15 Clever Replies for When Relatives Ask About Salary

We may not say it out loud, but one of the things we hate about relatives is their inability to mind their business. They want to know about almost everything going on in your life.So, it can be annoying when they ask about your salary. Why are they concerned about how much you earn? You might want to know.The truth is that they're just curious to know about things happening in your life, including whether you earn enough to get by, or whether you earn more than them or their children.Therefore, if you need things you can say other than revealing your earnings or screaming "Why is it your business" to them, keep reading this article.I'll be discussing 15 clever responses when relatives ask you how much you make.

15 Clever Replies for When Relatives Ask About Salary 

There are different answers you can give to your relatives when they ask about your salary. As much as you might want to avoid answering questions about your salary, sadly they're your relatives, and they'll still find a way to throw the question at you again.And you wouldn't want to come down hard on them with outright rude answers.So, depending on who they are and the relationship you've with them, you can give clever answers like: "I'm surprised you'd ask this question," "I'm not suffering if that's your concern," and "Do you have a better job?"Here are 15 clever responses when relatives ask about salary

1. I'm surprised you'd ask this question 
2. I earn enough to take care of the family 
3. I manage well with my earnings 
4. Enough to last the month
5. Oh! I don't earn a salary
6. Do you want to help with some money?
7. I guess I earn more than your daughter
8. Thanks for showing concern, but I don't discuss salaries
9. My parents would be in the best position to answer that question
10. It's not much 
11. I'm not suffering if that's your concern
12. Do you have a better job?
13. I don't overspend if that's your worry
14. Oh! It's just peanuts, I barely survive the month
15. Good pay

I'm Surprised You'd Ask This Question

"I'm surprised you'd ask this question" is one of the clever responses when your relative asks about your salary.This response is a smart way to change the subject and make the conversation about them. They're probably going to ask why you're surprised, and you can go on to explain that no one has ever asked you that.You can even tell them that no one discusses their earnings, even with relatives. Ensure you show how surprised you are that they're asking.Here's how to use this reply:

• I'm surprised you'd ask this question because even my parents have never asked
• I'm surprised you'd ask this question. Who discusses their salary?

I Earn Enough to Take Care of the Family 

"I earn enough to take care of the family" is another smart thing to say to someone who asks about your salary.When your relatives ask about how much you earn, they're likely concerned about how you manage your family. So, you can simply tell them that you take care of your family well.It's a smart way to avoid giving them an amount and enough to stop their inquisitiveness. When they hear this response, they'll know they shouldn't push further by asking how much.Here's how you can use the expression:

• I earn enough to take care of the family. Thanks for asking
• I earn enough to take care of the family. I appreciate your concern 

I Manage Well with My Earnings 

"I manage well with my earnings" is another smart reply for someone who wants to know how much you earn.This response tells them that they don't need to know how much you earn. When your relatives show that they're concerned about how you fare by asking how much you earn, you can tell them that your salary is enough for you.With this reply, you've alleviated their worry without divulging your earnings, which is the goal.Here's an example:

• I manage well with my earnings. Thanks for asking, aunt 
• I manage well with my earnings. So, you shouldn't bother yourself 

Enough to Last the Month

Another reply you can give someone curious about how much you earn is, "Enough to last the month." This response works like the above examples to alleviate their worries if they claim they are.And it'll also disclose nothing you don't want disclosed. So, when your relatives ask about how much you earn, tell them it's enough to last you the month.With this response, they should get the message that they don't need to know the exact amount. Depending on who asks, you can choose to be sarcastic or respectful with the response.If they're elderly, maybe an uncle or aunt or your grandparents, you should consider being respectful. But, you can try sarcasm with your cousins or a relative that you don't don't care about.Here's how to use the response:

• Enough to last the month, so you don't have to worry about me borrowing from you
• Enough to last the month. So, don't you worry yourself 

Oh! I Don't Earn a Salary 

"Oh! I don't earn a salary" is another clever response for someone who asks about your salary.You can try this response with your relative when they show their curiosity.This response will work, especially when you work on your own or you do some job that doesn't require you to receive something at the end of the month.However, you can give this response to some distant relative, whether you receive something at the end of the month or not.Here's how to use the expression:

• Oh! I don't earn a salary. Whenever I get a contract, I get a commission. That's how it works
• Oh! I don't earn a salary. We earn as we deliver on a job

Do You Want to Help with Some Money?

A sarcastic question for someone who asks about your salary is, "Do you want to help with some money?"You can try this with a relative who you're not close with. Maybe you've not had any solid relationship with them, and someday they're in town and they visit, and pop this question during conversation.This response is suitable to move the attention from you. However, you can playfully give this reply to close relatives and get them to laugh over it. They should get the message that you don't want to disclose your earnings.Here's how to use it:

• Do you want to help with some money? I don't mind some monthly allowance, uncle
• Do you want to help with some money? I can do with more 

I Guess I Earn More Than Your Daughter

"I guess I earn more than your daughter" is a rude reply for someone who wants to know about your salary.You can try this response with a relative, but you should be careful whom you use it with.For instance, your aunt or uncle or some distant relation that shows interest in your earnings, and you know they're probably jealous, trying to compare you with their children.This is a suitable response for them to remind them of their place. Well, this is rude and you may have to apologize later.Here's how to use it:

• I guess I earn more than your daughter, so let's not start with the comparison
• I guess I earn more than your daughter. Thanks for inquiring 

Thanks for Showing Concern, but I Don't Discuss Salaries

"Thanks for showing concern, but I don't discuss salaries" is another suitable answer for someone who shows interest in what you earn.This is a good reply for a relative who claims to be concerned about how you manage. This response assertively tells them that you don't discuss your salary.Also, it'll discourage them from asking another time as you've made it known that you don't talk about your earnings.Here's how to use this statement:

• Thanks for showing concern, but I don't discuss salaries. Let's talk about some other things
• Thanks for showing concern, but I don't discuss salaries. Please, respect that

My Parents Would Be in the Best Position to Answer That Question

"My parents would be in the best position to answer that question" is one of the best replies when someone inquires about your salary.This response is a smart way to answer your relative who wants to know about your earnings.Directing them to your parents is a good way to avoid telling them anything, and also a clever way to let them know they won't be getting an answer from you.It's a polite way to dismiss them.Here's an example:

• My parents would be in the best position to answer that question. My earnings go to them 
• My parents would be in the best position to answer that question. You should talk to them when they're back

It's Not Much

"It's not much" is another response you can give to anyone who inquires about how much you earn.It's another clever thing to say to a relative who asks about your salary. This response is appropriate for someone who shows interest in your earnings, hoping to get something from it.So, you can use this reply for your cousin or a relative who wants to get something from you to dismiss them. However, you can reply to anyone with this statement. It can also work to dismiss the question quickly.Here's how to use the response:

• It's not much, so don't think about it. 
• It's not much, just some measly here and there

I'm Not Suffering if That's Your Concern 

"I'm not suffering if that's your concern" is another smart reply for someone who wants to know what you earn. This response can work to dismiss the question when a relation asks about your salary. It tells them that if they're concerned about how you're faring they shouldn't bother because you're doing well.It's appropriate for a relative that you know doesn't care about you.Here's how to use the statement:

• I'm not suffering if that's your concern. I'm doing so well
• I'm not suffering if that's your concern. I earn enough 

Do You Have a Better Job?

"Do you have a better job? is another smart question to ask a relative who inquires about how much you earn.This response clearly diverts them from the question they ask you and makes it about them.When a relative claims to be concerned about whether you earn enough, this response will ask them if they truly care enough. It's a smart way to tell them your salary is not their business.Here's how to use the expression:

• Do you have a better job, uncle? I bet you don't
• Do you have a better job, uncle? If not, my salary shouldn't be your concern 

I Don't Overspend if That's Your Worry 

"I don't overspend if that's your worry" is another suitable response for a relative who shows concern about your earnings.If they want to know how much you earn, probably showing concern that you might not be earning enough, this is a suitable way to avoid answering them.It tells them not to worry about you.Here's how to use the expression:

• I don't overspend if that's your worry. I'm doing fine
• I don't overspend if that's your worry. I use my salary well 

Oh! It's Just Peanuts, I Barely Survive the Month 

Another good answer to give your relatives when they ask to know how much you earn is, "Oh! It's just peanuts, I barely survive the month."It's a sarcastic reply that they wouldn't miss. It's a clever way to tell them that what you earn is not their concern.Here's how to use the statement:

• Oh! It's just peanuts, I barely survive the month. So, if you've anything for me, I don't mind collecting
• Oh! It's just peanuts, I barely survive the month. I'm open to receiving from you, sister 

Good Pay

"Good pay" is a simple way to avoid giving your relatives an amount when they ask about your earnings.This response tells them that you receive enough, so they shouldn't be bothered about the amount.Here's how to use the phrase:

• Good pay. I love the Job
• Good pay. I take care of the bills

Final Thoughts 

When your relatives inquire about your earnings, you can smartly avoid giving them the answer they want with good enough answers.The above examples are clever ways to reply to your relatives when they ask about your salary and to politely let them know that how much you earn is not their business.