It’s easy to get caught up in what success seems to look like. Flashy weddings, luxury cars, lavish holidays – they all give the impression that someone is living their best life. But is that truly success? Let’s break down what people think success looks like and what it actually is.

The Illusion of Success: Living the ‘High Life’

Let’s take a newly married couple, both on good incomes, with a combined yearly salary of $200,000. It looks like they’re winning at life. But, are they really? Here’s a breakdown of what many think defines success:

Baller Wedding

They had the wedding of the year – top-dollar, jaw-dropping, memorable. It cost them $80,000. But what people don’t see is that $60,000 of that was taken out as a loan. So now they’re paying $1,164.34 per month for a single day of celebration.

Two Flashy Cars

They own two beautiful cars. One costs $80,000, and the other $30,000. Combined, they’re paying $1,775.22 per month in car loans. They might be driving in style, but that style is costing them dearly every month.

Maxed-Out Credit Card

After a luxurious European holiday, they now have $20,000 in credit card debt. Paying the minimum payment of $236 per month, it’ll take them 20 years to clear this debt. That’s a long time to pay off a trip!

HECS Debt

With a HECS debt of $90,000, the person who took it out pays $1,187.50 per month.

Living in a Trendy Suburb

They’re living in a highly desirable area, paying $1,200 a week in rent, which works out to $4,800 a month.

Total Monthly Expenses: $9,550.42
And they haven’t even paid for food, utilities, or other living costs yet. From the outside, they look like they’re thriving, but in reality, they’re drowning in debt.

What Real Success Looks Like

So, if that’s not success, what is? Here’s what it could look like:

A Humble Wedding

Instead of spending $80,000 on a wedding, imagine having a beautiful, intimate celebration that costs under $10,000. Pay it cash, no loans. You don’t need to blow your savings on a big party to prove you love each other.

Affordable Cars

Rather than luxury vehicles, how about two reliable second-hand cars? Picture driving a 2010 model with 350,000 km on the clock, and it’s paid off. That’s zero dollars in monthly repayments.

No Credit Card Debt

Living within your means means no credit card debt. If you can’t pay cash for it, you can’t afford it. Simple as that.

HECS Paid Off

Instead of carrying a massive HECS debt, aim to pay it off or manage it so it doesn’t hang over your head for decades.

Owning a Home

Rather than paying $4,800 a month in rent for a trendy spot, why not own a home with a mortgage payment of $5,000 a month? At least that’s an investment in an asset that will grow in value.

Total Monthly Expenses: $5,000
That’s nearly half of what the ‘high life’ couple is spending. But more importantly, this money is going towards building wealth, not just keeping up appearances.

Stop Chasing Rainbows and Focus on Real Success

The problem many face today is that they’re chasing the illusion of success, not the real thing. It’s not about the show, it’s about building something sustainable. The sooner people understand that success isn’t found in flashy weddings, fancy cars, or big holidays, the sooner they can focus on what truly matters: financial security, debt freedom, and long-term wealth.

So, stop chasing the superficial and start building the foundation for real success.