2 days ago 9

'Could I Buy Fewer Avocados And Never Leave The House?' A Millennial Can't Understand 'How People Have Money'

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Adrian Volenik

Sat, Mar 29, 2025, 6:00 AM 4 min read

The post, titled “I don’t understand how people have MONEY,” came from a Millennial who makes over $125,000 a year and expects to reach a combined household income of $250,000 to $300,000 with their partner soon. And yet, they rarely have more than $10,000 in savings. After taxes, mortgage payments, condo fees, car payments, pet expenses, groceries and “random sh*t that needs fixing,” the money’s just gone.

“Could I buy fewer avocados and never leave the house?” the poster asked. “It could make a difference of a few hundred bucks every few months, but not the tens of thousands that I actually need.”

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The frustration sparked over 5,000 upvotes and thousands of comments, many of which called the poster out. Others, however, related deeply to the sense that even high earners struggle to build wealth in today's economy.

The original poster clarified they weren't trying to say “poor me” but rather express disbelief that saving up for a home, retirement or an emergency fund feels nearly impossible.

“I figure at 36 I have earned a car and a condo and not the life I had at 26, which was six roommates and a bike,” they wrote.

But many users were quick to point out that if you’re making that kind of money and still struggling, something doesn't add up.

“You do have money. You have an above-average salary and 10k in cash,” one commenter replied. Another wrote, “There's some major spending here they're not being honest about.”

The post prompted a roundup of what it really takes for people to have money in today's economy. Here’s the TL;DR that emerged from the replies that OP later added to their original post:

Generational wealth: Having parents who paid for college or helped with a down payment makes a huge difference.
“Avoiding the student loan scam:” Some people went to cheaper schools, won scholarships or skipped college altogether.
Luck and timing: Those who got jobs before the Great Recession or bought homes when prices were low got a huge leg up.
High-paying careers: Doctors, engineers, tech workers and others in top-paying industries are in a different ballpark.
Living extremely frugally: Many people who have money live with roommates into their 30s, never travel, and skip dining out.
Marrying well: Dual-income couples who moved in together early often end up far ahead financially.