‘Rich’: 28-year-old’s question exposes how Aussies really afford their lifestyles

A young Aussie has taken to social media to share why she feels so “behind”, asking a question that has exposed a grim reality.

“Where is everyone getting their money from?”

This is the question a young Aussie posed online, with the revealing response leaving her stunned.

Chantel Billy lives in Melbourne, works in a corporate job, and has amassed a social media following by sharing her fashion and opinions.

Even though the 28-year-old is aware of her privilege, she’s also found herself feeling “poor” in comparison to her peers online.

“I have never been happier, but in terms of my finances, I feel really behind,” she shared.

Ms Billy said her insecurity stems from the fact that she cannot spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on clothes and then show them off online, nor is she in a position to buy a home.

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She posted about how she felt to her ‘close friends’ list on Instagram, asking people how they afforded their lifestyles.

The response was “eye-opening” and reminded her that what you see on the internet isn’t always an indication of wealth.

One person replied and said they have a “credit card and lots of Afterpay debt”, while another explained that often people buy things, show them off online, and then return them or resell them as a side hustle.

Someone revealed their parents pay for their rent and bills, meaning that all their income is disposable.

One shared that they have pretty clothes but “no savings”, and another said they can afford to live well because they are in their late twenties and haven’t moved out of their parent’s home.

“I live pay cheque to pay cheque and spend my money on whatever I want,” one admitted.

The responses to the questions were eye-opening. Picture: Instagram/ChantelBilly

Sometimes Ms Billy feels like she’s fallen behind her peers. Picture: Instagram/ChantelBilly

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Ms Billy said the responses were important to hear because it showed that the majority of people can’t afford just to buy whatever they want and are “struggling financially” in different ways.

She said she’s not interested in “shaming” anybody over their spending habits, but the response she got to her question was a good reminder not to compare yourself to others.

“I know to some, I’m rich. I know to others, I’m nowhere near it. I just thought this was an important message to hear,” she said.

Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed that the average household debt in Australia grew by 7.3 per cent between 2021 to 2022, with the average household liability estimated at $276,000.

Financial comparison website Finder has found that 8 per cent of Aussies surveyed – equivalent to 1.7m people – face growing credit card debt in 2025.

The average amount of debt an individual owes is $1634, equating to a national credit card debt of $2.7 billion.

This past Christmas didn’t help Aussies in the debt department, with the equivalent of 688,000 people surveyed saying they will take five months to pay off what they owe, while 304,000 people will need between six and 11 months to pay back the debt.

About 15 per cent will probably be paying off their holiday debt by next Christmas. Just 23 per cent said they will have paid back their Christmas spending in less than a month.

People online were also quick to share how they’d either amassed wealth or knew how other people could afford their lifestyles.

“We only have a house because my husband won a major jackpot on the poker machines,” one person admitted.

“Family money! So many people I know who make way less than me have suddenly bought homes and borrowed $400k from their parents,” another said.

“I can afford new clothes because I work in head office for a retail brand and we get 50 per cent off and sample sales,” someone added.

“People are in crazy levels of credit card debt. I got sucked into it in my early 20s, and I refuse to get another credit card,” one noted.

Ms Billy said she doesn’t want anyone to be shamed over their spending habits. Picture: Instagram/ChantelBilly

The Melbourne woman used to be in debt when she was at university and trying to get keep up with others. Picture: Instagram/ChantelBilly

Ms Billy told news.com.au that comparing herself to others comes from the idea that she feels she was sold “the Australian dream” where if she works hard she’ll be able to purchase a home by her late twenties.

“I guess I put a lot of pressure on myself when it comes to finances. I think people my age have been sold the Australian dream their entire lives,” she said.

“I don’t believe it’s entirely out of reach, but I think that a lot of sacrifices need to be made for a very long time to achieve the goal.

“But for some people, their rent and bills take up 80 per cent of their salary. So it really does become almost impossible to even begin saving for a deposit.”

Ms Billy also used to be in debt because she wanted to “fit in” and have the same lifestyle of her peers.

“In my early twenties I was in debt. I was out of home from a young age, and putting myself through university while working,” she said.

“I felt as if no matter how hard I worked, I still couldn’t have or do the things other people my age could do, so I got a credit card. It was a terrible financial mistake.

“I guess at the end of the day I just wanted to fit in. Once I paid off my debts, I promised myself I’d never find myself in that situation again for a want, only if it were a need for example, an urgent medical bill.”

It can also be hard to not feel like she’s behind, even now when she’s making better financial choices, because of what people share online.

“I see so many people on social media buying houses and going on multiple trips per year and buying expensive designer handbags, and it makes me think ‘Wow, what am I doing wrong’,” she said.

“I went to university, I save my money, my partner is the same, we don’t have kids. How is everyone else around me doing so well?”

Aussies shared how they could afford their lifestyles. Picture: iStock

The 28-year-old believes “comparison is the thief of joy”, but conceded it is hard when you see people posting shopping hauls on social media where they’ve spent $400 on a pair of shoes on a random Tuesday.

“People will justify these purchases by saying that they are investment pieces, but since when are we buying investment pieces weekly?” she asked.

“I can’t help but do the math when people are posting these hauls weekly and just think, ‘Wow, that’s half of my salary on a few clothing items a week’.”

Ms Billy said she still thinks it is “taboo” for people to share if they’re in debt or how they’re funding their lifestyle, which contributes to the mystery surrounding how some people live lavishly and makes others feel like they’re doing something wrong.

She argued that a huge part of the problem is that, when people open up about debt, they can often be “shamed” by the older generation.

In response, they can be berated and told, “Young people are dumb with their money,” or the impacts of the cost-of-living crisis are minimised.

“I think that makes people feel a lot of shame when it comes to discussing debt,” she argued.

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Originally published as ‘Rich’: 28-year-old’s question exposes how Aussies really afford their lifestyles