Why $100k is the New Broke

Is the American Dream becoming a financial nightmare? We’ve been told that hitting the six-figure milestone is the finish line for financial stress, but for many, it’s just the beginning of a "golden cage." In this video, we dive deep into why $100k is the new broke and how the "Lifestyle Inflation" trap is silently draining your bank account. If you're an ambitious woman earning a great income but still living paycheck-to-paycheck, this is for you. We’re moving beyond just "looking rich" to actually achieving "Sleep-well" financial freedom. We’ll break down the math of living in high-cost cities, the psychology of the Diderot Effect, and a 3-step safe investing strategy to ensure you finally understand why $100k is the new broke—and more importantly, how you can escape it. *Timestamps: 0:00 The "Six-Figure" Lie: Why $100k isn't what it used to be 1:15 Silent Poverty: The reality of earning $100k in 2025 2:45 The Math: Where did your paycheck actually go? (Taxes, Rent, & 401k) 4:10 The Diderot Effect: Why your lifestyle scales faster than your raises 5:32 The "Girl Boss" Trap: Why modern women face more spending pressure 6:50 Retail Therapy vs. Financial Freedom: Buying comfort with burnout 8:05 Step 1: Building your "Peace of Mind" Emergency Fund (HYSA) 9:40 Step 2: Pay Yourself First – How to automate your wealth 11:12 Step 3: The "Sleep-well" Portfolio (S&P 500 & Index Funds) 12:45 Investing in "Boring" things for an exciting life 14:10 Reclaiming your time: The true meaning of wealth 15:30 Special Giveaway: My Financial Planning Blueprint for Women