How are you getting ahead in this economy??

Credit, putting on finance and credit cards would explain lots of what you see most likely.

Nah, you’re doing it right. @Mou is absolutely spot on. These things are mostly bought on credit and finance. It will come back to bite these people in the ass some day

Imposter syndrome / they’re financially irresponsible and buying instead of saving/investing

We have very good incomes but even we don’t own a house or a car. Everyone we know is getting brand new cars on credit yet asking us how we can afford a kid or two… cause we don’t have debt and cars on finance.

I’m having babies left and right lol but none of the other things. My killer strategy is when I was poor, I learned to only enjoy things that were free, or nearly. I made all of my hobbies things that cost very little. I learned to cook, so everything is from scratch. I hike, lift weights, bird watch, sing, play music, sew, draw/sketch, watch old movies, host dinner parties that end with dancing in my done up basement like our own tiny club! I don’t buy new clothes, I haven’t worn makeup since I was 19ish or so, my skin care routine is soap and water. I have 8 pairs of shoes, two for each type of weather. I don’t buy coffee out, I dont smoke, don’t drink (I will occasionally! Just not a regular thing), I own no new jewelry. I have a fantastic life, and we save money even on ONE income. Not much, but we do! Anyone getting new shit I assume is way richer than me, or has credit card debt😆

Thats just life. Some people are on the up when we are on the down and some of the others are on a plateau. Not everyone has to live the same life as you and you dont have to feel bad because others “seem” to be doing better. Its best if we focus on our own thing because grass is green where you water it and if you are constantly looking at other places while you do, you will miss a spot…or several. If you are saying you have a decent income then it might all be in your relationship with money. Be thankful with what you have and abundance will follow. Being jealous of what other people have is not being thankful and could be causing blockages for you. Sometimes we also have to change our opinions of people that “have money”. If we hate on people that have money then its sending a message that you hate having money to the universe, why would the universe give us something you hate?

Here are some practical steps to improve your relationship with money: 1. People with money or that seem to have money are not your enemies or should not be envied by you. Be happy for them and know your time will come 2. Respect your money. Make sure you are not buying stuff just because you can and then trash it. 3. Money is energy. Us your money as if it was your own energy/life force. Just like you wouldn’t hang out with just anyone, dont waste your money on places or people that dont align with you 4. Observe how you feel when you spend money. Does it feel yucky, does it feel good, does it feel scary? If we are aware of it, and we are using money responsibly, it should feel good to use money and especially if you are investing in yourself.

We're both primary school teachers and are literally paycheck to paycheck. It's awful

As the rich get richer, the poor get poorer and the middle class is always screwed. Overconsumption, trying to have what our neighbors have, believing into the lies of the rich (we make most of them rich by consuming..) is one of the biggest issues in this country (usa). We need more corporate regulations, but that’ll never happen because the rich control everything including our government. (im neither a republican nor a democrat by the way, I support rights for all)