Why It Seems Like Everyone Has More Money Than You

And What To Do About It

Ever scrolled through social media and felt like everyone else is winning at life while you’re stuck budgeting down to the last dollar? You see someone your age in a Ferrari, while you're debating if guac is worth the extra $2. I get it!

Let’s unpack the six biggest reasons why it looks like everyone has more money than you — and what you can actually do to build real wealth.

Reason #1: They’re Faking It

Have you ever seen someone posting their new luxury car, designer bags, or crazy vacation and wondered, How do they afford that? Truth is, a lot of them can’t — they’re just financing a lifestyle they can’t actually afford.

A $100K car with a $0 bank balance isn’t wealth — it’s stress. 

The average American household carries $6,800 in credit card debt (source: Motley Fool, Feb 2025). Meanwhile, real millionaires? They avoid debt like the plague.

What To Do Instead:

Focus on real wealth — building assets, not payments. Start by eliminating bad debt and investing what you can. Future-you will thank you.

Reason #2: You Don’t Have a Plan

Four years ago, I was teaching middle school, convinced that working hard and getting promoted was the only path to financial success. After months of burnout and tiny paychecks, I asked myself, Do I really want to do this for 40 years? The answer was no.

That was my turning point. I restarted my tutoring business, began investing aggressively, and set real financial goals.

What To Do Instead:

Take 10 minutes and write down your financial goals. Want to retire early? Own a home? Build passive income? Whatever it is, make it yours — not what society tells you.

Reason #3: Social Media Is a Highlight Reel

We all love capturing the best moments — vacations, fancy dinners, new purchases. But no one’s posting about their credit card bill or the sacrifices it took to afford that trip.

I spent years building my business at night while my friends went out. That part? Nobody saw.

What To Do Instead:

Remember, you’re only seeing their highlight reel, not the full picture. Stop comparing your reality to someone else’s filtered version of life.

Reason #4: Real Wealth Is Quiet

Here’s the truth: the richest people aren’t flexing. We’re driving Hondas, maxing out our IRAs, and letting our money grow quietly.

Years ago, my friends were upgrading their wardrobes while I was shopping at thrift stores. Fast forward to today? That "invisible spending" gave me the financial freedom to build my business.

What To Do Instead:

Shift your mindset. Real wealth isn’t about what you can buy — it’s about what your money can earn. Your investments might not be Insta-worthy, but they’ll change your life.

Reason #5: People Chase The Wrong Money

Remember the 2021 hype around GameStop? Everyone was chasing fast cash. But for every person who made millions, thousands lost everything.

That’s called survivorship bias — we only hear about the winners, never the ones who failed.

What To Do Instead:

Focus on the fundamentals of wealth-building:

• Invest consistently in the stock market.
• Stay patient and let time do the work.
• Ignore the hype and stick to proven strategies.

Reason #6: Some People Just Have More Money

Let’s be real — some people were born into wealth. Others got lucky. But that doesn’t mean you can’t build your own success.

I wasn’t born rich. My family relied on food stamps and hand-me-downs. In college, I saw kids driving luxury cars while I was working side hustles. Instead of getting frustrated, I asked What can I learn from them?

What To Do Instead:

Ask better questions. Instead of Why do they have more money than me? ask, How did they do it? Then start applying those lessons to your own life.

Conclusion: Stop Watching, Start Building

If you feel like everyone has more money than you, it’s probably because of social media, bad financial habits, and flashy spending. But real wealth? That’s built quietly, over time.

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And if you’re ready to take your financial future seriously, check out my Beginner’s Investing Master Class and start making your money work for you.

- Steve