Are you keeping up with the Joneses?

I think we’ve all been guilty of this at one point or another. We scroll through social media and wonder how our friends can afford constant luxury holidays, designer brands, and expensive cars. It’s almost impossible not to compare—and when we do, we can feel like we’re doing something wrong.

Let’s talk about what we don’t share online: our actual net worth, how we’re drowning in debt, and the struggle to keep up with repayments. Or what about the true state of our relationships?

Before the internet, we’d still see the neighbour’s brand‑new car—but we’d also overhear arguments about money. We might know that Mrs. Jones is unhappy about the hit to the monthly budget, and that Mr. Jones has been struggling lately, using the new car as a way to feel better. These are real moments we don’t see anymore—and that can make us feel inferior.

Self-made millionaires rarely spend frivolously. In fact, they’re often among the last to upgrade their cars after working so hard to build wealth. Take it from someone who drives an old vehicle: eventually, you don’t want to dip into your savings. As each year seems to pass more quickly than the last, your faithful old ride doesn’t seem so bad.