You Think You Can Afford Netflix? This Wealth Expert Says Check Your Investment Portfolio First

Core Insights - Financial content creator Andrei Jikh presents a new perspective on affordability, suggesting that true affordability is based on passive income generated from investments rather than income earned from labor [2][4]. Group 1: Affordability Framework - Jikh argues that most people measure affordability in terms of hours worked, but this is a flawed approach [3]. - He introduces the "dividend investing mindset," which calculates the cost of recurring expenses based on the amount needed to be invested to generate sufficient passive income [4]. - Using the 4% rule, Jikh states that a $13 monthly subscription, totaling $156 annually, requires an investment of $3,900 to be considered affordable [5]. Group 2: Financial Freedom Strategies - Jikh emphasizes that the fastest path to financial freedom may not be building a larger investment portfolio, but rather eliminating recurring costs [6]. - He notes that cutting significant recurring expenses, such as a car payment, can have a financial impact equivalent to saving $100,000 for retirement [6]. - Once passive income covers expenses, individuals can experience what Jikh calls the "stacked freedom effect," where various bills start to feel "free" [7].