👝When I worked in the finance industry as a junior marketing executive, I saw senior managers judged by their designer bags—a superficial measure of success.
Fortunately, I escaped that toxic culture after just 12 months, realizing I wasn’t cut out for an industry obsessed with appearances.
It’s a double-edged sword—social media also wasn’t the wealth-flaunting machine it is today.
Now, I see younger people chasing luxury they can’t afford, racking up debt just for an Instagram post or TikTok video.
Last year, I sold all my luxury items to a second-hand shop.
I don't have emotional attachment to my items and I don't believe in sunk cost fallacy, so selling them was effortless.
The return was minimal—$3,000, just 20% of what I’d spent—but those items were collecting dust, and maintaining real leather was a hassle.
Letting them go freed up space in my home and my mind. I invested the proceeds in the S&P 500, a small but empowering step toward building real wealth.
Looking back, I wish I’d learned about investing earlier.
Reflecting on my journey, I see how chasing status symbols distracted me from my true priorities.
Now, I value financial freedom and peace of mind over temporary validation.
I’m learning to define success on my own terms, focusing on what truly enriches my life—knowledge, growth, and a secure future.