Thread by @The_MMW

99% of people will never build real wealth.

It’s not because they’re lazy.

It’s because the game is rigged.

Here’s how the system keeps you poor (and how to escape it):

The financial system is designed to keep you poor.

In this pyramid, you're at the bottom:
• Banks profit from your debt
• Corporations profit from your spending
• Employers profit when you feel stuck

Let me show you how each one works against you:

1. Banks WANT You in Debt

Banks profit when you pay interest, not principal.

That's why they've extended car loans from 3 years to 6+ years.

Sure, your monthly payment is lower, but you pay WAY more in interest.

Here's the insider tip:
• Interest rate < 10% = "smart debt" (keep it)
• Interest rate > 10% = "bad debt" (pay it off ASAP)

Why? Because you can make 7-10% in the S&P 500 historically.

2. Credit Card Trap

The average American has $7,200 in credit card debt.

And new credit cards are charging an INSANE 24% APR.

At that rate, banks get rich while you stay poor.

Some credit card types charge even more:
• Secured cards: up to 26%
• Airline cards: 24.59% average

Remember: Credit cards are easy to use because you never see the money leave your hands.

3. Corporations Keep You Spending

Remember those car ads that say "You deserve this"?

That marketing targets people who've worked hard and think they've "earned" the right to splurge.

But here's the truth:
• Most cars are depreciating assets
• You DON'T deserve every toy you want
• Delayed gratification builds wealth

This consumer culture is designed to keep your money flowing to corporations.

4. Employers Love When You're Stuck

When you're drowning in debt, you're less likely to:
• Quit your job
• Go job hopping

• Make any waves at work

Why? Because you need that paycheck to cover all your debt payments.

Some employers even subtly encourage employees to take on more debt. It keeps you dependent on them.

5. The Tax Code is Rigged Against Workers

The wealthy don't pay the same taxes you do.

W-2 employees (9-to-5 workers) pay the HIGHEST tax rates — up to 37%.

Meanwhile:
• Long-term investors pay max 20%
• Business owners use distributions for lower rates

The system favors investors, not workers.

So what are the 3 wealth killers that keep you trapped?

1. Inflation
Despite peaking at 9%, wages are finally outpacing inflation in 2025.

But over the last 30 years, inflation reduced the dollar's value by 50%.

Meanwhile, the S&P 500 had an after-inflation gain of 840%.

The lesson? Investing beats inflation.

2. Financial Blindness

Climbing the corporate ladder keeps you blind to better opportunities.

Remember: A 9-to-5 job is just ONE income stream away from zero.

Smart people build multiple income streams. Some create passive dividend income reaching $55K+ per year.

That's enough for some people to live on without working!

3. The Unfair Tax System

$100K from a job is NOT the same as $100K from investments.

The difference?
• $100K job income: Up to 37% tax rate
• $100K investment gains: Only 20% max tax rate

The system rewards investors, not workers.

Here's how to flip the script and WIN the money game:

1. Become an investor
• Start with less than $100
• Invest in stocks, ETFs, real estate platforms

2. Leverage the tax code
• Roth IRA, 401(k), HSA
• Focus on long-term capital gains (hold >1 year)

3. Think like an investor, not a consumer
• When buying a $5 Starbucks latte, ask: "Could I invest in $SBUX instead?"
• Shift from consumer to creator mentality

The most important thing is to START TODAY.

If you found this thread helpful:

1. Follow me @the_mmw for more valuable insights
2. Share this post so it can help more people

Thanks for reading!

P.S.

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