What People Actually Earn (And Why It Shouldn't Matter)

Let's Leave the Comparison Game in 2025.

Your friend just bought a $90,000 car.

Another just posted pictures from a three-week trip to Italy.

And naturally, you feel like you’re falling behind.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: you have no idea what their financial situation actually looks like. And more importantly, it shouldn’t matter.

Social media is a highlight reel. Group chats rarely include tax returns. And few people talk about what really matters - stress levels and actual freedom.

It’s easier than ever to assume everyone else is doing better than you. But the reality is usually far more complex than what you see on Instagram.

Let’s dig in ↓

The Real Income Numbers (You’re Probably Closer Than You Think)

Let’s start with some actual data from the IRS on household income in the United States:

• Top 25% = $107,000+

• Top 10% = $160,000+

• Top 5% = $245,000+

• Top 1% = $652,000+

Many of the people you’re comparing yourself to? They’re not as far ahead as you think.

If you’re earning six figures, you’re already in the top 25% of American households. If you’re earning $160,000+, you’re in the top 10%.

That doesn’t mean you’re wealthy yet - but it does mean you’re doing significantly better than the perception social media might create.

Income Doesn’t Tell the Full Story

Even if someone is making more than you, the number alone reveals almost nothing about their actual financial situation.

Here’s what you can’t see from the outside:

Are they saving anything? A household earning $400,000 that saves nothing is in a worse long-term position than one earning $150,000 that consistently saves 20%.

Is their income consistent? That $300,000 commission-based income might look impressive, but if it swings wildly year to year, the financial stress is enormous.

How hard are they working for it? The person earning $250,000 while working 70-hour weeks isn’t much different from an ROI on time perspective than someone earning $120,000 working 40 hours from home.

How much debt are they carrying? That $90,000 car might be financed at 7%. That Italy trip might be entirely on credit cards. The house might be mortgaged to the ceiling.

The highlight reel doesn’t show the stress, the debt, or the financial fragility behind the scenes.

Income ≠ Wealth (This Is the Key Distinction)

High income absolutely helps. No question.

But wealth comes from what you keep, not what you earn.

A household making $150,000 and saving 20% consistently ($30,000 annually) will end up far ahead of someone making $400,000 and saving none over any meaningful timeframe.

Here’s the math: $30,000 saved and invested annually at 7% average returns for 20 years becomes approximately $1.3 million. The person earning $400,000 and saving nothing has... nothing.

Wealth is built through the gap between income and lifestyle, compounded over time. That gap matters infinitely more than the absolute income number.

The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything

Here’s the perspective shift that frees you from the comparison trap:

Someone else’s income doesn’t affect your financial goals. Someone else’s spending doesn’t reduce your freedom. And someone else’s wins don’t mean you’re losing.

You are playing a completely different game.

Your goals, timeline, priorities, risk tolerance, and definition of success - none of these are determined by what anyone else is doing.

What to Focus on Instead

Instead of obsessing over what others have or appear to have, focus on building your own system:

Automate your savings. Set up automatic transfers to investment accounts, retirement contributions, and savings accounts. Remove the daily decision-making.

Invest consistently every month. Market goes up? Invest. Market goes down? Invest. Friend posts vacation pictures? Still invest.

Measure progress against your own baseline. Are you better off than last year? Are you on track toward your specific goals? That’s the only comparison that matters.

Build a life that feels rich to you. Not to your friends. Not to social media. To you.

The Comparison Trap Never Ends

If you’re always comparing, you’ll never feel caught up. Ever.

Someone will always make more. Someone will always spend more. Someone will always post more impressive content.

But none of that means they’re actually building wealth or living better lives.

The comparison game has no finish line because there’s always someone ahead in some dimension.

When Someone Is Actually Winning (Good for Them)

And here’s the thing: if someone genuinely is dominating - making significantly more than you, saving aggressively, building real wealth - that should inspire you, not discourage you.

Their success doesn’t limit yours. Wealth isn’t zero-sum. There’s room for everyone to win.

Seeing someone achieve what you’re working toward proves it’s possible. That’s motivation, not a reason to feel behind.

Bottom Line: Build Your Own Definition of Rich

Your friends might make more than you think. Or less. Or exactly what you imagine.

It doesn’t matter.

Income isn’t wealth. Spending doesn’t equal success. Comparison is a trap that only creates stress without improving your situation.

Your financial plan is the only one that counts for your life. Build something that creates the freedom, security, and lifestyle you actually want.

Someone else’s $90,000 car doesn’t make your plan less valid. Someone else’s Italy vacation doesn’t mean you’re failing.

Focus on your system. Automate your savings. Invest consistently. Measure progress against your own baseline.

And remember: there’s room for everyone to win. Their success doesn’t limit yours.

Build a life that feels rich to you.

See you next week.

Whenever you’re ready, there are 2 other ways we can help you:

1. 30-Day Strategy Sprint: Got a specific financial challenge holding you back? In just 30 days, we’ll tackle 1-3 of your biggest money roadblocks and hand you a personalized action plan. Perfect if you want expert guidance without a long-term commitment. Limited spots available.

2. Ongoing Wealth Partnership: We’ll work with you month after month to slash your taxes, find hidden income opportunities, and build lasting wealth. You set the life goals. We handle the financial strategy to get you there faster.

---

Opulus, LLC (“Opulus”) is a registered investment advisor in Pennsylvania and other jurisdictions where exempted. Registration as an investment advisor does not imply any specific level of skill or training.

The content of this newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, legal, or accounting advice. It is not an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or investments, nor does it endorse any specific company, security, or investment strategy. Readers should not rely on this content as the sole basis for any investment or financial decisions.

Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing involves risks, including the potential loss of principal. There is no guarantee that any investment strategies discussed will result in profits or avoid losses.

All information is provided “as-is” without any warranties, express or implied. Opulus does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Opinions expressed are those of the authors, Ryan Greiser and Francis Walsh, and are subject to change without notice.

Opulus is not responsible for any errors or omissions, nor for any direct, indirect, or consequential damages resulting from the use or reliance on this information. Use of the content is at your own risk. This content is not intended as an offer or solicitation in any jurisdiction where such an offer or solicitation would be illegal.