💬 Dopamine Hit of the Week
Making more money doesn’t make you rich.
Building systems does.
👋🏾 Hey, it’s Mallentino
I read this article the other day:
“$150K is Middle Class in 2025”
And at first I thought it was definely clickbait.
But the more I sat with it…
the more I realized something deeper:
A lot of people are making more money than ever…
and still feel broke.
🔍 The Real Problem Isn’t Income
Let’s say you make $150K… even $170K.
On paper, that’s great.
But in reality:
Higher taxes
Expensive rent or mortgage
Car payments
Lifestyle inflation
Eating out, trips, “you deserve it” spending
And suddenly?
You’re not building wealth.
You’re maintaining a lifestyle.
That’s not rich. That’s expensive.
🧠 My Take: This Is an Identity Problem
This isn’t about money. It’s about how you see money.
A lot of ambitious young professionals:
Chase income
Upgrade lifestyle
Repeat
But they never shift into:
Owning assets
Building leverage
Creating systems
So even when the number goes up…
their position doesn’t.
Income makes you feel rich.
Systems make you stay rich.
⚙️ What Actually Separates You
If you want to get ahead — especially in this economy — you need to think differently.
Not:
“How can I make more?”
But:
“How can I keep, grow, and multiply what I make?”
That looks like:
Investing (not just saving)
Owning something (real estate, equity, business)
Controlling your lifestyle instead of letting it control you
And most importantly:
Building a life where your money works — not just you.
💭 Thought to Chew On
If your income stopped today…
would your life keep going the same?\n\nThat’s the real test.
Don’t just chase a bigger number.
Build a better system.
— Mallentino
