07/17/2026
"Part of that gap comes from something Matt Miller, certified financial planner and founder of financial planning firm Upleft, called the "envy-industrial complex" — the nonstop scroll of other people's wins, upgrades and highlight reels.
“It is hard to build wealth while drowning in the 24-hour swirl of online content,” Miller said. “The people selling the dream of putting a new Lamborghini in your garage by being another content creator are working against the long-term success of their audience.”
Housing costs, tuition and social media are stacking the deck against Gen Z. Here's why reaching the upper class is harder — and still possible.