monthly car payment?
How much credit card debt?
How much students loans etc...
When we kept answering 0 for everything someone commented "that must be nice!..." I think it was just a joke and I wasn't offended because it is nice! However, part of me really wanted to respond with " you could be debt free too if you drove old clunker cars and lived below your means like we have since our marriage" but I figured that wouldn't win friends or influence people. Now we drive a pretty nice paid for car. We hosted another missionary who complimented our car so many times it was becoming awkward. I think he got the idea that we are loaded or were somehow misusing money. Nope, we just have made some sacrifices in other areas and earlier in our life so that now we can have some nice things. We give generously. We are not rich but compared to the expectations of many they would think we are.
There is this unspoken mindset that people in ministry / nonprofit work are destined to be poor for life but we have decided to break the mold and be the exception. "Live like no one else so that later on you can live and give like no one else". One way we give is by working in a career where we know we will never ear "big bucks" but we genuinely help people every day.

When I told someone about a car purchase a few years ago ($6,200, I think), and that we buy only what we can pay cash for, he looked at me disdainfully like I was bragging about millions. Bet I wouldn't have gotten that look if I'd bought a $25,000 car

When I told someone about a car purchase a few years ago ($6,200, I think), and that we buy only what we can pay cash for, he looked at me disdainfully like I was bragging about millions. Bet I wouldn't have gotten that look if I'd bought a $25,000 car on payments.

(BS2) I think it comes down to jealousy and the ole "misery loves company" mindset. People are so used to being stressed and shackled by living in debt that when you say you're not, they're immediately suspicious and jealous.
I know. I'm one of them

(BS2) I think it comes down to jealousy and the ole "misery loves company" mindset. People are so used to being stressed and shackled by living in debt that when you say you're not, they're immediately suspicious and jealous.
I know. I'm one of them desperately trying to get out of debt so I know of which I speak unfortunately