The Trap of Chasing Money: Why Being Rich Doesn’t Always Mean You “Made It”

What traditional wealth advice gets wrong.

The Illusion of “Making It”

For most of our lives, we’re told a simple formula:

• Work hard

• Make good money

• Become rich

• Finally be happy

Seems straightforward, right? But reality tells a different story.

There are countless people with millions in the bank who still feel stressed, unfulfilled, and even trapped. Meanwhile, there are others with far less who seem genuinely at peace.

So what’s going on?

Traditional wealth advice focuses almost entirely on how to make more money but rarely on how to make money work for you in a way that actually improves your life.

1. The Endless Chase: Why More Money Rarely Feels Like Enough

Many people assume that once they hit a certain number — $100K, $1M, $10M — life will suddenly feel different. Easier. More fulfilling.

But here’s the catch: That number always moves.

A. The Hedonic Treadmill: Why Lifestyle Inflation Steals Your Joy

The hedonic treadmill is a psychological concept that explains why people quickly adapt to new financial situations.

• You get a raise, and for a while, it feels amazing.

• You buy a nicer car, a bigger house, or take expensive vacations.

• But within months, that becomes your new “normal,” and the excitement fades.

Suddenly, what once felt like luxury now feels like the bare minimum.

Then the chase begins again. A higher salary. A bigger business. A new investment opportunity. More, more, more.

The problem? If financial success is your only goal, you’ll never feel like you’ve arrived — because the finish line keeps moving.