“Do You Really Own Your Lifestyle… Or Does It Own You?”
Picture this: You’re scrolling through social media, and there it is—your friend just bought a brand-new SUV.
Shiny, sleek, and captioned with, “Finally upgraded—hard work pays off!”
A few swipes later, you spot your old college buddy flashing their all-inclusive beach vacation, fruity cocktail in hand, with the words, “Living my best life!”
Meanwhile, you’re sitting on your couch, phone in hand, and suddenly… you feel a little behind.
“Should I upgrade my car too?”
“Maybe I deserve a vacation like that.”
“Am I doing something wrong?”
If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
Welcome to the exhausting world of “Keeping up with the Joneses.”
What Actually Does It Mean to “Keep Up with the Joneses”?
In its basic form, Keeping up with the Joneses is always evaluating your own performance, happiness, and self-worth against others.
The pressure to have the same large house, luxury car, and extravagant vacations as friends, neighbors, and social media feeds.
The Joneses are not always who they seem, though.
Often hidden behind the glitzy new cars, luxury handbags, and exotic trips is debt, financial stress, and living pay-to-eat.
Studies have revealed, in fact, that many people who seem “rich” are really just one payback away from financial catastrophe.
Why?
Since they are chasing the appearance of riches rather than the actual reality of it.
The Difference Between “Acting Wealthy” and “Being Wealthy”
Here’s a truth that most people don’t want to hear:
Wealth isn’t about how much you spend.
It’s about how much you keep and how much your money earns for you.
Rich people look wealthy.
They have the flashy car, the designer watch, and the Instagram-worthy lifestyle.
But here’s the catch—most of them are one missed paycheck away from losing it all.
Wealthy people, on the other hand, own their lifestyle.
Their wealth isn’t tied to their paychecks.
It comes from income-generating assets like rental properties, investments, and businesses.
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People who are truly wealthy don’t need to show off their money because it keeps growing and earning for them all the time.
Here’s a simple example:
- Rich Person: May buy a brand-new BMW with a 5-year loan and post it on social media to look successful.
- Wealthy Person: Probably buy a rental property that earns $2,000 a month. No flashy posts, just quiet financial security.
The first person looks like he is winning, but the second person is playing smarter.
Which one would you rather be?
The Dangerous Cycle of Comparison
But here’s where things get tricky. The entire system—from social media to advertising—is designed to make you feel like you’re “falling behind.”
Everywhere you look, you’re hit with images of people “winning at life”:
- A new car, fresh off the lot.
- Designer shoes that cost more than your rent.
- Expensive vacations with private villas and infinity pools.
And what do we do? We compare.
- “If they can have that, why can’t I?”
- “Maybe I should treat myself too.”
- “I need to level up my life.”
This comparison triggers a dangerous “spend-to-compete” loop—and that’s where the financial trap begins.
Here’s how it works:
- You see someone “winning” (new car, vacation, gadget).
- You feel left behind (because you don’t have it).
- You spend money (often on credit) to “keep up.”
- The cycle repeats every time you see a new “win” on social media.
The worst part?
You’re competing with people who might not even be financially stable themselves.
How to Break Free from the “Keeping Up with the Joneses” Mentality
Here’s some good news: You don’t have to stay in this game. In fact, the people who win at life aren’t the ones chasing appearances.
They are the ones quietly accumulating wealth in the background.
Here’s how to break free:
1 Realize That “The Joneses” could be Broke
- Harsh, but true. Many of the people you’re comparing yourself to may be carrying mountains of debt to look successful.
- That neighbor with the shiny new Tesla? It’s probably financed.
- That “luxury vacation” you see on Instagram? May be paid for with a credit card.
Here’s the reality: You could be comparing yourself to a mirage.
2 Prioritize Building Wealth Over Displaying Wealth
- If you want to truly be wealthy, you need to focus on owning assets, not liabilities.
- Instead of financing a car, buy shares of a stock that pays dividends.
- Instead of taking a luxury vacation, invest in a side hustle that produces cash flow.
Ask yourself:
“Will this purchase make me money, or cost me money?”
If it’s a cost, think twice. If it’s an asset, it’s worth considering.
3 Stop Chasing Validation from Others
This one is big.
Most of the “Keeping up with the Joneses” mentality is driven by a desire for validation.
- We want to be seen as successful, admired, or “doing well.”
- But here’s the truth: No one is watching you as closely as you think.
- People aren’t keeping tabs on your car, your vacation, or your gadgets.
- They’re too busy focusing on themselves.
- Stop spending money to impress people who aren’t even paying attention.
The desire to outshine neighbors and friends has been a long-standing social trend. Many believe that flashy purchases, like a new sports car, will earn admiration.
You could be thinking your new sports car will impress your neighbours. True. But it could only last for a week or two. This fleeting attention, however, often comes at a steep cost.
4. Live by the 30-Day Rule
If you’re tempted to make a big purchase—a new phone, designer clothes, gadgets—wait 30 days.
Why? Because 9 times out of 10, that feeling of “I need this” will pass.
Impulse purchases are often fueled by emotion, not logic.
5 Track Your Progress, Not Theirs
Want to see real change? Start tracking your net worth.
- How much are your assets worth?
- How much debt do you owe?
- How much passive income are you generating?
Track your own growth, not someone else’s highlight reel.
If your net worth is growing every month, you’re winning.
It doesn’t matter what anyone else is doing.
The Bottom Line
Keeping up with the Joneses is a trap—but it’s one you can escape.
Instead of chasing appearances, chase wealth.
Instead of buying luxury cars, buy income-producing assets.
Instead of comparing yourself to others, track your own financial growth.
At the end of the day, you have two choices:
- Chase status and look rich.
- Chase wealth and be rich.
Which will you choose?
Here’s your challenge:
- Stop scrolling social media for the next 7 days.
- Instead, track your finances. See where your money is going.
- Ask yourself: Am I building wealth… or just “keeping up”?
This is your opportunity to break free from the cycle.
Stop chasing “The Joneses.” and start chasing true wealth.
Ready to break free?
Let me know in the comments which “Joneses trap” you’ve been stuck in—and which wealth-building step you’re taking today.
Where Did the Term “Keeping Up with the Joneses” Come From?
The phrase “Keeping up with the Joneses” comes from a comic strip created in 1913 by a man named Arthur R. “Pop” Momand.
The comic was about a family who constantly tried to match the lifestyle of their wealthy neighbors, known as the “Joneses.”
Here’s the interesting part—you never actually see the Joneses.
They are never shown in the comic, making them a symbol of the unreachable idea of success that people chase.
This idea of always trying to “keep up” with others became so relatable that the phrase “Keeping Up With The Joneses” is still used today.
Even though the comic itself didn’t become very famous, the message it sent stuck around.
Now, instead of comparing ourselves to neighbors, people compare themselves to what they see on social media.
The Joneses today are influencers, celebrities, and even your friends online.
The question is, are you still trying to “Keep Up” with them, or are you ready to focus on your own goals and true wealth?
