Open Reddit lately and you might think everyone’s crossed the $1 million net worth line.
Post after post in financial independence forums celebrate hitting that milestone, often in their 30s.
But if it feels like everyone is a millionaire now, you’re not alone in wondering what’s going on.
You’re In a Bubble (and It’s by Design)
A huge reason for this flood of millionaire posts is simple: you’re in a self-selecting group. As someone recently posted, “It seems like everyday when I open my Reddit feed, there’s someone celebrating crossing the $1M net worth line, usually someone in their early 30s.”
Subreddits are full of users who are actively working toward financial independence and often post only when they hit big goals.
Responding to the original poster, one person wrote, “This sub is self-selected for people who are financial optimizers.”
Another explained, “People are more likely to post when they’re doing better than everyone else.”
That creates a distorted view of reality.
It doesn’t mean the average person is suddenly flush with cash; it just means you’re seeing the loudest slice of a niche group.
Selection Bias and Skewed Perception
Many Redditors pointed out the obvious: this is classic selection bias. The people who have something to brag about are more likely to post.
“If you go to Venice Beach, you’d think everyone was a bodybuilder,” one person said.
Another chimed in: “You could read a post from a millionaire every day for the rest of your life and it would be a fraction of the 3% of Americans who are millionaires.”
So while it feels like everyone is doing great, you’re just seeing an unusually concentrated sample of financially successful people in one place.
A Million Dollars Isn’t What It Used to Be
A recurring theme in the comments: inflation and rising home values have made $1 million feel less impressive than it once was.
“Nowadays people consider themselves millionaires when their house is worth over a million dollars. The word means nothing now honestly,” one person wrote.
Another added, “A millionaire today need only be worth $100,000 in 1966 money, yet in both 1966 and 2025 we use ‘millionaire’ as a shorthand for ‘rich.'”
Everyone’s Path Is Different
Not all millionaires got there the same way. Some inherited money, some had high-paying tech jobs, others just lived frugally and invested consistently over decades.
“They’re either in tech with RSUs or lived with mommy and daddy while they stacked cash from their corporate job,” one person noted, voicing frustration that not all journeys are equally relatable.
And then there are the silent strivers: the folks still working multiple jobs or slowly saving, who rarely post.
As one person pointed out, “The folks that aren’t are too tired to post because they’re working two or three jobs.”
So What Can You Do?
If the constant millionaire celebrations are starting to wear on you, you’re not alone.
It’s easy to forget that most people don’t post their financial struggles or slow progress, which leaves your feed filled with highlight reels.
At the end of the day, comparison will mess with your head. One of the most liked comments put it plainly: “Comparison is the thief of joy.”
Focus on your own path, your own goals, and remember that what you see online is rarely the full picture.