In an era where happiness and acceptance are measured by likes, shares, and comments, social media platforms have undeniably become unavoidable spaces where young people display their lifestyles.
Behind the glamorous facade of luxury dining, comfortable living, up-to-date fashion trends, and frequent international travel content lies a quiet financial crisis affecting many young people. This crisis stems from overspending to create a polished online image—often done instinctively without their awareness.
If you find yourself working hard but unable to save money or struggling to manage cash flow, check these risky behaviors to see if you are trapped in the "expensive image" mindset.
1. Buying out of "Fear of Missing Out" (FOMO) rather than necessity.
A clear behavior is the inability to resist when seeing others on social media with new items—whether the latest smartphone, trendy branded bags, or checking into viral new cafes. Purchases are driven not by actual need but by fear of being unable to relate to others or that one's profile will seem "outdated" to online peers.
2. "Dining lavishly for beautiful photos"—a taste level beyond income.
Meals have shifted from basic nourishment to aesthetic content creation. Popular behaviors include choosing fine dining, omakase, or expensive buffets simply because the restaurant offers beautiful photo spots and elegantly presented dishes that look luxurious on Instagram stories. Even if a meal costs a quarter of one’s monthly salary, many pay for the social media approval and then survive on instant noodles for the rest of the month..
3. Addicted to "must-have" items purchased with future money.
The rise of modern financial features like easier credit card applications and "Buy Now, Pay Later" (BNPL) services on e-commerce platforms has intensified this behavior. These options obscure the reality of insufficient funds—luxury branded items or lavish trips are easily ordered because of "0% installment" offers, causing buyers to overlook that combined monthly payments exceed their real income.
4. "Renting beyond means" for a luxurious backdrop.
Young people’s housing trends are shifting, with many willing to pay high rents for premium city-center condos—even when rent exceeds 30-40% of their salary—just to have a desirable location, attractive communal areas for photos, and rooms styled after Pinterest references to serve as backgrounds for social media videos or photos, ignoring long-term financial stability.
Change your perspective on "wealth": Those who appear wealthy on social media may not be truly wealthy in real life. Sustainable wealth lies in savings and assets, not in the number of likes on photos.
Apply the 48-hour rule before buying: When tempted by social media reviews, add the item to your cart and leave it there for 48 hours. This pause lets fleeting emotions subside so you can reassess whether the purchase is truly necessary or just for show.
Social Media Detox: Try unfollowing review pages that trigger desires or reduce scrolling time. Seeing others’ lives less often helps reduce comparisons and increases satisfaction with your own real-life possessions.
Creating a good profile and rewarding yourself are not wrong, but they must be based on financial reality. Ultimately, when the smartphone screen is off, the person responsible for debt and financial stress is yourself—not the online likers.