For me it really matters who is asking. I don't mind telling people what we paid for our house, or our cars, or how much our last vacation cost. I try not to look at finances as being so personal. Houses, sometimes, people are just trying to gage what your neighborhood is worth. If someone wants to judge me because of where I live or how little my house cost, that's OK. My goal isn't to have the best, but to have enough (though I do mind if someone wants to know the cc balance or how much cash is in the bank. Not that our balance is super high or the money in the bank is too much or too little, but because it's none of anyone's business).

But, I also wouldn't just tell anyone about the bike cost. A friend, yes. Someone interested in getting into riding, sure. Some of my family? I'd have to put it into perspective for them, like the TV thing or explain how much time I spend in the saddle a week. My grandma would never understand it (golly, I can hear her now!), and I'm not sure my parents would either.