Why Society Doesn’t Want You To Get Rich

Sep 17, 2024

Happy Tuesday, friends!

Look, I get it.

You're busting your ass trying to stack those sats, build that side hustle, or just escape the rat race.

But have you ever stopped to wonder why it feels like you're swimming against the current? Why does it seem like the whole damn system is designed to keep you broke and dependent?

Buckle up, because we're about to dive deep into the rabbit hole of why society doesn't want you to get rich.

Why Society Doesn’t Want You To Get Rich

We Fall Because Of You

Let's start with a mind-bender: Your financial success is bad for the economy.

Yeah, you heard that right.

Our entire economic system is built on a house of cards called consumer spending. In the US, consumer spending accounts for a whopping ~70% of GDP. It means that the majority of our economy is run by US buying stuff for PERSONAL use. The powers that be need you to keep buying shit you don't need with money you don't have.

“We buy things we don't need with money we don't have to impress people we don't like.”

― Dave Ramsey

But here's where it gets interesting. When you start saving, investing, and building wealth, you're essentially giving the middle finger to this whole system. Instead of being a good little consumer drone, you're becoming a capital allocator.

And that, my friend, is terrifying to the status quo.

Think about it. What happens when a significant portion of the population starts living below their means and investing the difference? GDP growth slows down. The artificial metrics of economic "health" start to look sickly. The whole facade starts to crumble.

This short-term pain could lead to long-term gain.

Imagine a society where most people are financially literate, debt-free, and have significant investments. We'd have a more stable economy, less dependent on debt and consumption. We'd have more innovation as people would have the financial freedom to take risks and start businesses.

So why isn't this happening?

Because it's easier to keep you on the hamster wheel, chasing the next paycheck, the next promotion, the next shiny object. It's a system designed to keep you running in place while thinking you're making progress.

Know Your Place

Ever heard the term "wagecuck"?

It's a crude but painfully accurate description of the modern workforce. Most people are trapped in a cycle of trading their time for money, forever chasing that next paycheck just to keep their heads above water.

But why?

The answer lies in a system I like to call "debt slavery."

We are all in debt, my fren.

As of 2023:

The average mortgage debt is $244,498
The average auto loan debt is $23,792
The average credit card debt is $6,501
The average student loan debt is $38,787

Those are not just numbers; they're chains. It's what keeps you showing up to a job you hate, too afraid to rock the boat or demand better conditions.

This financial insecurity is the perfect recipe for a compliant workforce. When you're living paycheck to paycheck, you can't afford to take risks. You can't afford to speak up against unfair practices. You certainly can't afford to take time off to start your own venture.

And the cycle perpetuates itself. Low wages lead to high living costs relative to income. High living costs lead to more debt. More debt leads to more financial insecurity. And round and round we go.

But what happens when people break free from this cycle?

They become unpredictable. They become harder to control. They start demanding better working conditions, better pay, better treatment.

Or worse (from the perspective of the powers that be), they leave the traditional workforce altogether.

It's why the concept of FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) is simultaneously so appealing and so threatening. It represents a complete rejection of the "work till you die" mentality that's been force-fed to us for some generations now.

You Betrayed Us

Here's where things get really interesting.

As you climb the financial ladder, you start to realize something: Public services and infrastructure kind of suck. And instead of sticking around to fix them, most wealthy individuals opt out.

Private schools instead of public education.
Private security instead of relying on police.
Private jets instead of public transportation (okay not for most people, but you get the point).

It's a tale as old as time, but it has some serious consequences.

When the wealthy opt out, public services lose funding and quality. It creates a feedback loop: Services get worse, more people with means opt out, services get even worse.

Before you know it, we're living in a two-tiered society: private luxury for the few, crumbling public infrastructure for the many.

But here's the mind-fuck: Can you blame them? (be honest!)

If you had the means to provide better education, healthcare, and security for your family, wouldn't you?

The system almost forces this betrayal by making public options so unappealing.

The real question is: How do we break this cycle? How do we create a system where everyone has a stake in public goods?

Some argue for forced participation, others for improving public services to the point where they're the preferred option. But as long as the wealthy can buy their way out, the incentive to improve these systems remains low.

We Said, Know Your Place

Now, let's pull back the curtain on the real puppet masters: the unholy trinity of banks, politicians, and corporations.

These aren't separate entities; they're a Cerberus-like beast, each head feeding the others.

Banks keep you in debt, making you dependent on the system.
Politicians create policies that benefit their corporate donors, not you.
Corporations lobby for these policies, further rigging the game in their favor. And round and round we go.

Did you know that in the 2020 election cycle, Wall Street spent $2.9 billion on political contributions and lobbying?

That's not charity; it's an investment. An investment in keeping you in your place.

The system is designed to concentrate wealth and power at the top. The top 1% of Americans hold about 30% of all household wealth in the country. And with wealth comes influence. It's a self-reinforcing cycle that gets harder to break with each passing year.

But here's the thing: They're terrified of an informed, financially literate populace.

They're scared shitless of people who understand the game and refuse to play by their rules. That's why financial education is so lacking in our school systems. That's why the media bombards you with consumerist messages while burying stories about wealth accumulation strategies.

Knowledge is power, and they know it.

The more you understand about how money really works, the less control they have over you.

It's no coincidence that most self-made millionaires are voracious readers and lifelong learners.

Don't Be Such A Loser

Let's get personal for a minute.

Have you ever noticed how your social circle reacts when you start talking about financial goals? The eye rolls, the uncomfortable silences, the not-so-subtle jokes about you being "cheap" or "obsessed with money"?

Welcome to the crab bucket, my friend.

Just as crabs in a bucket pull down any crab that tries to escape, society has a way of dragging down anyone who tries to break free from financial mediocrity.

It’s not just about trying to have what others have anymore; now, there’s pressure to keep up in all areas of life.

Thanks to social media, we're trying to keep up with a highlight reel of the entire fucking world.

Your college roommate just bought a Tesla, your cousin is posting pics from the Maldives, and here you are, eating ramen and checking your investment accounts.

This social pressure is insidious. It taps into our deepest insecurities and fears of missing out. It's the invisible hand that guides you to the mall, that convinces you to finance that new car, that pushes you to live beyond your means.

And God forbid you actually succeed!

Nothing brings out the ugly in people quite like financial success. Relationships change. People assume you've changed (even if you haven't). Resentment builds. It's a minefield that many aren't prepared to navigate.

So what's the solution? Do you hide your goals? Pretend to be broke? Ditch your friends and only hang out with other wealth-seekers? There's no easy answer, but awareness is the first step. Recognizing these social dynamics allows you to navigate them more skillfully.

Some strategies that have worked for me:

Find your tribe: Seek out like-minded individuals who support your financial goals.
Lead by example: Instead of preaching, let your actions speak for themselves.
Practice stealth wealth: There's no need to broadcast your financial situation.
Cultivate empathy: Understand that most people's negative reactions come from their own fears and insecurities.

Remember, true frens will support your goals, even if they don't fully understand them.

And as you progress on your financial journey, you'll likely attract new relationships that align with your evolving mindset.

The Red Pill

So where does this leave us? Are we doomed to remain wage slaves, forever treading water in a sea of debt and consumerism?

Fuck no.

But escaping isn't easy, and it isn't without cost.

Taking the red pill of personal finance means:

Rejecting consumerism and learning to find happiness in experiences and relationships rather than things.
Educating yourself about money, investing, and the financial system. Knowledge is your weapon.
Building multiple streams of income to reduce dependency on any single source.
Living below your means and investing the difference. Embrace delayed gratification. It’s really worth it.
Surrounding yourself with like-minded frens who ACTUALLY support your goals.
Being prepared for pushback, both from your social circle and from a system that benefits from your financial ignorance.

It's not an easy path.

You'll face resistance.

You'll be tempted to give up and rejoin the rat race.

But the rewards - true financial freedom, the ability to live life on your own terms - are worth it.

Remember, the greatest threat to the status quo is an individual who can think for themselves and doesn't need the system to survive. Every dollar you save, every investment you make, every side hustle you start is an act of rebellion against a system designed to keep you dependent.

So, are you ready to take the red pill?

Are you prepared to see how deep the rabbit hole goes?

The choice, as always, is yours. But know this: Once you see the truth about money and the systems designed to keep you from it, you can never unsee it.

And that, my friend, is the first step towards true freedom.

Good luck, anon!

May 2025 be the year you finally become a millionaire.

Manifest this.

…

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