Fake rich: 1 in 3 feel pressured to live a lifestyle they can’t afford
Millions of Australians feel pressured to live a life they can't pay for, according to new research by Finder.
A Finder survey of 1,013 respondents revealed 1 in 3 (30%) – equivalent to 6.3 million people – are feeling compelled to keep up with the Joneses.
The research found 5% of Aussies feel pressured to go on holidays they can't afford, while the same proportion (5%) drive cars beyond their reach.
Houses (5%), clothing (4%) and memberships (3%) rounded out the top five expenses Aussies are spending more on than they think they should.
Women (35%) were more likely than men (25%) to admit they feel pressured to live a lifestyle they can't afford.
Sarah Megginson, personal finance expert at Finder, said giving in to this pressure to keep up can mean many years of debt.
"Draining your savings to keep up appearances is a disaster waiting to happen, but it's a reality that many people are living.
"Sometimes it's one large, flashy purchase, but most of the time it is a pattern of behaviour.
"You charge little things you can't really afford to BNPL or whack them on a credit card.
"But over time those debts can compound and can become a significant problem."
Megginson urged Aussies to address their overspending.
"Social media has amplified the pressure to spend beyond our means and show people our lifestyle, with endless highlight reels making it easy to fall into the trap of comparison and consumerism.
"It's important to remember that what you see online isn't always reality – a lot of the flashy lifestyle you're seeing is built on debt.
"Try to block out that noise and focus on your own financial goals instead of keeping up with others, and you can build long-term financial security rather than chasing short-term satisfaction.
"Constantly comparing yourself to the possessions and experiences of others is a very slippery slope."
Megginson said it's important to gain control over your spending and set financial goals to help keep you on track.
"If all your spare cash is going towards discretionary spending you'll be less likely to have an emergency fund for when you need money for unexpected expenses.
"If you get a pay rise or bonus, save or invest that new income to improve your financial position rather than simply spending more and succumbing to 'lifestyle creep'," Megginson said.
Do you feel pressured to live a lifestyle you can't afford?
| Yes, with holidays | 5% |
| Yes, with the house that I live in | 5% |
| Yes, with cars | 5% |
| Yes, with clothes and accessories | 4% |
| Yes, with schooling for my children | 3% |
| Yes, with eating out at restaurants | 3% |
| Yes, with memberships (e.g. golf memberships, season tickets) | 3% |
| Yes, with cosmetics (e.g. botox etc) | 1% |
| No | 70% |
| Source: Finder survey of 1,013 respondents, March 2025 |  |
Methodology
- Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker is a monthly recurring nationally representative survey of more than 60,000 respondents.
- Figures in this release are based on 1,013 respondents from March 2025.
- The Consumer Sentiment Tracker is owned by Finder and operated by Qualtrics.
- The survey has been running monthly since May 2019.
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