6 Figures Won’t Make You Wealthy — 3 Money Milestones That Matter More

Core Insights - The perception of wealth among Americans has shifted, with only 23% believing that an annual income of $100,000 qualifies as wealthy [1] - There is a growing emphasis on personal financial goals such as debt elimination and financial security rather than just high income [2] Group 1: Definition of Wealth - The primary definition of wealth for many Americans is the ability to live comfortably without financial concerns, which is a significant source of stress for over 70% of the population [4][5] - Wealth is increasingly associated with not worrying about covering essential expenses and having some discretionary income for comfort [5] Group 2: Financial Security - Feeling financially secure is a key component of wealth, with around half of U.S. adults indicating that an income of $100,000 would suffice for this sense of security [6] - However, a notable portion of Americans believe that higher incomes are necessary for financial security, with 25% stating they would need at least $150,000 and 16% requiring $200,000 [7]